Are you dreaming of pursuing your higher education in the USA but worried about the costs? Good news! Many top universities across the USA offer generous scholarships for international students. From full tuition waivers to substantial financial aid packages, these opportunities are designed to make your US university experience affordable and accessible.
In this blog, we'll help you explore some of the leading USA universities that are committed to supporting international students through great scholarship. Whether you’re looking to excel in engineering, business, arts, or sciences, there's likely a scholarship for everyone eligible for it!
Types of scholarships for international students in the USA
There are several types of scholarships in USA available for international students. These scholarships can help you with the financial burden of studying abroad and come from various sources, including universities, private foundations, and government programs. Here are some common types:
University scholarships
Many universities in the USA offer scholarships specifically for international students. These may be based on merit, financial need, or specific areas of study. Examples include full tuition waivers, partial scholarships, or stipends to cover living expenses.
Government scholarships
Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Applicable for international students who are applying to master’s or PhD programs; this scholarship covers tuition fees, accident, and sickness coverage as per US guidelines, airfare, and living costs. You will receive a monthly stipend to support your course in the case of a PhD. However, for other levels of education, the grant and duration may differ It covers only J-1 visa support.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program: This program is a part of the Fullbright program and aims to bring an accomplished young and mid-career professional from a developing country to study in the USA for 10 months of non-degree graduate study and related practical experience. A new offering in this program is Long-Term English (LTE) language training – limited to minority, rural, or non-elite crowd that lacks required language skills but are outstanding in their field LTE participant is given an intensive 20-25-week pre-academic training to enhance their language skills. This program covers tuition fees, monthly maintenance allowance, living expenses, airfare, professional expenses like field trips, etc.
Sports and art scholarships
These are offered to students with exceptional skills in sports or the arts. Many USA universities give athletic scholarships to talented sportspeople or art scholarships for extraordinary artists and performers.
Research fellowships and grants
For those looking to pursue research, various fellowships and grants are available from research institutions, universities, and private foundations that can cover anything from partial to full funding.
Community college scholarships
Some community colleges in the USA offer scholarships that are easier to obtain compared to those at four-year universities, providing a more affordable pathway for international students to begin their education in the USA.
Note: Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements and application process, so it's important for you to carefully research and prepare your applications well in advance of deadlines.
List of top universities in the US offering scholarships to international students
There are various USA universities that give full scholarships to international students. Here is the list of the top 50 universities in the USA for international students with scholarships. You can consider getting into one of the universities mentioned below:
Harvard University
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
University of Chicago
Princeton University
Columbia University
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania
Duke University
University of California, Berkeley
Cornell University
Northwestern University
Johns Hopkins University
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
New York University (NYU)
University of Southern California (USC)
Carnegie Mellon University
Brown University
University of California, San Diego
University of Washington
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Texas at Austin
Boston University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Georgia Institute of Technology
Rice University
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of California, Davis
Ohio State University
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Purdue University
University of Maryland, College Park
Pennsylvania State University
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
University of Florida
Michigan State University
Emory University
University of California, Irvine
University of Virginia
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Pittsburgh
Indiana University Bloomington
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Iowa
University of Notre Dame
Note: These universities often have specific scholarships for international students, such as merit-based scholarships, need-based financial aid, and department-specific awards. Be sure to check each university's official website or contact their admissions offices for more detailed information on scholarship opportunities and eligibility criteria.
Universities in the USA giving maximum financial aid to international students
Here's a list of USA universities known for offering significant financial aid to international students. These universities either have substantial endowments, generous financial aid policies, or specific scholarship programs aimed at attracting international students:
Harvard University - Offers need-based financial aid to international students, covering full demonstrated need.
Yale University - Provides financial aid on a need-based system to all admitted undergraduate international students.
Princeton University - Committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of each admitted student, including internationals.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Provides need-based financial aid to international students, like their domestic counterparts.
Amherst College - One of the few liberal arts colleges to offer need-blind admissions and meet fully demonstrated needs for all students, including internationals.
Stanford University - Offers substantial financial aid packages based on the assessed financial need of the student.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Provides financial aid packages to international students based on demonstrated financial need.
Williams College - Known for generous financial aid packages for all admitted students, including international ones, based on demonstrated need.
University of Chicago - Offers need-based financial aid to international students and is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need.
Columbia University - Has need-based financial aid available for international students.
Dartmouth College - Provides need-based financial aid to all admitted students, including international students.
University of Pennsylvania - Offers financial aid packages to meet the full demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduate international students.
Duke University - Provides financial aid based on demonstrated need to international students.
Cornell University - Offers limited need-based financial aid to international students.
Northwestern University - Provides need-based financial aid to a limited number of international students.
Johns Hopkins University - Offers financial aid packages based on demonstrated need to international students.
Brown University - Provides need-based financial aid to a selected number of international applicants.
Rice University - Known for offering generous aid packages to admitted international students based on their financial needs.
Vanderbilt University - Provides need-based and merit-based scholarships to international students.
University of Notre Dame - Offers both need-based and merit-based aid to international undergraduates.
Note: These universities are recognised for their substantial financial aid programs, but the availability and amount of aid can vary significantly from one student to another. It's important for potential applicants to closely review the financial aid policies and application processes of these universities and contact the financial aid offices for detailed, personalised information.
Universities in the USA offering full tuition fee waivers for international students
Several universities in the USA offer full tuition waivers or scholarships that cover the entire cost of tuition for international students. These opportunities are typically highly competitive and may be merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both. Here's a list of some universities known for such offers:
Brandeis University
Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, Brandeis University is a private research university with a strong liberal arts focus. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Known for its commitment to social justice, Brandeis provides various scholarships, including merit-based awards, which are open to international students.
Duke University
Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, is one of the top private research universities in the U.S. It's renowned for its strong programs in law, business, engineering, and environmental sciences. Duke offers significant financial aid opportunities, including the Karsh International Scholars Program, which covers full tuition, room and board, and fees for a select group of international undergraduate students.
University of Georgia
Located in Athens, Georgia, the University of Georgia is a public research university and the flagship of the University System of Georgia. Known for its programs in journalism, public administration, and business, UGA offers various scholarships, but international students might find more limited opportunities compared to some private universities.
Case Western Reserve University
Situated in Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western Reserve University is a leading research institution known for its strong emphasis on engineering, management, and health sciences. It offers several merit-based scholarships for international students, which can significantly reduce the tuition cost.
Columbia University
Columbia University, located in New York City, is an Ivy League school with high prestige and rigorous academics, particularly strong in fields like law, business, journalism, and public policy. Columbia provides need-based financial aid to international students and commits to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, is known for its rigorous academic programs and a strong focus on undergraduate education. It practices need-blind admissions for all applicants including international students, committing to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Columbia College
It's important to specify which Columbia College, as there are multiple institutions with this name. For instance, Columbia College in Chicago and Columbia College in Missouri both offer distinct environments and opportunities. If you're referring to Columbia University's undergraduate college, it falls under the earlier description for Columbia University.
Hope this blog helps you choose one of the best universities with the best scholarship. Also, the information about the scholarships may vary from university to university, therefore, it is recommended that you visit the official website of your preferred university for up-to-date information.
Additionally, if you are also looking to study in the USA at the top universities then take the first step by taking an IELTS test. If you have questions or doubts about IELTS then you can get in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre. Our team of IELTS experts will guide you through the same.
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