Many international students dream of studying in the United States. But, let’s be honest, it may be rather pricey. Many prospective students around the world are forced to give up their aspirations due to financial constraints, which include tuition, housing, and living expenses.
But here’s the good news: thanks to a variety of completely and partially financed scholarships especially for international students, you can study in the United States without breaking the bank.
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GET STARTED!!! 🕋Scholarships in the United States for international students are available in a variety of styles, ranging from partially to fully supported possibilities.Partially funded scholarships may cover a portion of tuition prices, whereas fully funded scholarships may provide more extensive help, such as full tuition coverage, housing, health insurance, monthly stipends, and travel expenses.
These scholarships provide numerous benefits that can significantly reduce the financial burden on international students. For example, monthly stipends allow students to focus on their academics without worrying about money.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 different scholarships available in the United States in 2025.
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10 Scholarships available in the United states
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a fully funded scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from over 160 countries to study and conduct research in the United States at the master’s or doctoral level.
This program covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, health insurance, airfare, and other associated academic costs. It is awarded annually, and applications are handled by Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies in each participating country. Applicants must apply through their home country’s Fulbright office, and deadlines usually fall between February and May, depending on the country.
The Fulbright Program supports all academic fields except clinical medicine. It also encourages applicants who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to returning home to apply their knowledge.
Each year, more than 4,000 international students receive the award, making it one of the most accessible and prestigious scholarships for non-U.S. citizens.
Selection is merit-based and includes academic excellence, a compelling study or research plan, and the ability to promote mutual understanding between cultures. The program only accepts international candidates.
- Boston University Presidential Scholarship
The Boston University Presidential Scholarship is a university based scholarship awarded by the Boston University Board of Admission to incoming first year students. It is open to both U.S. citizens and international students and is awarded annually to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership qualities, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
This scholarship provides $25,000 per academic year, renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. To be considered, students must apply to Boston University by the regular admissions deadline (typically in early January). Boston University offers several scholarships, but this is one of the highest awards available to incoming first-year students who do not require need-based aid.
- Stanford University Scholarship
The Knight‑Hennessy Scholars (KHS) program at Stanford University is a fully‑funded scholarship for international and domestic graduate students. This scholarship provides an opportunity to pursue any full-time graduate degree at Stanford for MA, MS, MBA, JD, MD, MFA, MPP, and PhD programs.
Eligible Candidates are required to have applied to the Knight Hennessy Scholars Program and separately to a Stanford University graduate degree program. The program provides up to three years of financial support, covering tuition and fees, living and academic expenses, full health insurance, travel and relocation stipends, and technology/textbook allowances.
- Yale University Scholarship
The Yale University scholarship is a fully funded scholarship from the prestigious Ivy League School for International undergraduates, Masters and PhD students. Yale University provides need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students. Admissions are need-blind, meaning an applicant’s financial situation does not affect their chances of admission. Once admitted, Yale meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students.
The average need-based scholarship at Yale is over $60,000 per year, and students from families earning less than $75,000 annually often receive full scholarships covering tuition, room, and board. There are no merit-based or athletic scholarships; all aid is awarded solely based on financial need.
For graduate programs, financial aid policies vary by school. Many PhD programs provide full funding, including tuition coverage and living stipends. Master’s students may be eligible for fellowships, assistantships, or external scholarships, depending on their field of study.
- Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarship
The Illinois Wesleyan University scholarship offers both presidential and merit scholarships to outstanding and qualified international students who are willing to study in the United States. Merit-based scholarships range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. In addition to the merit scholarships, students may be eligible to apply for IWU (Illinois Wesleyan University) – funded scholarships, loans and even campus employment. Eligible students are automatically considered during the admissions process, no separate scholarship application is required.
Each year, IWU awards two President’s Scholarships to exceptionally qualified international students, covering full tuition for up to four years. These awards are competitive and consider academic performance, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and special talents.
Over 90% of students receive scholarship or grant aid at IWU; for international students this often means substantial financial assistance.
- Harvard University Scholarships
Harvard University stands out as one of the most generous institutions for international student financial aid, offering comprehensive support that makes world-class education accessible to talented students regardless of their economic circumstances. The university’s commitment to affordability is demonstrated through several key programs and policies specifically designed to support international
Harvard provides need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students on the same terms as U.S. citizens. Its admissions process for undergraduates is need-blind, meaning applicants’ ability to pay is not considered.
Harvard’s financial aid is primarily provided in the form of non-repayable grants and scholarships. The institution has abolished student loans from its financial assistance packages, replacing them with grants for families earning less than $180,000 per year. This considerably lowers the financial load on international students and their families.
The institution is committed to making education affordable for all students, with scholarships covering 100% of their demonstrated financial need. International students can apply for scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with some funds even available for PhD studies.
- University of New Haven Scholarships
The University of New Haven offers a wide range of merit-based scholarships for international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.These scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and do not require a separate application.
