The United States of America is arguably the most advanced economy in the world and she boasts of some of the most prestigious schools in the world. Getting admission to one of America’s top schools is the dream of so many but it can be very expensive.
However, with a scholarship – a fully funded scholarship at that, your dream of graduating from an American college/university will be realized.
In this article, we will share all you need to know about schools offering fully funded scholarships to international students in the United States. These scholarships cover not just your tuition but also accommodation, travel allowance, living expenses, and even health insurance. This way, it becomes much easier to make your dream come true.
An Important Aside
Before you you go on to see our list of schools with fully funded scholarships in the United States, you may also want to read:
How to Migrate to Canada – an article that explores all the pathways for legally relocating to Canada.
List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada
List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in the UK
And, List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Germany.
For many, if not all these schools, scoring high on your SAT, if you are seeking an undergraduate scholarship, is crucial to securing these scholarships. We have a partner that is one of the best in SAT preparation. You can read more about them here.
If you are seeking a postgraduate scholarship, an outstanding result is crucial. And this is measured by your final cumulative grade point average. If you are still an undergraduate and you don’t know how to calculate your GPA and CGPA, you should read our piece on how to calculate GPA and CGPA and then download our mobile application – Apple and Android.
Top Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships in the United States
Here’s a list of top-notch schools in the United States where you can apply for fully funded scholarships.
1. Stanford University Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Masters / PhD
Awarding Institution: Stanford University
Stanford University is one of the top schools that offer a fully funded scholarship for international students in the United States. It is offered to students enrolled in either Masters or Ph.D. programs. The scholarship covers your full tuition fees, travel costs, living allowance, and other academic expenses.
READ: How Much Does a US Postgraduate Degree Cost?
2. Yale University Scholarship
Scholarship Value: $50,000
Target Program: All Levels
Awarding Institution: Yale University
This is another fully funded scholarship for international students in the United States. It is open to international students at all educational levels, including undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. The scholarship value varies from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 to cover your tuition fees for each academic year. It also includes over $50,000 for your personal needs.
3. University of New Haven Scholarship
Scholarship Value: 75% Tuition
Target Program: Masters
Awarding Institution: University of New Haven
This is yet another fully funded scholarship for international students in the US. It is only offered to international students enrolled in a master’s program. The scholarship provides financial support that covers up to 75% of your tuition fees. It also comes with an hourly wage. In addition to that, you also get to enjoy practical learning and work opportunities throughout your graduate program.
4. University of Memphis Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Varies
Target Program: Undergraduate/Masters
Awarding Institution: University of Memphis
The University of Memphis offers a fully funded scholarship to international students enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s program. The scholarship amount varies according to your educational level and course of study. It covers the difference in the cost of international and domestic non-Tennessee resident tuition rates.
5. University of Minnesota Fellowship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Masters
Awarding Institution: University of Minnesota
This scholarship is for international students enrolled in a Master’s program at the University of Minnesota. The financial reward covers your full tuition, living and travel expenses, and health insurance. Great, right?
6. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate / Masters
Awarding Institution: Several.
This scholarship scheme is fully funded financial support for international students at the undergraduate and master’s levels. Like every other fully funded scholarship, it covers your full tuition, travel expenses, living allowance, and health insurance. International students enrolled in Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Harvard University, and The University of Pennsylvania are eligible for this scholarship.
READ: International Financial Aid Options
7. Georgetown University Scholarships for African Students
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Graduate Program
Awarding Institution: Georgetown University
This scholarship program begins in the fall of 2014. The Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) runs the program at Georgetown University. They aim to help brilliant students from developing countries who want to further their students in the United States but can’t afford it.
The scholarship covers your full tuition for the first two years of your graduate program. It is exclusive for international students enrolled in a graduate program in International Affairs at Georgetown University. They give special consideration to students from the following African countries; Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.
