How to Get a University Scholarship in the US

Studying among the best universities in the United States can be a reality for students who worry about the cost of living and education. Good thing there are various scholarship programs in the US. If you are looking for one, you need not worry as opportunities for scholarships are abundant in this country.

Which are the types of scholarships in the United States?

There are many institutions and organizations in the US that offer generous financial assistance to prospective international students. Each program caters to a different set of qualifiers and evaluates based on various assessment criteria. Nonetheless, you can try your luck through applying to those that suit your needs and qualifications. Submitting several applications can do you no harm anyway! Below is a table you can refer to on information about the different types of scholarships in the United States.

Type of Scholarship	Description
Government Scholarships	These are scholarship programs provided for and funded by the US government to eligible international students looking to study in an American university.
Privately Funded Scholarships	These are scholarship programs awarded by private companies or donors (individuals or organizations). Usually, these are offered for students from developing countries or minority groups who seek to enroll in a designated degree program in the US.
University Scholarships	These are scholarship programs given by US universities to international students. Usually, you can find information on this type of scholarship in the university website. In recent years, most universities provide $20,000 per academic year of assistance for each eligible and qualified student-applicant.
Merit Scholarships	These are scholarship programs targeted at excellent students in the academe, sports, leadership, and socio-civic areas.
Financial Scholarships	These are scholarship programs that are awarded to international students who have proven the lack of financial capability to pursue a study program in one of the universities in the US.
Country-based Scholarships	These scholarship programs are given to international students from particular countries (typically, developing countries or partner nations of the US).

Whenever you fit the eligibility details of a certain scholarship program, you may send in your application so you can have options as to how to survive the US study abroad experience in terms of finances. It is highly recommended that you start your scholarship applications at the same time you start your university admission applications to give you adequate time to attend interviews and secure the necessary documentation requirements.

What are the scholarship programs you can apply for in the US?

Government Scholarships
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program was introduced in 1945 by Senator J. William Fulbright in a bill that aims to promote international goodwill through education. It is the largest exchange program in the US operating in more than 155 countries all over the world which opens opportunities for graduate students, teacher-trainees, and research students. Every year, the Fulbright Commission provides 4,000 scholarship grants to eligible international students.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program has different eligibility criteria for every country. Check out the Fulbright Foreign Student Program website for more information on application, eligibility criteria, and important dates. If successful, this scholarship will be able to cover your tuition fees, textbooks, airfare to and from the US, monthly living stipend, and health insurance.

Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Humphrey Fellowship Program is sponsored by the US Department of State for young and mid-career professionals around the world. It started in 1978 as a Fulbright activity that aims to embody values such as democracy, social justice, and a genuine desire to help developing countries. Since then, it has been accepting more than 4,600 fellows from 157 countries.

Eligible applicants for the Humphrey Fellowship Program are foreign graduate students with excellent leadership and social skills. Usually, applications for the fellowship close on the 1st of October every year. If successful, the fellowship will be able to cover one’s tuition fees, pre-academic English language training (if required), one-time settling allowance, monthly stipend, health insurance, computer subsidy, textbooks, airfare to and from the US, and professional development allowance for activities such as field trips, conferences, and professional visits.

Privately Funded Scholarships
American Association of University Women Fellowships and Grants
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) provides fellowship and educational funding for non-American women who wish to pursue a graduate or a postgraduate degree in one of the universities in the US. For the academic year 2018-2019, the AAUW is granting almost $3.9 million to 250 eligible women applicants. Each successful applicant can get $18,000 to $30,000 financial assistance per year depending on their degree program. True to its mission, the AAUW awards fellowship to women who are committed enough for the empowerment of other girls.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund was established in 1949 which aims to provide scholarships for non-American women who want to pursue their studies in the US. This scholarship program operates on the premise that education holds a key role in the achievement of international peace. Thus, it seeks women with a demonstrated financial need and with leadership and academic strengths. The maximum financial assistance for this scholarship is $12,500.

Civil Society Leadership Awards
The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) grant educational assistance to international students with outstanding academic and professional background. The award is open for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree program in the following fields: communications, journalism, culture, history, development studies, economics, education management, environment, gender studies, human rights, law, politics, public health, public administration, social policy, and social work. The CSLA is available for student-applicants from selected countries in Asia.

University Scholarships
Universities in the US provide scholarship opportunities for their international student-enrollees. Most of these scholarships are either merit-based or financial scholarships. The following are some US universities which you can simultaneously apply for admission and scholarship in:

American University Scholarships
This type of scholarship is for prospective undergraduate international students in the American University (AU). The financial assistance ranges from $6,000 to $25,000 per academic year. Its main eligibility criterion is academic excellence.

Amherst College Scholarships
Amherst College Scholarships are financial scholarships which are awarded depending on the financial need of each applicant. It takes the form of either self-help or employment aid and gift aid or scholarships and grants.

Berea College Scholarships
Berea College Scholarships are definite and generous awards for all enrolled international students in Berea College. A scholarship in this institution provides 100% coverage of tuition during a student’s first year of studies. However, in the following years, all scholars will contribute around $1,000 per academic year for the education costs. Nonetheless, this program is a helpful deal for international students.

Columbia College Scholarships
The Columbia College provides financial subsidy for outstanding international students enrolled in the institution. It can grant a student 15% to 100% deduction from his tuition fee per academic year.

Concordia College Scholarships
The Concordia College Scholarships are merit-based and financial scholarships given to the college’s enrolled international students. It provides $25,000 financial assistance per year for eligible applicants who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence.

Dartmouth College Scholarships
The Dartmouth College offers student loans and scholarship grants for its undergraduate international students. Their scholarship awards can include payment for tuition and air travel to and from the US.

Emory University Scholarships
Another financial scholarship is provided by the Emory University. It awards scholarships for students who are proven to be financially incapable of paying the required university fees. The institution also has a merit-based scholarship through its Emory University Scholars Program.

George Washington University
The George Washington University offers financial aid for its international students through merit scholarships, presidential academic scholarships, and International Baccalaureate (IB) scholarships.

Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
The Iowa State University selects qualified student-applicants for its international merit scholarship program that screens international undergraduate students with high performance in the SAT or the ACT and in high school. The financial assistance can range from $2,000 to $10,000 per academic year.

Michigan State University International Scholarships
Undergraduate and graduate international students in Michigan State University (MSU) can apply to the MSU International Scholarships Program to curb some of the educational expenses while completing their degree program.

New York University Wagner Scholarships
The New York University Wagner Scholarships are tuition subsidies from $25,000 to $47,000 per academic year. These scholarships are awarded to a number of international student-applicants in the New York University.

University of Oregon Scholarships
The University of Oregon has a huge number of scholarship awards for local and international students enrolled in the institution. Every year, it allots more than $1 million dollars for its financial programs for international students.

The above-mentioned programs are only few of the many scholarship opportunities available for international students like you. It is but a matter of doing your research and sending your application in as early as possible. Remember that there is no harm in trying to apply for several scholarships at once. If anything, it can even add to your chance of getting accepted for a program. The next step, then, will be to finalize your university admission applications, apply for a US student visa, and board your flight to the US!