International Students: Unlocking Usa Scholarships

International students can access a range of scholarships to study in the USA, although competition is high and many are reserved for graduate study. Scholarships are offered by universities, private companies, and organisations, as well as the US government. The Fulbright Scholarship is one of the most popular government-funded scholarships, providing funding for international students to study in the US for one year or more. Other scholarships include the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, and the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program. To find a scholarship that suits your needs, it is recommended to use a scholarship search engine and look for opportunities that fit your specific profile.

Characteristics of 'How to get scholarship for international students in USA'

Government-funded scholarships

As an international student, you won't be eligible for funding intended for US nationals. However, many US universities prioritize internationalization, so the number of international scholarships to study in the US has grown.

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 covers full tuition fees, a living stipend, full accommodation fees, airfare, and health insurance. Fulbright Scholarships are open to international students in all fields excluding medicine.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

This 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 study and develop their knowledge at academic institutions across the nation.

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

This scholarship is aimed at all overseas students studying any subject at a participating college or university in the US (of which there are 57). To apply, you should submit an essay or video demonstrating your interest and initiative in promoting intercultural learning and exchange. The scholarship offers $15,000 per year and is renewable.

Civil Society Leadership Awards

These are fully-funded scholarships available for students from eligible countries to study for a Master's degree in the US or another host country.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

This scholarship provides undergraduate funding for international students studying at American University in Washington DC. It is aimed at students who are showing leadership potential.

University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program

This scholarship provides a tuition waiver for international students demonstrating financial need at the University of Wisconsin.

Preply Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all students (domestic and international) aged between 16 and 35. To enter, you'll need to submit a 500-word essay related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development. Three winners will receive an award of up to $2,000.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

This scholarship awards funding to women from other countries who are earning their graduate degrees in the USA.

American Association of University Women Fellowships

The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women who want to earn a Master's or doctorate in the USA. Priority is given to women who can demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women and girls, and the scholarship may be reapplied for every year of the program. The scholarship covers $18,000 to $30,000 per year, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal.

ACI Foundation Scholarship

This is a fully-funded scholarship or fellowship for undergraduate, Master's, PhD, and postdoctoral students. The scholarship provides a $10,000–$15,000 US educational stipend for tuition, residence, books, and materials.

Clark Global Scholarship Program

This is a fully-funded undergraduate scholarship for international students, covering $15,000 to $25,000 per year for four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal.

Michigan State University International Scholarships

Michigan State University offers various grants and scholarships for international students to study at MSU.

University of Oregon International Scholarships

The University of Oregon offers US scholarships aimed at international students from around the world.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship

The Aga Khan Foundation provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. The scholarships are 50% grant and 50% loan.

Scholarships for women

There are a variety of scholarships available for international students in the USA, including those specifically for women. Here is some information on scholarships for women:

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships

The AAUW offers fellowships for non-American women pursuing a Master's or doctorate in the USA. The scholarship is worth $18,000 to $30,000 per year and can be reapplied for each year of the program. Priority is given to women who demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women and girls.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for women from outside the US and Canada who wish to pursue graduate-level studies in those countries.

Margaret McNamara Education Grants

These scholarships are for women aged 25 or over who are studying in the US, Canada, or select universities in South Africa and Latin America.

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

This scholarship is for women studying business management at the undergraduate or master's level. Recipients must be members of the Zonta club, with awards worth $2,000 at the district/region level and $8,000 at the international level.

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is a scholarship for women studying at the PhD level in the aerospace field. This scheme awards 30 fellowships each year, worth $10,000 each, to support doctoral studies at any university or college.

100 Dreams Scholarship Fund

Awarded by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, this scholarship provides one-time financial assistance of up to $1,000 to women currently attending high school or university who can demonstrate financial need. This scholarship cannot be used for tuition or living costs but can fund expenses like textbooks, exam fees, or education conferences.

Dr. Adawia Alousi Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for Muslim women studying STEM at a postsecondary institution in the US. It is worth $5,000 and is renewable for up to four years.

Plainfield Muslim Women for Better Society Scholarship

This scholarship is for Muslim women who are high school seniors from Plainfield or Indianapolis, Indiana, with a minimum 3.5 GPA and at least 20 hours of community service. Applicants must also have a history of helping other students. The scholarship awards $500 to five recipients each year.

General Tips for Finding Scholarships

When searching for scholarships, it is important to consider your specific profile and apply for those scholarships that fit your background and interests. Scholarships may have criteria based on academic performance, sporting achievement, leadership skills, cultural affiliation, age, or minority status. Additionally, some scholarships are need-blind, while others are specifically for those who can demonstrate financial need. It is also worth checking the websites of specific universities, as many offer scholarships for international students.

