Full Scholarships For International Students At Howard University?

Howard University offers scholarships, grants, and other forms of funding to international students. These include the Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS), which are merit-based and awarded based on SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs. International students can also apply for the Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship Program, the Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship, and the Edward Alexander Bouchet Doctoral Scholars Assistantship, all of which offer full funding for PhD programs. Additionally, there are other external scholarships that international students can explore, such as the Education Future International Scholarship and the Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students.

Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS)

HUFS awards do not require a separate application. Students who meet the criteria will be automatically considered for HUFS when they apply for admission to Howard University. However, students must submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to be considered for HUFS. FAFSA is for domestic students, while ISFAA is for international students.

There are seven types of HUFS awards:

• HU Presidential Scholarship
• HU Achievers Scholarship
• HU Founders Scholarship
• HU Capstone Scholarship
• HU Leadership Scholarship
• HU Opportunity Scholarship
• HU Access Scholarship

HUFS awards will expire after eight consecutive semesters of enrollment or if the undergraduate student graduates before completing eight consecutive semesters.

Eligibility criteria for HUFS

Howard University offers partial funding scholarships to international students, including the Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS). HUFS are available to incoming First Time in College Students (FTICs). The eligibility criteria for HUFS awards are as follows:

Merit-based HUFS Awards

To be eligible for merit-based HUFS awards, students must meet certain academic criteria. Eligibility is determined based on SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs that are entered into the system by the Office of Admissions. These criteria may change annually, and there is no internal application process required.

Need-based HUFS Awards

For need-based HUFS awards, eligibility is determined based on a range of students' Student Aid Index (SAI). International students must complete the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to be considered for need-based institutional aid. The ISFAA requires financial information, including income/wages, taxes, assets, investments, and pension from the country of residence. All monetary amounts must be converted to US Dollars. Additionally, the student applicant must respond to a questionnaire about age, degree type, legal dependents, marital status, and parent status.

General Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the specific criteria for HUFS, there are general eligibility requirements that must be met to receive financial aid at Howard University. These include:

• Being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Having a valid social security number
• Being registered with the Selective Service, if male
• Being enrolled at least half-time in degree-applicable coursework to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree in an eligible program
• Signing the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Not being in default on a federal student loan and not owing money on a federal student grant
• Using federal student aid solely for educational purposes
• Demonstrating qualification for a college education by having a high school diploma, equivalent certificate, or completing a homeschool program approved under state law

Application process for HUFS

The Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS) are partial funding scholarships for international students pursuing a Bachelor's degree. The HUFS award criteria for incoming freshmen may change every year and eligibility for merit-based awards is determined based on students' SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs.

To apply for HUFS, international students must complete the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). The ISFAA allows Howard University to determine eligibility for and award institutional aid. The student applicant must respond to a questionnaire about age, degree type, legal dependents, marital status, and parent status. The questionnaire will provide the option to complete either an ISFAA for Dependent Students or an ISFAA for Independent Students.

The completed ISFAA file must include the following:

• Income/Wages & Tax data or proof of no filing requirement in the country of residence for parent(s) if the student is dependent, or for the spouse if the student applicant is married.
• Currency conversion to US Dollars.
• Financial information from the country of residence, such as taxes, assets, investments, and pension.
• Financial data and the household's total number to provide a need calculation based on the Department of Education metrics. All monetary amounts must be converted to US Dollars.

The ISFAA should be submitted by the posted application deadline. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the ISFAA will be released on December 1st.

Students may accept their HUFS offers by accepting the Terms and Conditions on their Bison Hub portal and by signing and submitting the HUFS Acceptance Agreement to the Office of Financial Aid by the designated deadline.

Other scholarships for international students

Howard University offers four scholarships to international bachelor's and PhD students. These scholarships are:

• Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS): This scholarship offers partial funding for bachelor's degrees and is available to incoming first-time college students. The scholarship amount varies depending on available funding.
• Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship Program: This scholarship provides full funding for PhD degrees, including full tuition exemption and a stipend of $24,000.
• Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship: This scholarship offers full funding for PhD degrees, with full tuition exemption and a $24,000 stipend for both fall and spring semesters.
• Edward Alexander Bouchet Doctoral Scholars Assistantship: This scholarship provides full funding for PhD degrees, covering full tuition exemption and a $24,000 stipend for the fall and spring semesters.

In addition to these scholarships, Howard University also offers various other forms of financial aid, including grants, institutional and external scholarships, work-study, and loans. International students can apply for financial aid by completing the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). This application is used to determine need-based eligibility for institutional aid.

• Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2025: Open to Indian nationals pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees. It offers partial funding for all courses offered by the university.
• Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students (HEST) 2024: Available to Indian nationals pursuing bachelor's, master's, diploma, or MBA degrees (except Medicine/MBBS). It provides partial funding of up to INR 3 lakhs per student.
• Gordon Watson Scholarship by Universities New Zealand Te Pōkai Tara 2025: Open to New Zealand nationals pursuing master's or PhD degrees in International Relationships or Social and Economic Conditions. It offers partial funding of NZD 12,000 per annum.
• The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation 2025-26: Available to US citizens and US national residents of American Samoa pursuing bachelor's degrees in public service-related fields. This scholarship provides partial funding and can be used at universities in the US.
• Byron Hanke Fellowship 2025: Open to applicants from the US and Canada pursuing master's or PhD degrees. It offers partial funding of up to USD 5,000 over one year for topics related to community associations.
• Khyentse Foundation Individual Practice Grants 2025: This scholarship is open to all nationals and provides partial funding for Buddhist study and practice at Buddhist institutions worldwide. The grant amount ranges from USD 500 to USD 5,000.

Financial aid for international students

Howard University offers financial aid to international students in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities. International students are not eligible for federal aid, but they can apply for institutional aid through the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). This application is used to determine eligibility for need-based financial assistance.

Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS)

HUFS scholarships are available to incoming First Time in College (FTIC) students. Eligibility for merit-based awards is determined by SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs, while need-based awards are determined by the student's Student Aid Index (SAI). HUFS awards will be provided for up to eight consecutive semesters of enrollment or until the student graduates, whichever comes first. Students can only receive one type of HUFS award, and there are several types of HUFS scholarships available, including the HU Presidential Scholarship, HU Leadership Scholarship, and HU Access Scholarship.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Howard University offers four scholarships to international Bachelor's students, including the HUFS scholarship. These scholarships provide partial or full funding, with varying amounts and requirements.

Graduate Scholarships

Howard University also offers graduate scholarships to international PhD students. There are currently three full-funding scholarships available:

• Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship Program: This scholarship provides full tuition exemption and a $24,000 stipend.
• Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship: This scholarship offers full tuition exemption and a $24,000 stipend for both fall and spring semesters.
• Edward Alexander Bouchet Doctoral Scholars Assistantship: This scholarship includes full tuition exemption and a $24,000 stipend for the fall and spring semesters.

Frequently asked questions