Last Updated on February 2, 2022
Are you searching for scholarships to study abroad in USA? To help you in your search, we have compiled a list of Free Scholarships in USA for international students. Check details below;
Free Scholarships in USA are offered by the United States government and many higher institutions alongside grants, awards, and bursaries to international students in a bid to help them to finance their education.
There are application processes individual applicants must follow in order to forestall their scholarships. It is also necessary to note the deadlines and apply before the closure so as not to be rejected. Also, there are limited United States scholarships.
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Why Study in USA?
The United States of America (USA) hosts the most number of international students in the world. Quality education, unique curriculum, multicultural environment, and abundant opportunities are just some of the reasons why many Indian students want to study in the US.
Here are top 5 reasons why studying in the US could be the best decision of your life:
1. Academic excellence
The US boasts of some of the finest universities, a lot of which consistently rank in the world university rankings. American institutions are also known to have high academic standards, follow rigorous practices to maintain quality and are well-supported to be able to offer excellent education to its students. As per the QS World Ranking 2019. 33 of the top 100 universities are from the US. Similarly, Times Higher Education Ranking has also ranked seven of the American universities in its top 10 list of universities.
2. Flexible education system
American universities and colleges offer a myriad of courses and programs to choose from. You have the freedom to not only select the course content, but also the structure. At the undergraduate level, you have the liberty to pursue different courses before they you declare your major at the end of the second year. This helps to explore your subject interest and then decide without much hurry. Similarly, for your graduate studies, you can choose your preference and when you progress for your dissertation, you can focus on the ideas you want to emphasize upon.
3. Excellent support system for international students
American universities understand the struggles of international students and therefore conduct regular orientation programs, workshops and trainings to offer assistance. In fact, the international student office helps students like you to get accustomed to a new kind of lifestyle – whether it is an academic query, cultural or social, the staff will be there to assist you round the clock.
4. Cultural diversity
The US is a melting pot of different cultures, races and ethnicities. Its diverse environment ensures that there is acceptance among all communities and there is no room for any sort of discrimination. You’ll be learning with students from different regions of the world thereby making it a rich and stimulating education experience. Growing in the midst of diversity will provide you with strong personality traits and skills that will be valuable in the international market. These days employers prefer students with a multi-cultural background, which you would get a great taste of in the US. A one of a kind international exposure, the US will help you explore variety of cuisines, customs, festivals and art too.
SEE ALSO: Free Scholarships in Canada for International Students 2022/2023
5. Lively and vibrant campus life
It’s a known fact that campus life of the US is matchless. Irrespective of the university you study in, you will find yourself in the midst of new cultural experiences and the American way of life. Embrace it and open yourself up to new ideas and new people.
Cost of Living in USA
The estimated living cost for the US is around $10000 to $18000 per year, which averages around $1000 to $1500 per month.
The cost of living in the U.S. is on the rise as time goes on. It is estimated to be more than doubled in the last 3 decades. Despite the rising expenses, the U.S is not the most expensive country in the world. It is far cheaper than in several European cities. A low cost of living doesn’t always mean the best choice. It is also wise to consider the quality of life that a place can give you which can be access to better health care, a good neighborhood, and a better standard of living.
Cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston are some of the most expensive cities while Buffalo, Indianapolis, Columbus are some of the cheapest.
Eligibility for United States Universities
You will need to provide transcripts from previous education, prove your financial capabilities and medical coverage. You will also need to prove your major when applying for most US universities.
Higher education in the United States is not that much different from what you’ll find in the EU Bologna system. It is also organized on 3 levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
If you intend to do a Bachelor’s degree in USA, you will need to have graduated from high school or be about to graduate.
If you want to pursue a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. programme in USA, you will also have to check specific requirements on each programme website.
Free Scholarships in USA for International Students
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program are full scholarships in USA for international students who wants to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarships can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. The grant covers tuition fee, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. The fellowships are full grants covering all related expenses.
American University Scholarships
American University (AU) awards a limited number of generous partial merit scholarships to academically-qualified incoming international first-year undergraduate students. No need-based financial aid is available to international students. The merit scholarship range from U.S.$6,000 to U.S.$25,000 per academic year (renewable subject to conditions).
