20 Free Scholarships in the USA for International Students

Studying in the United States can be expensive, but international students can find many scholarships and financial aid programs that reduce or remove the cost of education. Some scholarships cover tuition, living costs, travel, or other study expenses. Others provide financial aid based on the student’s financial need. In this guide, we list 20 excellent scholarship and funding opportunities in the USA for international students. Always check the official website before applying because requirements, deadlines, and funding can change.

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the best-known scholarship programs for international students who want to study in the United States. It supports graduate students, young professionals, and artists from many countries. The program offers funding support and health benefits and can include support connected to university study. The application process is managed through Fulbright offices, foundations, or U.S. Embassies, so requirements are different by country. Applicants should check the Fulbright page for their home country before starting an application.

Benefits:

• Funding support
• Health benefit plan
• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Graduate study in the USA

Study level: Master’s and Doctorate

Apply: Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Official Application Page

2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is a major graduate scholarship at Stanford University. Students from around the world can apply for this program. Scholars can receive financial support for up to three years. The award includes tuition and fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel allowance for one annual trip to and from Stanford. Applicants must also apply to an eligible Stanford graduate degree program. The program also provides leadership development and opportunities to work with students from different countries and academic fields.

Benefits:

• Tuition and fees
• Living stipend
• Travel support
• Leadership programs

Study level: Graduate

Apply: Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Official Website

3. Rotary Peace Fellowship

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for people interested in peace, conflict resolution, development, and international service. Selected students can study at leading universities, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the United States. The fellowship covers tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, and research and field-study costs. Applicants normally need relevant professional experience and a strong commitment to peace and development. It is especially useful for people who want to build a career in peacebuilding or international development.

Benefits:

• Full tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Transportation
• Field-study support

Study level: Master’s

Apply: Rotary Peace Fellowship – Official Website

4. AAUW International Fellowship

The AAUW International Fellowship supports women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and want to pursue graduate study in the United States. The current program focuses on women pursuing STEM master’s or doctoral study. Applicants need a bachelor’s-equivalent degree and strong academic performance. For the 2026–2027 cycle, applications opened in August 2026 and close on September 17, 2026. Because eligibility rules are specific, applicants should carefully read the current requirements before applying.

Benefits:

• Graduate funding
• Support for STEM study
• Study in the USA
• Professional development

Study level: Master’s and Doctorate

Apply: AAUW International Fellowships – Official Website

5. Duke University Karsh International Scholarship

The Karsh International Scholarship at Duke University is a highly competitive opportunity for outstanding international undergraduate students. It is designed for students who show strong academic ability, intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a desire to serve society. The scholarship has been described by Duke as covering the full cost of tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees for four years. Scholars can also receive funding for research and other educational experiences. This makes it one of the attractive options for international students seeking a fully funded undergraduate education in the USA.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Room and board
• Mandatory fees
• Research support

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Duke University Undergraduate Admissions – Official Website

6. Vanderbilt University Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship

Vanderbilt University offers several major merit scholarships for high-achieving students. The Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship is one of its three signature scholarships and provides full-tuition support. International first-year applicants can apply for Vanderbilt’s merit scholarships. Students are selected through a competitive process based on achievement and promise. The university also offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international students. Applicants should complete the scholarship requirements through their Vanderbilt application and check the current deadlines carefully.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Renewable support
• Merit-based award
• Extra scholarship opportunities

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Vanderbilt Undergraduate Admissions – Official Website

7. Emory University Scholars Program

Emory University offers the Emory Scholars Program for outstanding incoming undergraduate students. The program includes partial to full merit-based scholarships. International students are eligible to be considered because Emory states that students can be considered regardless of citizenship. The university’s Scholars Program can provide financial support along with academic opportunities and a special scholar community. Students normally need to apply for admission by the required deadline and indicate that they want to be considered for the Scholars Program.

