American universities and colleges provide a wide range of scholarships to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies. Apart from this, many scholarships, grants and bursaries are also offered by the American government, public and private establishments. Before you apply to any of these scholarships, do check the eligibility and criteria, along with the closing date.
The most important criterion for most scholarships is a good academic score, however, it also depends on factors such as your chosen destination, subject and level. In some scholarships, factors like extracurricular activities, and volunteering can also be used to advantage. Keep in mind that every scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. While in some, a mere application may suffice, while for others you may have to fulfil several other conditions. For instance, in research centric programs, you may have to submit written assignments. Do not hesitate to contact the university admission centre if you have any doubts.
The amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures. You may experience higher competition when you apply for government scholarships in comparison to the university scholarships. So, we suggest you to start with the procedure about 8-12 months before your preferred intake begins. If you get stuck anywhere, IDP counsellors will be more than happy to guide you through.
Here’s an overview of some of the popular government-funded scholarships you can apply to as a Bangladeshi student.
S.No. | Name of the scholarship | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Foreign Fulbright Student Program | Applicable for international students who are applying to master’s or PhD programs; this scholarship covers tuition fee, health insurance, textbooks, airfare, and living costs. |
2 | Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Awarded to Bangladeshi students applying to master’s programs in the US with strong academic scores in the fields of social science, pure science, applied sciences, law, architecture, humanities, and management. |
3 | Humphrey Fellowship Program | This fellowship is granted to experienced professionals with a potential for leadership and dedication towards public service. Granted for a year, this program covers all expenses. You don’t get to choose a university for yourself; instead, you are assigned the most appropriate host institution as per your skills and interests. |
4 | Microsoft Scholarships | Applicable to students applying to undergraduate programs of 4-year duration in computer science and related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines who show outstanding academic excellence, leadership skills and a demonstrated passion towards technology. |
5 | Inlaks Scholarships | Available to Bangladeshi citizens under the age of 30 enrolling for graduate courses in various fields and is awarded by the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation. |
6 | Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship | Grants students studying/involved in areas like economic and community development, peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment. |
All universities and colleges also have their own set of scholarships which can be subject or destination specific. Do check if there are scholarships specifically available for Bangladesh natives.
Every scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. In case of some, just an application will help you get hold of the scholarship. For research centric programs, you may have to submit written assignments. So, research well and do not hesitate to contact the university admission centre if you have any doubts.
Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.
You may experience higher competition when you apply for government scholarships in comparison to the university scholarships. So, it’s always better to apply in advance to receive a timely response.
Your IDP counsellor can also assist you in finding the right scholarship for you. Walk in to our offices in Dhaka at Gulshan and Dhanmondi or Chittagong anytime for a free session.
Estimate how much you will need to cover your expenses including cost of living comparison for various country and accommodation options.