A Complete Guide for International Students on Scholarships to Study in the USA
Many students around the world want to go to college in the United States. But for many overseas students, the cost of tuition, living fees, and travel makes this ambition impossible to accomplish. Fortunately, there are several fully funded scholarships and fellowships available to help great students from all over the world.
This guide talks about some of the best scholarship programs that can help you study in the U.S., no matter if you’re an undergraduate, graduate, or mid-career professional. These initiatives not only give money, but they also help people become leaders, learn about other cultures, and make connections around the world.
1. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Target group: Smart African students
Level: For both undergraduate and graduate students
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program works with some of the best colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world to help African students who are very smart but don’t have a lot of money. Some of the partner schools are Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Michigan State.
What it gives:
All of the costs of tuition
Costs of living and housing
Travel, books, and supplies
Mentoring and developing leaders
How to apply: Students must apply directly to the partner universities that are part of the program. Each university has its unique way of choosing students, and the rivalry is fierce.
What makes it stand out: The program focusses on being an ethical leader and giving back to the community. It is envisioned that scholars will go back to their native countries and help with social and economic growth.
2. Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars Program
Target group: Outstanding Asian students
Undergraduate level
Every year, Wesleyan University in Connecticut gives the Freeman Asian Scholars Program to 11 students from certain Asian nations. It’s perfect for those who want to study liberal arts at a small, close-knit school.
What it gives:
All of the costs of tuition and fees
More money is available to help with housing, food, and other needs.
Who can apply:
Being a citizen of an Asian country that qualifies
Good grades and the ability to lead
Need for money
Why it matters: This work helps people from different cultures understand each other and learn from each other, creating a generation of leaders who are intimately connected to both Asia and the U.S.
3. The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship from American University
Target audience: overseas students that do well in school and have the potential to be leaders
Level: College
The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship at American University helps one international student each year who wants to make meaningful changes in their community and society.
What it includes:
Four years of full tuition and housing and board
Doesn’t pay for things like travel, health insurance, or books that aren’t on the bill
Who can apply:
International student (not a U.S. citizen or a dual citizen)
Showed leadership skills and helped the community
Excellent grades in school
How to apply: Students must fill out the AU application and send in essays and other materials pertaining to the scholarship before the priority deadline.
What makes it special:
This scholarship is for students from under-represented and underserved communities who are already making a difference and want to make that difference even bigger around the world.
4. The Rotary Peace Fellowship
Target group: those who work in peace and development and are in the middle of their careers
Master’s degrees and certificate programs are available.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a very competitive program that lets people study in peace centres all over the world, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina in the United States.
What it includes:
All of the costs of tuition
Food and lodging
Transportation to and from
Costs for internships and field studies
Who can apply:
A bachelor’s degree
A strong background in both work and school
Showed a strong dedication to establishing peace
Why it’s transformative: Fellows learn useful skills and make connections that help them get jobs in conflict resolution, public service, international relations, and other fields.
5. The International Scholarship Program of the Aga Khan Foundation
Target group: Graduate students from nations that are still developing
Level: Master’s and PhD
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) helps outstanding students who can’t pay for their graduate school any other way.
What it covers:
50% grant, 50% loan (must be paid back over five years)
Only tuition and living costs, not travel costs
Who can apply:
People from some developing countries, such India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda
Real need for money
Getting into a good university
How to apply: Candidates apply through their local Aga Khan Education Board office. The choice is based on how well the applicant does in school, how likely they are to be a leader, and how relevant their subject of study is to their community.
Why it’s important: The program gives money to people who will make their native countries better by being leaders and helping others.
6. Fellowships from the AAUW around the world
Target group: Women from all across the world
Level: Master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral
For women who want to study full-time at the graduate or postgraduate level in the U.S., the American Association of University Women (AAUW) gives out significant fellowships.
What it has:
$20,000 to $50,000, depending on how much you study
Money for tuition, books, travel, and living costs
Who can apply:
Not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
A degree from another country that is the same as a U.S. bachelor’s degree
Commitment to helping women and girls in their own nation go ahead
Why it gives you power: The AAUW works to help women become leaders and advocates in their jobs and communities.
7. Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars program
Target audience: Graduate students from around the world who have good academic and leadership records
Level: Master’s and PhD
One of the most distinguished and well-funded scholarships in the world is the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford.
What it gives:
Complete financing for any graduate program at Stanford
Money for housing costs, school supplies, and travel
Mentorship, leadership development, and networking around the world
Requirements:
All countries and fields are welcome.
You need to apply to Stanford and Knight-Hennessy separately.
Showed that they could think for themselves, lead, and get involved in their community
What makes it special:
The program creates a diverse group of leaders who want to make the world a better place by coming up with daring ideas and taking responsible action.
8. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Target audience: Professionals in the middle of their careers from poor nations
Level: Not a degree (professional growth)
The Humphrey Fellowship brings professionals from all over the world to the U.S. for 10 months of professional and academic growth.
What it has:
All costs of tuition and fees
Money for living
Costs of travel
Help with professional growth
Who can apply:
Five years of work experience in a professional setting
Proven ability to lead
Few or no previous experiences in the U.S.
How it works: Fellows travel to U.S. universities to work on their career goals instead of getting a degree. Fields include public health, education, finance, and more.
Why it matters: This program has a ripple effect that helps fellows bring new ideas back to their home countries.
9. The Fulbright Program for Foreign Students
People who should be interested: graduate students, artists, and professionals
Master’s and PhD level
The Fulbright Program is one of the most famous scholarships in the world. It pays for students from more than 160 countries to study and do research in the U.S.
What it gives:
Tuition in full
Monthly payment
Insurance for health
Help with travel
Who can apply:
It depends on the Fulbright commission in your country.
Good grades in school
Leadership skills and being involved in the community
How to apply: Candidates apply through the Fulbright office in their native country. There is a lot of competition for spots, and the selection process is based on merit.
What makes it special: Fulbright is more than just about education; it’s also about cultural exchange, knowing each other, and working together on a global scale for a long time.
Advice for international students on how to apply
Start early: Many applications are open 9 to 12 months before the school year starts. Get your transcripts, references, and test results ready ahead of time.
Know what each program does: Make sure your essays and other papers fit with the scholarship’s goals and objectives.
Show how you’ve already made a difference in your community and how you aim to make that difference even bigger with a U.S. education.
Get help: Talk to your professors, mentors, and people on the internet. Get comments on your application materials.
Be honest: Selection committees look for honesty, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose.
Last Thoughts
These scholarship programs make it easier than ever for international students to study in the U.S. They don’t simply pay for school; they also invest in future leaders, intellectuals, and people who will make a difference in the world. There is probably a program that fits your needs, whether you are a young undergraduate from Asia, a mid-career professional from Africa, or a women scholar from Latin America.
Look at your possibilities, be ready to apply, and take the first step towards an education that can change your life and the lives of others around you.
