A Guide to Scholarships in the USA for Nigerian Students

Planning to study overseas but confused about which country you want to go to? Well, how about you go to a country known for its Ivy schools and universities that offer some amazing curriculums and faculties? Finance plays a vital role in deciding the university you want to pursue an MBA. Moving abroad does not just mean tuition expenses, living expenses, transport, and so much more! This is why, many times, students aim for universities in their home countries because of the huge finances and student loans. But don't worry, after reading this blog, you might aim for universities in the USA after knowing all the perks of studying in the home of Ivys. This blog talks about several US scholarships for Nigerian students. So, if you're in Nigeria and looking forward to pursuing studies in the USA, sit back and get ready to go through some of the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students!

What are Scholarships?

Before diving into the scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students, here's a small peek at what scholarships are. They are basically funds that the university or government provides to students that partially or fully cover their tuition and living expenses. It is given to students who have excellent academic scores or participation in community events and many such factors, which are completely based on their merit. There are different scholarships which governments, private educational institutions and universities provide. Each scholarship, more or less, has similar eligibility criteria. However, some criteria may vary depending on the scholarship and who it is provided by. 

Types of Scholarship In The USA For Nigerian Students

Scholarships do not serve just one single purpose. Other than assisting in financing the education partially or fully, it is up to you how you make the best of the situation and enhance your skills. This makes it very crucial for you to choose and apply for a scholarship that is apt for you. Scholarships in the USA are classified into the following categories, which depend on the student's strengths:

1. Academic Scholarships

2. Need-based Scholarships

3. Military Scholarships

4. Employer Scholarships

5. Scholarships for extracurriculars

6. Athletic Scholarships

7. Community Service Scholarships

8. Identity-Based Scholarships

There are many types of scholarships in the USA, and to know more about them, you can check out our blog on scholarships in the USA!

How To Get A Scholarship In The USA For Nigerian Students

Now that we have a fair idea of what scholarships are and what categories they are divided into in the United States of America, let's take a detailed look at how to get scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students. The basic criteria on how to apply for a scholarship in the USA for Nigerian students would be to be consistent with academics and try to maintain the GPA required for the particular scholarship. Take the following points into consideration to ease the process of applying for US scholarships for Nigerian students:

1. Conduct thorough research and finalize which scholarship you want to apply for.

2. Build a strong academic foundation and profile that highlights your academic excellence. 

3. Participate in community services and extra-curricular activities. 

4. Contact educational consultants for guidance and gather letters of recommendation that reflect your work and academic ethics. 

5. Explore different types of scholarships and make sure you fit the eligibility criteria of the chosen scholarship in the USA. 

6. Attend various workshops and educational fairs, which give you a clearer understanding of the scholarship and universities in the USA. 

7. Analyze your unique selling points and prepare well for your interviews. 

8. Be careful about deadlines, as missing a deadline can cost you!

5 Best Scholarships in The USA For Nigerian Students

This serene country offers several opportunities and scholarships for international students in the USA. The USA not only offers scholarships to international students in general but also offers merit-based funds to students from specific countries. We have listed the top 5 scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students. The following list contains the major details like who it is offered by and what cost it covers.

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Eligibility Criteria: Citizen of Nigeria and a doctoral or PhD student who has completed a considerable amount of the degree program in Nigerian Universities.
Scholarship Covers: Airfare for the US, housing and books allowance, a computer allowance and basic university health insurance as primary coverage and Fulbright ASPE health benefit as secondary insurance coverage.
Time Period: 1 years or more
Universities: Harvard University, Stanford University

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the US scholarships for Nigerian students that are offered to young professionals and graduates who wish to study and conduct research in the USA. This scholarship is administered by the US embassies or Fulbright Foundations in the Country, making it one of the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students. Be mindful of the deadlines and keep checking the website for the same.

2. The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

Eligibility Criteria: Citizens of Nigeria, must have an undergraduate degree and a record of public service in the community.
Scholarship Covers: Cost of standardized tests like TOEFL, airline ticket for economy class, living expenses and medical insurance, which is provided by the government of the USA and fulfills the minimum conditions which the Fulbright Program establishes.
Time Period: 10 months
Universities: American University, Boston University

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is another government-funded scholarship in the USA for Nigerian students. The scholarship is a 10-month-long non-degree program. It is given to students who have a minimum of 5 years experience of being a full-time professional and demonstrating english language proficiency. The students applying for this university must upload official and valid transcripts that cover the list of courses covered and grades received by the students, making it one of the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students.

3. Michigan State University Graduate Assistantships

Eligibility Criteria: The student must enroll in a minimum of 53 days during the spring/fall semester or complete thesis or project credits.
Scholarships Covers: A Bi-Weekly Stipend is provided with prior expertise in respective fields of interest and levels of education that covers a waiver of out-of-state tuition each semester. 
Time Period: 18 -19 weeks
University: Michigan State University

Graduate Assistance is a general term used to describe the financial assistance that is provided to graduate students where students are provided internships and earn stipends. You just have to work for a specified number of hours, and you can earn a stipend based on your performance. This is one of the US scholarships for Nigerian students that Michigan State University provides. These scholarship opportunities in the USA for Nigerian students are offered only for master's and doctoral programs and students who are actively pursuing a graduate degree program, making it one of the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students.

Curious about more scholarships? Take a virtual journey and check out our webstory on USA Scholarships.

4. Berea College Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria: The Applicants may take the ACT or SAT and must score a GPA of at least 3.0.
Scholarship Covers: The entire tuition cost, along with the cost of rooms and board.
Time Period: Up to 4 years
Universities: Berea College

One of many fully-funded scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students. If you get admitted to this college, you will spend no money on tuition. In order to get selected for the scholarship opportunities in the USA for Nigerian students, the applicant needs to show proof of meeting the minimum requirements of English language proficiency. Even factors like community service and leadership qualities are taken into consideration during the selection process, making it among the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students.

5. FTE Fellowships for Doctoral Students

Eligibility criteria: The applicant should be of African descent, a full-time student in a PhD or Th.D. program, and must have completed the coursework before the beginning of the fellowship year.
Scholarship Covers: $25,000 
Time Period: 1 year
Universities: Forum for Theological Exploration

The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) provides scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students. FTE provides financial support for doctoral students who have completed the coursework of PhD or Th.D. programs in several studies like religion, theology or biblical, making it one of the best scholarships in the USA for Nigerian students.

There are many students who get confused while applying for a scholarship in the USA, and it might look like a daunting process. But don't worry, if you are confused about how to apply for a scholarship, you can check out our guide on how to get a scholarships for students in 2023.

The United States of America has a number of scholarship opportunities for students from Nigeria. We have listed some scholarship opportunities in the USA for Nigerian students that are provided by several educational institutions and governments. Here are the top 5 scholarships catering to different programs. We hope you have learned everything about the top scholarships opportunities present. Happy learning!