There are many ways to get scholarships to study in the United States. Here are a few options:
Apply for scholarships offered by the school or university you plan to attend. Many schools and universities offer merit-based or need-based scholarships to international students.
Look for scholarships offered by private organizations, foundations, and charities. There are many organizations that offer scholarships to international students to study in the United States.
Consider applying for a government-funded scholarship. The U.S. Department of State offers several scholarship programs for international students, including the Fulbright Program and the Humphrey Fellowship Program.
Check with professional organizations in your field of study. Some professional organizations offer scholarships to international students who are pursuing studies in a specific field, such as engineering or science.
Research grants and fellowships. Grants and fellowships are typically awarded to students to fund specific research projects or academic pursuits.
Consider working while you study. Many international students in the United States work part-time jobs to help cover their expenses while they are in school.
Universities that offer scholarships in the US
Many universities in the United States offer scholarships to international students. Some universities have merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on a student’s academic or extracurricular achievements, while others have need-based scholarships, which are awarded based on a student’s financial need.
Here are a few examples of universities that offer scholarships to international students:
Harvard University: Harvard offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including the International Student Financial Aid Program (ISFAP) and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) scholarship.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT offers a number of scholarships for international students, including the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) scholarship and the MIT-Japan Program scholarship.
Stanford University: Stanford offers a number of scholarships for international students, including the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, and the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship.
University of California, Berkeley: UC Berkeley offers several scholarships for international students, including the Berkeley International Office scholarship and the Berkeley Global Access Scholarship.
University of Michigan: The University of Michigan offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including the Michigan International Scholarships, the Michigan Commitment Scholarships, and the Michigan Merit Awards.
It is important to keep in mind that the availability and eligibility requirements for scholarships can vary from one university to another, so it is important to carefully research the scholarship options available at the specific universities you are interested in attending.
Scholarships offered by a private organization
Private organizations, foundations, and charities often offer scholarships to international students to study in the United States. These scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or focused on a specific field of study or demographic.
Here are a few examples of private organizations that offer scholarships to international students:
The Rotary Foundation: The Rotary Foundation offers the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship, which provides funding for one academic year of study abroad to students who want to pursue a degree in a field that aligns with one of Rotary’s areas of focus.
The Institute of International Education (IIE): The IIE administers a number of scholarship programs for international students, including the Schwarzman Scholars Program, the Fulbright Program, and the Gilman Scholarship Program.
The Gates Cambridge Trust: The Gates Cambridge Trust offers scholarships to international students who want to pursue a full-time degree at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the Cooke College Scholarship Program, which provides funding to high-achieving students with financial needs who are seeking to attend college in the United States.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW): The AAUW offers a number of scholarship programs for international students, including the International Fellowships Program, which provides funding to women who are pursuing advanced degrees in the United States.
Government-funded scholarship
Government-funded scholarships are scholarships that are funded by a government agency and are available to international students who want to study in the United States. These scholarships may be offered at the federal, state, or local level.
Here are a few examples of government-funded scholarships for international students:
Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program is a scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides funding for international students to study, research, or teach in the United States.
Humphrey Fellowship Program: The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides funding for mid-career professionals from designated countries to study and conduct research in the United States.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides funding for undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grants to study abroad.
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships: Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are scholarship programs sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) that provide funding for students to study abroad in countries that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad programs.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP): The NSF GRFP is a scholarship program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that provides funding to graduate students who are pursuing research-based masters or doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.
Scholarships from professional organizations in your field of study
Professional organizations in a specific field of study may offer scholarships to international students who are pursuing studies in that field. These scholarships may be merit-based, need-based, or focused on a particular aspect of the field.
Here are a few examples of professional organizations that offer scholarships to international students:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): The IEEE offers a number of scholarships for students who are pursuing studies in electrical and computer engineering, including the IEEE Foundation Graduate Student Scholarships and the IEEE Power & Energy Society Scholarship.
American Chemical Society (ACS): The ACS offers several scholarship programs for students who are pursuing studies in chemistry, including the ACS Scholars Program and the ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator Program.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): The ACM offers a number of scholarships for students who are pursuing studies in computer science and related fields, including the ACM SIGGRAPH Student Scholarships and the ACM Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): The AIAA offers several scholarship programs for students who are pursuing studies in aerospace engineering and related fields, including the AIAA Foundation Scholarships and the AIAA/AAAE/ACC scholarship.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): The SHRM offers a number of scholarships for students who are pursuing studies in human resources, including the SHRM Foundation Scholarships and the SHRM/HRCI Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships.
Research grants and fellowships
Research grants and fellowships are funding opportunities that are typically awarded to students to support specific research projects or academic pursuits. Grants are typically given to fund research projects, while fellowships are usually awarded to fund a student’s academic pursuits, such as tuition and living expenses.
Here are a few examples of research grants and fellowships that may be available to international students:
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP): The NSF GRFP is a fellowship program that provides funding to graduate students who are pursuing research-based masters or doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Predoctoral Fellowship: The NIH Predoctoral Fellowship provides funding to graduate students who are conducting research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program: The Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program provides funding to graduate students who are conducting dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies.
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship: The NDSEG Fellowship provides funding to graduate students who are pursuing studies in science and engineering fields that are of interest to the Department of Defense.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Dissertation Fellowship: The AAUW Dissertation Fellowship provides funding to women who are completing their doctoral dissertations.
Consider working while you study
Working while studying can be a great way for international students in the United States to help cover their expenses and gain practical experience in their field of study.
Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking about working while studying in the United States:
Check your visa status: International students who are studying in the United States on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) are typically allowed to work on campus part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. You will need to check with your school’s international student office to make sure you are eligible to work and to get the necessary paperwork.
Look for on-campus job opportunities: Many schools and universities have job listings for on-campus positions, such as tutoring, research assistantships, or administrative positions. These jobs can be a good way to earn some extra money and gain experience in your field of study.
Consider off-campus employment: International students who are studying in the United States on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) may also be eligible to work off-campus if they meet certain requirements. For example, students may be eligible to work off campus if they are experiencing severe economic hardship or if they are participating in an academic training program.
Research internships and co-op programs: Internships and co-op programs can be a great way to gain practical experience in your field of study while also earning some money. Many companies and organizations offer internships and co-op programs specifically for international students.
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