USA is home to world-class universities and colleges, and many of them offer scholarships to international students to help them finance their studies in USA. These scholarships are open to meritorious international students, and they can be partial or fully paid scholarships, depending on the criteria, course and the institution offering them.
When applying to any of the scholarships in USA, make sure you check the scholarship eligibility criteria carefully, and know all about the application process and closing date. You can also seek support from your IDP counsellor, who will guide you through your journey.
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. In some, a mere application may be enough, 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. Getting a scholarship is competitive and so it is important that you apply well ahead in time. We recommend you start with the procedure about 8-12 months before the preferred intake begins. If you get stuck anywhere, IDP counsellors will be more than happy to guide you through.
When you’re applying for a scholarship, you have to check the granting institution’s website to make sure you provide all the needed documents. However, there are common documents that most of the institutions require from scholarship applicants, such as:
Completed scholarship application form
Copy of your academic transcripts/diplomas
Copy of your passport/ID
Statement of purpose or letter of motivation
Test score (like SAT, ACT, GRE , GPA)
Proof of your language proficiency, like an IELTS test
Some institutions may also require some additional documents, such as an essay and medical report.
We’ve listed here some of the top scholarships offered by leading American universities to international students. Please note that this is an indicative list, and you need to speak with your IDP counsellor for details and best available options suited to your profile. Book an appointment today.
University | Scholarship | Scholarship value (US$) | Eligibility |
---|---|---|---|
Up to $22,000 | Tulsa offers the International Leadership Scholarship to well-qualified international students. You'll be automatically evaluated for scholarships when you submit a completed application to the university with all required supporting documents. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit in previous studies, as well as extracurricular and leadership experience. Awards are renewable for up to 4 years, as long as you maintain full-time enrolment status and a 2.0 GPA at the University. | ||
$8,000 to $16,000 | This merit-based scholarship is split into two values, up to $8,000 for students achieving the lower GPA, and $16,000 for those meeting the higher GPA. Students must submit a completed WSU application for scholarship consideration. No additional scholarship application is required. | ||
Up to $10,000 | All international applicants will be considered for a Panther Fund Merit Scholarship. The scholarships value ranges between students and is offered regardless of financial need. | ||
$10,000 | It's one of 3 programmes under the Northridge Scholarship Program. This award gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work with faculty mentors on significant projects. The prestigious honour is reserved for Cal State Northridge undergraduate students who have earned at least 60 units with a 3.5 grade point average or transfer students who have earned at least 24 Northridge units by the end of the spring semester. Recipients must be continuing Northridge undergraduates and will receive a scholarship along with a Matador Bookstore textbook discount. | ||
University of South Florida | Presidential Award:
$48,000 Directors Award:
$36,000 Scholars Award:
$24,000 | All Green & Gold awards are credited in the form of a partial out-of-state tuition waiver; exact award amounts vary based on the number of credits in which a student enrols each term. | |
Board of Directors Scholarship:
$30,000 per year. Presidential Scholarship:
$24,000 – $27,000 per year. Honours Scholarship:
$22,000 – $23,000 per year. | All admitted freshmen students will have their file automatically reviewed for scholarship consideration. Students will be notified with the offer of admission if awarded any academic scholarship. All scholarships are renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress is maintained. |