Every year, thousands of overseas students seek to study in the United States at various universities, accommodating a large number of these students. In US universities, more than 1.7 million foreign students have registered for master’s degree programs since 2019. U.S. international education has advanced significantly since the mid-1950s, when only approximately 35,000 foreign students were enrolled.
Nevertheless, we are aware that the requirements for qualifying and the fierce competition can often make applying for scholarships seem overwhelming. Hence, we’ve searched the internet for the best 20 scholarships available to foreign students studying in the USA.
Scholarships Eligibility Criteria for International Students in the US
While each organization of scholarships for international students in the USA may have its standards, there are a few that they all share. Overseas student applicants must generally meet the following standards for fully funded scholarships in the USA:
1. Transcripts.
2. Standardized test scores.
3. SAT or ACT.
4. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE Academic).
5. Essays.
6. Recommendation Letters.
7. Copy of your valid passport.
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Top 20 Scholarships for International Students in the USA
Every year, a huge number of foreign students come to the US to pursue the best education available worldwide; nevertheless, before making significant life changes, one should ascertain why studying in the US is necessary. The state’s best universities charge exorbitant tuition. Fortunately, several international student scholarships in the USA might help with the expense of tuition. Check out the top 20 scholarships available to international students in the United States in the list below.
1. US Fulbright Scholar Program
Host University: American universities
Study Level: PhD or Master’s
Scholarship Type: Partially Sponsored
Amount of Award: $25,000
Time Frame: A single academic year
On our list of scholarships for overseas students, this is one of the first. The Fulbright Program is one of the many programs the US offers to promote cross-cultural exchange. This international student USA scholarship seeks to promote intercultural competency and diplomacy between Americans and people from other countries via the exchange of people, knowledge, and skills. The Fulbright Scholar Program for Academics and Professionals grants more than 1,700 fellowships each year.
2. Fulbright Foreign Students scholarship
University of the Host: American Universities
Level of Study: Masters/Ph.D.
Fully Funded Scholarship Type
Prize Sum: Not Fixed
Duration: A minimum of one year
Young professionals, artists, and international graduate students can study and do research in the US thanks to the Fulbright Foreign Students Scholarship. More than 160 countries worldwide offer these fully paid scholarships from the USA. Fulbright fellowships are awarded annually to about 4,000 international students.
3. Clark Global Scholarship Program
Host University: American universities
Studying at the undergraduate level
Kind of Scholarship: Financially assisted
Prize Money: $15,000 to $25,000
Time Frame: Four Years
Established in 1887, the USA offers a fully funded scholarship program called the Clark Global Award Program 2024. When starting an undergraduate degree abroad in their first year, this is the finest option. Remember that transfer students are not eligible. Approval is a prerequisite for renewal.
4. Yale University Scholarships USA
Universities in Host: Yale University
Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Scholarship Category: in part
Amount of Award: $50,000–$70,000
Time Frame: Renewable Every Year
International students who want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree at Yale University are eligible to apply for the university’s scholarships. Tell you what, this scholarship is associated with Ivy League colleges.
5. Treasure Scholarship at Boise State University
The State University of Boise is the host institution.
The undergraduate level of study
Sum of Award: $8,460.
Kind of Scholarship: A portion of
Two years, or four semesters, are involved.
To assist incoming first-year and transfer students who wish to begin their bachelor’s degree path there, these fully supported scholarships in the USA have been established. You get incentives when you meet the minimal requirements and deadlines that the school has set.
6. Boston University Presidential Scholarship
University of the Host: Boston University
Studying at the undergraduate level
Scholarship Category: in part
Award Sum: $25,000.
Time Frame: 4 years
Every year, the Board of Admissions grants incoming first-year students who exhibit academic achievement the Presidential Scholarship. Presidential Scholars are among the brightest students academically, they perform exceptionally well extracurricularly, and they lead their schools.
7. Berea College Scholarships
Berea College is the host university.
study at the undergraduate level.
Kind of Scholarship: Fully/Partially Funded
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Duration: Full Program Duration
Full financing for the first academic year is provided to all internationally enrolled students at Berea College. In the US, this combination of financial aid and scholarships helps to partially offset the expense of room and board. In the upcoming years, international students are advised to set up $1,000 (US) year to help with their expenses. Earnings (about $2,000 in the first year) can be used by students to pay for personal costs.
8. Cornell University Financial Aid
Institution of Host: Cornell University
Studying at the undergraduate level
Scholarship Category: in part
Prize Money: $51,026
Duration: One-year work-study grant
The Cornell College Scholarships program offers financial assistance to international students based on their need. This entirely funded scholarship is only available to undergraduate students. Scholarships are given out based on the need to admit international students who have proven they have financial needs.
9. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship
Host University: American universities
Study Level: Masters, PhD, Universities
Kind of Scholarship: Fully Sponsored
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Duration: 24 Months
Since its inception in 2000, this fully financed fellowship in the United States for overseas students in 2024 has assisted ninety-one worthy persons in pursuing their educational objectives. Under Orascom Construction’s Onsi Sawiris Scholarship initiative, Egyptian students pursuing degrees at prestigious American universities are awarded full scholarships, to enhance Egypt’s economic competitiveness.
10. Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships
The University of Illinois Wesleyan is the host institution.
Studying at the undergraduate level
Scholarship Category: in part
Prize Money: From $10,000 to $24,000
Time Frame: A Year
among the most coveted undergraduate scholarships offered by the USA to students from abroad. If you’re an overseas student planning to enroll in Illinois Wesleyan University’s (IWU) first year of a bachelor’s degree, you can apply for need-based financial aid, merit-based scholarships, and president’s scholarships. Students may be eligible for loans, on-campus employment, and IWU-funded scholarships in addition to merit scholarships offered in the USA.
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11. Freedom Foundation Scholarship
Host University: American universities
Academic Level: Non-Degree
Scholarship Category: in part
Award Sum: $60,000.
Duration: One Year
For seasoned professionals who want to hone their leadership skills through exchanging knowledge and insights on subjects relevant to both the United States and the fellows’ home countries, this fully financed scholarship is offered. Through a variety of academic courses, conference attendance, networking, and practical job experiences, this non-degree program provides advantageous professional progression prospects.
12. Knight-Hennessy Scholarship
Stanford University is the host institution.
Level of Study: Masters/Ph.D.
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Amount of Award: $300,000
Time Frame: A year
International students may apply for Stanford University’s fully funded Knight Hennesy scholarship. These fully financed master’s and doctoral scholarships in the USA for foreign students in 2024 cover all living and educational expenses in addition to the tuition.
13. The Gates Scholarship Program
Host University: American universities
Studying at the undergraduate level
Kind of Scholarship: Fully Sponsored
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Duration: Full Program Duration
The Gates Grant (TGS), a last-dollar grant, is available to exceptional minority high school graduates from low-income families. In the US, 300 students are awarded these fully paid scholarships each year.
14. Tulane University Scholarship
Tulane University is the host institution.
Studying at the undergraduate level
Kind of Scholarship: Fully Sponsored
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Duration: Four-year renewable
International students from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa now have access to a fully financed scholarship at UA. Priority will be given to Tulane undergraduates enrolled full-time for this prize, which covers the whole application cost.
15. Radford University Scholarship
The University of Radford serves as the host.
Studying at the undergraduate level
Kind of Scholarship: Fully Sponsored
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Time Frame: A Year
Students with leadership and academic distinction are eligible for the fully funded Radford University Scholarship. Students must fill out a scholarship application and be accepted into the university to be eligible for the scholarship. Depending on the program, different deadlines apply.
AmberScholar can help you realize your goals of attending an American university!
16. Stanford University Scholarship
Institution of Host: Stanford University
Studying at the undergraduate level
Kind of Scholarship: Fully Sponsored
Prize Money: Not Fixed
Time Frame: A Year
Based on eligibility, merit, and need, the University of Stanford grants many scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships for overseas students studying in the United States pay for other educational costs such as lodging and board. To qualify, students need to finish both the CSS Profile and the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.
17. Marconi International University
Marconi International University is the host institution.
Study Level: Undergraduate, Graduate
Scholarship Type: In part
Amount of Award: 50% of the total
Duration: Whole Program Span
Additionally, MIU provides qualified students with several scholarships for foreign students studying in the USA. Both domestic and foreign students are eligible for the scholarships, which might pay all or part of their tuition. Students must fill out a scholarship application and be accepted into the university to be eligible for the MIU award.
18. Frostburg State University
Place: Frostburg State University
Graduate, Undergraduate, Host University
Kind of Scholarship: A portion of
$15,400 is the award amount.
Duration: Annual Replenishment
For overseas students studying in the United States who demonstrate academic excellence and community service, Frostburg State University grants scholarships. The applicant may be eligible for either full or partial tuition reimbursement from these fully funded scholarships in the USA. Before the deadline, which varies from February to June, interested applicants must complete the necessary prerequisites for admission and submit a scholarship application.
19. University of New Haven
Universities Hosted: Frostburg State University
Study Level: Undergraduate, Graduate
Scholarship Category: in part
Prize Money: $21,000 to $26,000
Duration: Full Program Duration
Many undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available to deserving international students studying in the United States through the University of New Haven in Connecticut. These fully financed scholarships in the United States are given out in response to applicants’ outstanding achievements in a variety of fields, leadership potential, and academic leadership.
20. The HA Scholarship
MIT is the host institution.
The undergraduate level of study
Fully Funded Scholarship Type
Partially awarded amount
Duration: The entire program period
To rectify the historical underrepresentation of Arabs and increase awareness of the Arab community at Harvard, HA is collaborating closely with the university on two supportive initiatives. Project Harvard Admissions sends students and alumni from Harvard College to Arab high schools and colleges to facilitate their understanding of the human condition and the Harvard application process. The goal is to generate $10 million to support these fully financed overseas scholarships in the USA by 2024.
Conclusion:
Finally, it is important to note that several of the scholarships listed above are only awarded based on need or merit in the USA. For students to be eligible for a scholarship, they must meet specific criteria. Going forward, the United States of America is without a doubt home to some of the best universities in the world, but these institutions frequently have expensive tuition. Positively speaking, scholarships are given to students in all disciplines of study and are essentially gifts from above. That being said, I wish you luck in all of your upcoming pursuits.