June 10, 2024
by Amber Wilson
Top General USA Scholarships for International Students: Explore Your Financial Options
American higher education can leave anyone in a huge debt and financially unstable. To counter issues like these, the United States government and related organisations took matters into their own hands.
The scholarships and fellowships discussed below are all initiatives of various government departments or related organisations. Hence, actively providing financial assistance to students and international students.
These initiatives display their commitment to making higher education more accessible and affordable. By investing in the academic development of students from diverse backgrounds, these programmes contribute to building a more tolerant and inclusive community locally and globally.
USA-Based General Scholarships for International Students
We will now explore the general scholarships by the government and various organisations in the USA for international students.
1. Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships
Rotary International offers yearly fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowships to up to 130 peace and development leaders. These leaders can be from anywhere in the world and are awarded fully funded academic fellowships to:
- Study for a Professional Development Certificate Programme
- Study in a master's degree programme.
However, the programme pursued must be associated with peace, conflict resolution, and prevention. Recipients of the fellowship must enrol at one of the peace centres worldwide.
Mentioned below are the countries they can study in:
- USA
- Japan
- Australia
- England
- Sweden
- Uganda
Target Universities
- USA: Duke University and University of North Carolina
- Japan: International Christian University
- England: University of Bradford
- Australia: University of Queensland
- Sweden: Uppsala University
- Uganda: Makerere University
Target Degrees
You can apply for the fellowship if you want to pursue a master's or professional development certificate in:
- Development Policy Programme (MIDP) or related degrees
- Master’s Degree in Peace Studies
- Master’s Degree in Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
- Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS)
- Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies
- Post-graduate diploma in Peace and Development Studies
Target Group of People
- Leaders in the field of Global peace and development can apply for this fellowship.
- They must hold a bachelor’s degree to meet the eligibility requirements.
Number of Fellowships
- Approximately 50 fellowships are offered to leaders for master’s degrees annually.
- Approximately 80 fellowships are awarded to students pursuing certificate studies annually.
Value of Fellowships
Rotary International covers the following areas of a student’s finances:
- Tuition fees
- Living Expenses
- Room and board
- Round-trip transportation and airfare
- Internships
- Field-study expenses
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must apply for the fellowship only if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in related fields
- Have professional work experience of three years to get a scholarship for the master’s programme.
- Have five years of professional experience to get a scholarship for the certificate programme.
- Write briefly about their plans for the promotion of peace and how their plans align with those of the Rotary’s mission.
- Have good English language skills
- Have leadership qualities
- Are strongly committed to understanding various cultures and promoting peace.
- Have evidence of supporting cross-cultural understanding and peace professionally, academically and personally.
How to Apply
- The deadline may vary every year. However, the most commonly followed deadline is mid-May each year.
2. Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme (Global UGRAD)
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) offers Global UGRAD to international students who want to study for a semester in the USA. This one-semester scholarship is given to exceptional international undergraduate students. An opportunity like this helps these students to:
- Experience full-time study in the USA
- Volunteer for community service
- Work towards their professional development
- Be enriched culturally through their experience.
Target Universities
- More than 70 colleges and universities in the United States
Target Degrees
- Any academic discipline since it is a non-degree full-time undergraduate programme.
Target Group of People
Citizens of the following countries can apply for this exchange programme:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Brunei
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Cambodia
- China
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- North Macedonia
- Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza)
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Russia
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
Number of Scholarships
- Around 250 students are selected for this exchange programme annually.
Value of Scholarships
The scholarship holds the following value:
- In-state tuition fees
- Housing waivers
- Tuition discounts or scholarships
- Housing and fee reductions
Eligibility Criteria
- Over the age of 18
- Have the nationality of a UGRAD participating country and must be currently residing in it.
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate programme at a private or public accredited university. However, they must have at least a semester remaining before returning to their home country after the UGRAD programme.
- Received their secondary education from their home country.
- Good at speaking and writing English (Some finalists can get English training)
- Ready to start studying in the United States in August or January
- Able to get and keep the US student exchange visa (J-1)
- Checked by a doctor to make sure they can join the programme
- Willing to go back to their home country after finishing the programme
How to Apply
- Apply through the U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) or Fulbright Commission in your home country.
- The deadline might vary, but it mostly falls around the middle of December.
3. AAUW International Fellowships in the USA for Women
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) provides International Fellowships to women not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. These fellowships support full-time study or research at accredited institutions in the US for both graduate and postgraduate studies.
Target Universities
- Accredited institutions in the US.
Target Degrees
- Graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited US institutions.
Target Group of People
- Women who are not citizens or permanent residents of the US.
- Preference is given to those who have demonstrated commitment to supporting women and girls through their work in:
- Their community,
- Professionally, or
- Through civic engagement.
