Scholarships for International Students in the US

Scholarships for International Students in the US This guide, drawing from information provided by StudyInAmerica.org, presents an overview of scholarships available to international students pursuing education in the United States. The information is categorized by source, including university aid, government and foundation programs, and private scholarships. The source claims to have been last verified in March 2026, cross-referenced with official university financial aid pages and scholarship organization websites. University Financial Aid University-provided financial aid is often cited as a significant source of funding for international students, particularly from private institutions with substantial endowments. The distinction between 'need-blind' and 'need-aware' admissions policies is highlighted as crucial for international applicants. Need-Based Aid * **MIT**: Reportedly need-blind for all international students, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. International students are said to receive the same consideration as domestic students, with an average aid package exceeding $55,000 per year. * **Harvard**: Stated to be need-blind internationally in most years, with an endowment allowing this policy. Families earning under $85,000 are indicated to pay nothing, and the average scholarship is reported to exceed $60,000 per year. * **Stanford**: Claims to be need-blind for international undergraduate students, meeting 100% of demonstrated need. Families earning under $75,000 are said to have full tuition covered, with an average scholarship of over $58,000 per year. Merit-Based Aid * **NYU**: Offers merit-based scholarships to international students based on academic achievement, such as the Global Pathways Scholarship, which provides partial awards. Financial aid at NYU is described as more limited compared to elite private schools. * **UCLA**: As a public university, UCLA's financial aid for international students is primarily merit-based. This includes department fellowships for graduate students and competitive named scholarships. Government and Foundation Scholarships Several government and foundation programs offer funding for international students. * **Fulbright Foreign Student Program** * **Funding**: Full funding (tuition, living, travel) * **Origin**: US Government * **Deadline**: Varies by country (typically October–November) * **Eligibility**: Graduate students from over 155 countries. Administered through local Fulbright Commissions in the applicant's home country. * **Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship** * **Funding**: Full funding for a 10-month program * **Origin**: US Department of State * **Deadline**: Varies by country (typically July–October) * **Eligibility**: Mid-career professionals from designated countries. This program is for professionals, not traditional students, focusing on leadership development in specific fields. * **AAUW International Fellowships** * **Funding**: $18,000–$30,000 * **Origin**: American Association of University Women * **Deadline**: November 15 annually * **Eligibility**: Women pursuing full-time graduate study in the US who are not US citizens or permanent residents. Master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral fellowships are available. * **Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship** * **Funding**: Full funding * **Origin**: World Bank / Japan * **Deadline**: April annually * **Eligibility**: Citizens of World Bank member developing countries. For applicants from developing countries pursuing development-related graduate degrees. Notable Private Scholarships * **Gates Cambridge Scholarship**: Provides full cost of studying at Cambridge (UK). The source notes it is included due to common confusion with US scholarships. * **Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships**: Amounts vary ($12,000–$28,000). Applicants are advised to contact their local Rotary club. Awards are for cultural exchange and leadership. * **American Association of University Women (AAUW)**: Offers $2,000–$30,000 depending on the category, for women in various academic stages through multiple fellowship programs. * **Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship**: Provides $90,000 over two years. Eligibility is for New Americans (immigrants and children of immigrants) in graduate school in the US. * **Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation**: Offers up to $100,000 for Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies in the US or Europe. Strategies for Winning Scholarships The source suggests several approaches for international students seeking scholarships: 1. **Apply to Need-Blind Institutions First**: Institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford are identified as need-blind for international undergraduates. Applying to these schools is suggested before limiting options to 'affordable' choices, as they may offer substantial aid. 2. **Start Scholarship Research Early**: Many department-level and university scholarships are awarded after admission. Graduate students are advised to contact their department's graduate coordinator within the first semester about funding for continuing students. 3. **Explore Home Country Government Scholarships**: Many countries fund their citizens to study abroad. Examples include China's CSC, Saudi Arabia's KASP, Brazil's CAPES, and Turkey's YTB. Checking the home government's education ministry website is recommended. 4. **Consider Teaching and Research Assistantships**: For graduate students, TA and RA positions are often primary funding sources, typically providing a full tuition waiver and a living stipend. Inquiring about funding for every PhD program applied to is advised. 5. **Exercise Caution with Aggregator Sites**: Many websites listing international student scholarships may be outdated or inaccurate. Direct verification with the official website of the awarding organization is strongly recommended. Source Limitations and Verification Advice The information presented is based on the provided source text from StudyInAmerica.org. The source itself states that scholarship amounts, deadlines, and eligibility criteria can change annually and advises direct verification with the awarding organization. The guide is presented for informational purposes only. While the source claims to have been last verified in March 2026 and cross-referenced with official university financial aid pages and scholarship organization websites, readers should independently confirm all details, especially deadlines and eligibility, as these are subject to change without notice. Source: https://www.studyinamerica.org/scholarships Checked: 2026-09-23T12:27:50.256178+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.