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If you want to study in the United States, scholarships can cover a large part of the cost. This list gathers awards open to international students, offered by the US government, US colleges and universities, and other institutions that fund study in the country. You will find funding for Bachelor's, Master's, PhD and non-degree postgraduate study, with some awards covering tuition, fees, living costs and travel.
USA Government Scholarships for International Students
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program offers full scholarships in the USA to international students studying for a Master's or PhD. Non-degree postgraduate study can also be funded. The grant includes tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend and health insurance.
Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program gives experienced professionals from designated countries a year of professional development in the United States. Fellows are chosen for their leadership potential and their commitment to public service, whether in the public or private sector. These are full grants that cover all related expenses.
US Colleges and Universities that offer Scholarships for International Students
AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Program
American University awards this scholarship to high-achieving international students who want to earn a Bachelor's Degree there and who are committed to positive civic and social change. It suits students who plan to return home and improve under-resourced, under-served communities in their own country. The AU EGL scholarship covers all billable AU expenses (full tuition, room and board) for ONE international student who needs a visa, preferably an F-1 or J-1 student visa, to study in the United States.
Amherst College Scholarships
Amherst College runs a need-based financial aid program for international students who cannot cover the full cost. Your financial need is assessed once you are admitted, and an award equal to that need is then offered. The award is sometimes called an aid package because it can combine self-help (employment) with gift aid (scholarships and grants).
Berea College Scholarships
Every admitted international student at Berea College receives financial aid and scholarships covering 100% of tuition, room, board and fees for the first year. From the following years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) toward their expenses. The College offers summer jobs to international students so they can meet this obligation.
Wien International Scholarship Program (WISP) at Brandeis University
The Wien International Scholarship Program (WISP) at Brandeis University, established in 1958, lets students from around the world pursue an undergraduate programme there and become active global citizens. It meets the full demonstrated financial need of each recipient.
Clark University Scholarships
Clark University offers the Clark Presidential Scholarships, a prestigious award for students whose academic record and leadership potential place them at the very top of Clark's applicant pool. About five students receive it each year. It covers full tuition and on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of a family's financial need.
Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships
International students can receive merit-based financial aid from Colby-Sawyer College. The value rises with academic ability, measured in GPA, and goes up to $8,000 per year. The college does not meet full financial need.
Concordia College Scholarships
Concordia values what international students bring to campus and gives partial financial assistance to them. The International Student Merit Scholarships, based on academic ability and family need, range from $11,000 to $17,000 per year. Concordia also offers two annual, renewable scholarships of at least 50% of tuition to selected international undergraduate students who are dedicated to advancing intercultural learning and understanding at Concordia.
Dartmouth College Scholarships
Dartmouth College meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including those from other countries. Scholarships and loans are available to international students, and the package includes an allowance for travel to the U.S.
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers the International Students Academic Merit Scholarship for new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree. The value per academic year is $5000-$9000.
East West Center Graduate Degree Fellowships
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship funds up to 24 months of Master's or Doctoral study for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific and the U.S. Fellows take part in the educational, residential and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while studying at the University of Hawai'i.
Emory College Scholarships
Emory College offers need-based financial aid awards to a select group of international students each year. International applicants are also encouraged to apply for partial to full merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program (November 15 deadline).
Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships go to qualified international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and strong scores on the required entrance exams. These awards range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and can be renewed for up to four years. Two full-tuition President's International Student Scholarships may also be awarded each year to qualified international students for up to four years of study.
Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
International freshmen are considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. Selection is competitive and based on a review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks or grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year and are renewable.
Michigan State University International Scholarships
Michigan University provides a limited number of scholarships and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. These financial packages are not designed to support your full academic program at MSU.
New York University Wagner Scholarships
These merit scholarships go to a limited number of admitted students each application cycle, international students included. They are partial to full tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000-$47,000.
Oregon University Scholarships
Each year, the University of Oregon awards more than $2.5 million in financial aid and scholarships to international students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of its programs is the ICSP Scholarship, which gives tuition-waiver scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for up to 15 credits per term each year. Selection is based on financial need, academic merit and the ability to present to diverse groups of people.
Wesleyan University Scholarships
Financial aid for foreign students is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. The Freeman Asian Scholars Program provides full tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan toward a bachelor's degree for 11 exceptionally able Asian students. Besides the 11 Freeman Asian Scholars, the University is expected to offer financial assistance to approximately 40-45 foreign students from a pool of approximately 2,800 international applicants applying for financial aid.
University of the West Scholarships
The University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and show financial need. For incoming students, the scholarship ranges from $6,000-10,000 per year. For continuing students, the dean's and president's scholarship covers 7.5-15 undergraduate units per semester or 6-12 graduate units per semester.
Institutions that fund international scholarships for study in the US
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program gives full scholarships to students from World Bank member countries for development-related studies at selected Universities around the world. Students can choose to study at 8 participating USA Universities, including Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Cornell University and Columbia University.
AAUW International Fellowships
AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women) awards international fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. The awards are worth $18,000 for Masters, 20,000 for PhD and $30,000 for Postdoctoral students.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other way to finance their studies. Study can take place anywhere in the world, including the US. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.