Scholarships for international students in the USA

Can non US citizens get a scholarship in the US?

Each institution might set different eligibility for scholarships, but generally as a non-citizen you can get one if :

• You’re a US national  (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)

• You’re a US permanent resident

• You have an Immigrant visa for permanent residence

• You have a student visa & T nonimmigrant visa (T-visa)

• You’re a citizen of Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Republic of Palau

• You have an arrival-departure record from U.S citizen and immigration services showing Refugee, Asylum granted, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Conditional Entrant, Parolee.

Undergraduate (Bachelor) scholarships for international students in the US

The best way to gain a scholarship in the US is to apply for one that fits your specific profile and needs. Take a look at the list we’ve compiled for you and see which scholarship for international students in the USA best suits you.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships

This foundation provides scholarships to students from select developing countries - students who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. The scholarships are 50% grant and 50%  loan.

MPOWER : Global Citizen Scholarship

MPOWER designed the Global Citizen Scholarship to be as broad as possible to match the diverse experiences of international and DACA students. The awards available:

• Grand Prize: $10,000

• Runner-Up: $2,000

• Honorable Mention: $2,000

MPOWER: Monthly scholarships

MPOWER is awarding 48,000 USD in 2023 to help 36 international students fund their educational dreams.

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program

This program (also known as the Global UGRAD Program) offers one semester scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students from around the world. They are for non-degree full-time study combined with community service, professional development, and cultural enrichment.

#YouAreWelcomeHere

Participating colleges and universities in the #YouAreWelcomeHere program offer two annual, renewable scholarships in the US that cover a minimum of 50% tuition to selected international undergraduates.

The NextGen Scholarship

The NextGen Scholarship created for international students and non-citizens who travel to the US in hope of studying and creating a better life for themselves. It’s a local (Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia) scholarship program that provides a one annual award to a qualified and outstanding high school senior, or a current college student at a two-year, or four-year college.

ACI Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship offers an educational stipend of 5,000 USD for tuition, residence, books, and materials to eligible students whose studies relate to concrete.

Graduate scholarships for internationals students in the US

There are a whole range of graduate scholarships for international students such as:

ASH Foundation Endowment Scholarship

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers three International Student Scholarships of 5,000 USD, underwritten by the Kala Singh Memorial Fund. They’re scholarships for international students in the US. Only non-U.S. citizens are eligible.

P.E.O International Peace Scholarship (IPS)

This scholarship fund’s aim is to provide support for international women students pursuing graduate studies in the US or Canada. It’s based on a demonstrated need, but doesn’t cover all academic or personal expenses. The maximum amount given is $12,500, though lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.

ACI Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

These graduate scholarships for international students offer a $5,000 educational stipend for tuition, residence, books, and materials; as well as appropriate recognition. They’re only given to graduate students whose studies relate to concrete.

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

These fellowships support thirty New Americans— immigrants or the children of immigrants—who are pursuing graduate or professional school in the US. They support one to two years of graduate study in any field, and in any advanced degree-granting program. Plus, each award is for up to a total of $90,000.

Fellowships for Scandinavians to study in the US

The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) offers funding to Scandinavians for study or research programs (usually at graduate level) in the US for up to one year. Candidates for awards are recommended to the ASF by their cooperating organisations and awards are made in all fields.

Asian Cultural Council’s Graduate Scholarship

The ACC offers a living stipend for Asian students wanting to pursue a graduate degree in the US. Priority is given to students who don’t have access to comparable studies at home, or are studying in fields under-represented in their home countries.

Baldwin Fellowships

These fellowships are intended for students from countries with limited opportunities for advanced training and education, in fields of research related to human origins. Scholars can pursue education or training outside or inside of their home country. The award is for a program of approved, advanced special training, or studies leading towards an MA, or PhD. It’s limited to 2 years with a maximum award of $15,000 per year.

NCITD Scholarship Program

This program is intended for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees in the US, who want to follow a career in international trade. They must demonstrate their interest through their education, work experience, volunteering, or any other extra-curricular activities.

Fulbright Program for Foreign Students Scholarships

The Foreign Fulbright Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world (as well as young professionals and artists) to study in the USA. The program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide, and approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.

US university scholarships for international students

Many universities offer financial aid and scholarships for international students in the US, both in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Refer to the website of the university that you’re interested in to see if they have any scholarships for international students, and the criterias and deadline for the scholarship.

Stanford University Scholarships

Stanford has a limited amount of financial aid for international students. Eligibility for aid will be assessed on the applicant’s family financial circumstances.

Yale University Scholarships

This first rate university offers fully funded scholarships for international students for undergraduate, masters and PhD studies. It can vary from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year; the average Yale need-based scholarship is over $50,000.

University of New Haven Scholarship for international students

When you apply to this University, you’re automatically considered for an academic scholarship and no additional application is necessary. These scholarships are available:

• Presidential Scholarship - 21,000 USD - 26,000 USD

• Distinguished Scholar Awards - 15,000 USD - 20,000 USD

• Charger Award - 10,000 USD - 14,000 USD

• Transfer Scholar Award - 12,000 USD - 24,000 USD

• Honors Scholarship 1,000 USD

Grants and fellowships in the US

Other financial aid and grants are also available for international students in the US such as:

Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations award grants and fellowships throughout the year to organisations and individuals who share Open Society values.

Humphrey Fellowships

This program is for international professionals. The aim is to enhance their leadership skills, so they can bring about change for our collective good.

Margaret McNamara Education Grants

This is a non-profit, public charity that awards education grants to exceptional women from developing countries. Since 1981, 498 grantees have focused on diverse fields of study, including engineering, information technologies, health, science, education, social studies, and law.

Schlumberger Foundation

The Schlumberger Foundation actively supports STEM education for women. Since its launch in 2004, 807 women from 86 countries have received Faculty for the Future fellowships for PhD and Post-Doctorate STEM research programs.

How to apply for a scholarship in the US?

Here are some tips on how to apply for scholarship in the US:

• Make sure you start doing your research early - possibly one or two years in advance, so you don’t miss the deadlines for submissions

• Check requirements and criterias asked for by the government, university and institution offering the scholarship

• There will be deadlines set for application - so check those early

• Make sure you have everything in place for your application - letter of references, relevant documents, translated degrees, language certifications, etc.

• Submit your application

Studying and living abroad with WorldRemit

So, we’ve looked at finding a scholarship for international students in the US - but if you do make the move to study, there will be other things to consider before your relocation. You may even be considering a move to study in another country. If so, don’t forget to check out our blog for more resources and guides to living abroad, and how your family may be able to send money to support you with WorldRemit.

Scholarships for international students in USA: FAQs

Which college gives the most in financial aid to international students?

Wellesley College, a private liberal arts school in Massachusetts, awarded the largest amount of financial aid for a typical international student – more than $78,400.

How can international students study for free in the USA?

The Fulbright Program are full scholarships in the USA for international students pursuing a master's or PhD degree. The grant covers tuition fee, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. They can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies.

These universities also charge no tuition costs for international students in the USA*:

• Berea College

• Web Institute

• City University of New York

• Curtis Institute of Music

• Deep Springs College

• The United States Naval Academy

• Washington State University

• Alice Lloyd College

• College of the Ozarks

• Warren Wilson College

• Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

• Curtis Institute of Music

• US Academies

What GPA do you need to get a full-ride scholarship in the US?

This will depend on the college and their requirements. On average, a GPA of 3.0 is required to get a scholarship in the US.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.

*https://whizstorm.com/blog/can-i-study-in-usa-for-free#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20universities%20in,for%20the%20high%20scoring%20students.