Scholarships for International Students
Are you an international student interested in studying in the U.S. and wondering what the best scholarship for international students are? Find scholarships for college and scholarships for highschool seniors, specifically aimed at international students, that can pay for your education in the U.S.
Whilst studying abroad in the U.S. requires a large financial commitment, it can expand your professional opportunities greatly and set you up for a successful and lucrative career. There are plenty of scholarship opportunities available for international students to help you pay for your education; below you can learn more about your eligibility for several scholarships for college, including scholarships for highschool seniors.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program in USA
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program allows 4,000 graduate students, young professionals or artists annually to continue their education in the U.S. The program is open to international students from 155 eligible countries and welcomes applications for all disciplines. The program generally covers tuition fees (Master’s or PhD), health insurance, airfare and a living stipend for the duration of study.
Deadline date varies by country, but is generally between February to October annually. Eligibility criteria also varies by country, so if you’re interested, it is worth checking out your country’s information here.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
This program covers all tuition and associated fees for full time Masters and PhD degrees, with certain courses excluded. The scholarship provides a stipend for academic and living costs, as well as covering one trip per year to and from Stanford. There is some additional funding available for certain years, including students in their second and third years can apply for additional funds to support extracurricular activities, and newly enrolling students can obtain a one-time relocation grant to cover some of the costs associated.
There are two eligibility requirements; firstly, you must be accepted by and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate program, and you must meet a minimum of the below four conditions:
- Separately but simultaneously applying to this scholarship and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program that you will commence in the same year
- You have deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to this scholarship so that you commence both in the same year
- You are presently a Stanford graduate student who is applying to a second full-time Stanford graduate degree program, so that you will start both the scholarship and the second program in the same year
- You are a first year Stanford PhD student, and will apply to this scholarship so that you will start the scholarship in your second year of enrolment
Secondly, you must have obtained a U.S bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized college or university by January 2017 or later. If you’re interested in applying, the deadline date is October 2023 and further information can be found here.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowships in USA for International Students
This scholarship is for non-degree programs open to 200 professionals annually hoping to improve their leadership skills, where participants are placed at a participating U.S. university. The scholarship covers tuition and university fees, a living allowance (including a one off settling-in grant), a one-off computer allowance, air travel for the program and any associated events, and a Professional Development allowance for any professional activities. It also provides sickness and accident cover, a book allowance, and pre-program English language training if applicable.
To apply for the program, you must have an undergraduate degree, a minimum of five-years professional experience (full-time), little to no experience in the U.S., proven leadership attributes, experience of community public service, and ability to speak English. Furthermore, you must be from one of the 144 listed countries.
The deadline date does vary by country, but tends to fall between May to September annually. There are a number of eligible program disciplines; more information can be found here.
Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships
This scholarship offers fellowships to up to 130 peace and leadership leaders globally to pursue a Master’s Degree Program or Professional Development Certificate related to conflict resolution and peace at one of the participating centers, including two U.S. universities. All tuition and fees, living costs, transportation and all field-study and internship fees are covered. This fellowship is aimed at individuals with professional experience in peace and conflict resolution and prevention or international relations.
To be eligible, you must also meet the below requirements:
- Hold three years of related professional experience for the Master’s program
- Hold five years of related professional experience for the certificate program and must describe how their plan aligns with the Rotary’s mission
- Proficient in the English language
- Have a Bachelor’s degree
- Have leadership attributes
Participants must also have a gap of a minimum of three years between finishing their last academic degree program and the start date of their fellowship. The deadline date for this one is 15 May 2023 and more details can be found here.
Boston University Presidential Scholarship for International Students
This scholarship for high school seniors is aimed at incoming first-year students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement coupled with merit beyond the classroom. This covers any Bachelor degree and covers $25,000 of tuition fees which is renewable for up to four years of study (undergraduate).
To be eligible, you must be an international student (non-US citizen or non-US Permanent Resident Green Card Holders). Applicants must have a valid visa in order to study in the U.S. and must have completed the equivalent of a U.S. secondary education, have a GED, or completed a secondary education equivalency exam. Additionally, you must be considered as a leader in your school and community. The deadline date for this is December 1st 2023 and more information can be found here.
Emory University Scholar Programs
Emory University offers three categories of partial to full merit-based programs and are open to Bachelor degrees in any discipline. The scholarship value is dependent on which program you apply for:
The Robert W. Woodruff Scholarship covers all tuition and university fees, and provides room and board.
Woodruff’s Dean’s Achievement Scholarship offers $10,000
George W. Jenkins Scholarship covers all tuition and university fees, room and board, and a stipend per semester.
To be eligible for these programs, you must be applying for a Bachelor degree at Emory University and all students, regardless of citizenship, are welcomed to apply. You must apply by November 15th 2023 and more information can be found here.
Civil Society Leadership Awards
This scholarship for college offers fully funded Master’s degree programs to those who exhibit professional and academic merit, alongside a strong commitment to leading positive social change in their communities. Programs are offered at a number of universities globally, including the American University Washington College of Law. The program covers all tuition and university fees, a monthly grant for room and board, academic related travel, health insurance, the fees associated with the annual student conference, and a pre-academic writing program. They also offer accommodation during the application process and for the duration of the program for those with disabilities.
