Top Scholarships for International Students in the USA

Editor: Hetal Bansalon May 26,2025
scholarships for international students in usa

 

Many international students have a dream of studying in the United States. The U.S. has the world’s best universities, is a country with varied learning environments, and is a land of abundant career opportunities. While that truth is a valid one, the price of tuition, living expenses, and other fees can be a massive deterrent. The good news is that there are so many scholarships for international students to achieve their educational goals. In this guide, we’ll explore the best scholarships for international students in the USA and show you how you can apply.

Scholarships for International Students in USA

There are several scholarships in the USA available for international students. These options take off some of the financial burden of educational costs and enable students to focus on concentrate on and experience. These scholarships can be full scholarships or only partially cover the tuition fees and living expenses.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the most prestigious scholarship for international students in the USA. Full funding is provided for tuition, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. In addition to engaging in cultural exchange programs, conferences, and networking in the USA, scholars are also allowed to entertain their American hosts.

Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a chance for seasoned professionals from certain countries to grow in their careers. It won’t get you a degree, but you’ll take part in useful classes at some U.S. universities, develop your leadership skills.

External Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students in USA

There are lots of outside organizations that give scholarships to undergrads who aren’t U.S. citizens. These scholarships come from nonprofits, private businesses, and international groups.

MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship  

The MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship helps international and DACA students studying at U.S. universities. It’s about supporting students who show good grades, leadership skills, and a desire to make their communities better.

Civil Society Leadership Awards  

These awards give full scholarships to people who show academic and professional excellence while wanting to make a positive change in society. They’re especially for students going for undergraduate or graduate degrees in fields like law, human rights, or public policy.

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship  

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is for students who love international travel and education. It’s not as big as some other scholarships, but it can help cover extra expenses like travel, books, or other school costs.

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Scholarship for International Students in USA

There are several scholarships aimed at international students to help make education more affordable while promoting cultural and academic diversity.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

One option is the American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship. This scholarship is for high-performing international students who want to get a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. It covers full tuition, room, and board.

Clark University Global Scholars Program

Clark University also has a Global Scholars Program. This program offers scholarships to international students who excel academically and show leadership ability. It provides a nice tuition discount and guarantees a paid internship during their studies, which is a great way to gain work experience.

Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

Lastly, Illinois Wesleyan University gives merit-based scholarships to international students with strong academic records and good test scores. These scholarships can cover part or all of the tuition and are renewable each year as long as the student meets the criteria.

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Scholarships for Foreign Students in USA

There are numerous scholarship opportunities for foreign students who wish to study in the USA. These scholarships cover undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and often come with additional benefits.

Yale University Scholarships

Yale University offers need-based scholarships to international students across all programs. Once admitted, students can apply for financial aid, which may cover up to 100% of tuition and living expenses based on demonstrated need.

Harvard University Financial Aid

Harvard University has a generous financial aid policy that applies to international students as well. Based on family income, international students can receive full or partial financial aid packages that cover tuition, room, board, and other fees.

Columbia University International Student Scholarships

Columbia University offers several scholarships and fellowships to international students, particularly at the graduate level. These include departmental scholarships as well as university-wide fellowships based on academic merit and financial need.

Scholarships in USA for International Students

Students from outside the U.S. can find various scholarships at many colleges and universities here. These scholarships might look at your grades, leadership abilities, or specific fields of study.

Stanford University Scholarships

Stanford offers financial aid based on need for international students. They review each applicant's situation individually, making sure to cover all financial needs. They also have the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, which fully funds graduate students in any field.

University of Chicago International Scholarships

The University of Chicago gives out both merit-based and need-based scholarships for international undergraduates and graduates. Their Odyssey Scholarship Program and Chicago Empower Initiative help make the school more accessible for students from different financial backgrounds.

New York University (NYU) Wagner Scholarships

NYU Wagner provides scholarships for international students enrolled in public service programs. These are merit-based and can help cover partial or full tuition for graduate degrees.

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Universities in USA for International Students with Scholarship

A bunch of U.S. universities are known for giving out good scholarships to international students. They aim to bring in bright minds from all over by offering financial help that’s meant for students from outside the U.S.

Emory University Scholars Program

At Emory University, the Emory Scholars Program offers merit-based scholarships. This includes full-tuition awards for the Emory Scholars, special scholarships for business students, and some for those attending Oxford College.

Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program

Brandeis University has the Wien International Scholarship Program, which is targeted at outstanding international students. It covers full tuition and gives a living stipend, making it a great option for students coming from abroad.

University of Southern California (USC) International Scholarships

The University of Southern California (USC) provides both need-based and merit-based financial aid to international students. Their Trustee, Presidential, and Dean’s scholarships can cover up to full tuition for those with impressive academic records.

Duke University Karsh International Scholars Program

Duke University offers the Karsh International Scholars Program, which is a full-ride scholarship for international students. This covers tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, and funds for research and unpaid internships.

Final Thoughts

Getting higher education in the United States is both a rewarding and challenging opportunity, and particularly tough for international students who also have to overcome financial barriers. Luckily, there are plenty of scholarships students from around the world can take advantage of, taking their chance of studying in the USA out of the odds.

When searching for scholarships, it is very important to carefully work out the task of each program; its eligibility, required papers, and its due date. You should tailor your application with emphasis not just on your academic achievements, but on what you’ve done as a leader, outside of school, and your goals.

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