Undergraduate Scholarships
For undergraduate international students, UNH provides several scholarships:
- Presidential Scholarship: which ranges from $21,000 to $26,000 per year. It is renewable for up to ten semesters, depending on your academic standing.
- Distinguished Scholar Award: which offers $15,000 to $20,000 per year, renewable for up to ten semesters.
- Charger Award: Provides $10,000 to $14,000 per year, renewable for up to eight semesters.
- Transfer Scholar Award: For transfer students, awards range from $12,000 to $24,000 per year for students with a GPA of 3.0 or above and at least 12 transferable credits.
These awards solely pay tuition and do not include expenses like housing, meals, or travels. To keep the scholarship, students must maintain full-time enrollment and demonstrate good academic advancement.
Graduate Scholarships
Graduate students can apply for:
- Provost’s Assistantship: which offers 75% tuition coverage, a stipend, and an opportunity to work up to 20 hours per week on campus. Highly competitive and requires early application.
- Dean’s Scholarship: which provides up to 50% tuition reduction for academically strong students pursuing a master’s degree. This award is also competitive and limited.
All scholarships are renewable based on performance, and funding is limited, so early application is strongly recommended.
- Clark University Global Scholars Program
The Global Scholars Program (GSP) at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a merit-based scholarship program for first-year(not transfer) undergraduate students who have spent at least four years studying outside the United States.
Scholarships vary from USD 15,000 to USD 25,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years with excellent academic performance (After School Africa). Global scholars receive a $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship or research opportunity during the summer after sophomore or junior year.
Applicants are automatically considered when completing the Common Application and selecting “Global Scholars”; a subsequent brief essay is required upon admission.
There is no separate scholarship application, and deadlines are aligned with Clark’s early and regular admissions schedule (typically November 15 for Early Action/Decision and February 1 for Regular Decision).
- AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers International Fellowships to non-US women studying full-time master’s, professional doctorate, research doctorate, or postdoctoral studies in the US. The fellowships, which have been awarded yearly since 1917, are meant for individuals who are deeply committed to returning home and furthering equity for women and girls.
International Fellowships provide a stipend of $20,000 for a master’s degree and $25,000 for a doctorate. Stipends are solely payable to fellows and are distributed in two equal installments at the start and midpoint of the fellowship term.
Applicants must intend to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral study at an accredited U.S. institution and reside in-country during the fellowship. They must show a strong record of leadership, academic excellence, service to women/girls, and intent to return to home country after the fellowship
- Berea College Scholarship
The Berea College scholarship is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship that provides 100% funding to 100% of enrolled international students for their first year of enrollment. This combination of financial aid and scholarships covers the costs of tuition, lodging, board, and fees.
Berea College is a unique liberal arts college in Kentucky that guarantees 100% tuition coverage for every enrolled student, including international applicants known as the No-Tuition Promise. It’s the only U.S. college that fully covers tuition without requiring loans.
Throughout the academic year, all overseas students are offered paid, on-campus work through the College’s Work Program. Additional support like free textbooks, a laptop, health insurance, and small allowances via the college’s “Whole You” package.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S Scholarships
Here are a few FAQs that international students often ask about U.S. scholarships
Q: Can I apply for numerous scholarships at the same time?
Yes! In fact, it is encouraged. Applying to multiple scholarships boosts your chances of receiving funding. Simply make sure you meet each program’s qualifying requirements and tailor your application accordingly.
Q: When should I apply?
Applications are usually open 8-12 months before the start of the academic year. Deadlines often come between October and February. Always check the scholarship websites for precise dates.
Q: Do I need to be admitted to a university first?
It depends. Some scholarships, such as those offered by universities, require prior admission, whilst others, such as Fulbright, allow you to apply for both the scholarship and the school placement at the same time.
Q: Do I have to take the SAT, GRE, or TOEFL/IELTS for these scholarships?
Most undergraduate scholarships require the SAT or ACT, as well as TOEFL or IELTS English language tests. Depending on the program, graduate scholarships may require the GRE or GMAT.
Q: Are these scholarships renewable each year?
Some are one-time scholarships, while others, such as Fulbright, cover the whole course of your program as long as you maintain your academic achievement.
Conclusion
Pursuing higher education in the United States may appear financially out of reach, but with a diverse kinds of scholarships available ranging from prestigious, fully funded programs like Fulbright to generous merit-based awards from universities such as Yale, Clark, and the University of New Haven, your academic goals are far more attainable than you might think.
These scholarships not only alleviate the burden of tuition and living expenditures, but also provide access to world-class learning environments, worldwide networks etc.
However, securing these opportunities necessitates planning, perseverance, and clarity. Begin early, learn the qualifying standards, and devote time to developing powerful personal statements and gathering compelling recommendations. Remember that many institutions value not only academic excellence, but also leadership, service, and a clear vision for how you will contribute to your community and beyond.
