International scholarships to study in the US

Source. Tucker, L. (2024, April 20). International scholarships to study in the US. Top University. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarship-advice/international-scholarships-study-us

Government-funded US scholarships for international students

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Perhaps the most popular government-funded US scholarships for international students, Fulbright offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals and artists to study in the US for one year or more. Open to international students in all fields excluding medicine.

• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program – This is a non-degree scholarship program for international, experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US. Although the funding doesn’t support degree qualifications, students are able to study and develop their knowledge at academic institutions across the nation.

Non-governmental US scholarships for international students

• Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship – Awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US. Worth US$1,000.

For Asian students:

• East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships – Scholarships to study in the US within selected institutions, aimed at international students from the Asia-Pacific region.

• Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program – Scholarships for 11 exceptional Asian students to study in the US at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Covers the full cost of tuition and student fees.

For female students: 

• AAUW International Fellowships – Fellowships offered by the American Association of University Women for female international students to study in the US.

• More scholarships for minority female students are listed here.

For graduate students:

• Rotary Peace Fellowships – Scholarships to study in the US awarded to master’s degree students studying within one of Rotary’s Peace Centers (such as at Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).

University-specific US scholarships for international students

• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship – Undergraduate scholarships to study in the US at American University in Washington DC. Aimed at international students who are showing leadership potential.

• Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program – Funding opportunity for high-achieving students with an interest in student community contribution.

• Clark University Global Scholars Program – Scholarships of no less than US$10,000 as well as a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship are available for first-year international applicants.

• Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program – Funding opportunities for international students at Emory University. Students must demonstrate financial need.

• Illinois State University International Awards – Illinois State offers tuition waivers, merit awards and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.

• Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships – Merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.

• Michigan State University International Scholarships – Various grants and scholarships for international students to study in the US at MSU.

• New York University Wagner International Scholarships – US scholarships to study at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

• University of Arkansas International Scholarships – Funding opportunities for international students of varying backgrounds and nationalities.

• University of Iowa Scholarships for International First Year Students – Various scholarships for international students starting their first year in Autumn 2017.

• University of Minnesota International Scholarships – Offers a Global Excellence Scholarship, as well as the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, a renewable scholarship which offers $15,000 per year.

• University of Oregon International Scholarships – US scholarships to study at the University of Oregon, aimed at international students from around the world.

For further advice and funding opportunities, consider contacting the public affairs department at the US embassy in the capital city of your home country. Often an educational advisor will be on hand to provide you with funding resources and further scholarship information. You could also download our complete guide on How To Find Scholarships To Study Abroad. 

This article was first published in August 2014. It was most recently updated in April 2019 and again on April 20, 2024. We checked and sorted the links as of August 11, 2024.