Top 20 Scholarships In The USA

The United States accommodates a huge crowd of international student population every year; thousands of students apply to various universities. Since 2019, over 1.7 million international students have enrolled for a master's degree program at a US university. Since the mid-1950s, when only about 35,000 international students were enrolled, international education in the United States has come a long way. Anyways, we know that applying for scholarships may occasionally be intimidating since there are eligibility criteria to pass and an immense amount of competition to face. So, we've combed the web to find the top 20 scholarships for international students in the USA.  

Scholarships Eligibility Criteria for International Students in the US

While each organization of scholarships for international students in the USA may have its standards, there are a few that they all share. Overseas student applicants must generally meet the following standards for fully funded scholarships in the USA:

1. Transcripts.

2. Standardized test scores.

3. SAT or ACT.

4. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE Academic).

5. Essays.

6. Recommendation Letters.

7. Copy of your valid passport.

Amber is always there for you to help you with your exams. We provide exam guides where you can explore everything from an overview to preparation. 

Top 20 Scholarships for International Students in the USA

Several international students flock to the US every year to pursue the finest education the world has to offer, although before taking large leaps, one must research why they must study in the US. The top universities in the states have excessive tuition fees. Thankfully, several scholarships for international students in the USA are available to assist in lowering tuition costs. Refer to the below list of the 20 best scholarships for international students in the USA.

1. US Fulbright Scholar Program

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Masters/Ph.D

Type of Scholarship: Partially Funded

Award Amount: 25,000$

Time Period: One academic year

This is one of the first scholarships for international students on our list. The United States offers several initiatives for cultural exchange, including the Fulbright Program. Through the interchange of people, knowledge, and skills, this USA scholarship for international students aims to foster intercultural diplomacy and competency between Americans and individuals from other nations. Over 1,700 fellowships are awarded annually through the Fulbright Scholar Program for Academics and Professionals.

2. Fulbright Foreign Students scholarship

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Masters/Ph.D.

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: One Year or more

Thanks to the Fulbright Foreign Students Scholarship, international graduate students, young professionals, and artists can study and conduct research in the United States. These fully funded scholarships in the USA are offered in more than 160 nations worldwide. More than 4,000 international students receive Fulbright fellowships each year.

3. Clark Global Scholarship Program

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially funded

Award Amount: $15,000 to $25,000

Time Period: 4 Years

The Clark Global Award Program 2024 is a fully funded scholarship in the USA founded in 1887. It is the best option for first-year overseas students who are pursuing their undergraduate studies. Keep in mind it is not for transfer students. Renewal is subject to approval.

4. Yale University Scholarships USA

Host University: Yale University

Level of Study: Undergraduate/Masters/Ph.D

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $50,000- $70,000

Time Period: Yearly Renewable

The Yale University Scholarships are awarded to international students who wish to pursue their undergraduate or master’s at the institution. Let us tell you this scholarship is a part of the Ivy League schools.

5. Treasure Scholarship at Boise State University

Host University: Boise State University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Award Amount: $8,460 

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Time Period: 2 Years (4 Semesters)

These fully funded Scholarships in the USA are intended to help incoming first-year and transfer students who want to start their bachelor's degree journey there. The school has set minimal standards and dates; you receive rewards when you reach these goals.

6. Boston University Presidential Scholarship

Host University: Boston University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount:  $25,000

Time Period: Four years

The Board of Admissions awards the Presidential Scholarship yearly to incoming first-year students who demonstrate academic excellence. Presidential Scholars excel outside the classroom, serve as leaders in their schools, and are among the most academically talented students. 

7. Berea College Scholarships

Host University: Berea College

Level of Study: Undergraduate.

Type of Scholarship: Partially/ Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Complete Program Span

All registered international students at Berea College receive full funding for their first academic year. This combination of financial aid and scholarships in the US partially covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, and board. To help cover their expenses, international students are urged to save $1,000 (US) per year in the coming years. Students may use their earnings (about $2,000 in the first year) to cover personal expenses.

8. Cornell University Financial Aid

Host University: Cornell University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $51,026

Time Period: Annual work-study award

College scholarships for Cornell is a programme that provides overseas students with financial aid based on need. Only undergraduate studies are eligible for this fully subsidized award. International students who have been accepted and have demonstrated financial need are awarded the scholarship based on need.

9. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Universities/Masters/PhD

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Two Years

This fully funded scholarship in the USA for international students in 2024 has helped 91 deserving individuals pursue their educational goals since its start in 2000. To boost Egypt's economic competitiveness, Orascom Construction's Onsi Sawiris Scholarship programme awards full-tuition scholarships to Egyptian students pursuing degrees at prestigious schools in the United States.

10. Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

Host University: Illinois Wesleyan University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $10,00 to $24,000

Time Period: Yearly

One of the most admired undergraduate scholarships for international students in the USA. You can apply for need-based financial aid, merit-based scholarships, and president's scholarships at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) if you're an international student planning to enrol in the first year of a bachelor's degree there. In addition to merit scholarships in the USA, students may be qualified for loans, campus jobs, and scholarships financed by IWU.

