Pursuing an education in the United States can be an incredibly enriching and perspective-changing experience for international students. However, as an international student, the potential financial burden of studying in the US can seem incredibly daunting.
Fortunately, there are numerous scholarship opportunities specifically targeted for international students looking to study in the United States. These scholarships are offered through various organizations, universities, government initiatives, and private foundations. They cover subjects ranging from STEM majors to humanities and arts programs, across undergraduate, graduate, PhD and postdoctoral levels of study.
With thousands of international students awarded scholarships in the US every year, these programs serve as critical lifelines that make the dream of studying in the US possible for talented students from across the globe.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know as an international student looking to apply for scholarships in the United States, from the most prestigious national programs to university-specific assistance.
Table of Contents
- Types of Scholarships for International Students
- National Scholarship Programs
- University-Specific Scholarships
- Subject/Program-Specific Scholarships
- Private Scholarships and Fellowships
- Key Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
- Application Timelines and Deadlines
- Application Process Overview
- Finding and Applying for Scholarships
- Scholarship Search Platforms
- University Financial Aid Offices
- EducationUSA Advising Centers
- Writing Compelling Application Essays
- Additional Tips and Resources
- FAQs
Types of Scholarships for International Students
There are many different types of financial assistance available to international students looking to study in the United States, including:
- Fully funded scholarships – Covers the full cost of tuition, accommodation, health insurance and stipends. Extremely competitive.
- Partial scholarships – Offset a portion of costs, ranging from 10% to 75% coverage of expenses.
- Merit-based scholarships – Based on outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. Offered by national organizations, universities, foundations and more.
- Need-based scholarships – For students who demonstrate financial need. Requires submitting detailed financial documentation.
- Destination-specific scholarships – For students planning to study in certain US states or universities. Offered by school districts, communities, foundations and more.
- Government scholarships – Funded by US government agencies and embassies/consulates. Prestigious and extremely selective.
- Diversity scholarships – For underrepresented minority or demographic groups like women in STEM or arts students. Offered by variety of public and private institutions.
- Athletic scholarships – Offered to accomplished athletes and sports competitors. Typically require talent confirmation and/or tryouts.
- Fellowships – Similar to scholarships and often used interchangeably. Typically have an experiential focus like research or internships.
- Grants – Needs-based aid that does not require repayment. Offered by US colleges, non-profits, communities, and more. Often reserved for US citizens.
This list just scratches the surface of the diverse range of financial assistance available. We discuss major national scholarship programs, university-specific aid, subject-based support and prestigious fellowship opportunities in more detail in the following sections.
National Scholarship Programs
Here are some of the most prestigious national scholarship and fellowship programs in the US targeted at international students across degree levels and fields:
Fulbright Scholarship
The prestigious Fulbright Scholarship is a highly competitive exchange program offering full or partial support for international students from over 160 countries to study, research, or teach English in the US.
Fulbright covers international travel, health insurance, book/research allowances, and tuition fees either partially or fully depending on specific categories. There are also specialized programs like Fulbright FLTA for teaching assistantships.
Deadlines for the Fulbright scholarship start more than a year in advance with application cycles varying based on program type and country of citizenship.
USAID Scholarships
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) partners with US universities to provide both full and partial scholarships to developing country students through initiatives like the USAID-funded CREST Awards and the Borlaug LEAP program.
Subject focus is primarily agriculture, food security, environmental sciences, public health, disaster relief and more with the goal of building development expertise for home countries.
Application timelines are generally 4-6 months before intended study period.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship provides a year of full financial support including tuition, accommodation, stipends, health insurance and more to accomplished mid-career professionals from designated countries looking to complete a non-degree program at a leading US university in fields like public policy, journalism, law, education, public health and more.
Additional National Scholarships
Other examples of partial to fully funded scholarships for international students in the US include:
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships – Supports graduate study across all subjects for women from select countries globally with awards up to $20,000. Deadlines are Nov-Dec annually.
- Schwarzman Scholarship – Fully funds 1-year master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing for international students to develop leadership skills and build ties between China and rest of globe. Extremely selective.
- Rhodes Scholarship – Offered internationally to extremely distinguished students to pursue postgraduate study at University of Oxford in the UK. Provides full funding and exclusive networking/career opportunities.
University-Specific Scholarships
Beyond large national scholarship initiatives, many colleges and universities in the US also offer substantial international student scholarship and financial aid opportunities, including both merit and need-based assistance.
Top examples include:
Harvard Financial Aid Initiative
20% of undergraduates at Harvard, including over 900 international students, receive need-based Harvard scholarships. Awards cover up to the full cost of attendance.
New York University Merit Awards
NYU offers merit scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition costs depending on strength of grades and test scores. Awards are confirmed at time of admission.
Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholarship
The Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars program offers up to 100 high-achieving international graduate students full funding to cover tuition, accommodation and living expenses for the duration of their master’s or PhD program.
Be sure to thoroughly research financial aid and scholarship options offered by your universities of interest.
Subject/Program-Specific Scholarships
Many scholarship and fellowship opportunities for international students are tailored to specific subject areas like STEM, social sciences, journalism or niche fields like public policy, global health etc.
Here are some examples of subject-specific scholarships in the US:
- Churchill Scholarship – Full funding for outstanding STEM students at Cambridge University. 9-12 scholarships awarded annually for 1 year of postgraduate study/research leading to a PhD.
- Koch Summer Fellow Program – Fully funded summer fellowships including round trip flights, lodging, and stipend for students interested in Koch’s core areas of study – economics, law, politics etc.
- Knight-Bagehot Fellowship – Fully funds business/econ journalists to pursue specialized study at Columbia University covering topics like data analytics, multi-platform publishing, leadership, etc.
Focusing your scholarship search within your field of study and identifying subject-specific funding opportunities can greatly help streamline your efforts.
Private Scholarships and Fellowships
Alongside government initiatives, academic institutions and foundations, there are also numerous private philanthropic organizations that offer scholarships and fellowship opportunities to support international students looking to pursue higher education in the US.
Here are a few noteworthy examples:
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship – Needs-based scholarship for postgraduate study. Offers 50% funding towards tuition/expenses with an annual award cap of USD $5,000 (can be extended up to 3 years). Open to Muslim applicants globally.
- Rotary Peace Fellowships – Fully funds professional development certificates or postgraduate study related to peacebuilding, conflict resolution etc. at one of Rotary’s partner universities globally. Funds travel, tuition, accommodation etc. for duration of study program. Highly selective.
Be sure to conduct thorough research into smaller foundations, grassroots NGOs and private donors in your local community as well that may offer scholarships and grants for motivated international students looking to study abroad.
Key Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
While specific eligibility parameters differ vastly between scholarship providers, there are some general criteria and requirements international students should be aware of when applying for financial aid for study in the US:
Academic Achievement
- Strong GPA – Specific thresholds vary but >3.7 GPA is common
- High standardized test scores – SAT, GRE, GMAT etc. Competitive scores vary by field
English Proficiency
- English language test scores – TOEFL iBT 100+, IELTS 7+ etc.
- Native level fluency for some scholarship categories
Enrollment Status
- Admitted to accredited US university for upcoming academic year
- Registered as full-time student
Financial Need Assessment
- Detailed financial aid forms evidencing need
Letters of Recommendation
- 2-3 letters from professors, coaches, employers etc.
Essays
- Personal statements alignment with scholarship priorities
- Short answers detailing goals, experiences, qualifications
Remember, these are just common examples. Each US scholarship opportunity will have its own specific eligibility and application requirements. Carefully reviewing criteria and tailoring application accordingly is key.
Application Timelines and Deadlines
Another crucial aspect of successfully securing scholarships for study in the US as an international student is understanding the application timelines and strictly adhering to deadlines.
Key factors to keep in mind:
- Scholarship applications open 1-1.5 years in advance of intended study period – Be ready to start process early
- Hard deadlines vs rolling deadlines – Some are annual dates, some accept applications year-round
- Multi-stage process – Many have pre-applications to trim candidate pool before detailed applications
- Early application benefits – Applying early, especially for prestigious and competitive programs, improves chances
- Take note of time zones – Deadlines typically enforced according to EST – don’t miscalculate submission timing!
- No flexibility for missed deadlines – Lapsed due dates instantly disqualify candidacy
Set reminder alerts, connect with current scholars, and give yourself plenty of buffer room when submitting applications. Missed deadlines account for 15-20% of all scholarship rejections – don’t let that be you!
Application Process Overview
While each US scholarship program will have its own application specifications, guidelines, formatting and required supplemental documents, most share a similar overall process:
Step 1: Research Scholarship Databases
Identify potential scholarship opportunities by leveraging large databases like:
Use filters to narrow down options by subject, source country, university preferences etc. Bookmark promising matches and revisit frequently as new scholarships are added periodically.
Step 2: Complete & Submit Pre-Application
For ultra-competitive programs that receive thousands of applicants annually, an initial pre-application round assesses eligibility and inviting top candidates to submit comprehensive applications.
Treat pre-apps with same diligence as final applications. Submit well in advance of pre-app deadline.
Step 3: Prepare Application Components
Once identified and pre-qualified for scholarships of interest, begin collating required application materials:
- Transcripts – Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Test scores – Official TOEFL iBT/IELTS/GRE/GMAT scores
- Letters of recommendation – 2-3 letters speaking to academic excellence and personal qualities
- Financial statements – As needed to demonstrate financial need eligibility
- Essays – Draft stellar personal statement aligned to scholarship priorities along with any short answer questions
Step 4: Complete & Submit Final Application
Submit final application package – including all supplemental items above– well in advance of firm deadline. Double check requirements, formatting specifications and portal uploads. Follow up to confirm receipt.
