International Students: Scholarships At Us Universities?

The United States is a popular destination for students seeking internationally recognised higher education. However, the cost of living and studying in the US is very high, so many students look to scholarships as a way to fund their studies. Although international students are not eligible for funding intended specifically for US nationals, many US universities offer scholarships to international students, and some offer need-blind admission. These scholarships are often merit-based, but there are also need-based scholarships available. This introduction will explore the different types of scholarships available to international students, the universities that offer them, and the application process.

Scholarships for international students at US universities: types and availability

The United States is one of the most popular destinations for students wishing to benefit from a top-notch, internationally recognised education. However, it is also one of the most expensive nations in which to pursue higher education. The good news is that there are hundreds of scholarship opportunities available for international students, offered by US colleges and universities, as well as by the US government and private institutions.

US government scholarships for international students

The US government offers several scholarship programmes for international students, including:

• The Fulbright Foreign Student Program: a full scholarship for graduate students, young professionals and artists to study in the US for one year or more.
• The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program: a non-degree scholarship for experienced professionals from designated countries, allowing them to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US.

Non-governmental US scholarships for international students

There are also many non-governmental scholarships available for international students, including:

• The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: awarded to international students studying any subject at one of 57 participating colleges or universities in the US.
• Civil Society Leadership Awards: full scholarships for students from eligible countries to undertake a master's degree in the US or another host country.
• David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship: a $1,000 scholarship for students in the US diagnosed with autism.
• Preply Scholarship: an award of up to $2,000 for students aged 16-35, based on the submission of a 500-word essay.

University-specific scholarships for international students

Many US universities also offer scholarships and financial aid specifically for international students, including:

• American University: the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship for undergraduate students demonstrating leadership potential.
• Brandeis University: the Wien International Scholarship Program for high-achieving students interested in contributing to the student community.
• Clark University: the Global Scholars Program, offering scholarships of at least $10,000, plus a $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship.
• Emory University: the Needs-Based Scholarship Program for students who can demonstrate financial need.
• Harvard University: a range of competitive scholarships for international students from around the world.
• Illinois State University: tuition waivers, merit awards and graduate assistantships for incoming international students.
• Yale University: scholarships ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year; the average need-based scholarship is over $50,000.
• Stanford University: a fully-funded scholarship covering tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance and academic expenses.

Types of scholarships

Scholarships for international students in the US can be merit-based, need-based, need-blind, or athletics-based. They can be partial or full scholarships, and some universities offer a combination of both.

Government-funded scholarships for international students

The US is one of the most expensive countries in which to pursue higher education, but there are hundreds of opportunities to gain funding for your studies. While international students are not eligible for funding intended specifically for US nationals, the number of international scholarships has grown as US universities prioritize internationalization.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Perhaps the most popular government-funded scholarship for international students, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year or more. The scholarship is open to international students in all fields excluding medicine. The grant covers tuition fees, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree scholarship program for international experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US. Although the funding doesn’t support degree qualifications, students are able to develop their knowledge at academic institutions across the nation. The fellowships are full grants covering all related expenses.

Foreign Fulbright Student Program

The Foreign Fulbright Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world (as well as young professionals and artists) to study in the USA.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports US undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program provides fully-funded intensive summer language institutes overseas in fifteen critical languages.

Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)

The Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) provides merit-based scholarships to recent vocational graduates and young professionals for a one-year professional study and training experience in their fields of interest in Germany.

Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program

The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program provides opportunities for doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Grants are given in all world areas except Western Europe as the program aims to encourage the study of regions and cultures that are not commonly explored.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship offers undergraduate scholarships to study in the US at American University in Washington DC. The scholarship is aimed at international students who are showing leadership potential.

Berea College Scholarships

All admitted international students receive financial aid and scholarships that cover 100% of tuition, room, board, and fees for the first year of enrollment. In subsequent years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) to contribute toward their expenses. The College does provide summer jobs to international students so that they may meet this obligation.

Clark University Scholarships

Clark University offers the Clark Presidential Scholarships, a prestigious award for students whose academic record and leadership potential places them at the very top of Clark’s applicant pool. The scholarships are awarded to approximately five students each year. It covers full tuition, on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of a family’s financial need.

Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

Illinois Wesleyan University offers merit-based scholarships to qualified international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and test scores on the required entrance exams. These awards range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. In addition, two full-tuition President’s International Student Scholarships may be awarded each year to qualified international students for up to four years of study.

Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships

Iowa State University offers international freshmen merit scholarships. Scholarship selection is competitive and based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year and are renewable.

Michigan State University International Scholarships

Michigan State University provides a limited number of scholarships and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These financial packages are not designed to support a full academic program at MSU.

New York University Wagner Scholarships

The New York University Wagner Scholarships are merit-based and offered to a limited number of admitted students each application cycle, including international students. The scholarships are partial to full-tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000-$47,000.

Oregon University Scholarships

Oregon University awards more than $2.5 million in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of their scholarship programs is the ICSP Scholarship, which awards tuition-waiver scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for up to 15 credits per term each year. Scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit, and the ability to make presentations to diverse groups of people.

