The United States of America has long been a place of excellence in higher education, attracting international students from far and wide.
What if you could study in the USA without the financial burden? Fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students can make this dream a reality.
Yearly, many scholarships are announced for international students providing them the best chance to complete their education at the best American universities without bothering about tuition fees, lodging, and other expenses.
These scholarships are financial aid in an academic sense, as well as a way to advance your professional skills and learn from the best, find out more about top-end solutions, and meet new like-minded people all over the world.
Types of Scholarships – Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA for International Students
1. Merit-based Scholarships
These are scholarships awarded to students depending on their performance or skills in THEIR courses, and ability among other things.
This type of scholarship rewards students’ efforts in school, athletic accomplishments, and performances, and other talents.
Academic success in terms of high scores, high results, and achievements may entitle a student to these awards.
2. Need-based Scholarships
These are scholarships given to needy students who would otherwise find it very difficult to afford tuition and other charges in college or university.
These scholarships assist students from low-income bracket families. Therefore the first aim is to make it possible for each student regardless of his or her financial status to be in a position to secure proper and sound education.
3. Subject-specific Scholarships
Subject-specific scholarships are awarded to students who want to study a specific subject or field.
For example, scholarships can be available to students who wish to pursue studies in the arts, engineering, or medicine.
These scholarships inspire students to follow their passions and succeed in particular fields.
4. Destination-specific Scholarships
Destination scholarships are intended for students from certain regions or nations. These scholarships allow students from specific places to study in various destinations.
For instance, scholarships can be available for African students to study in Europe or for students from rural areas to study at urban colleges. This type of scholarship encourages diversity and intellectual exchange.
Don’t miss this; Fully Funded Scholarship in UK for International Students 2024-25
Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships
General Requirements
Students must fulfil common conditions to be eligible for several awards. These standard requirements usually consist of:
1. Academic Excellence: Good test scores, high grades, and an overall record of academic achievement are frequently required for scholarships.
This shows the student’s commitment and ability to manage difficult schoolwork.
2. Leadership Qualities: Numerous scholarship programs seek out candidates who have shown leadership abilities.
This might be done by taking on positions as a volunteer in the community, club president, or class representative.
Experience in leadership demonstrates a student’s capacity for initiative and motivating others.
3. Extracurricular Activities: In addition to regular academic work, involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, athletics, and the arts is crucial. This demonstrates the student’s diversity and involvement in the community.
4. Personal Statement or Essay: A written essay outlining the applicant’s merits for the grant is sometimes required for many scholarships. Students can use this as an opportunity to discuss their objectives, successes, and personal narratives.
Specific Criteria for Different Scholarships
Each type of scholarship may have its specific criteria in addition to the general requirements. For example:
1. Merit-based Scholarships
These could call for incredibly high test scores or grades. A portfolio of work or performances may also be required for some merit-based scholarships, particularly those in the arts or sports.
2. Need-based Scholarships
These demand documentation of financial needs, such as tax returns or household income statements. This makes sure that the recipients of the scholarship are the ones who most need it.
3. Subject-specific Scholarships
These require the student to be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a specific field of study. Additional criteria may include relevant courses, projects, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate an interest in the subject.
4. Destination-specific Scholarships
These require students to be from a specific region or country. Additional criteria may apply depending on the destination, such as language skills or cultural awareness.
Importance of Meeting Deadlines and Preparing Necessary Documents
Paperwork and time management goals are recognized as core issues within the scholarship application cycle.
1. It is important to remember that the timelines within which applications for scholarships are called are usually stringent. It is fatal when a student fails to meet a deadline, let alone forgetting a chance completely, even for the most qualified candidates.
Application submission deadlines and the submission of proper documents is also important.
2. Some of the documents required include; Application forms, letters of recommendation, Academic transcripts, documentation of income, and personal letters.
There is a very high probability of a positive outcome if all the paperwork is accurate and all references are given extremely carefully.
3. This simply means that you have ample time to come up with other relevant documents, write and rewrite your essays, and make sure all papers are in before the due date. It makes everyday processes smooth which in return does not create stress among the people involved.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for International Students 2024-25
Here are some of the top fully funded scholarships in the USA for 2024-25 for international students
1. Fulbright Scholarships USA
For the persons and artists from other countries, who are the postgraduate students, postgraduate persons as well as other postgraduate persons, it is possible to study and work in the USA with the help of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
Today and night it is employed in a lot more than a hundred and sixty nations within the complete globe. Today, the annual Fulbright offers scholars over 4000 grants in the form of scholarships for students for foreign studies.
Expense allowance of the Fulbright scholarships (USA) comprises of cost of living allowance, book allowance, transportation allowance represented by the tickets, health insurance allowance, and academic allowance represented by the tuition fees. Recipients receive full financing.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship or the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
- Program eligibility and selection processes, however, differ significantly between countries.
- You cannot apply if your country is not included in the selection menu.