11. Freedom Foundation Scholarship

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Non-degree

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $60,000

Time Period: Year Long

This fully funded scholarship is intended for seasoned professionals who wish to develop their leadership abilities by sharing information and understanding about topics important to the United States and the fellows' home nations. This non-degree programme offers beneficial career advancement opportunities through various college courses, conference participation, networking, and real-world work experiences.  

12. Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

Host University: Stanford University

Level of Study: Masters/Ph.D.

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: $300,000

Time Period: Yearly

The Knight Hennesy scholarship at Stanford University is open to international students and is a fully funded award. These fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students 2024 are available for master's and Doctoral degrees and cover the entire tuition and living and academic costs.

13. The Gates Scholarship Program

Host University: Universities in the USA

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Complete Program Span

Outstanding minority high school graduates from low-income families are eligible for The Gates Grant (TGS), a last-dollar grant. These fully funded scholarships are received by 300 students every year in the US.

14. Tulane University Scholarship

Host University: Tulane University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Renewable for 4 years

A fully funded scholarship in UA has been established for international students from Sub-Saharan African nations. Undergraduates at Tulane who are enrolled full-time will be given priority for this prize, which will pay the whole application fee.

15. Radford University Scholarship

Host University: Radford University 

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Yearly

The Radford University Scholarship is fully funded and offered to students with academic and leadership achievements. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the university's admission requirements and submit a scholarship application. The application deadline varies depending on the program.

16. Stanford University Scholarship

Host University: Stanford University 

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Variable

Time Period: Yearly

The University of Stanford awards several scholarships to students based on need, merit, and eligibility. These scholarships for international students in the USA cover tuition, room, board, and other academic expenses. To be eligible, students must complete the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile.

17. Marconi International University

Host University: Marconi International University

Level of Study: Undergraduate, Graduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: 50% of the amount

Time Period: Complete Program Span

MIU also offers several scholarships for international students in the USA to eligible students. The scholarships are offered to domestic and international students and cover partial or full tuition fees. To be eligible for the MIU scholarship, students must meet the university's admission requirements and submit a scholarship application.

18. Frostburg State University

Institution: Frostburg State University

Host University: Undergraduate, Graduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $15,400

Time Period: Yearly Renewal

Frostburg State University offers scholarships for international students in the USA who do well academically and actively participate in their community. These fully funded scholarships in the USA can cover partial or full tuition fees, depending on the applicant. Interested applicants must meet admission requirements and submit a scholarship application before the deadline, which ranges from February to June.

19. University of New Haven

Host University: Frostburg State University

Level of Study: Undergraduate, Graduate

Type of Scholarship: Partially

Award Amount: $21,000 to $26,000

Time Period: Complete Program Span

The University of New Haven in Connecticut provides numerous scholarships for international students in the USA to qualified students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. These fully funded scholarships in the USA are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and exceptional achievements in diverse fields.

20. The HAAA Scholarship

Host University: Harvard University

Level of Study: Undergraduate

Type of Scholarship: Fully Funded

Award Amount: Partially

Time Period: Complete Program Span

To address the historical underrepresentation of Arabs and raise awareness of the Arab world at Harvard, HAAA is working closely with the university on two complementary programmes. To help Arab high school and college students comprehend the Harvard application process and the human condition, Project Harvard Admissions sends Harvard College students and alumni to those institutions. These fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students in 2024 intend to raise $10 million to assist 

Arab students who have been accepted to any of Harvard's colleges but cannot pay their tuition. Have a look at our guide on how to get Harvard University scholarships for more information!

Scholarships and Their Importance

Scholarships are financial awards granted to students to aid them in pursuing their education. In several rankings, many universities and institutions in the United States have topped the charts. Therefore, degrees earned at US universities are highly prized by employers everywhere. 

Also, while reading about scholarships, one must also know about grants with their similarity and differences; refer to the Scholarships vs. Grants blog!

Additionally, you ought to think about applying for scholarships for international students in the USA for the reasons listed below:

1. Excellent Support Services

To simplify the transition to a US university, these universities provide services to help overseas students prepare for their classes. Additionally, initiatives are being taken to enable international students to continue their careers with some of the greatest companies. 

2. Enhanced Learning Environments

Due to modern technology, American educational institutions can keep their curricula current with all the gadgets and fascinating virtual experiences.

3. Relaxed Academic Atmosphere

An ideal student atmosphere is created by continuous growth for students in various academic fields through a fully-funded scholarship to study in the United States. American educational institutions actively alter their classroom layouts based on your learning objectives to make studying interesting.

Lastly, after a thorough study of the above scholarships in the USA, one must know that some of them are solely either merit-based or need-based. There is a certain threshold for students to cross in order to be eligible for a scholarship. Moving on, The United States of America is undoubtedly home to some of the finest universities in the world, but these universities often come with high tuition costs. Looking at the bright side, scholarships are literally God-sent gifts, and they are made available to students for all fields of study. With that being said, all the best for your future endeavors.