Benefits:

• Partial to full scholarship
• Academic support
• Scholar community
• Leadership opportunities

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Emory University Scholar Programs – Official Website

8. Clark University Presidential Scholarship

Clark University offers several scholarships for international undergraduate students. Its Presidential Scholarship is one of the most competitive awards and covers tuition, room, and board. Only a small number of students receive this scholarship each year. International students can also be considered for other Clark merit scholarships. Applicants should understand that the Presidential Scholarship does not necessarily cover every personal expense, so students should check the remaining costs before applying. The scholarship is suitable for strong students who have excellent academic records and leadership potential.

Benefits:

• Tuition coverage
• Room and board
• Merit-based award
• International student eligibility

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Clark University International Admissions – Official Website

9. Yale University Financial Aid for International Students

Yale University provides need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students. Yale says international applicants are evaluated without considering their ability to pay, and admitted students can receive financial aid based on demonstrated financial need. Yale meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. This is not a single scholarship with one fixed amount. Instead, financial aid depends on each family’s financial situation. Students who need assistance must follow Yale’s financial aid application process.

Benefits:

• Need-based financial aid
• 100% demonstrated need
• International student eligibility
• Study at Yale

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Yale International Students – Official Website

10. Princeton University Financial Aid

Princeton University offers strong need-based financial aid for international undergraduate students. Princeton states that it meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted international students. Its admission process is need-blind, meaning an applicant’s ability to pay is not considered during admission. This makes Princeton an important option for international students who have strong academic records but cannot afford the full cost of studying in the United States. Students must complete the required financial aid process along with their admission application.

Benefits:

• Full demonstrated need
• Need-blind admission
• International students eligible
• Undergraduate study

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Princeton International Students – Official Website

11. Dartmouth College Financial Aid

Dartmouth College provides financial aid to international undergraduate students. The university meets the demonstrated financial need of admitted international students and has extended its need-blind admission policy to international applicants. Financial aid can include scholarships and other forms of support. Dartmouth also notes that financial aid for international students can include an allowance for travel to the United States. Students who need financial support should apply for aid as part of the admission process.

Benefits:

• Full demonstrated need
• Need-blind admission
• Scholarship support
• Travel allowance

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Dartmouth Financial Aid for International Students – Official Website

12. Bowdoin College Financial Aid

Bowdoin College is another strong option for international students who need major financial support. Bowdoin says it is need-blind for international students and meets the full calculated financial need of admitted international students. Its aid packages use scholarships rather than loans for the calculated need, although students may have a small on-campus work expectation. International applicants who need aid can follow Bowdoin’s financial aid process after admission. This can make a Bowdoin education much more affordable for students with limited financial resources.

Benefits:

• Full demonstrated need
• Need-blind admission
• Scholarships instead of loans
• International students eligible

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Bowdoin International Students – Official Website

13. Colby College Financial Aid

Colby College offers financial aid to international students who are admitted and demonstrate financial need. Colby states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, including international students. The amount of assistance depends on the student’s family financial situation. Colby welcomes students from many countries and uses a common application process for international applicants. Students who need financial aid should complete the required financial aid documents during the application process.

Benefits:

• 100% demonstrated need
• International student support
• Undergraduate study
• Need-based aid

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Colby College International Applicants – Official Website

14. Macalester College Financial Aid

Macalester College has a financial aid fund for qualified international students. Aid is mainly based on financial need, and competition for funding is very high. Macalester says admitted students who apply for need-based aid can receive a package equal to 100% of their demonstrated financial need. For some students, the financial aid package can cover tuition, housing, meals, health insurance, and other estimated education costs. Students should still plan for some expenses such as visa costs and certain travel costs.

Benefits:

• Up to full demonstrated need
• Tuition support
• Housing and meal support
• International student funding

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Macalester International Financial Aid – Official Website

15. Oberlin College Financial Aid

Oberlin College offers substantial financial aid to international students. The college states that it meets 100% of calculated financial need for international students who apply for financial aid. Funding can include grants, scholarships, loans, and campus employment. Because international financial aid funds are limited, admission is very competitive. Students should apply for financial aid at the same time as admission because students who do not request aid during admission may not be able to receive it later.

