Top USA scholarships for international students Maximise your chances

Imagine you are studying at a world-renowned American university, surrounded by brilliant minds from around the globe. But what if the cost of tuition and living expenses seemed so high? Don’t worry! Today, we're diving into a treasure trove of opportunities: scholarships for international students in the USA that will ensure your fantasy of studying in the United States of America is actualised.

Scholarships can be a game changer for aspiring students pursuing higher education at top universities in the USA. Though universities have financial hurdles like tuition fees and living expenses, these aids offer priceless options to make academic dreams come in handy.

However, securing a scholarship for international students in the USA requires careful planning and preparation.

But how will you get a scholarship? Let's talk about this first:

How to get a scholarship to study in the USA for international students

To relieve the financial burden of pursuing higher studies, securing a scholarship plays a vital role. Here are some essential tips:

• Start early and research thoroughly: It would be best for students to begin the search earlier. Therefore, students must choose the latest news or updates from various search engines, university websites and government databases.
• Understand your eligibility: Students must take time to identify where each scholarship fits, the eligibility criteria, and what each will require in the application process.
• Build a strong academic record: To top it up, you must ensure that you have good grades and also engage in co-curricular activities to boost your CV.
• Craft compelling essays and letters of recommendation: When pursuing higher academic education, highlight your achievements, goals, and reasons for pursuing a degree in the USA.
• Network effectively: Reach out to your fellow alumni, professor or any mentor who can offer guidance and recommendations.
• Prepare for interviews: Endeavour to engage in mock interviews, which involve practicing common interview questions and talking about their passion.

Top 10 university’s scholarships for international students in the USA

There are countless scholarships available for the academic year 2025–26 that are partially and fully funded. And it also entitles the candidates to monthly stipends, wrapping them with tuition fees, health insurance, travel allowance, and accommodation charges.

Therefore, if you are preparing to study in the USA but are worried about its expenditure, then here is the solution.

1. Harvard University

• Scholarship: The Aga Khan Foundation's International Scholarship Programme
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Postgraduate
• Deadline: Will open in January 2025 (For 2025-2026)
• Eligibility Criteria: exceptional academic achievement, demonstrate genuine financial need, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and more.
• Application Process: After opening the next cycle in January 2025, additional information will be given.

2. Yale University

• Scholarship: Yale Scholarships
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: exceptional academic achievement, demonstrated financial need, and a computed expected family contribution.
• Application Process:To get this award, you need to provide some documents, so run to their official website or click the " Apply for Aid " link.
• Amount: $50,000 on average per year for undergraduate students.

3. Princeton University

• Scholarship: Princeton University Financial Aid
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrated exceptional transcript records, graded written paper, and Standardised testing
• Application Process: To get this award, you need to provide some documents, so run to their official website or simply click the " pply for Financial Aid " link.

4. Stanford University

• Scholarship: Stanford University’s Dean's Fellowships
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Postgraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: You need to complete some required forms, click the " Requirements and Deadlines " link, or go to the official site.

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• Scholarship: Graduate Funding and Aid
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Postgraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: There are two main steps to apply for aid: please run to the official website for detailed information or simply click the " How to apply " link to go directly to the page.

6. University of California, Berkeley

• Scholarship: Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
• Type: Merit-based and need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Enrolled as a full-time student, satisfactory academic progress, and involvement in extracurricular activities
• Application Process: Please review the scholarship's website and submit your complete application.

7. Columbia University

• Scholarship: International Financial Aid
• Type: Need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: You need to complete some required forms, click the" How to Apply " link, or go to the official site.

8. University of Pennsylvania

• Scholarship: International Student Financial Aid
• Type: NGrant-based and need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: You need to complete some required forms, click the " Applying for Financial Aid " link, or go to the official site.

9. Cornell University

• Scholarship: Financial Aid for First-Year and Transfer Students — International
• Type: need-based
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Deadline: Early Decision: November 1, 2024; Regular Decision: January 2, 2025; And Transfer: March 15, 2025
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: You need to complete some required forms, click the " How to Apply " link, or go to the official site.