Need-based scholarships

To find need-based scholarships, it is recommended that you consult your university and/or your major department to take advantage of any special funding opportunities they may offer. There are also free scholarship databases, as well as private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds that serve undergraduate international students.

• The University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program — Tuition waiver for international students demonstrating financial need at the University of Wisconsin.
• Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program — Funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
• The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship — Scholarships for students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. The scholarships are 50% grant and 50% loan.
• The American Association of University Women Fellowship Program — A fully-funded scholarship for international students from all countries, for graduate and postgraduate studies in any subject. The scholarship covers $18,000 to $30,000 per year, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal.

Merit-based scholarships

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the most popular government-funded scholarships for international students in the USA. It offers scholarships to graduate students, young professionals, and artists from all fields except medicine to study in the USA for one year or more. The Fulbright program provides funding for the duration of the study, including tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.

Robertson Scholars Program

The Robertson Scholars Program is offered jointly by Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. It seeks students who demonstrate outstanding potential to become leaders in college and beyond. The scholarship is available to American high school students, international students, and current Duke and UNC students. The application process includes a Skype interview, and finalists are flown to the campus for an in-person interview.

NYU Wagner Scholarships

NYU Wagner offers a limited number of scholarships to admitted students, including international students. These scholarships can range from partial to full tuition waivers. To apply, students must submit an online application for admission to NYU Wagner.

Clark University Grants

Clark University automatically considers applicants for a range of merit-based grants. International students can apply for scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 per year.

University of Minnesota Grants

The University of Minnesota offers merit-based grants of $5,000 and $10,000 per year for international students. They also have a range of other scholarships that international students are welcome to apply for.

Iowa State University Scholarships

Iowa State University offers merit-based scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per year to international students. Applicants are automatically considered for these awards.

American University Partial Merit Awards

American University offers partial merit award scholarships ranging from $8,000 to $20,000 USD per academic year to international students. These scholarships are based on outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteering, and community service.

Preply Scholarship

The Preply Scholarship is open to all students, including international students, aged 16 to 35. To enter, students must submit a 500-word essay related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development. Three winners will receive an award of up to $2,000.

ACI Foundation Scholarship

The ACI Foundation Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing undergraduate, master's, PhD, or postdoctoral studies. It provides a stipend of $10,000 to $15,000 USD per year to cover tuition, residence, books, and materials.

HAAA Scholarship

The Harvard Arab Alumni Association (HAAA) Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to Arab students interested in undergraduate studies at Harvard University.

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships

Macquarie University in Australia offers partial tuition fee scholarships of up to AUD$10,000 to outstanding international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.

University of Maastricht Scholarships for High Potential International Students

Maastricht University in the Netherlands offers full scholarships to talented students from outside the EU/EEA to pursue Master's programmes. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, insurance, and visa costs.

University-specific scholarships

Finding University-Specific Scholarships

Firstly, it's important to do your research. Many universities have internal scholarships that are not widely publicised, so it's worth putting in the time and effort to explore your options. You can start by searching online or speaking to a guidance counsellor. Your college's financial aid office is also a valuable resource, as they can provide information on scholarships offered by the university specifically for international students.

Applying for University-Specific Scholarships

When applying for university-specific scholarships, it's essential to follow the instructions carefully and meet all deadlines. Eligibility criteria can vary, so be sure to check the specific requirements for each scholarship. Some scholarships may require a certain TOEFL score, specific grades or test scores, or other criteria such as community service or extracurricular activities.

Examples of University-Specific Scholarships

Now, let's look at some specific examples of university-specific scholarships for international students in the USA:

• Yale University Scholarship: Yale offers a range of scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. The value of these scholarships can vary, with some need-based scholarships averaging over $50,000 per year.
• Stanford University Scholarship: Stanford provides a fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing master's or PhD studies. This scholarship covers full tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
• University of New Haven Scholarship: This scholarship is designed for international master's students and provides 75% tuition assistance, an hourly wage, and experiential learning and work opportunities throughout the graduate program.
• Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program: Brandeis University offers funding for high-achieving international students who demonstrate an interest in contributing to the student community.
• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: American University in Washington, DC, provides undergraduate scholarships for international students showing leadership potential.
• Harvard University Scholarships: Harvard University offers a range of highly competitive international scholarships for students from around the world.

Frequently asked questions