8. Clark University Presidential LEEP Scholarships for Undergraduate
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate Program
Awarding Institution: Clark University
Clark University offers fully funded scholarships to international students at the undergraduate level in the United States through the Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP). It is awarded to at least five international students yearly and covers your full tuition and accommodation for four years. It also gives you the opportunity to experience liberal arts in the world and the workplace.
9. Obama Foundation Scholars Program for Emerging Leaders
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is a new scholarship program from the Obama Foundation in partnership with the University of Chicago and the Harris School of Public Policy. It aims to raise leaders from around the world who are focused on solving an issue of global importance. It is a fully funded scholarship that covers one year of your master’s degree in any art course. The scholarship also covers travel expenses for conferences and service projects.
10. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Graduate Degree
Awarding Institution: Stanford University
This scholarship seeks to identify and honour 90 outstanding students from different parts of the world. It is exclusive to international students enrolled at Stanford University. The scholarship is fully funded and accessible to international students enrolling for a Ph.D. in arts, education, engineering, humanities, or social sciences. It also covers professional degrees in business, law, and medicine. To qualify, you must show a track record of excellent academic performance and demonstrate your leadership skills and civic commitment.
READ: How to Have a Debt-Free Graduate School Experience
11. Rotary Peace Fellowship for Masters and Professional Programs
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Postgraduate
Awarding Institution: Rotary Peace Fellowship
Each year, the Rotary Peace Fellowship selects and supports international students from different countries around the world through this program. It is a fully funded scholarship at one of their peace centers.
If you are an international student enrolled in a master’s program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina, you may be one of the lucky 50 students to win the scholarship. The program runs for 15-24 months. It covers your tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, internship, and field-study expenses.
12. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate/Masters
Awarding Institution: MasterCard Foundation
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program started in 2012. They aim to help 15,000 international students access secondary, undergraduate, and master’s education. It gives talented international students who want to but can’t study in the United States the opportunity to make their dreams come true. If you are admitted into the University of Michigan, University of California, Arizona State University, Wellesley University, and Duke University, you may be one of the lucky winners.
The scholarship caters to your financial, social, and academic needs for the duration of your study. It includes tuition fees, accommodation, books, and other educational materials.
13. The HAAA Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Harvard University
You must have wondered when we would get to the Ivy League Schools. Well, now you have it. This is yet another school with fully funded scholarship for international students in the United States. The HAAA Scholarship by the Harvard Arab Alumni Association (HAAA) was introduced in 2010 to give more Abra students the opportunity to study at Harvard. Yes, it is strictly for Arab students interested in undertaking undergraduate studies at the prestigious Harvard University and covers full tuition.
READ: Applying to Graduate School in the US as an International Student
14. Treasure Scholarship at Boise State University
Scholarship Value: $8,460
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Boise State University
The treasure scholarship program is fully funded for international students at Boise State University. It’s worth $8,460, which covers your tuition fee for each academic year. It is only accessible to international students at the undergraduate level.
15. American University Scholarships
Scholarship Value: $6,000-$25000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: American University
The American University (AU) scholarship is a partial merit award given to international students with outstanding academic records. It is exclusive to first-year undergraduate students. Need-based financial aid is also available to all international students. The scholarship value ranges from $6,000 to $25,000 for each academic year. However, renewing the scholarship is subject to some terms and conditions.
16. Boston University Presidential Scholarship
Scholarship Value: $25000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Boston University
Boston University Presidential Scholarship is for international students at the undergraduate level, preferably those enrolled in a four-year course. This scholarship is worth $25000, which covers your course fees for a year. It is renewable for the duration of your study.
17. Berea College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Berea College
This is a fully funded scholarship for international students at the undergraduate level in. The scholarship covers 100% of your tuition fee for the first year of study. It is open to virtually all international students at Berea College.
READ: How to Study Masters on H4 or L2 Dependent Visa
18. Cornell University Financial Aid
Scholarship Value:
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Cornell University
Cornell University Scholarship is a need-based financial aid for international students at the undergraduate level. It provides need‐based financial help to international students admitted to Cornell University.
19. Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarship
Scholarship Value: $16,000 to US$30,000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Illinois Wesleyan University
The Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships is a fully funded scholarship for international students at the undergraduate level. It covers full tuition and ranges from $16,000 to $30,000 for each academic year.
20. Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: $15,000-$28,000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Colby-Sawyer College
Colby-Sawyer Scholar is a merit-based financial aid awarded to international students enrolled in undergraduate study. The scholarship does not cover full tuition. However, its value increases according to your academic performance—usually, its ranges between $15,000 to $28,000 for each academic year. So, the higher your GPA, the higher the amount you get to enjoy.
21. Columbia College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: 15%-100% Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Columbia College
Columbia College is another school that offers fully funded scholarships to international students in the United States. They offer scholarships to outstanding international students at the undergraduate level. The scholarship comes in two forms. It could either be a one-off cash grant or a 15%-100% reduction of your tuition fees.
22. Concordia College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: $28,000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Concordia University
Concordia College gives partial financial help to its international students as a way of giving back to society. The scholarship is worth up to $28,000 for each academic year. Your eligibility for the scholarship depends on your academic performance and family needs. Yes, it is merit-based.
23. Dartmouth College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College looks out for all its students, including international students from developing countries. That is why they have scholarships for international students, which cover their tuition and travel allowance.
24. East Tennessee State University
Scholarship Value: $11,500-$12,500
Target Program: Graduate/Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers an academic merit scholarship to international students enrolled for graduate or undergraduate studies. The scholarship value for each academic year is $12,500 for undergraduate students and $11,500 for graduate students. There is enough for everyone.
25. Emory College Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Half/Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Emory College
Emory College Scholarship is a need-based financial aid awarded to selected international students at the undergraduate level. It’s a merit-based scholarship ranging from partial to full tuition coverage for your studentship at Emory University.
READ: Can I Get a Master’s Degree in an American University With HND?
26. Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
Scholarship Value: $2,000-$10,000
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: Iowa State University
Iowa State University International Merit Scholarship is exclusive to first-year students beginning their undergraduate studies. It is quite competitive as it is based on your academic performance. To qualify, you must have a high SAT/ACT score or GPA. The scholarship value ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 and is renewable.
27. Michigan State University International Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Half Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate/Graduate
Awarding Institution: Michigan University
Michigan University provides scholarships and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The scholarship only covers half of your tuition and doesn’t last for the duration of your program. You can’t renew it, but it’s still worth the shot.
28. New York University Wagner Scholarships
Scholarship Value: $25,000-$47,000
Target Program: Undergraduate/Graduate
Awarding Institution: New York University
We bring you a juicy one from the great NYU. In case you don’t know, New York University offers scholarships to new intakes, including international students, every academic year. The scholarship is worth $25,000-$47,000, which covers partial to full tuition. If you’ve always wanted to study at NYU, you should apply.
29. Oregon University Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Partial/Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate/Graduate
Awarding Institution: Oregon University
The University of Oregon has many scholarship programs, including the ICSP Scholarship. Each year, the school awards over one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
It includes a partial to full tuition waiver of 15 credits per term per academic year. Amazing, right? Give it a shot. But be informed that the scholarships are based on your academic performance and financial need.
30. University of the West Scholarships
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Undergraduate
Awarding Institution: University of the West
The University of the West offers scholarships to high-achieving international students. They also consider students who have financial needs. The scholarship covers your total cost of tuition for 7.5-15 undergraduate and 6-12 graduate units per semester in each academic year.
Conclusively,
That’s all you need to know about schools offering fully funded scholarships to international students in the United States. As you must have observed, many of these scholarships are merit-based. To increase your chances of winning, you must take your studies seriously. Schedule a call with our career advisors if you need further guidance. Best of luck as you apply.