Douglas Olsen
International students often face challenges when seeking full-ride scholarships for undergraduate programs in the United States. While financial aid opportunities exist, they are typically limited and vary across institutions. Public schools, being government-funded, rarely provide substantial scholarships for international students. In contrast, private universities, particularly those in the Ivy League and the top 30 schools, are more likely to offer need-based aid to international students from low-income backgrounds. Additionally, some universities offer merit-based scholarships that recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills, and athletic abilities. These scholarships may cover tuition, room, and board, but they are highly competitive and require a strong application. International students must carefully navigate the financial considerations and application processes, which may include submitting financial documentation and applying for specific scholarships, to increase their chances of securing financial support for their studies in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scholarship availability | Limited full-ride scholarships for international students; more common for graduate studies |
| Scholarship type | Need-based, merit-based, or a combination of both |
| Scholarship providers | Individual universities, third parties |
| Application process | Separate applications, automatic nominations, or counsellor nominations |
| Supporting documents | Bank accounts, tax returns, spending information, Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) |
| Criteria | Academic achievement, leadership, community service, athletic ability, financial need |
| Additional considerations | Tax exemptions, visa status, work authorization |
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What You'll Learn
Need-based scholarships
International students aspiring to study in the US often have to find funding sources to cover tuition and living expenses. While there are limited opportunities for international students to obtain a full-ride scholarship, they can apply for need-based scholarships to meet their financial needs. Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and students who can demonstrate need at a predetermined level are eligible for this type of aid.
To apply for need-based scholarships, international students can send supporting documents (e.g., bank accounts, tax returns, spending information, etc.) to the financial aid offices of universities to prove that their families cannot meet the full contribution for the upcoming academic year. Each university has its unique way of calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the total amount a family can afford to spend on a student's education in a year.
While many scholarships for undergraduate study are only available to US citizens and permanent residents, there are still options for international students. Free scholarship databases, as well as private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds, serve undergraduate international students. Additionally, academic departments within universities may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional financial need and/or talent.
Some universities, such as Northeastern University, have a large international student community and provide resources, support, and guidance for international students. International students with proper authorization may also be permitted to work on campus during their program of study, which can help with funding their education.
For students from developing countries, there are also international scholarships available to promote a more diverse and inclusive student demographic at universities worldwide. These scholarships may have additional criteria, such as a specific country of origin or destination, a particular subject of study, or ties to a specific university. Examples of such scholarships include the Australia Awards Scholarships, the Destination Australia scholarship, and the MasterCard Foundation Scholarships.
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Merit-based scholarships
International students aspiring to attend a college in the US often have to find funding sources to cover tuition and living expenses. Generally, international students have limited opportunities to obtain a full-ride scholarship (covering full tuition, room and board, activity fees, books, airfare, and stipend). However, they can qualify for and apply for merit-based scholarships, which are a viable alternative for high-achieving scholars, athletes, community leaders, and future global change-makers.
International students can access merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, leadership qualities, and community involvement. These scholarships are often highly competitive, and each university has its own unique approach to allocating financial assistance. Here are some examples of merit-based scholarships available to international students:
- The University of Arkansas offers nearly 100 different scholarships to international students.
- UChicago offers a variety of merit scholarships for international students.
- The International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA) is open to incoming first-year international students who will graduate from a high school outside the U.S.
- UNLV offers the International Student Scholarship to current undergrads with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
- USC offers a number of merit scholarships to international students.
- UW-Madison offers a variety of generous, merit-based scholarships to international students.
- Vanderbilt University allows its international freshman applicants to apply for all of its merit-based scholarships.
- Wake Forest offers merit-scholarship programs to international students.
- The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship awards one international student who will require a visa to study in the U.S. The EGS Scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board for up to four years, as long as satisfactory academic performance is maintained.
- BU automatically considers its international freshman applicants for the Presidential and Trustee Scholarships.
- UBC offers the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award, a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship awarded to qualified students when they are offered admission. For the 2025/2026 academic year, OIS awards were valued at $10,000 – $25,000.
- UBC also offers the International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs. For the 2025/2026 academic year, IMES awards were valued at $10,000 – $20,000/year.
- Villanova University selects 25 Presidential Scholars annually. This renewable, merit-based award covers full tuition, room and board, the general fee, and the cost of textbooks for eight semesters.
- The Wells Scholars program covers the full cost of attendance for undergraduate students on IU’s Bloomington campus.