Number of Fellowships
- The exact number of awards is not specified.
Value of Fellowships
- Master's/Professional Fellowship: $20,000
- Doctorate Fellowship: $25,000
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: $50,000
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an International Fellowship, applicants have to meet the following criteria:
- Hold citizenship in a country other than the US or possess a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the US.
- Have an academic degree equivalent to a US bachelor's degree.
- Intend to dedicate themselves full-time to their academic plan during the fellowship year and plan to return to their home country for their career after completing their studies.
- Be proficient in English, confirmed by a valid TOEFL or IELTS score.
- Apply to an accredited US institution by November 15 for the fellowship year.
- Provide official confirmation from the institution if accepted.
- Postdoctoral applicants must hold a research degree and indicate where they will conduct their research.
- Master's/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must be enrolled in a US-accredited institution located in the US during the fellowship year.
- Women who are US citizens, permanent residents, or dual citizens of the US are not eligible.
How to Apply
- Applications and submission of supporting documents are done online.
- The application deadline falls in the middle of November.
4. PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women
The International Peace Scholarship Fund, established in 1949, offers scholarships for selected women from countries outside the United States and Canada. The scholarships give them a chance to pursue graduate studies in the United States and Canada.
Target Universities
- Accredited universities and colleges in the United States or Canada.
Target Degrees
Master's or PhD programmes in:
- Any field offered at accredited universities.
Target Group of People
Number of Scholarships
- The number of scholarships available is not specified.
Value of Scholarships
- The scholarships are granted as grants-in-aid and are not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses.
- The maximum scholarship amount for one year of study is $12,500, based on need.
- Lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.
- A recipient in graduate school can apply for one renewal of the scholarship and may receive scholarship assistance for up to two years.
- Scholarships only cover online courses, research, internships, or practical training without coursework.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be women from outside the United States and Canada.
- They should seek advanced degrees from accredited colleges or universities in the U.S. or Canada.
- Candidates are expected to use their education to impact and work towards global peace positively.
- Applicants must have at least one full year of coursework remaining and must be enrolled and in residence for the entire school year.
- Doctoral students who have completed coursework and are working only on dissertations are not eligible as first-time applicants.
- International students attending Cottey College are eligible to apply.
- Students who are citizens or permanent United States or Canada residents are not eligible, except for those with residency for tax purposes only.
How to Apply
- Eligibility must be established before application materials are sent to applicants.
- The eligibility information is available on the official website at any time.
- Completed forms are accepted electronically in the IPS office from the middle of September to the middle of December.
5. Fortis Fellowship
The Fortis Fellowship is a three-year programme that finds exceptional university students from less privileged backgrounds and prepares them to join the Fortis Society. After finishing the fellowship, Fortis fellows have a quicker chance to join the Society.
It is given to remarkable second-year university students worldwide who share the values of the Fortis Society.
Target Universities
- Future Leaders Foundation in the USA.
Target Degrees
- Leadership training and fellowship.
Target Group of People
- First-year students who are the first in their families to attend university.
- Those with low incomes.
Number of Fellowships
- The number of awards is not specified.
Value of Fellowships
All programme costs are covered by the Future Leaders Foundation, including:
- Mentorship from famous professionals.
- A three-week intensive leadership training.
- Funding and help for an internship abroad.
- Personalised career advice and tools.
Eligibility Criteria
The Fortis Fellowship is for high-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds worldwide.
Applicants must:
- Be 22 years old or younger.
- Currently be in their second year of an undergraduate programme in any subject.
- Be the first in their family to attend university and/or come from low-income backgrounds.
- Have a strong academic record at university.
- Show leadership skills through their initiatives or leadership roles on campus or in their community.
- Have shown resilience by overcoming challenges.
- Have a history of helping others.
- Competitive candidates also show strong ethics, a caring nature, charm, and a desire to make a difference globally.
How to Apply
- All applicants are reviewed based on their potential to become important global leaders in their fields and their history of making positive changes.
- Candidates who pass the tough initial screening are presented to the Fortis Society's Cooptation Council for consideration to join the Fortis Society.
- Those successfully chosen become part of the Fortis Society.
- The deadline for applications falls at the end of March.
6. Civil Society Leadership Awards
The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) offer fully funded master's degree study to individuals who:
- Show outstanding academic and professional excellence and,
- A strong commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.
Target Universities
The recipients of the awards have to study at the university in the following countries:
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Poland
- UK
- Ireland
- United States
Target Degrees
Master's degree programmes in various areas like:
- Communication
- Journalism
- Development studies
- Economics
- Education management
- Environment
- Gender studies
- Human rights
- Law
- Politics
- Public health
- Public policy
- Social work, and more.
