Scholarship Strategies: International Students' Edition

how can i get a scholarship as an international student

As an international student, you may be eligible for a scholarship to help fund your studies. Scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, including merit, need, and field of study. Many scholarships are offered by individual universities, while others are funded by private organizations or the government. To find a scholarship that fits your specific profile, you can search online databases or consult your school's financial aid office. Applying for scholarships can be competitive, and it is important to be cautious of potential scams.

Characteristics Values
Scholarship type Merit-based, need-based, location-based, subject-based, student origin-based, award name-based, gender-based, nationality-based, graduate/undergraduate-based, degree type-based, skill/talent/ability-based, TOEFL score-based, grade point average-based, age-based, essay-based, athletic ability-based, artist-based, leadership potential-based
Scholarship provider Universities, private organizations, specific institutions, government, online scholarship databases, private sponsors, companies, foundations, fellowship programs, financial aid office, host organizations
Scholarship amount $1,000, $2,000, $48,000, $8,000, $5,000, $10,000
Application process Sign up on the website, create an account, contact the host institution, apply directly to the school/organization, check the financial aid office, call or email the office
Other information Scholarships are competitive, some scholarships waive application fees, some scholarships are offered annually, scholarships may be subject to scams

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Scholarships by country, field of study, or university

As an international student, there are thousands of scholarship opportunities that can help with your tuition fees and make studying abroad possible. Scholarships are awarded based on various factors, including merit, need, and chosen field of study.

Scholarships by Country

International scholarships are available for students from just about every country in the world. For instance, MPOWER Financing's Chasing Dreams Scholarship is open to international graduate students with Chinese citizenship, offering awards of up to US$5,000.

Scholarships by Field of Study

Scholarships are often associated with specific fields of study. For example, MPOWER awards scholarships to female international students enrolled in STEM degree programs in the United States.

Scholarships by University

Some scholarships are specific to particular universities. For instance, MPOWER offers scholarships to international students pursuing an MBA at one of their supported universities.

Online Scholarship Databases

Websites like InternationalScholarships.com and InternationalStudent.com provide comprehensive listings of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for international students. These sites allow you to search for scholarships by country, field of study, or university name, making it easier to find opportunities that match your specific situation and interests.

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Merit-based scholarships

Many universities in the United States offer merit-based scholarships to international students. These scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and other outstanding accomplishments. Here are some examples of merit-based scholarships available to international students:

Syracuse University

Syracuse University offers merit-based scholarships to international students, which can be combined with other tuition-specific awards outside of the university. The 1870 Scholarship is the highest recognition offered by the Office of Admissions, which evaluates prospective recipients on their academic and creative accomplishments, personal achievement, community service, and demonstrated caring for others.

University of Maryland, Worldwide (UMW)

UMW automatically considers international students for a merit scholarship upon admission, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $9,000 based on high school academic records. This scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years of continuous undergraduate study. Graduates of the International Language Academy (ILA) who enrol directly at UMW are also eligible for scholarships.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University offers competitive, merit-based scholarships to international students, with awards of up to $28,000 annually. They have also partnered with RaiseMe to offer microscholarships that recognize academic achievements and outstanding accomplishments, with awards of up to $20,000 per year. Additionally, international students in graduate programs or the College of Professional Studies are considered for merit-based scholarships through their application for admission.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University offers International Merit Scholarships to incoming international transfer students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and exceptional talent or accomplishments in various areas. The Award of Achievement offers up to $20,000 ($5,000–$8,000 per year), while the Award of Distinction offers up to $10,000 ($2,000–$4,000 per year). To retain the scholarship, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be continuously enrolled in at least 12 semester credits per term.

Other Universities

Numerous other universities in the United States offer merit-based scholarships to international students. For example, the University of Arkansas provides nearly 100 different scholarships, while UChicago, UW-Madison, Vanderbilt University, and Wake Forest University offer a variety of merit scholarships. Additionally, the American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board for up to four years for one international student requiring a visa to study in the U.S.

It is recommended to contact the financial aid office of your prospective university to inquire about merit-based scholarship opportunities specifically available to international students. Additionally, students may be eligible for outside scholarships independent of their university and federal or state aid.

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Need-based scholarships

Some need-based scholarships are renewable, meaning you can receive funding for multiple years as long as you maintain eligibility requirements, such as continued financial need or a minimum GPA.

