Top scholarships to study in the US (2024)

One of the top choices for students hoping to gain an excellent and well-respected overseas education is the United States. Although the cost of tuition is very high, the quality of the education that can be obtained in the US is top-notch. If you’re interested in studying in the US, and you’re short on funds, then getting a scholarship will be your best option. 

There are several scholarships available for international students to study in the US. They are typically divided into three categories: government-funded, University scholarships and NGO scholarships. 

Government-funded Scholarships

1. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Experienced professionals from selected nations throughout the globe may spend a year in the United States engaging in professional development opportunities via the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.

The selection of fellows is based on their demonstrated capacity for leadership and their dedication to serving the public interest in the public or private spheres. The fellowships are complete grants that cover all associated costs for the entire year.

2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

International students who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in the United States may apply for full funding via the Fulbright Program. Scholarships may also be granted for postgraduate work toward non-degree programs.

The award includes a living allowance, health insurance, textbooks, flights, and tuition.

University Scholarships

1. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarships Program

The American university awards a scholarship to one deserving overseas student every year. These students are those who want to study for a bachelor’s degree and who are committed to bringing about constructive changes in society and politics. It is meant for students who plan to return home to better underserved and under-resourced areas in their nation.

The whole tuition, lodging and board, and other billable AU expenditures for ONE foreign student who requires a visa (ideally an F-1 or J-1 student visa) to study in the United States are covered by the AU EGL scholarship.

2. Berea College Scholarships

Berea College aid is one of a kind. Financial help and scholarships are awarded to all accepted overseas students, covering the whole cost of tuition, lodging, board, and fees for the first year of study.  International students are required to set up $1,000 (US) for their expenditures in the following years.

International students are given summer employment by the College to help them fulfil this requirement.

3. Wien International Scholarship Program (WISP) at Brandeis University

Established in 1958, the Wien International Scholarship Program (WISP) at Brandeis University provides opportunities for students from throughout the globe to complete undergraduate studies and develop into engaged global citizens. 

Each recipient’s complete documented financial need is satisfied by this award.

4. Concordia College Scholarships

International students are valued for their contributions on campus, and Concordia is happy to provide them with some financial aid. The International Student Scholarship, which is worth up to $16,000 per year, is awarded based on academic merit and family need.

International first-year students and transfer students may apply for competitive, merit-based International Excellence Scholarships, which may be given for up to four years and vary in value from $8,000 to $16,000 per year.

5. Dartmouth College Scholarships

Every undergraduate accepted to Dartmouth College, including international students, is eligible to apply for financial aid to meet their needs.

International students at Dartmouth College may apply for loans and scholarships, which include a travel allowance to the United States.

6. Clark University Scholarships

The Clark Presidential Scholarships are a prominent prize given by Clark University to students who rank at the top of the university’s application pool due to their academic standing and potential for leadership.

Approximately five students get the grants each year. Regardless of a family’s financial situation, it covers all four years of on-campus accommodation and board as well as complete tuition.

7. Amherst College Scholarships

International students in need of financial help may apply for assistance from Amherst College via a need-based program. Your admission is followed by an assessment of your financial need. After that, you will be awarded a financial assistance award that matches your needs. 

Because the reward may consist of both gift assistance (scholarships and grants) and self-help (employment), it is frequently referred to as an “aid package.”

8. Colby-Sawyer College Scholarship

Colby-Sawyer College offers merit-based financial assistance to international students. Based on academic aptitude (as determined by GPA), the scholarship value rises to a maximum of $8,000 per year. 

9. Columbia College Scholarships

Excellent overseas students may apply for scholarships and honours from Columbia College. One-time cash gifts or tuition reductions ranging from 15% to 100% are the rewards.

10. East Tennessee State University

For new foreign students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) provides the Foreign Students Academic Merit Scholarship. For undergraduate students, the scholarship is worth $12,500, and for graduate students, it is worth $5000-$9000 every academic year.

11. Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

Scholarships based on merit are available to eligible overseas candidates at Illinois Wesleyan University who have shown exceptional academic success and passed the necessary entry tests. These grants are renewable for a maximum of four years and vary in value from $16,000 to $30,000.  

12. Iowa State University International Scholarships

There are a few merit scholarships available for international freshmen at Iowa State University. Competitive consideration is given to high school grades and marks, as well as SAT or ACT results.  The grants are renewable and go from $2,000 to $10,000 per year.

13. East-West Center 

Graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States can receive funding for up to 24 months to pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree at the University of Hawaii while taking advantage of the East-West Center‘s educational, residential, and leadership development programs. This is made possible by the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship.

14. Emory College Scholarships

Every year, Emory College provides need-based financial assistance awards to a limited number of overseas students. Additionally, via the Emory University Scholars Program, foreign students are invited to apply for partial to full merit-based scholarships. 

15. Michigan State University International Scholarships

A restricted quantity of undergraduate and graduate scholarships and grants are awarded by Michigan State University to worthy overseas students.  These financial aid packages aren’t meant to cover the whole of your MSU coursework.

16. New York University Wagner Scholarships 

Every application cycle, a restricted number of students, including those from abroad, are granted merit scholarships at New York University.  The scholarships range from $25,000 to $47,000 and cover all or part of the cost of tuition.

17. Oregon University Scholarships

Over $2.5 million in financial assistance and scholarships are given to overseas students by the University of Oregon every year for both undergraduate and graduate study. The ICSP Scholarship, which offers tuition-waiver scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for up to 15 credits each term each year, is one of their scholarship programs.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, financial need, and the applicant’s capacity for public speaking.

18. University of the West Scholarships

Scholarships are available from the University of the West to new overseas students who meet high academic requirements and show a need for financial assistance. The annual grant for new students varies from $6,000 to $10,000.

The dean’s and president’s scholarships are available to continuing students for 7.5–15 undergraduate units or 6–12 graduate units every semester.

NGO Scholarships

1. Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships

Students from World Bank member nations may seek full scholarships to study development at several international universities under the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.

Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Cornell University, and Columbia University are among the eight participating US universities that students may choose from.

2. AAUW International Fellowships

International fellowships are given by AAUW, originally the American Association of University Women, to women who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States for full-time study or research in the country.

The scholarships are worth $30,000 for postdoctoral students, $18,000 for master’s students, and $20,000 for PhD students.

3. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program

A restricted number of postgraduate scholarships are awarded annually by the Aga Khan Foundation to deserving students from certain underdeveloped nations who have no other way to pay for their education. 

The research might be conducted in the US or any other country in the globe. Scholarships are given out via a competitive application procedure once a year, with the awarding of 50% grants and 50% loans.

4. Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship 

International graduate students, young professionals, and artists may study and do research in the US thanks to the Fulbright Foreign Students Scholarship.

These fully-paid American scholarships are available in over 160 countries throughout the globe. Each year, more than 4,000 grants for overseas students are awarded by Fulbright.

Conclusion

Studying in the United States typically costs a fortune. Fortunately, there are several scholarships available that can help reduce these costs significantly. International students can apply for these scholarships and reap the benefits of attaining world-class education for free (or at significantly reduced cost).