International students enjoy opportunities to expand their horizons while exploring new environments, cultures, and communities. These programs also bring valuable perspectives and traditions to U.S.-based campus communities, making students’ experiences richer and more rewarding.
These opportunities come at a cost, however — and between tuition, housing, visas, and even health insurance, international expenses can add up quickly. Thankfully, grants and scholarships can help bridge the gap, allowing some recipients to dramatically reduce the cost of studying abroad or even bypass college expenses altogether.
The key? Finding and applying for the right scholarships, plus optimizing scholarship applications to improve the odds. Below, we show you how while also highlighting some scholarships for international students in the USA and abroad.
Select Scholarships for International Students to Apply For
International students are eligible for a range of scholarships, many of which are even purposefully designed to attract students from all around the world. Consider applying for these scholarships, which reduce the cost of higher education and may enhance an international student’s resume.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Encouraging students from across the globe to study and contribute to research initiatives in the United States, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (specifically, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs). The program operates in more than 150 countries, with thousands of students receiving generous scholarships every year.
Fulbright eligibility standards may vary considerably from one nation to the next. Typically, though, applicants have earned their bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent) and should demonstrate proficiency with the English language. Other qualifications are more nuanced: for example, strong leadership potential or extensive work experience in the applicant’s field of study.
Chevening Scholarships
Funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chevening Scholarships encourage international students to complete master’s courses in the UK. These scholarships are appealing, in part, because they are fully funded; even flights and accommodations are included.
Applicants should have their undergraduate degree, along with two years of relevant work experience. However, this does not necessarily need to include paid work, and those with previous internships or volunteer positions could potentially qualify. In general, this program seeks “the kind of people who have the passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future.”
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Erasmus Mundus academic programs strive to improve cooperation and understanding among students from outside the European Union. This program is beneficial because it provides a rich cultural experience, including the chance to study at multiple European universities.
Generally spanning between one and two years, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programs offer scholarship opportunities to top candidates. Admission requirements vary, with EMJMD consortiums responsible for setting their own standards.
United World Colleges (UWC) International Youth Scholarships
Another scholarship for international students that is designed to help students from diverse backgrounds make the most of United World Colleges, international youth scholarships are typically awarded to promising individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 at the time of application. These students must possess not only a strong academic background but also a commitment to exploring new perspectives and engaging with people from various cultures.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Available to select students from developing countries, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) encourages recipients to use graduate-level training to support community development in their home countries. Specifically, the World Bank highlights the need for recipients to eventually “return to their home country to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development.”
As with many scholarships for international students, selection largely depends on professional experience and recommendations. Educational background also comes into play, but what really sets this program apart is its emphasis on the quality of commitment to the applicant’s home country. This could be an excellent opportunity for students who want to use their education as a force for good.
AAUW International Fellowships
Awarded to women who are not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S., international fellowships from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) help recipients study or conduct research on a full-time basis while residing in the U.S.
AAUW fellowship recipients must demonstrate not only exceptional academic achievement but also a clear commitment to supporting girls and women. The clear intention is for recipients to eventually return to their home countries and “become leaders in business, government, academia, community activism, the arts, and sciences.”
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
Meant to support ambitious students from developing countries, international offerings from the Aga Khan Foundation are primarily meant for promising young professionals under the age of 30.
Aga Khan Foundation awards possess a unique structure: half grant and half loan, with 50% of the total award eventually repaid. Students from Canada, France, Portugal, and the U.S. may apply but must originally have resided in developing countries and should express interest in development-related studies.
Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants
As one of the world’s largest service organizations, Rotary International aims to “champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, help people get access to clean water and sanitation, and fight disease.” The Rotary Foundation supports Rotary International in these ambitious but important missions, and through global grants, the program encourages similarly service-minded individuals to seek graduate-level training.
Global grants are not exclusive to scholarships, although these form an essential part of the equation. No matter why these grants are sought, applications must contain measurable goals and should clearly relate to real community needs.
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Financial technology company (and public benefit corporation) MPOWER features a “passionate team of global citizens helping students from around the world pursue their dreams.” This is accomplished, in part, by providing international loans based on anticipated future earnings — but MPOWER also offers the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship or one of two $2,000 scholarships for international students.
Applicants need not be MPOWER borrowers, but this program is strictly limited to international students who attend college in the U.S. or Canada on a full-time basis.
How to Enhance Your Scholarship Application
Determined to secure a scholarship for international students? These are highly competitive, so be prepared to apply for several programs — and to perfect each application. Every detail matters, and you will want to feel confident that you have covered these essentials:
Crafting a Standout Personal Statement
Craft a memorable personal statement to showcase who you are and why you deserve a scholarship. This important paragraph or essay should outline your story: where you are from, why you are passionate about your studies, and how a scholarship would help. Depending on the program, you may need to stick to a prompt, although some personal statements are open-ended.
Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation
Your personal statement conveys confidence in yourself, but letters of recommendation show that trustworthy individuals share that confidence. These should be written by leaders who can confirm your best qualities. Undergraduate professors and work supervisors are among the best resources, but make sure you choose someone who knows you well and can convey your personality through the power of the written word.
Demonstrating Community and Leadership Qualities
If there is a pattern in the international scholarships highlighted above, it is the clear desire to provide opportunities to students who want to pay it forward. Many top scholarship programs reference plans to develop recipients’ home countries as a chief factor in determining who secures financial aid and support.
This commitment can be conveyed with a meaningful personal statement but should also be backed by volunteer experience — or with a strong professional background in public service or a development-oriented field.
Navigating the Application Process
Scholarship applications may feel intimidating, and international opportunities, in particular, are highly competitive. You want to feel confident that you meet all requirements, so follow these suggestions to streamline the application process:
Understanding Deadlines and Requirements
Scholarship programs maintain strict deadlines and eligibility standards. These must be fully understood before you apply. Some programs offer resources to help applicants navigate the application process, and in other cases, college advisors can be helpful. Follow application directions carefully and plan to submit early, if possible.
Tips for a Successful Scholarship Interview
If your application makes an impression, you may get the chance to share more about your story and plans as you complete an interview. These are often conducted virtually, but business attire and strong body language remain crucial. Be mindful of cultural differences as you prepare for questions and take some time to research the organization granting the scholarship (and its country or region of origin).
Avoiding Common Scholarship Application Mistakes
A picture-perfect application is a must; competitive programs will be reluctant to overlook errors, no matter how minor. In other words, check and double-check each application. Other mistakes relate to the types of scholarships pursued (or not pursued), along with deadline adherence. Increase your odds for success by avoiding these common pitfalls:
Overlooking Smaller Scholarship Opportunities
While the scholarships highlighted above represent some of the most significant and prestigious opportunities available to international students, many other programs are worth exploring. Not all will fully fund your education, but even seemingly small scholarships can make a difference. Check with your preferred college to see if any scholarships for international students are available.
Submitting Applications Past Deadlines
Timely submissions are essential, and with most programs, missing the deadline spells automatic disqualification. Select programs may be slightly more lenient, however, and students with extraordinary circumstances may get a second chance. Depending on your academic plans, you could potentially get in on the next application cycle.
Pursue International Opportunities With Post University
As you explore scholarships for international students in the USA, look to Post University for support. We welcome and encourage students from all around the world — and that means providing a variety of international scholarship opportunities. Check out our scholarship programs or contact International Admissions to learn more today.
Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly!
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.
