The United States is one of the prime destinations for students who are looking to benefit from a top notch and widely recognized international education. However, there are limited scholarships options for international students who wish to study in the US for free. Below mentioned are few of the scholarships granted by US government and institutions. Each US Colleges and Universities offers specific Scholarships for International Students.
Types of Scholarships Available
- Merit-Based Scholarships – Based on academic, athletic, or artistic achievements
- Need-Based Scholarships – For students from financially weaker backgrounds
- University-Specific Scholarships – Offered by individual universities
- Government-Funded Scholarships – By US/Indian government bodies
- Private or Organization-Based Scholarships – By NGOs, trusts, or corporations
A. Government-Funded Scholarships
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
- Level: Master’s programs in Arts, Public Administration, Women’s Studies, etc.
- Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living allowance, health insurance
- Eligibility: Indian citizens, minimum 3 years’ work experience, excellent academics
- Apply at: https://www.usief.org.in/Fulbright-Nehru-Fellowships.aspx
2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
- Level: Mid-career professionals (non-degree program)
- Coverage: Full funding including living and travel expenses
- Fields: Public policy, human rights, technology, education
- Apply at: https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/
3. Education USA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP)
- Support for: High-achieving students from low-income backgrounds
- Covers: Application fees, testing, travel, visa costs, and more
- Apply at: https://www.usief.org.in/
B. University-Specific Scholarships
Many US universities offer scholarships to Indian/international students. Examples include:
| University | Scholarship Name | Website |
| Harvard University | Financial Aid for International Students | https://college.harvard.edu |
| MIT | MIT Scholarships | https://sfs.mit.edu |
| Yale University | Yale International Scholarships | https://finaid.yale.edu |
| University of Chicago | Merit and Need-Based Scholarships | https://college.uchicago.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) | USC Merit Scholarships | https://admission.usc.edu |
C. Privately Funded & Foundation Scholarships
1. Tata Scholarship (Cornell University)
- For: Indian undergraduates admitted to Cornell
- Covers: Full tuition and living expenses
- Eligibility: Indian citizen, admitted to Cornell, eligible for financial aid
- Details: https://admissions.cornell.edu
2. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Level: Postgraduate studies (specific courses and universities only)
- Covers: Tuition, living costs, airfare (up to USD 100,000)
- Apply at: https://www.inlaksfoundation.org
3. AAUW International Fellowships
- For: Women pursuing master’s, doctoral degrees
- Covers: $20,000–$50,000
- Eligibility: Non-US women, academic merit
- Apply at: https://www.aauw.org
4. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
- For: Indian students pursuing MBA at Stanford GSB
- Covers: ~80% tuition
- Eligibility: Indian nationals with leadership potential
- Details: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu
5. Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship
- For: Graduate-level coursework or research
- Covers: Tuition, travel, and living expenses
- Website: https://www.rotary.org
6. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
- Type: Interest-free loan + grant
- For: Postgraduate programs
- Apply Here: https://pg.nsfoundation.co.in
7. KC Mahindra Education Trust
- Coverage: Up to ₹10 lakhs
- Level: Postgraduate
- More Info: https://www.kcmet.org/what-we-do-Scholarship-Grants.aspx
8. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
- Coverage: ₹1–₹10 lakhs + travel grant
- For: Postgraduate/PhD abroad
- Apply Here: https://www.jntataendowment.org/
How to Apply for Scholarships
Step-by-Step Process
- Start Early – Research 12–18 months before the intended intake
- Prepare Documents – Transcripts, SOP, LORs, test scores (SAT/GRE/IELTS/TOEFL), resume
- Search Scholarships – University websites, scholarship portals, trusted consultants
- Apply Online – Some are automatic with admissions, others need separate applications
- Attend Interviews – Some prestigious scholarships (e.g., Fulbright) may involve interviews
- Track Deadlines – Note all deadlines and eligibility criteria carefully