Target Group of People
The awards are for citizens of specific countries, including:
- Afghanistan
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Cambodia
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea, Ethiopia
- Laos
- Libya
- Myanmar/Burma
- Republic of Congo
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan.
Number of Awards
- The exact number of awards is not specified.
Value of Awards
CSLA recipients receive financial and administrative support covering:
- Pre-academic preparation
- Programme-related travel
- Tuition
- Monthly stipend for:
- Living expenses
- Insurance
- Educational materials
- Professional development
- Attendance at a regional conference
- Accommodations during the application process and grant duration for applicants with disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be citizens of eligible countries
- Show maturity, flexibility, and potential for civil society leadership
- Hold a bachelor's degree with an excellent academic record
- Have professional experience in a relevant area
- Demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction (English, German, or French) required by host universities
- Attend an intensive pre-academic summer school in July or August
- Start their degree programme in August or September
- Be able to obtain and maintain a visa or study permit as required by the host country
- Show a clear commitment to return to their home country or region to continue supporting open society development.
How to Apply
- If you are interested, complete and submit an online or paper CSLA application in English to be considered for CSLA support.
- Applications must be submitted by midnight on May 15, Eastern Daylight Time.
7. Microsoft Research Women’s Fellowship Programme
The Microsoft Research Women's Fellowship offers financial support to academic universities. Each university selects one woman interested in pursuing a PhD and needing financial help. The selected applicant is granted a US$20,000 fellowship.
Target Universities
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Cornell University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- University of California at Berkeley
- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Washington
Target Degrees
PhD Programme in:
- Any field of study offered at the participating Universities.
Target Group of People
Number of Fellowships
- One from each participating university.
Value of Fellowships
- The scholarship is worth US$20,000.
- $18,000 goes towards tuition costs
- $2,000 covers travel expenses to a conference in the recipient's field of study.
The fellowship lasts one academic year and cannot be extended or renewed.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants have to enter or enrol in a PhD programme at one of the participating universities.
How to Apply
If you are planning to pursue a PhD at one of these universities and are interested in the Microsoft Research Women's Fellowship:
- Contact your department chair for information on:
- The application process
- Review
- Selection criteria
- Fellowship schedule
Deadlines vary from university to university.
You can also read:
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8. MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Programme for Africans
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme aims to educate and empower economically disadvantaged young people in Africa to contribute to the continent's transformation. This $500 million initiative provides secondary and university students with the necessary knowledge and leadership skills for Africa's economic and social progress.
Target Universities
Selected universities and institutions are chosen for their commitment to academic excellence and relevant programmes in key sectors. Participating institutions include:
- African Leadership Academy, South Africa
- Ashesi University, Ghana
- American University of Beirut, USA
- Arizona State University, USA
- Camfed, USA
- Brac, Uganda
- Duke University, USA
- Earth University, Costa Rica
- Forum for African Women Educationalists, Kenya
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
- Makerere University, Uganda
- McGill University, Canada
- Michigan State University, USA
- Stanford University, USA
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- University of California, Berkeley, USA
- University of Pretoria, South Africa
- University of Toronto, Canada
- Wellesley College, USA
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
Target Degrees
- Manufacturing
- Telecommunications
- Banking
- Agriculture
Refer to the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship pages of the respective universities/institutions for details.
Target Group of People
- Citizens of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Number of Scholarships
- The Scholarship programme aims to award $500 million to 15,000 African students over ten years.
Value of Scholarships
- The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme provides comprehensive support through financial aid covering:
- Fees
- Uniforms
- Books
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Stipends.
- Skill development in critical areas like:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Transition support with:
- Mentoring
- Career counselling
- Internships
- Leadership development
- Life skills coaching
- Commitment to:
- Community service
- Volunteerism
- Alumni network for graduates to access:
- Information
- Resources
- Opportunities
Eligibility Criteria
- Check the specific eligibility criteria of the host institution/university you are interested in.
How to Apply
- Apply directly to the participating university/institution of your choice.
- Deadlines vary but are typically around January to July.
9. Fulbright Foreign Student Programme in the USA
The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme allows graduate students, young professionals, and artists from other countries to study and research at American universities or academic institutions.
Target Universities
- Universities and academic institutions in the USA.
Target Degrees
- Any fields, including interdisciplinary ones.
Target Group of People
- International students from 155 countries worldwide.
Number of Scholarships
- Around 4,000 international students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.
Value of Scholarships
Generally, the grant covers:
- Tuition
- Airfare
- Living expenses
- Health insurance, etc.
The Fulbright programme funds the entire duration of the study. Visit the official website and country-specific sites for a complete list of scholarship benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility and selection procedures vary by country.
- Check your home country's Fulbright Programme website for information on eligibility requirements and application guidelines.
