
International students are often faced with high costs when studying in the US, as they are ineligible for federal or state aid. However, many colleges offer substantial financial aid packages and scholarships to attract international students. While full scholarships are rare, they are offered by some universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Centre College. Other universities, such as Arizona State University, offer aid to a large number of international students. Additionally, international students can apply for scholarships unrelated to a specific institution, like the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
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What You'll Learn

States with the most international students
International students are not eligible for federal or state aid in the US, and higher education in the country is expensive. However, US universities prioritize internationalization, so the number of international scholarships has grown.
The US is the world's most popular study destination, with a record high of 974,900 international students in 2015, a number that rose to 1.1 million in 2023-24.
While it is rare, international students can get full scholarships. Their eligibility depends on their academic background, area of study, and the college or university they attend.
Some scholarships for international students include:
- Harvard University Scholarships
- Illinois State University International Awards
- Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
- Michigan State University International Scholarships
- New York University Wagner International Scholarships
- University of Arkansas International Scholarships
- Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program
- Fulbright Program
- University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program
- #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship
Among public schools, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina awarded the most aid to international students in the 2023-24 academic year, while Arizona State University offered aid to the most students.
Rice University in Houston, Texas, is considered the most selective institution in the state, with almost half of its students coming from abroad. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the highest-ranked US university in the QS World University Rankings for the diversity of its students.
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US colleges with the most financial aid for international students
International students are generally ineligible for U.S. federal financial aid and state aid, and therefore often have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer substantial financial aid packages to international students to encourage them to apply.
Vassar College
Vassar College in New York awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, $86,258. During the 2023-2024 academic year, 52 international students received aid from the private liberal arts school.
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, awarded the most aid to international students among public schools. The college gave about $40,500 on average to nine international students during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Arizona State University
Although the average amount of aid was lower, at about $12,700, Arizona State University offered aid to 2,985 international students, the most of any public or private institution that provided data.
Harvard University
Harvard University offers a range of competitive international scholarships for students from all over the globe.
Yale University
Yale University offers full need-based financial aid for international students through the Yale Young African Scholars program.
Illinois State University
Illinois State University offers tuition waivers, merit awards, and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University offers merit-based scholarship programs for high-achieving international students.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers various grants and scholarships for international students.
University of Wisconsin Superior
The University of Wisconsin Superior offers a tuition waiver program for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
Other U.S. Colleges
Other colleges that offer financial aid to international students include Wesleyan University, Mt. Holyoke College, Washington University in St. Louis, Davidson College, Indiana University, Lawrence University, and St. Lawrence University.
There are also various scholarships and fellowship programs that international students can apply for that are not tied to a specific institution, such as the Rotary Peace Fellowship, the Fulbright Program, and the East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships.
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US colleges with the most international students
International students are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and often have to pay out of pocket. However, US colleges and universities are increasingly prioritising internationalisation, so many institutions offer substantial financial aid packages and scholarships to attract more international students.
The average amount of financial aid given to international students was $23,800 for the 2023-2024 academic year at 868 undergraduate schools that reported data to US News. Vassar College, a private liberal arts school in New York, awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, at $86,258.
Among public schools, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, awarded the most aid to international students, at an average of $40,500. Arizona State University offered aid to 2,985 international students, the most of any public or private institution that provided data.
Some colleges, such as Harvard and Yale, offer full need-based financial aid for international students. There are also scholarships that are not tied to specific institutions, like the Rotary Peace Fellowship for doctoral students.
According to the QS World University Rankings, the Illinois Institute of Technology has the highest proportion of international students, with over 1,000 of its 8,000 students from minority groups and 65% of graduate students from overseas. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is another university with a high number of international students, with 3,289 of its 11,331 students coming from outside the US. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) also have significant international student populations.
Other US colleges and universities that offer scholarships to international students include:
- Illinois State University
- Iowa State University
- Michigan State University
- New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
- University of Arkansas
- University of Wisconsin Superior
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US colleges with the most scholarships for international students
International students are often ineligible for federal or state aid in the US and have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid packages to attract international students. While full scholarships are rare, they are sometimes offered by colleges, and partial tuition scholarships are more common.
Some of the colleges offering the most financial aid to international students include Vassar College, which awarded an average of $86,258 to 52 international students in 2023-2024. The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also stands out for awarding an average of $40,500 to nine international students in the same period. Arizona State University offered a lower average amount of aid ($12,700) but gave it to 2,985 international students, the most of any institution that provided data.
Other colleges that provide substantial financial aid to international students include:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Illinois State University
- Iowa State University
- Michigan State University
- New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
- University of Arkansas
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Davidson College
- St. Lawrence University
- Indiana University - Bloomington
- Wesleyan University in Connecticut
- University of Wisconsin Superior
Additionally, there are scholarships offered by private organisations or foundations, such as the East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships, the Fulbright Program, and the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
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US colleges with the most need-based scholarships for international students
The cost of studying in the US as an international student can be very high, with expenses for tuition, housing, meal plans, books, supplies, travel, and visa applications. Although international students are not eligible for US federal financial aid, many colleges offer financial aid packages and scholarships to international students.
Harvard, Yale, and Stanford University are some of the colleges that offer need-based scholarships. Vassar College awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, at $86,258. Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University also gave substantial financial assistance to international students.
Florida International University in Miami, Florida, offers merit-based, need-based, and departmental-based scholarships for international students. Kent State University in Ohio provides college-wise scholarships for international students. Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, provides scholarships to one F1 student every spring semester. Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, offers scholarships to freshmen and transfer students. Mississippi State University has merit-based scholarships for international students.
Manhattanville College in New York offers merit-based scholarships for freshmen and transfer students. Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York, Monroe College in the Bronx, New York, Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, New York, also offer merit-based scholarships for international students.
The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship is one of the most famous scholarships for international students, covering 50% of tuition fees. The AU EGL awardee is dedicated to positive civic and social change, covering tuition, room, and board, and is renewable for four years. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is another option for international students, offering scholarships for graduate studies and a certificate program for mid-career professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
While I cannot find information on which state gives the most scholarships, Vassar College in New York awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, at $86,258. Stanford University and Pomona College in California, and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, are also among the top 20 schools that gave the most financial assistance to international students.
Here is a list of some universities that offer scholarships to international students:
- Harvard University
- Illinois State University
- Iowa State University
- Michigan State University
- New York University
- University of Arkansas
- Yale University
- University of Wisconsin Superior
- St. Lawrence University
- Centre College
- Davidson College
- Indiana University - Bloomington
- New York University
- Tulane University
- Arizona State University
International students can increase their chances of getting a scholarship by demonstrating academic excellence, leadership qualities, and global engagement. They should also be prepared to submit essays, personal statements, or participate in an interview process as part of the application. Additionally, international students can explore external scholarships offered by organizations unrelated to a specific institution, such as the Rotary Peace Fellowship for doctoral students.







































