Top Scholarships for International Students in the USA (2026)
Studying in the United States is expensive, but thousands of international students receive significant scholarship funding every year. From full-ride government scholarships to institutional merit awards, here are the top scholarships available to international students in 2026.
US Government Scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Full scholarship for graduate students from 160+ countries. Covers tuition, living expenses, and airfare. Apply through your home country's US Embassy.
- Humphrey Fellowship: For mid-career professionals. Covers study, professional development, and cultural exchange.
- AAUW International Fellowships: For women pursuing graduate or postdoctoral study in the US.
African-Specific Scholarships
- MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program: Available at select US universities including University of California Davis. Full funding for African students.
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship: For students from developing countries including East Africa and West Africa.
- DAAD Scholarships: German government scholarships for sub-Saharan African students (for study in Germany, but worth knowing).
University Merit Scholarships
Many US universities automatically consider international students for merit scholarships during the admissions process. Schools like University of Rochester, Case Western, and Tulane are known for generous merit awards to international students with strong academic records.
Graduate Assistantships
For graduate students, a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) can cover your full tuition and provide a monthly living stipend ($1,500–$3,000/month). These are awarded by academic departments — apply directly when you apply to the program.
How to Find Scholarships
- EducationUSA.state.gov — official US government resource
- Fastweb.com — searchable scholarship database
- Scholarships.com — filter by country of origin
- Your home country's US Embassy website
- Your target university's financial aid and international students pages
Apply Early and Apply Broadly
Scholarship deadlines are often 6–12 months before the academic year starts. The students who win scholarships are those who apply to many and apply early. Don't wait until you have your I-20 to start researching scholarships.