Then, the waiting game begins! Notification timeframes range from 2 weeks to 6+ months post application submission depending on review process and applicant volume.
Finding and Applying for Scholarships
Beyond large online scholarship databases, here are some additional resources to utilize in your hunt for financial aid as an international student:
1. University Financial Aid Offices
Directly reach out to international student services offices and financial aid advisors at your target universities. Ask about available merit and needs-based institutional aid for international applicants.
Often schools have small in-house scholarships or local community foundation funding opportunities specific to their region or international diversity priorities unique to their office. Do your research and get specifics!
2. EducationUSA Advising Centers
EducationUSA (www.educationusa.info) offers over 400+ advising centers globally to help international students navigate the process of applying to US universities and securing financial aid via public programming, workshops, one-on-one counseling and access to funding databases/resources.
Connect with your regional EducationUSA office early and lean on their expertise. Many centers directly administer or partner with scholarship providers for dedicated awards reserved for students they support through the process.
Writing Compelling Application Essays
A crucial but often overlooked component of scholarship applications is the written portion – whether in form of personal statements, short answer responses or full essays.
Here are some top tips for crafting compelling essays:
- Align to scholarship priorities – Understand reviewers priorities and craft narrative purposefully to address them
- Show don’t tell – Demonstrate qualities/skills through stories vs just stating them outright
- Quantify achievements – Include metrics, scale and tangible outcomes tied to accomplishments
- Get feedback – Have multiple readers review drafts and provide input to strengthen essay
- Tailor content – If applying to multiple scholarships, customize details accordingly
- Check formatting requirements – Strictly follow word count limits, font size conventions etc.
Remember, essays offer the perfect medium to bring your applicant profile to life – to share your passion for your chosen field of study, how your background inspires your goals, and your future visions. Make yours stand out!
Additional Tips and Resources
Here are some final tips and additional resources to support your scholarship application journey as an international student:
- Start early – Exceptional applications take time. Begin process 1-1.5 years pre-intended study period.
- Tap networks – Connect with current international scholars, alumni etc. Knowledge sharing can uncover new opportunities
- Be flexible – Consider spread of options across degrees, subjects, program types, locations etc. Widen pool.
- Persist – Reapply, retest, gather more experience. Many US scholarships allow re-applications.
- Additional funding – Have backup financing plans in place. Part-time work, education loans etc. Reduce risk.
- Embrace challenges – Competitive application processes prepare you for the rigor of succeeding in US academia
- US State Department -[invalid URL removed] offers great international student resources
- Institute of International Education (IIE) – [invalid URL removed] hub for international scholarship and US study abroad
- EducationUSA – [invalid URL removed] has 11 advising centers across India to assist students
- NAFSA Association of International Educators – Leading professional association. Great resource.
Check these associations for regional conferences, funding resources, application guidance and networking events.
Good luck!
FAQs on Scholarships for International Students in USA
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about scholarships for international students looking to study in the USA:
What are the different types of scholarships available for international students?
Scholarship types include fully-funded, partial funding, loans, university-specific aid, government-supported, travel assistance, merit/needs-based, diversity scholarships, etc across degree levels.
What are the average scholarship amounts granted?
Average international student scholarships in the US cover 35-40% of total costs of attendance. But fully funded awards are also available.
What are the standard eligibility criteria and requirements?
Strong grades, English scores, letters of recommendation, essays explaining goals/alignment, financial need proof, supplementary test scores. Criteria varies greatly by scholarship.
By when should I start applying to scholarships?
Begin searching for scholarships 12-16 months in advance of your intended study start date. Many scholarships have early application rounds.
Are there many scholarships available for graduate studies?
Yes! According to recent Open Doors data, nearly 50% of all international students in the US are graduate level scholars – many receiving institutional and external funding support.
Any tips for writing strong application essays?
Align content clearly to scholarship priorities, quantify achievements, demonstrate skills through anecdotal stories vs just claiming strengths. Have multiple readers review drafts.
What resources are available to help me find scholarships?
Leading scholarship databases, EducationUSA advising centers globally, university financial aid offices and US higher ed associations listed previously offer great resources along with the State Department’s Study in the States portal.
We hope this guide has offered a helpful starting point to guide your scholarship application journey for US study opportunities. As stressed throughout, early preparation and leveraging
multiple resources is key to maximizing options. Don’t get discouraged! With drive and perseverance, scholarships can make achieving your academic goals in the US possible!
We wish you the very best success! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.