- Davidson’s Admissions Committee may nominate candidates for full-ride scholarships from a pool of applicants with excellent academic records and stellar recommendations.
Tips for securing a scholarship
When applying for merit-based scholarships, it is important to note that each college has its own application process. Some scholarships require separate applications, while others automatically consider all incoming first-year international students. Additionally, some admissions offices nominate students themselves, and some require high school college counselors to nominate candidates. Therefore, it is recommended to reach out to the school's financial aid office to inquire about scholarship or aid opportunities available to international students.
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Full-ride scholarship requirements
International students aspiring to study in the US often have to find funding sources to cover their tuition and living expenses. While full-ride scholarships are available, they are extremely competitive and hard to get.
Full-ride scholarships cover all college expenses, including tuition, housing, meals, books, lab fees, and sometimes even living costs. These scholarships can be worth anywhere from $20,000 to over $50,000. They are typically offered by colleges or universities and fall into two main categories: merit-based and need-based.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement, athletic skill, leadership, or other outstanding qualities. To qualify, students typically need excellent grades, high test scores, and sometimes additional criteria like leadership experience, community service, or extracurricular involvement. Athletic scholarships, for example, are often awarded to talented athletes recruited by college sports teams.
Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are offered to students from low-income families who can demonstrate financial need. To apply for these scholarships, students must submit supporting documents (e.g., bank accounts, tax returns, spending information) to financial aid offices, which will then estimate the family's Expected Financial Contribution (EFC).
International students can qualify and apply for both types of scholarships, but they should also be prepared to explore other funding options, as full-ride scholarships are limited for international students. It is recommended to apply for a range of scholarships, both large and small, and to have a backup financial plan. Additionally, international students with proper authorization may work on campus during their studies to help cover expenses.
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Tax exemptions
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are generally considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay. Nonresident aliens are taxed only on US-sourced income. If a nonresident alien's country of residence has signed a tax treaty with the US, they may be partially or completely exempt from US taxes. The US has income tax treaties with 65 countries, which can reduce or eliminate taxes on income such as pensions, interest, dividends, royalties, and capital gains. F-1 visa holders are exempt from FICA taxes on wages for services performed in the US, and from social security and Medicare taxes. However, nonresident aliens cannot claim the standard deduction.
International students with certain visas are exempt from the Substantial Presence Test for the first five years they are in the US. The Substantial Presence Test determines whether someone has been in the US long enough to be considered a resident for tax purposes. If an international student passes this test, they will be considered a resident for tax purposes and will be taxed on worldwide income.
International students with proper authorization can work on campus during their program of study. However, as a general rule, nonimmigrants are not permitted to earn self-employment income in the US. If a nonimmigrant student earns self-employment income, it will be subject to US income tax.
International students can qualify for merit-based scholarships, which can include full-ride scholarships. These are awarded based on academic, athletic, or extracurricular merit. Students can also apply for need-based scholarships, where they must prove that their families cannot meet the full contribution for the upcoming academic year.
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On-campus employment
International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus, but they must comply with certain federal laws and regulations. On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 students, and it does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, students must still seek guidance and clearance from their International Student Office before accepting any employment.
F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during breaks and vacation periods. They must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident in their on-campus job. Additionally, they should report their work and obtain a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security Number.
There are various on-campus job opportunities available for international students. These include working in dining halls, residence halls as night desk attendants, tutoring at learning centres, and positions within their department related to their field of study.
While on-campus employment is more readily available for international students, opportunities may be limited, and students may not rely solely on this income to cover their expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
A full-ride scholarship covers tuition, room, and board. Some full-ride scholarships also cover activity fees, books, airfare, and stipends.
Yes, full-ride scholarships are available for international students, but they are rare and highly competitive.
To increase your chances of getting a full-ride scholarship as an international student, focus on leadership and community involvement. Many scholarships are merit-based and awarded to students with outstanding leadership, strength of character, academic achievement, and a commitment to social justice.
The Emerging Global Leaders scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that recognises students with outstanding leadership, strength of character, academic achievement, and a deep-seated commitment to social justice. Another example is the full-tuition scholarship offered by Rice University to students with a family income below $130,000.
International students can access need-based financial assistance and merit-based scholarships. Additionally, international students with proper authorisation are permitted to work on campus during their studies. Some financial resources may be taxable, but exemptions may apply depending on visa type, duration of stay, and type of award.
