Scholarships in USA for International Students 2023

It is no secret that the United States is at the top of college rankings in almost every discipline, and attending an American university will make your resume as strong as it can be. With the United States being one of the top countries that accept international students, it is imperative that you find a scholarship in order to pay for your education.

Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for International Students

Scholarships in the USA are typically based on merit or need and require a certain amount of work that can be done with the money. The money from the grant is used for specific applications or classes, so you do need to have a strong application essay.

Top Scholarships in USA for International Students

The most prestigious scholarship awards in the United States are usually given to students who come from areas that are not common. If you are an international student, you will want to check out these scholarships.

1. Fulbright USA Scholarship

While this may not be the most prestigious scholarship available, it will certainly cover all of your tuition costs for an entire year overseas. The Fulbright Award is given out every year to approximately hundreds of students and scholars from 150 countries to take part in a one-year exchange program in the United States.

This scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside of the United States. Only open to graduate students who are pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate degree. Must show financial need. Must be proficient in English or have experience studying or teaching the language. You must also be a strong academic student with a record of leadership and community service.

2. Harvard University Scholarship

As the most renowned and one of the oldest universities in the United States, Harvard University has many scholarships. These scholarships are some of the most highly sought-after by international students as they are very competitive. You must be a citizen or permanent resident of a country outside of the United States to qualify.

You must submit your application and financial information to be considered for these scholarship awards. Applications are reviewed once every year. The date you applied is not important, but your academic record does matter. This Harvard University MBA scholarship provides $51,100 annually to each qualified applicant in a year.

3. Yale University Scholarship

With a long history of successful students and graduates, Yale University is a great place to study both academically and financially. If you are looking to pursue a master’s degree at this prestigious university, you must apply for the Yale Scholarship. This scholarship will pay up to $50,000 or $70,000 annually for those pursuing a graduate degree, post-graduate or PhD program.

This Yale University scholarship can be something that can really open new doors of opportunity for international students. The only stipulations on this scholarship are that you be proficient in English and have an interest in international education or any kind of research-related study in an area.

4. Stanford University Scholarship

While the tuition fees at Stanford University can be astronomical and beyond most international students’ budgets, this may be the best scholarship to apply for two reasons: you will receive graduate tuition, as well as a stipend that is determined by a combination of your merit and financial need. The criteria for this Stanford University scholarship are similar to those of many others including being a citizen of another country or any other US citizen.

This scholarship will give you funds to cater for your full tuition and other required expenses to successfully complete your PhD, Masters or MA program in the US.

5. Lewis and Clark American Fellowship

This is another option for international students that is available to citizens of countries outside the United States. It provides you with up to $25,000 in one-year funding that can be used at any institution in the United States.

You must show evidence of your academic excellence and be a citizen of a non-United States country OR a permanent resident. If you are not eligible for other Fulbright scholarships, then this is one more option for you to look into. The deadline for this scholarship is November 1st every year.

6. Mellon Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships

This is one of the more competitive scholarships for international students to do well in. The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) awards up to a maximum of $25,000 for Ph.D. candidates to undertake research.

Recipients are expected to have the required skills in social sciences or related fields of study to qualify for this grant. The application process asks you to provide information about your background and research interests before they will be able to review your application.

You must also provide evidence of your academic achievement, including an official transcript showing your undergraduate or postgraduate work or a letter from a university confirming your completion of undergraduate studies.

Final Thoughts on Scholarships for International Students

You will notice that most of the scholarship programs listed are available to international students, with few being available to United States citizens only. This is because of the large number of internationals studying in the United States.

The U.S could be considered a mecca for postgraduate education, so it makes sense that people from around the globe want to come here to study and research there.