How to Apply
- All applications for the Foreign Student Programme are handled by bi-national Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies.
- International students must apply through the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy in their home countries.
- Deadlines vary by country but are typically between February and October each year.
10. Hubert Humphery Fellowships in the USA for International Students
The Humphrey Fellowship Programme is for experienced professionals who want to enhance their leadership skills through sharing knowledge and understanding of common issues in the U.S. and their home countries.
Target Universities
- Fellows are assigned to one of the participating universities in the USA.
They do not get to choose their university but are placed in diverse groups based on their interests and professional fields.
Target Degrees
Hubert Humphery Fellowships is a non-degree programme that offers professional development through:
- University courses
- Conferences
- Networking
- Practical work experiences.
The programme covers various fields that include:
- Agriculture
- Communications
- Economic development
- Education
- Finance
- Health
- Law
- Natural resources
- Public policy
- Technology, and more.
Target Group of People
Citizens of eligible countries in the following regions:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Europe and Eurasia
- Middle East and North Africa
- East Asia and the Pacific
- South and Central Asia
- Western Hemisphere
Number of Fellowships
- Approximately 200 Fellowships are given out each year.
Value of Fellowships
The fellowship covers:
- Tuition and fees
- English language training, if needed
- Living expenses
- Health insurance
- Books
- Computer subsidy
- Air travel
- A professional development allowance.
Eligibility Criteria
- They must have an undergraduate degree
- They must have at least five years of professional experience
- They should have limited or no prior experience in the United States
- They should have leadership qualities, a history of community service, and proficiency in English.
How to Apply
- Deadlines vary by country but usually fall between May and September each year.
- Your local U.S. Embassy or Binational Fulbright Commission will inform you of their deadline.
- They must submit their nominations to the Institute of International Education office in Washington, DC, by October 1st.
11. Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP) helps people from developing countries. Selected individuals must have experience supporting their countries' development efforts and want to pursue a master's degree in a development-related field.
Target Universities
Study at universities in the following countries:
- U.S.
- Europe
- Africa
- Oceania
- Japan.
Target Degrees
- 52 different Participating programmes.
Target Group of People
- Citizens of developing countries that are members of the World Bank.
Value of Scholarships
The scholarship covers the following areas of a student’s finances:
- Tuition
- Monthly living stipend
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance.
It supports the duration of the graduate programme or up to two years, whichever is shorter.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a national of a World Bank member country.
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Have at least three years of recent development-related work experience after earning a bachelor's degree.
- Be employed full-time in development-related work at the time of applying.
- Have an unconditional letter of acceptance from a participating master's programme.
- Meet other specific criteria detailed on the programme's website.
How to Apply
- First, apply and get unconditionally accepted to at least one of the participating programmes.
- Then, upload your unconditional letter of acceptance in your scholarship application.
- Applications are submitted online during two application windows, each corresponding to specific participating programmes.
- The deadlines for these windows vary.
12. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation provides scholarships each year to exceptional students from developing countries who cannot afford their postgraduate studies. Scholarships are awarded competitively and combine a grant with a loan.
Target Universities
- Any reputable university or postgraduate institution.
Target Degrees
- Master's level courses, with consideration for PhD programmes.
Short-term courses are not eligible.
Target Group of People
Individuals from specific countries can apply for the scholarship:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Egypt
- France
- India
- Kenya, and others.
In some countries, like Canada and France, applicants must be from one of these countries, show interest in development studies, and have no other means of funding their education.
Value of Scholarships
- The Foundation covers
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Master's scholarships cover the entire degree course
- PhD funding is provided for the first two years only
- Half the scholarship is a loan, repayable over five years with a small annual charge, starting six months after completing the studies.
- Travel costs are, however, not part of the scholarship funding.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for an AKF ISP award, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Excellent academic records
- Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Demonstrate genuine financial need
- Construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan
- Admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution
- Strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions
- Preference is given to those under 30 years old.
How to Apply
- Contact local offices for specific deadlines and requirements, which may vary by country.
- Completed applications should be returned to the agency where you obtained the form, not sent to Geneva.
- The application deadline falls at the end of March, though some countries may have earlier deadlines.
How to Get a Scholarship to Study in the United States?
Studying in the United States can be very expensive for international students compared to domestic students. Students, hence, have trouble continuing their higher education abroad. The financial burden, alongside the academic pressure, can be very difficult to handle for students.
Pursue your passion rather than stressing about the finances and negatively impacting your studies. How so? Get a scholarship that suits you and your financial status the best. Then, continue to perform well for the annual renewal of your scholarship.
However, the real issue of “how to get a scholarship” persists. If you are an international student and need support or feedback on your scholarship applications, you can contact counsellors at CounsellingX. Find the counsellors of your liking and connect with them for a free consultation.