For international students hoping to study in the US, scholarships can be a significant help in financing their higher education. Whether you are a student in the first year, a student going on to graduate school, or simply returning to college for a new year, there are few available scholarships in the USA.

How to get scholarships in the USA for international students?

  • The sponsors of the scholarships consider several factors into consideration when assessing applications. You need to show patience, commitment, and dedication, which means you have to start early and keep trying for it.
  • If you are looking for scholarships in USA, you will have to put in a lot of effort to score excellent grades and test scores, which will increase your chance to get the scholarship.
  • When searching for scholarships, your first step should be your school’s financial aid office. Most universities offer scholarship programs specifically for international students attending the institution. Research your school’s financial aid website and get in contact with the office there if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
  • Check the eligibility of the scholarships. There are few requirements for scholarships in USA. It may be a requirement of a certain TOEFL score; a requirement of a certain grade point average; or some may ask that you are from a certain country. You will need to do some research to see whether you are eligible for that scholarship or not. You can even get in contact with that college admissions officer and financial aid experts for your help. Then apply for that particular scholarship in USA for the international students.

There are many scholarships and financial aid schemes out there for international students. There are different types of scholarships in USA for international students. Some are funded by the USA government, some are funded by private organizations and some are funded by specific institutions.


The below list of top scholarships to study in the USA Is given:
USA Government-funded scholarships for international students
Fulbright Foreign Student Program  

  • This scholarship program is open to international students in all fields excluding medicine and specially designed for non-degree postgraduate studies. This is a masters or PhD scholarship in USA for international students. This scholarship will be sufficient for the airfare, tuition fees, textbook fare, health insurance, and a living stipend.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

  • Another  USA Government scholarship program is the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program. It is a non-degree scholarship program, designed for experienced international professionals who are wishing to pursue 10 months of academic study in the USA.

Non-governmental US scholarships for international students
Abbey Road Summer Scholarships

  • This scholarship offers financial aid worth US$1,000 for language and art international students, and also US$500 fellowships for “summer enrichment” at the various institutions within the country.

You Are Welcome Here Scholarship

  • Your application must include either an essay or video detailing your plans for bridging cultural divides to get this scholarship.  Application requirements may differ depending on the school.  Check the website of the school to which you are applying for the requirements.

Civil Society Leadership Awards

  • It is a fully-funded scholarship for Masters in USA  It is available for students from eligible countries to study in the USA at the master’s level.

David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship

  • David P. Shapiro Autism scholarship valued at US$1,000 is awarded to current or prospective students in the USA identified with autism.

Preply Scholarship

  • This Scholarship program is based on competition in which 3 students will be receiving a sum of $2,000. The only condition is you should be in the age group of 16 – 35  in order to be eligible for this scholarship. To get this scholarship the candidate has to submit an essay of 500 words related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

  • This scholarship program is awarded twice a year to passionate students from other countries planning to study in the USA. It is valued at US$1,000.

Surf Shark Privacy and Security Scholarship

  • A  price worth  $2,000 is available to a student presently admitted to the USA institution as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student. This scholarship is open to all the citizens of different countries. Students will need to submit an essay to apply.

For Asian students:
East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships

  • Scholarships to study in the USA within selected institutions, aimed at international students from the Asia-Pacific region.

Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program

  • This Scholarship is for 11 exceptional Asian students to pursue their studies in the USA at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Japan-United States Friendship Commission

  • An initiative run by Japan and the USA, this commission provides grant programs to students coming from Japan planning to study in the USA.

For Australian students:
Australian-American Fulbright Commission

  • It offers scholarships to Australian citizens across all career stages. Awardees take part in an academic and cultural exchange, pursuing research or study at a USA university and bringing back their knowledge and experience in their home country to share with their communities.

For female students:
Bat and Ball Game Women’s Sports Scholarship

  • This scholarship offers $1,000 to a woman presently studying at any of the USA universities for a degree related to sports.

AAUW International Fellowships

  • This fellowship is for international female students, offered by the American Association of University Women(AAUW) to pursue their higher education in the USA.

MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarship

  • This scholarship is for female international students, to pursue their studies at the Zaragoza Logistics Center at MIT in the USA.

For graduate scholarships in the USA
Rotary Peace Fellowships

  • This Scholarship to study in the USA is awarded to master’s degree students studying at one of the Rotary’s Peace Centers such as at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill OR Duke University.

For students from Africa:

  • Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme = Masters scholarships in USA for African students
  • MasterCard Foundation Scholarships  = Scholarship in USA for African students

Universities offering scholarships in the USA
Some of the schools offering scholarships in USA for international students are mentioned below:

  • American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
  • Clark University Global Scholars Program
  • Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program
  • Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program
  • Illinois State University International Awards
  • Harvard University Scholarships
  • Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
  • New York University Wagner International Scholarships
  • Michigan State University International Scholarships
  • University of Arkansas International Scholarships
  • University of Iowa Scholarships for International First-Year Students
  • University of Minnesota International Scholarships
  • University of Oregon International Scholarships
  • University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program

For more advice and funding opportunities, consider contacting the public affairs department at the USA embassy in your home country. Often an educational expert will be available to help you with information about funding resources and scholarships to pursue your further studies in USA.