Graduate Scholarships for International Students

Q: Are there graduate scholarships for international students?

International students wanting to come to grad school in the U.S., may apply for scholarships.

Q: Why Consider Graduate Scholarships for International Students?

An estimated 1,094,792 international students study at U.S. schools. While at school, these students contribute $39 billion to the U.S. economy. They also add cultural value to their campus and the work place.

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Are there Graduate Scholarships for International Students?

International students interested in attending graduate school in the U.S. have the opportunity to apply for scholarships, which provide free funding that doesn’t require repayment if the terms are met.

Numerous scholarships cater to non-U.S. students seeking master’s, PhD, or postgraduate certificate programs in the U.S. Additionally, there are specific scholarships available for international students pursuing different levels of education, such as master’s degrees or doctoral studies.

On the other hand, there are scholarships designed for U.S. students aspiring to pursue graduate degrees abroad, like the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships for studying at Oxford University. In this context, a U.S. student becomes an international student when they pursue their education outside the country.

An international student (for admissions and financial aids purposes) into the U.S. is

Not a U.S. citizen
Not a permanent resident of the U.S.
Does not have a refugee visa
DACA recipient (in some cases)

Types of Graduate Scholarships for International Students

There are different kinds of scholarships that international grad students might look for.

University scholarships. Some schools offer scholarships to grad students from other countries. Financial scholarships. Usually, these awards go to people with a high financial need. But they may also check out your GPA. Merit scholarships. These may look at financial facts but want students with strong minds and high GPA or GRE scores. Country based scholarships. These awards may only be available for people in certain countries Privately funded scholarships. Often from businesses or foundations with funds set aside for certain groups (E.g. minority groups, by major) Part scholarships. These may take the form of a contest, sweeps or give away (E.g. Scholarship Points)

How can I apply for an international scholarship for graduate students?

To apply for one of these scholarship, you need to meet certain criteria. And apply on time!

That said, eligibility varies from one scholarship to the next. If you apply for a university scholarship, you may need to have:

The U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree (for acceptance into a master’s program)
The U.S. equivalent of a master’s degree (for acceptance into a PhD program)
Passing scores on an English proficiency exam (TOEFL / IELTS)

To decide who gets a scholarship, many providers also look at a student from all sides. Academic achievement, leadership, and financial need are common things that are considered. You may also need to be studying in a certain field with a track record of making a difference.

Why Consider Graduate Scholarships for International Students?

Around 1,056,165 international students are currently enrolled in U.S. schools, making a significant contribution of $40.1 billion to the U.S. economy, while also enriching campuses and workplaces with diverse cultural perspectives.

Graduate students aspiring to study in the U.S. encounter various challenges, including dealing with unfavorable exchange rates to U.S. dollars, facing out-of-state costs, obtaining visas, and ensuring secure housing and other essential details.

In the U.S., the tuition fees students pay for graduate school often vary based on their residency status. If you are a resident of the state where you study, you qualify for in-state tuition, which averages around $12,394 at public institutions.

On the other hand, if you are not a resident, you are required to pay out-of-state costs, which can be higher. Currently, the average cost of graduate school at a private institution is approximately $26,621.

Which U.S. Schools Give Graduate Scholarships to International Students?

Many U.S. schools give scholarships to int’l grad students. Here are 5 of them:

Capella U, online. Capella Progress Rewards are scholarships for eligible new students and are not need based. Value: $3,000 to $20,000. Walden U, online. Walden awards up to $25,000. They fund grad study in K through 12 or public policy. American U, Washington DC. AU offers merit based awards which int’l students may apply for. U of Southern California. USC offers a wide range of scholarships in many disciplines of grad study. NYU, NY. NYU offers Wagner Scholarships which are merit based awards.

11 Graduate Scholarships for International Students for 2024

2 Rotary Peace Fellowships

Every year, Rotary offers up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and an additional 50 fellowships for professional development certificate programs.

These prestigious awards provide global leaders with the opportunity to study peace, conflict, and security issues at one of the Rotary Peace centers

The grants offer comprehensive financial support of up to $50,000 per year, covering tuition, fees, room and board, round trip transportation, as well as all internship and field study expenses.

Amount: up to $50,000 per year

Deadline: The 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship application will be available online in February 2024

Requirements: Master’s degree applicants need at least three years of full time work in a related field. Or volunteer experience and a bachelor’s degree. Their program lasts 15 to 24 months and includes a 2 to 3 month self designed field study. Certificate applicants need at least five years of full time work in a related field. Or volunteer work. You’ll also need to furnish a CV. This program is for the seasoned leader who wants to gain hands on tools to promote peace.

3 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program celebrates the valuable contributions of immigrants and their children to the United States. Each year, they choose 30 New Americans who demonstrate the potential to make substantial contributions to US society, culture, or their academic disciplines. These outstanding graduate students receive financial support of up to $90,000 over two years, and they also become part of a supportive and enduring community of New American Fellows.

4 Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship

The Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship offers approximately 36 fellowships each year, open to all U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, and DACA recipients. The program aims to provide one year of financial support to doctoral candidates working on their dissertations, with a focus on those who demonstrate great potential as future scholars and educators.

Recipients of this fellowship will receive a one-year stipend of $25,000, along with an invitation to the Conference of Ford Fellows and access to Ford Fellow Regional Liaisons.

5 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to cultivate Africa’s future leaders, with a preference for students who possess excellent academic records and a strong commitment to creating positive impacts in their communities.

The award’s total value is approximately $50,000, although the number of available awards may vary. The program offers comprehensive support, encompassing financial assistance for tuition fees, books, and other educational materials, as well as social and academic support to the selected scholars.

6 Global Citizen Scholarship

MPower Financing is a mission-driven fintech company and a leading provider of global educational loans, with a dedicated focus on supporting international students in achieving their career aspirations.

Annually, they offer several scholarship programs, and their flagship initiative is the Global Citizen Scholarship, featuring three prestigious awards: a $5,000 scholarship, along with $3,000 and $2,000 scholarships.

These esteemed scholarships will be granted to one outstanding student from each of the following regions: India, Asia (excluding India), Latin America/Caribbean, and Africa, with the condition that the recipients must be enrolled at a school supported by MPOWER.

9 Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Humphrey Fellowship Program caters to young and mid-career professionals from select foreign countries, offering them a unique opportunity to spend a year in the U.S.

Although it is not a degree program, Fellows can enhance their leadership skills through various activities, including taking courses at their host institution, participating in conferences, networking, and exchanging insights.

The program’s ultimate goal is to cultivate a global mindset through international study, providing an enriching experience distinct from a typical graduate school journey.

To support participants during their fellowship, a stipend of approximately $50,000 is provided, covering tuition, fees, living expenses, books, insurance, air travel, and even a one-time computer subsidy. Additionally, a professional development allowance is included to support field trips, visits, and conference attendance.

10 American Association of University Women Educational Foundation

AAUW is a national grassroots organization. It has been helping to empower women as individuals and as a community since 1881.The International Fellowship Program is one of AAUW’s award programs.

The program is for women who are going for grad or post doctoral study in the U.S. on a full time basis. It supports women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

There are also a few awards for study outside of the U.S. (excluding the applicant’s home country). These go to women who are members of Graduate Women International

Up to 5 International Fellowships for master’s/first professional degrees are available. They are renewable for a second year and award $18,000. Doctoral awards are $20,000 and Post doctoral $30,000.