- To be eligible to apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, you essentially need to have finished your undergraduate studies and hold a degree that is comparable to a bachelor’s degree.
- An applicant’s academic standing can also be taken into account
Click HERE to Apply
2. Stanford University Scholarships
This means that the amount demanded from students from other countries to meet their tuition fees at Stanford is much higher. This is slightly higher than the tuition and fees charged to domestic students it is about 35% higher for UG programs.
This means that overseas applicants who can meet Stanford University’s financial demands got admission rates of below 40%.
Stanford University has several scholarships for students including the need-based scholarship hence, 15000 endowment scholarship monies for undergraduate students.
A staggering 85% of the endowment scholarships offered by Stanford University are aimed at enhancing the conditions for international students.
The scholarship average awarded by Stanford University depends on the family’s financial aerobic dial range of the scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
- International applicants are accepted.
- International and US nationals alike are eligible to apply for Stanford Scholarships.
- Each university has its selection procedure, which takes into account things like grades, talent levels, and extracurricular involvement.
Click HERE to apply
3. Yale University Scholarships USA
Yale University has several scholarships as well as financial aid services to support student’s costs. Thus, 62.8% of internationals and other undergraduate students in the universities and colleges were receiving financial aid.
Graduate scholarships work in such a way that a student has to apply to the specific department of his/her preference since funding policies may differ.
Graduate funding is department-based for each university but in general, funding is regulated by the specified department of that particular university.
PhD students often get paid scholarships for their studies and all their expenses. But in fact, every student is given at least one scholarship – full tuition, hospitalization fellowship, and an annual stipend.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following requirements must be met to be eligible for Yale University Scholarships:
- Test results from standardized assessments like the TOEFL or IELTS are required as proof of an applicant’s English language competency.
- For applicants to satisfy the English language competence requirement, they must have an IELTS score of 7 or above.
- Participation in the Federal Free or reduced-price lunch program may be necessary to be eligible for certain scholarships.
- Applicants must be qualified to forgo the testing fees for the ACT or SAT.
- Candidates with homeless or orphaned families, or those whose families receive public help, may receive special attention.
Click HERE to apply
4. University of New Haven Scholarship
The University of New Haven has requisites for scholarships that it provides in the numerous departments that it comprises. A highly barbarous scholarship referred to as the Assistantship & Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to students with new full master’s students at the University of New Haven.
The scholarship offers working opportunities and candidates include students from within and outside the country and they can work in two types of positions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates who wish to apply for the Assistantship and Dean’s Scholarship must meet the eligibility requirements.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong pre-qualification record.
- Students from around the world can apply for this scholarship.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program at this university.
- Applicants must be skilled in the English language.
Click HERE to apply
5. University of Memphis Scholarships
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, must be completed by students wishing to apply for financial aid at the University of Memphis.
Students should submit their FAFSAs as soon as possible as they open on October 1st! You can use financial data from the previous year without waiting for the current year to conclude because the FAFSA uses financial data from the previous year.
Also, the federal government awards Pell Grants, which are non-repayable. Students need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for a Pell Grant.
Your financial aid award letter will mention receiving a Pell Grant if you are accepted to the University of Memphis.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students must be citizens of the United States or qualified noncitizens to be eligible.
- Enrolled in a program that seeks a degree.
- Enrolled in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 during the spring and summer of 2024.
- Less than 40 credit hours were completed.
6. University of Minnesota Fellowship
The University of Minnesota Fellowship at the University of Minnesota The International University of Minnesota Fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship offered to overseas learners. A scholarship for master’s degree studies is being offered for the school year 2013-2014.
This scholarship provides a full fee, weekly allowance for boarding and lunch, transport, and comprehensive medical insurance.
By embracing a diverse and comprehensive approach towards course work, candidates develop a capability to address the problems of sustainable development, increase in poverty, population, non-judicious utilization of food resources, and climate change besides managing non-profit organizations and projects.
Eligibility Criteria
- English is one of the required languages.
- All nations across the world are eligible.
- Have a Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in a comparable field of study from an established university.
- Meet the requirements for enrollment in the academic MDP program.
- Show a strong track record in both your academic and professional endeavors.
- Engage in extracurricular activities, volunteer work in the community, or entrepreneurial endeavors to showcase your outstanding people skills.
- Prove that you are unable to pay for your studies with your own money.
Click HERE to apply
7. AAUW International Fellowship Program
This scholarship targets non-citizens who are Temporary Residents in the United States intending to secure full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States to return to their home country to practice a profession.
Graduate Women International – This organization has affiliates all over the world, and any woman who is a member of this organization may be lucky to be offered one of the few scholarships that are availed for study in a country other than the home country of the applicant.
Eligibility Criteria
- International fellowships are not available to recipients of past AAUW national fellowships or grants (this excludes branch or local prizes and Community Action Grants).
- Members of the board of directors, committees, panels, task forces, and staff members—including current interns—are not eligible to apply for AAUW scholarships or awards.