Amherst College Scholarships
Amherst College currently runs a need-based financial aid program that provides assistance to financially needy international students. Once you have been admitted, your financial need is determined. A financial aid award that is equal to your need will then be offered. The award is sometimes called an “aid package” because it may include both self-help (employment) and gift aid (scholarships and grants).
Berea College Scholarships
Berea College is the only school in the United States that provides 100% funding to 100% of enrolled international students for the first year of enrollment. This combination of financial aid and scholarships offsets the costs of tuition, room, board, and fees. In subsequent years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) per year to contribute toward their expenses. The College does provide summer jobs to international students so that they may meet this obligation.
Clark University Scholarships
Clark University offers the Clark Global Scholars Program which are open to first-year applicants (not a transfer student) who has attended school overseas for at least four years as well as international citizens attending school in the United States. A scholarship of $15,000 to $25,000 per year (for four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal) and a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship or research assistantship taken for academic credit during the summer following your sophomore or junior year is included with the award.
Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships
International students are eligible for merit-based financial aid offered by Colby-Sawyer College. The scholarship value increases based on academic ability (measured in GPA) and range from $15,000 up to $28,000 per year. The college does not meet full financial need.
Columbia College Scholarships
Columbia College offers scholarships and awards to outstanding international students. The awards are one time cash grants or 15%- 100% tuition reductions.
Concordia College Scholarships
Concordia prizes the contributions international students make on campus and is pleased to provide partial financial assistance to international students. The International Student Scholarship is based on academic ability and family need, amounting up to $28,000 per year. International Excellence Scholarships are competitive, merit-based scholarships that are awarded to international first-year students or transfer students for up to four years and can go as high as $28,000.
Dartmouth College Scholarships
Dartmouth College meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including those from other countries. Dartmouth College has scholarships and loans available to international students, which includes an allowance for travel to the U.S.
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers the International Students Academic Merit Scholarship for new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree. The scholarship value per academic year is $12,500 for Undergraduate students and $11,500 for Graduate students.
East West Center
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides funding for up to 24 months for Master’s or Doctoral degree study for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. to participate in the educational, residential, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai’i.
Emory College Scholarships
Emory College offers need-based financial aid awards to a select group of international students each year. As well, international applicants are encouraged to apply for partial to full merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program (November 15 deadline).
Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are offered to qualified international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and test scores on the required entrance exams. These awards range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. In addition, two full-tuition President’s International Student Scholarships may be awarded each year to qualified international students for up to four years of study.
Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
International freshmen will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. Scholarship selection is competitive based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 and are renewable.
Michigan State University International Scholarships
Michigan University provides a limited number of scholarship and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. These financial packages are not designed to support your full academic program at MSU.
New York University Wagner Scholarships
The merit scholarships are offered to a limited number of admitted students each application cycle, including international students. The scholarships are partial to full tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000-$47,000.
Oregon University Scholarships
Each year, the University of Oregon awards more than one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of their scholarship programs is the ICSP Scholarship which awards tuition-waiver scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for up to 15 credits per term each year. Scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit, and the ability to make presentations to diverse groups of people.
Wesleyan University Scholarships
Financial aid for foreign students, however, is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. The Freeman Asian Scholars Program, provides full tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan toward a bachelor’s degree for 11 exceptionally able Asian students. In addition to the 11 Freeman Asian Scholars, the University is expected to offer financial assistance to approximately 30 foreign students from a pool of approximately 600 such applicants
University of the West Scholarships
The University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate a financial need such as the President’s and Dean’s scholarships. Scholarship recipients will have the full cost of tuition waived for 7.5-15 undergraduate or 6-12 graduate units per semester.
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides full scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue development-related studies at selected Universities around the world. Students can choose to study in 8 participating USA Universities including Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Cornell University and Columbia University.
AAUW International Fellowships
AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) awards international fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship are worth $18,000 for Masters, 20,000 for PhD and $30,000 for Postdoctoral students.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. The studies can be undertaken anywhere in the world including the US. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.