Benefits:

• Up to 100% demonstrated need
• Grants and scholarships
• International student aid
• Merit scholarships

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Oberlin Financial Aid for International Students – Official Website

16. Tufts University Davis UWC Scholars Program

The Davis United World College Scholars Program at Tufts University supports graduates of United World College schools. Eligible students can receive a need-based grant of up to $10,000 per year toward undergraduate study. Additional Tufts financial aid may be available for students with further demonstrated need. The award can be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing. This opportunity is mainly suitable for students who have graduated from a UWC school, so applicants should check their eligibility before applying.

Benefits:

• Up to $10,000 per year
• Renewable for four years
• Need-based support
• Additional aid may be available

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Tufts International Student Financial Aid – Official Website

17. Vanderbilt International Need-Based Financial Aid

Vanderbilt University also provides need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate students. The university says that admitted international students with demonstrated need can have 100% of their demonstrated need met through grants and scholarships. International students can also apply for Vanderbilt’s merit scholarships. Because financial aid is competitive for international applicants, students should prepare a strong academic and personal application and submit the required financial aid documents on time.

Benefits:

• Up to 100% demonstrated need
• Grants and scholarships
• Merit scholarships
• Four-year support

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Vanderbilt International Financial Aid – Official Website

18. Emory University International Financial Aid

Emory University provides need-based financial aid to a selected group of international students. The university also offers merit-based scholar programs that can provide partial to full scholarships. International students can therefore look at both need-based and merit-based funding options. Students should carefully review Emory’s financial aid requirements because financial aid and merit scholarship applications can have different rules. Strong academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and a clear application can help students compete for these opportunities.

Benefits:

• Need-based financial aid
• Merit scholarships
• Partial to full awards
• International eligibility

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Emory Financial Aid – Official Website

19. Clark University Global Scholars Scholarship

Clark University offers the Global Scholars Program for strong international undergraduate applicants. It is one of the merit scholarship opportunities available to international students at Clark. International students can also be considered for several other merit scholarships. The Global Scholars Scholarship is competitive and may require additional essays. Students should first complete the Clark admission process and then follow the university’s instructions for scholarship consideration. It is a good option for international students with strong academic records and leadership or community involvement.

Benefits:

• Merit scholarship
• International students eligible
• Leadership focus
• Undergraduate study

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Clark University International Admissions – Official Website

20. Yale University Need-Based Scholarship

Yale’s need-based scholarship system can provide major financial support to international undergraduate students. Unlike a fixed scholarship that gives the same amount to everyone, Yale calculates financial need based on the family’s circumstances. Yale states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. International applicants are evaluated without regard to their ability to pay. This means students from low-income families may have a chance to study at Yale with very significant financial support if they are admitted.

Benefits:

• 100% demonstrated need
• No fixed scholarship limit
• International students eligible
• Need-blind admission

Study level: Bachelor’s

Apply: Yale International Admissions – Official Website

How to Apply for Scholarships in the USA

The application process depends on the scholarship or university. Some programs require a separate scholarship application, while others automatically consider students after they apply for admission. For major U.S. universities, international students should usually prepare academic transcripts, English-language documents, recommendation letters, a personal statement, and financial aid documents. Graduate scholarships may also require a research proposal or professional experience. Always read the official requirements and submit your application before the stated deadline.

Tips for Winning a USA Scholarship

• Keep your academic grades strong.
• Prepare a clear personal statement.
• Show leadership and community service.
• Choose scholarships that match your profile.
• Prepare recommendation letters early.
• Check English-language requirements.
• Apply before the deadline.
• Use official scholarship websites only.
• Do not pay agents for a guaranteed scholarship.
• Apply to several suitable opportunities.

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