There are several well-known need-based scholarships available for international students:

  • The Fulbright Program (USA): One of the most prestigious scholarships for international students wishing to study in the United States.
  • Chevening Scholarship (UK): Offered by the UK government to students from eligible countries who demonstrate both leadership potential and financial need. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and more, providing full support for a one-year master's degree program.
  • DAAD Scholarships (Germany): The German Academic Exchange Service offers need-based scholarships to international students who wish to study in Germany. These scholarships are available for various levels of study and typically cover tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.
  • Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program: Funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
  • University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program: Tuition waiver for international students demonstrating financial need.

To apply for need-based scholarships, you may need to submit documentation such as a motivation letter explaining your financial situation and academic aspirations, recommendation letters from people familiar with your circumstances, and preparation for interviews where you discuss your background and goals.

There are thousands of scholarship opportunities available, and you can use online scholarship databases to search for those that match your specific needs and circumstances.

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Scholarships for women

Scholarships are a great way to fund your educational dreams, and there are thousands of scholarship opportunities out there, with some specifically designed for women. These scholarships are offered by institutions and organizations around the world and are available for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate studies.

Where to Look for Scholarships for Women

Start your search for scholarships online. Websites like InternationalScholarships.com, InternationalStudent.com, TopUniversities.com, and MastersPortal.com are great places to begin. These sites offer scholarship databases that you can search by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name.

Types of Scholarships for Women

  • The 100 Dreams Scholarship Fund by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation: This scholarship provides one-time financial assistance of up to US$1,000 to women in high school or university who demonstrate financial need.
  • American Fellowships: These are for women scholars who are US citizens or permanent residents.
  • International Fellowships: These are for women from other countries who want to study in the US.
  • Selected Professions Fellowships: These support women pursuing a master's degree in architecture, computer science, engineering, or mathematics.
  • Faculty for the Future Program: This program, under the Schlumberger Foundation, awards fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies pursuing PhD or postdoctoral studies in STEM fields.
  • MPOWER Financing's Chasing Dreams Scholarship: This scholarship is for international graduate students with Chinese citizenship and is worth up to US$5,000.
  • Women's Scholarship for International Students: This scholarship is worth up to $5,000 and is awarded to female students beginning their undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Once you've found a scholarship that interests you, the next step is to apply. Each scholarship will have its own application process and criteria. Some common requirements include:

  • Meeting entry requirements and holding valid credentials for enrollment.
  • Demonstrating financial need.
  • Submitting application forms, essays, or letters of inspiration and aspiration.
  • Demonstrating academic performance, sporting achievement, leadership skills, cultural affiliation, or other specific talents.
  • Holding or being eligible to apply for a relevant study visa.

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Scholarship databases

There are thousands of scholarship opportunities for international students, but they can be challenging to find. Scholarship databases are a great way to search for relevant opportunities. Some databases provide a simple listing service, while others allow you to search by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name.

InternationalScholarships.com is an online scholarship database for students from any country. The site includes scholarships from private sponsors and scholarship organizations, and users can browse the site without an account. However, registration is required to access contact details and apply for scholarships.

InternationalStudent.com provides a free, comprehensive list of scholarships, grants, and awards for international students. The site also includes college loans and allows users to search by country, field of study, or university name. To apply, users can contact the relevant institution directly. However, an account is required to access contact information.

EduPASS provides a searchable database of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for international students. The site also includes the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, which provides comprehensive financial coverage for students from developing countries applying for development-related Master's programs.

Other notable mentions include IEFA.org, which is the premier database of scholarships for international students, and MPOWER Financing, which offers scholarships for international and DACA students.

CESB Eligibility: International Students

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Frequently asked questions

There are thousands of scholarship opportunities for international students, some of which are open to students from just about every country in the world. You can search for scholarships by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name. Scholarships are awarded based on many different factors, and can be either merit-based or need-based.

You can find scholarships for international students on websites such as InternationalScholarships.com, InternationalStudent.com, and eduPASS.org. These websites provide free, comprehensive lists of scholarships, grants, and other awards available to international students.

After finding a scholarship that interests you, you can apply directly to the host institution or organization that offers the award. You may need to create an account and enable cookies on your computer to access the application information. Be sure to also check with your university's financial aid office, as they may have scholarships specifically for international students.

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