Exploring Scholarship Opportunities for International Students in the United States

Studying in the United States can be a life-changing experience for many international students. However, the financial burden of education—covering tuition fees, living expenses, and additional costs—can be overwhelming. Fortunately, dozens of scholarship opportunities exist specifically for international students, making their dreams more attainable. In this post, we will explore available scholarship options.

Government and Quasi-government Scholarships and Financial Aid

US

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Offers one or more years of fully funded study in the US for graduate students, professionals, and artists (all fields except medicine).

Germany – DAAD Undergraduate & Exchange Programs

• Covers: Living allowance (€800–1,200/month), health insurance, travel, and materials.

• Eligibility: Undergraduates via long-term study or exchange programs like STIBET; university nomination required.

Japan – MEXT University Scholarships

• Covers: Tuition, admission fees, airfare, and ¥115,000–150,000/month stipend.

• Eligibility: Undergraduate, master’s, or PhD candidates; deadlines May–June 2025.

China – Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

• Covers: Tuition, housing, medical insurance, and ¥2,400-2,600 monthly stipend.

• Eligibility: Global undergraduates with strong academics; apply via the CSC portal or embassies.

• Highlights: Access to 250+ universities; ideal for STEM, language, and humanities fields.

Australia – Monash Humanitarian Scholarship

• Covers: 100% tuition and AUD 5,800-6,200 living allowance annually.

• Eligibility: Refugee or humanitarian visa holders entering an undergraduate program at Monash.

Australia – Australia Awards Scholarships

• Covers: Full tuition, travel, living stipend, and health insurance.

• Eligibility: Citizens of eligible developing countries with leadership potential; deadlines April–May 2025.

South Korea – KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship

• Covers: Full tuition for up to 8 semesters, KRW 325,000-375,000/month stipend, and health insurance.

• Eligibility: Non-Korean STEM-focused high achievers; English proficiency required.

• Highlights: English-taught programs in engineering, business, and sciences at a globally ranked research hub.

UK – KAPLAN High Fliers Scholarship (University of Birmingham)

• Covers: £4,500-5,500 tuition credit for top three Kaplan International College London graduates entering Birmingham.

• Eligibility: Automatic selection for high academic achievers; outreach participation required.

Non-Governmental & Private Scholarships and Financial Aid

• YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship – Available at 57 US universities to students passionate about intercultural exchange; essay or video required.

  
  

• Civil Society Leadership Awards – Fully funded master’s-level scholarships for students from select developing countries.

  
  

• Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship – $1,000 award offered twice yearly to passionate international students.

  
  

• Preply Scholarship – Up to $2,000 for essays on online learning, multilingualism, or professional development.

  
  

• Surfshark Privacy & Security Scholarship – $2,000 for students who submit an essay; open to all nationalities.

  
  

Special Scholarships and Financial Aid

• For Asian Students: East-West Center Fellowships, Japan–US Friendship Commission, Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship (full tuition and fees for 11 students annually).

  
  

• For Australian Students: Australian-American Fulbright Scholarships support research, exchange, and graduate study.

  
  

• For Female Students: AAUW International Fellowships, MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics Scholarship, Bat & Ball Game Women’s Sports Scholarship. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers fellowships for international women pursuing graduate degrees in the U.S. This program aims to promote educational equity, supporting around 300 fellows annually with funds that range from $18,000 to $30,000 based on individual needs.

  
  

• The United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarships: The UWC provides scholarships for students who excel academically and show a commitment to social responsibility. UWC students interested in continuing their education in the U.S. can access scholarships that cover tuition and living costs in participating institutions.

  
  

• For Graduate Students: Rotary Peace Fellowships for master’s students in peace and conflict studies.

  
  

• Africa and other Developing Countries: Aga Khan Foundation and MasterCard Foundation Scholarships provide extensive support for African and other developing-nation students.

  
  

University-Specific Scholarships and Financial Aid

Many top US universities fund international students generously:

• Yale University – Need-based aid up to $70,000/year, often covering full tuition, room, and board for families earning under $75,000.

  
  

• Harvard University – Competitive need-based awards for outstanding global applicants are available.

  
  

• Stanford University – Stanford has numerous scholarship opportunities for international students, notably the Stanford Scholarship, which is awarded based on financial need. In addition, students studying engineering or sciences can apply for specialized scholarships, potentially receiving up to $20,000 annually just from these awards.

  
  

• University of Southern California (USC): USC's scholarship program is robust, offering options like the USC International Freshman Academic Scholarship. This scholarship provides up to $15,000 annually for international students based on their academic merit.

  
  

• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship – For undergraduates with strong leadership potential.

  
  

• University of Arkansas International Scholarships – Funding opportunities for international students of varying backgrounds and nationalities.

  
  

• University of Iowa Scholarships for International First Year Students – Various scholarships for international students starting their first year in Autumn 2017.

  
  

• Clark University Global Scholars Program – This scholarship provides up to $10,000 plus a $2,500 paid internship stipend.

  
  

• Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program – Funding opportunity for high-achieving students with an interest in student community contribution.

  
  

• University of Minnesota – Renewable Global Excellence Scholarship ($15,000/year).

  
  

• Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program – Funding opportunities for international students at Emory University. Students must demonstrate financial need.

  
  

• University of Wisconsin–Tuition waivers for students demonstrating financial need.

  
  

• University of Oregon International Scholarships – US scholarships to study at the University of Oregon, aimed at international students from around the world.

  
  

• University of Southern California (USC) offers the USC International Freshman Academic Scholarship, which awards high-achieving international students.

  
  

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has various merit-based scholarships that require a minimum GPA of 3.5 and strong test scores, enabling students to benefit from financial support while pursuing their studies.

  
  

• New York University Wagner International Scholarships – US scholarships to study at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

  
  

• Illinois State University International Awards – Illinois State offers tuition waivers, merit awards and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.

  
  

• Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships – Merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.

  
  

Deadlines, documents, and suggested winning strategy

• Key Deadlines: Most scholarships deadlines for upcoming year would generally be between September of prior year and April of the upcoming year.

  
  

• Documents Needed: Transcripts, recommendations, personal statement, research proposal (if required), and proof of English proficiency.

  
  

• Winning Strategy:

  • Maintain strong academics and leadership experience.

  • Showcase community service or social impact.

  • Build strong relationships with mentors for impactful recommendation letters.

  • Prepare early—most scholarships are highly competitive.

    
    

Final Thoughts

Securing a scholarship to study in the United States can significantly alleviate financial stress for international students. With early preparation, authentic storytelling, and academic excellence, you can secure funding that has the potential to transform your academic journey and future career. With thorough research, diligent preparation, and careful attention to deadlines, prospective international students can turn their aspirations of studying in the U.S. into reality.

Start now, research deeply, and let your ambition shine.

Disclaimer: The scholarships and financial aid information is dynamic and changes all the time. This post is updated periodically but not updated frequently to reflect those changes. Please do your own research and use this post as a starting point of your scholarship and financial aid research.