Scholarships for International Students in the U.S.

U.S. universities offer international students not only a top-notch education but also various funding opportunities. Sometimes, these funds can cover all tuition and living expenses. Let’s explore the different scholarships that U.S. universities offer for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students.

1. Undergraduate Scholarships
2. Scholarships for master’s and doctoral students
3. Extra opportunities

Undergraduate Scholarships

While bachelors students receive scholarships less frequently than masters or doctoral students, high school graduates still have opportunities for funding. There are two primary types of assistance: merit-based and need-based financial aid.

Merit-based Scholarships

To be eligible for a merit-based scholarship, you must demonstrate high academic achievement. This may require:

Many universities automatically consider applicants for merit-based financial aid. The amount awarded depends on the university, the field of study, and the applicant’s academic performance.

Need-based Financial Aid

To apply for need-based financial aid, you’ll need to complete the CSS Profile—an undergraduate admissions form. This form requires information about income and family expenses and can be found on the websites of over 400 U.S. universities.

Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Students

Graduate students typically receive only merit-based financial aid, which comes in two forms: assistantships and fellowships.

Assistantships

An assistantship involves aiding the university in various capacities. In return, the university pays the student a salary and waives part or all of the tuition fee. Payments under this program can cover rent and personal expenses. There are several types of assistantships:

1. Departmental Assistantship: Working as an assistant to a professor in a department. Students in these positions receive a salary and partial or full tuition waivers.

2. Administrative Assistantship: Overseeing the administrative tasks of a university. Work typically takes 10 to 20 hours per week, with the university paying salaries and waiving all or part of tuition.

3. Residence Assistantship: Assisting with living and residence hall administration. Assistants receive free accommodation and a salary.

4. Teaching Assistantship: Delivering lectures and tutorials, and checking undergraduate work. This role can require up to 20 hours per week. Teaching assistants receive a salary, health insurance, and some or all of the tuition fee is waived.

5. Research Assistantship: Participating in research projects at the university. This role requires 20 hours per week, and students receive funding from the university, the government, or academic institutions.

Research Fellowship

As a research fellow, you conduct your own research on behalf of the university. The university typically waives the student’s tuition fees, and in some cases, funding may also cover living expenses and meals. Such programs are available at universities like Purdue University, the University of Oregon, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Additional Opportunities

Applicants can also reduce the cost of their U.S. education through online education and the need-blind system.

Online Education

The University of the People, open to residents of all countries, offers tuition-free education. It’s the only university globally with entirely free and open-access educational resources. Their main areas of study include business administration, computer science, health care, and educational sciences.

Need-blind Admissions

Some U.S. universities follow a need-blind admissions policy, where they do not consider the financial situation of applicants and fully cover their expenses. Some of these institutions include Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, Dartmouth College, and Amherst College.

In Conclusion

Whether you’re a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral student, you have opportunities to study in the U.S. for free or at significantly reduced tuition rates. Programs vary depending on universities, directions, and the individual success of applicants.