Wesleyan University Scholarships

Financial aid for foreign students at Wesleyan University is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. The Freeman Asian Scholars Program, for example, provides full-tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan toward a bachelor’s degree for 11 exceptionally able Asian students.

University of the West Scholarships

The University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate a financial need. For incoming students, the scholarship ranges from $6,000-10,000 per year. For continuing students, the dean’s and president’s scholarship covers 7.5-15 undergraduate units per semester or 6-12 graduate units per semester.

Non-governmental scholarships for international students

There are hundreds of scholarships available for international students who wish to study in the US. These scholarships are offered by private organisations, institutions, and universities. Here are some of the non-governmental scholarships available for international students:

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship is aimed at international students studying any subject at one of the 57 participating colleges or universities in the US. Applicants are required to submit an essay or video demonstrating their interest and initiative in promoting intercultural learning and exchange.

Civil Society Leadership Awards

The Civil Society Leadership Awards offer full scholarships for master's students from specific countries who are dedicated to fostering social change.

David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship

The David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship is a $1,000 award open to current or prospective students in the US diagnosed with autism.

Preply Scholarship

The Preply Scholarship awards three winners with up to $2,000 each. It is open to all students, domestic and international, at any study level, who are between the ages of 16 and 35. Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development.

Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship

The Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship offers a $2,000 prize to a student currently enrolled in a high school, undergraduate, or graduate program in the US or another country. Applicants are required to submit an essay, and the scholarship is open to all nationalities.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

The Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US. It is worth $1,000.

East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships

The East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships are aimed at international students from the Asia-Pacific region who wish to study in the US within selected institutions.

Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program

The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program offers scholarships to 11 exceptional Asian students to study at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. It covers the full cost of tuition and student fees.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship offers undergraduate scholarships to international students studying at American University in Washington, DC. It is aimed at students who demonstrate leadership potential and are dedicated to positive civic and social change.

Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program

The Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program is a funding opportunity for high-achieving students with an interest in contributing to the student community.

Clark University Global Scholars Program

The Clark University Global Scholars Program offers scholarships of no less than $10,000, as well as a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship, to first-year international applicants.

Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program

The Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program provides funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.

Illinois State University International Awards

Illinois State University offers tuition waivers, merit awards, and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.

Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships

The Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships is a merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.

Michigan State University International Scholarships

Michigan State University offers various grants and scholarships for international students.

New York University Wagner International Scholarships

The New York University Wagner International Scholarships are US scholarships available to international students studying at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

University of Arkansas International Scholarships

The University of Arkansas offers funding opportunities for international students of varying backgrounds and nationalities.

University of Iowa Scholarships for International First Year Students

The University of Iowa offers various scholarships for international students starting their first year in Autumn 2017.

University of Minnesota International Scholarships

The University of Minnesota offers the Global Excellence Scholarship and the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, a renewable scholarship that offers $15,000 per year.

University of Oregon International Scholarships

The University of Oregon International Scholarships are US scholarships aimed at international students from around the world.

University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program

The University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program offers tuition waivers for international students who can demonstrate financial need.

University-specific scholarships for international students

University-specific scholarships are a great way for international students to fund their studies in the US. While there are also government-funded and non-governmental scholarships available, university-specific scholarships are offered directly by the institution a student wishes to attend. This can be a great option for students who are already set on a particular university, as it means they can secure funding directly from the source.

Examples of University-specific scholarships for international students in the US

• American University offers the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship for undergraduate students who are international leaders. The scholarship covers all billable expenses, including tuition, room, and board, for one international student.
• Amherst College runs a need-based financial aid program for international students. Once admitted, the college determines the student's financial need and offers an award to match.
• Berea College offers 100% financial aid and scholarships to all admitted international students for the first year of enrollment. In subsequent years, international students are expected to contribute $1,000 towards their expenses, and the college provides summer jobs to help them meet this obligation.
• Brandeis University has the Wien International Scholarship Program, which is for international students who want to become active global citizens. This scholarship meets the full demonstrated financial need of each recipient.
• Clark University offers the Clark Presidential Scholarships to around five students each year. The scholarship covers full tuition, on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of financial need.
• Colby-Sawyer College offers international students merit-based financial aid, with the scholarship value increasing based on academic ability (GPA), up to $8,000 per year.
• Concordia College offers the International Student Merit Scholarships, ranging from $11,000 to $17,000 per year, based on academic ability and family need.
• Dartmouth College meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including international students, through scholarships and loans, which includes an allowance for travel to the US.
• East Tennessee State University offers the International Students Academic Merit Scholarship for new international students seeking graduate or undergraduate degrees. The scholarship is worth $5,000-$9,000 per academic year.
• Emory College offers need-based financial aid to a select group of international students each year. International applicants are also encouraged to apply for partial to full merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program.
• Illinois Wesleyan University offers merit-based scholarships to qualified international applicants, ranging from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and renewable for up to four years. The university also offers two full-tuition President’s International Student Scholarships each year.
• Iowa State University offers International Merit Scholarships to international freshmen based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year and are renewable.
• Michigan State University provides a limited number of scholarships and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• New York University offers the Wagner Scholarships to a limited number of admitted students, including international students. These scholarships are partial to full tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000 to $47,000.
• Oregon University awards more than $2.5 million in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels each year. One of their scholarship programs is the ICSP Scholarship, which offers partial to full tuition waivers of up to 15 credits per term each year.
• Wesleyan University offers the Freeman Asian Scholars Program, providing full tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan to 11 exceptionally able Asian students. The university also offers financial assistance to around 40-45 foreign students out of approximately 2,800 international applicants applying for financial aid.
• University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate financial need. For incoming students, the scholarship ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 per year, while for continuing students, the dean’s and president’s scholarship covers 7.5-15 undergraduate units per semester or 6-12 graduate units per semester.