10. Duke University

• Scholarship: Karsh International Scholarship Programme
• Type: Merit-based full scholarship
• Level of Study: Undergraduate and Graduate
• Deadline: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria: Exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need
• Application Process: Submit a Common Application, Duke Supplement, and supporting documents.

Fully funded scholarships in USA for international students

Check out the following table showcasing some of the leading universities in the USA and the fully funded scholarships they offer to international students for 2025.

Governmental scholarships for international students in USA - 2025

Besides, there are many distinctive scholarships available for international students in 2025. These scholarships, mainly offered by government bodies, non-governmental organisations, and specialised institutions, can help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and more.

Here are some of the top governmental and private scholarships for international students in the USA to apply for to make your academic dreams come true.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

This is a prestigious programme that offers full funding for international s tudents to pursue Masters or PhD degrees in the USA. And it covers tuition, living expenses, and more.

Level of Study: Masters / PhD

Benefits: Full tuition fee, living stipend, accommodation fee, airfare, and health insurance.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

It's a fellowship award mainly designed for mid-career professionals who get an opportunity to spend one year in the USA. This fellowship award covers costs like tuition, living allowance and travel expenses.

Level of Study: Professional development (non-degree)

Benefits: Tuition fees, living allowance, insurance, and travel costs.

Specialised scholarships

Specialised scholarships like the AAUW International Fellowships and the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship focus on specific groups. And they offer targeted financial aid to support their educational and professional goals in the USA.

AAUW International Fellowships

These fellowships are for women who wish to pursue a Masters, PhD or postdoctoral study in the USA. And this financial aid support ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 per year.

Level of Study: Masters / PhD / Postdoctoral

Benefits: $20,000 to $50,000 for one year of study or research.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

This scholarship offers up to $12,500 per year to support women from other countries pursuing graduate studies in the USA.

Level of Study: Graduate

Benefits: Up to $12,500 per year.

Can international students study for free in the USA?

It is safe to say that studying in US universities is an expensive affair, but there are various methods through which international students can actually study at a very minimal cost. Most of the universities and organisations provide scholarships for the students based on academic merits, poor financial status and other factors. Therefore, these awards can help the international students to overcome the tuition fees, living costs, and even travel expenses.

For example, the Fulbright program offers full scholarships for international students in the USA on postgraduate study, research and teaching. Moreover, some universities, like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offer free tuition for students from families with lower incomes.

Final thought

So, with the bundle of opportunities available, securing a scholarship to study in the USA can be a transformative experience. From government, non-government, specialised programmes to universities full scholarships for international students in the USA can be your life-changing turning point. Yet, there are many pathways available; it will be best to research thoroughly that meet all your criteria.

Also, don't forget to reach out to current or former scholarship recipients for insights and advice. Their experiences can provide valuable guidance and help you navigate the application process more effectively. Remember, persistence and preparation are key to maximising your chances of success.

Good luck!

FAQ's

How do international students get a full scholarship in the USA?

An international student must perform detailed research, create a robust academic document, prepare application materials, identify relevant scholarships, and tailor applications. Then, the student will contact professors and mentors before applying to various programmes.

What types of scholarships are available?

Following are the most available scholarships that can be found for international students in the USA:

• Government scholarships
• University scholarships
• Privately-funded scholarships
• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based scholarships
• Country-specific scholarships
• Discipline-specific scholarships
• Athletic scholarships

Are there any scholarships for bachelor degrees in the USA for international students?

Yes, there are a bundle of scholarships available for international students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the USA. For example,

• Yale University scholarships offer need-based financial aid.
• Clark Global scholarship programme provides up to $25,000 per year.
• Berea College scholarships cover 100% of tuition costs.
• American University Emerging Global Leader scholarship covers all billable expenses.
• Illinois Wesleyan University scholarships offer merit-based aid ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 per year.