To be eligible, you must meet the below criteria:
- Be a citizen from an eligible country and have a valid visa in order to study
- Exhibit flexibility, maturity and civil society leadership potential
- Have a Bachelor’s degree with an outstanding academic record
- Have work experience related to your chosen discipline
- Proficient in the English language
- Able to attend an intensive pre-university summer school prior to the start date
- Exhibit a strong commitment to their home country/region in supporting open society development
You must apply by May 15th 2023 and please note that the program only covers certain Master’s degrees; more information can be found here.
Obama Foundation Scholars Program
This program is designed for aspiring leaders who are already making an impact in their communities wanting to further their skills and knowledge. The program combines a Master’s of Arts degree with access to extraordinary experiences outside of the classroom. This program is open to those applying to the Master of Arts degree in International Development and Policy, and covers all tuition and university expenses, provides a monthly living grant, finance for books and course material, and any program-related travel cover.
To be eligible to apply, you must meet the below criteria:
- Noteworthy professional experience (generally 3-5 years or more) and professional achievements with a clear direction in increasing impact
- Record of public service or working for community good, either through a full-time work role or remarkable engagement outside of employment
- Have a clear focus on policy issue or a global challenge
- Strong commitment to return and reinvest your acquired skills in your community following the program
The deadline date for this program is January 2024 and more information can be found here.
EWC Graduate Degree Scholarships for Asia and the Pacific
This program offers funding for up to two years for Master’s or Doctoral degree studies for graduate students from the U.S., Asia and the Pacific in the leadership, residential and educational development programs. The program covers all tuition and fees up to the equivalent of the general tuition charged for post-baccalaureate students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa towards Masters or Doctoral studies, accommodation, a food and incidental finances grant, books, materials and supplied allowance, and a stipend for health insurance.
To be eligible, you must (alongside the fellowship application) submit a graduate admissions application to the University of Hawaii (or if you have already enrolled just submit the fellowship application), pass an English language test, and must meet exchange visitor (J-1 visa) requirements.
Applications open in August and close on December 1st; more information can be found here.
American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
This scholarship for highschool seniors is designed for high achieving international students looking to complete a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. who are committed to positive social and civic change. It is specifically targeted at those who will eventually return home to improve underserved and under-resourced communities in their country. The scholarship covers any undergraduate degree offered at the university and covers all tuition and university expenses, and provides room and board. It can be renewed for up to four years of undergraduate study, based on consistent acceptable academic performance.
You must meet the below criteria in order to apply:
- International students from underrepresented and diverse socioeconomic and global backgrounds who have faced various challenges and obstacles
- A minimum 3.8 GPA equivalent (or in top 10% of graduating class) for grades 9 to 12.
- A clear commitment to community service, leadership and volunteering, and to advancing the needs of people in their home country
- One of the following: 95+ TOEFL iBT (all sub scores must be 20 or above); sub-scores of 24+ on the paper-based TOEFL (Taken after May 31, 2017); 7.0+ IELTS (all sub scores must be 6.0 or above); 33 minimum SAT Reading Subscore; 29 minimum ACT English; 65 minimum PTE; 120+ Duolingo (all sub scores must be 110 or above); or Cambridge Assessment English score of 185 or higher. Each sub-score must be 169 or higher.
- Currently enrolled in secondary/highschool and graduating by June 2024.
- Students undertaking the IB should graduate with a full diploma with a minimum of HL subjects. Students undertaking British A-Levels must complete a minimum of three A-Levels and finish 13 years of study before August 2024.
If you are interested in applying, the deadline date is December 15 2023 (priority deadline) and at least by January 15th 2024. If you want to find out more, please take a look here.
In 6 quick steps, you can get matched with your local or international colleges and qualify for financial grants. This free service allows you to connect with colleges that match your interest in and receive Grant offers! Click here for more information.
Continuing your education to a higher degree in the U.S. can greatly expand your work opportunities, and fortunately there are scholarship opportunities available for International students to do this. There are many opportunities for Scholarships for International students to get into US colleges. We have also included more scholarship opportunities for international students you might be interested in below:
Illinois Wesleyan University International Students Scholarships
Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
AAUW International Fellowships in USA for Women
PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women
ISCP Scholarships at University of Oregon USA
Clark Global Scholarship Program
Berea College Scholarships for International Students
American University Online Program Scholarships
Fitzduff Family Social Policy and Coexistence Fellowship at Brandeis University
Humanitarian Health Scholarships at Johns Hopkins University
Sidney Topol Fellowship in Nonviolence Practice at Brandeis University
George Washington University Global Leaders Fellowship
Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship
MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program for Africans
Farleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students
If you need help writing your scholarship application, you need to know how to convince the scholarship program board that you deserve the scholarship. We have some tips here for you here and further assistance with the Essay writing and Application can be found by clicking this link.