Tips for applying for scholarships

When applying for scholarships, it is important to look for those that fit your specific profile. For example, some scholarships are merit-based, recognising academic excellence, while others are need-based, for students who can demonstrate financial need. There are also scholarships based on co-curricular activities, intended for students who will return to their home countries to improve under-resourced communities, or aimed at students from specific countries or regions.

Websites such as International Student, The College Board, Fastweb, and eduPASS offer searchable databases of scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other funding opportunities for international students.

Scholarships for international students at US universities: eligibility and application process

The United States is one of the most popular destinations for students seeking a world-class education. However, it is also one of the most expensive countries for higher education, which is why many international students seek scholarships to fund their studies. While international students are not eligible for funding intended specifically for US nationals, many US universities offer scholarships and financial aid to international students. These scholarships are typically merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both.

Types of Scholarships

There are three main types of scholarships available to international students: government-funded, non-governmental, and university-specific.

Government-funded Scholarships

The US government offers several scholarships to international students, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program. These scholarships are typically highly competitive and may have specific eligibility requirements, such as excluding students in the medical field.

Non-governmental Scholarships

Various private organizations and institutions also offer scholarships to international students, such as the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, the Civil Society Leadership Awards, and the David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship. These scholarships often have specific criteria, such as promoting intercultural learning or supporting students with autism.

University-specific Scholarships

Many US universities offer their own scholarships and financial aid programs for international students. For example, American University offers the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, while Brandeis University has the Wien International Scholarship Program. These scholarships often consider both merit and financial need.

Eligibility and Application Process

The eligibility criteria and application process for scholarships can vary depending on the scholarship provider and the specific scholarship. However, there are some general steps that international students can follow when applying for scholarships:

• Research: Begin by researching the different types of scholarships available, including government-funded, non-governmental, and university-specific scholarships. Create a list of scholarships that align with your interests, academic qualifications, and financial needs.
• Review eligibility criteria: Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship. This may include academic achievements, financial need, leadership potential, or other specific requirements.
• Prepare the required documents: Most scholarship applications will require certain documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. Ensure that you have all the required documents ready before starting your application.
• Complete the application: Follow the instructions provided by the scholarship provider to complete the application. This may involve filling out an online form, submitting essays or multimedia projects, or participating in interviews.
• Meet deadlines: Pay close attention to the application deadlines for each scholarship and ensure that you submit your application on time.
• Explore multiple options: Don't rely on a single scholarship opportunity. Apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances of receiving financial support.

It is important to note that the competition for scholarships can be intense, and not all applicants will be successful. International students should also be aware of any visa requirements and ensure that they have the necessary documentation to study in the US. Additionally, some scholarships may have specific requirements or expectations, such as community service or participation in specific programs.

Examples of US Universities offering Scholarships to International Students

• American University: The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is awarded to international students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to positive civic and social change.
• Brandeis University: The Wien International Scholarship Program offers full financial support to high-achieving students interested in contributing to the student community.
• Clark University: The Clark Global Scholars Program provides scholarships of at least $10,000 and guaranteed stipends for internships to first-year international applicants.
• Amherst College: Amherst College runs a need-based financial aid program that assists international students with financial need.
• Stanford University: Stanford offers a fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing Master's or PhD studies, covering tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
• Yale University: The Yale Scholarship offers varying amounts, with the average need-based scholarship exceeding $50,000 per year.
• University of New Haven: The University of New Haven Scholarship provides a 75% tuition waiver and an hourly wage as part of an experiential learning and work opportunity for graduate students.
• University of Memphis: The University of Memphis Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for undergraduate and graduate studies, covering the difference in tuition rates for international and domestic non-resident students.
• University of Minnesota: The University of Minnesota Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship for graduate studies, covering tuition, living expenses, travel, and health insurance.
• Arizona State University: The New American University (NAMU) Scholarship is offered to undergraduate students with high academic excellence.

While studying in the US as an international student can be expensive, the availability of scholarships and financial aid makes it more accessible. International students should research and apply for scholarships that align with their academic and financial needs, carefully reviewing the eligibility criteria and application processes. By exploring these opportunities, students can pursue their educational goals at top US universities.

Frequently asked questions