- A recipient of a current award is qualified for appointment or election to task groups, committees, panels, and boards.
Click HERE to apply
8. ACI Foundation Scholarship
The ACI Foundation, which is a non-profit affiliate of ACI, supports the build-out and collaboration together with the concrete segment through deliberate funding of concepts, people, and research, to anticipate, identify, and create opportunities for the sector.
Applicants for Fellowships receive $10,000 (USD) for educational expenses; reimbursement of travel expenditures and convention costs; and help in securing employment with an industry partner.
Each scholar is awarded a scholarship educational allowance of five thousand United States dollars ($5,000).
Since the commencement of the Fellowship program in the Foundation in 2008, the ACI Foundation is reported to have impacted about 370 students by providing them with other services such as mentorship besides offering them funding and internships.
Eligibility Criteria
- International students are eligible for ACI Foundation fellowships, but you must be enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian university at the time of the award cycle.
- Certain scholarships require the recipient to finish a 10- to 12-week summer internship.
- English language proficiency is a must for all applicants. You can include a copy of your TOEFL score in your application if English is not your first language. This is not necessary; it is optional.
Click HERE to apply
9. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship
Since its inception in 2000, the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program has enabled over ninety notable Egyptian individuals to study undergraduate and graduate degrees in subjects that would contribute to Egypt’s economic growth at esteemed schools and universities in the United States. Its goal is to support young Egyptians in their academic and character development, equipping them with the skills necessary to advance in their careers and benefit their communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- International students who fulfil the following requirements are eligible to apply for the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship:
- Have Egyptian citizenship. Residents are granted precedence over non-residents.
- Aim for a master’s degree in engineering or business administration from one of the top US colleges.
- Agree to spend two years in Egypt following the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
- Must be admitted to a master’s or undergraduate program at a recognized university in one of the qualifying nations
- Must exhibit superior academic standing as well as a dedication to leadership, service, and creativity
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, is required.
- At least a 100 in the iBT TOEFL
- A citizen of one of the qualifying countries
10. Rotary Peace Fellowship Program
The Rotary Peace Fellowship Program Sponsorship for the Rotary Peace Fellowship Program 2025-2026 is a full scholarship to be provided to fellows around the world who support the concept of peace and actively engage themselves for the betterment of it.
To be awarded the Rotary scholarship, up to ninety individuals showing exceptional leadership traits are usually offered the scholarship per year.
These Rotary honors aim at overseas students to let them understand that the student is a dedicated leader whose actions can advance the change that can be brought about by effective and massive peacemaking influence.
These students should embrace fully-funded scholarships because through learning the best practices and strategies, they will be in a position to become highly effective professionals coupled with powerful ambassadors of peace.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidates’ English proficiency is a requirement.
- The applicants need to have an exceptional track record in construction projects.
- The candidates must be able to demonstrate their record of community or personal service as well as their academic accomplishments.
- A bachelor’s degree must have been earned by the students seeking a master’s degree.
- Master’s students must have at least three years of relevant experience between the start of the fellowship program and the date of their most recent degree.
- Applicants who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate degree programs at this time are not eligible.
- Candidates wishing to apply for the certificate program must meet all of the prerequisites listed above; however, they also need to have five years of experience.
Click HERE to apply
11. Clark Global Scholarship Program
You should start your undergrad education in the United States. Exciting news! There is currently an opening for the Clark Global Scholarship Program.
Students from foreign countries can apply for the Clark University Scholarships 2024-2025, which are fully funded undergraduate scholarships.
This scholarship program offers participants between $15,000 and $25,000 each year for four years, provided they meet the academic standards for renewal.
Eligibility Criteria
- A range of merit-based scholarships are available at Clark University. Students who have excelled academically and in their personal lives during their high school years are granted consideration.
- Financial necessity is not taken into account when awarding merit-based scholarships; all choices are made exclusively based on the data submitted in the admission application.
- Upon admission, accepted students who are awarded a merit-based scholarship will be informed.
- All merit-based scholarships are awarded to qualified candidates automatically, except the Presidential Scholarship, which calls for a separate application.
Conclusion
The United States has top universities in the world and provides a large number of full scholarships to international students.
Whether you are in your undergraduate level or are a postgraduate student there is a wide range of scholarship opportunities at your disposal.
These scholarships do more than allow the recipients to ease their financial burden, but also an opportunity to be exposed to culture and network.
Please, do not let this opportunity to study in the USA slip away; as much as it may demand hard work and several attempts, you and I know it can be a way of achieving our goal in life and open a new door to a much brighter life.
Continue reading; Fully Funded Canadian Scholarships for International Students 2024-25
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a fully funded scholarship?
2. How do I apply for fully funded scholarships in the USA?
Scholarship applications are usually offered to those learners who meet specific qualifying factors concerning certain criteria.
Such information may include, but is not limited to; grade point average or average grade, citizenship, and academic major.
Pingback: Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for International Students 2024-25