Studying in the United States is expensive, but scholarships for international students can cover a large part of the cost. From full-ride awards to grants that pay for tuition, living costs or research, there are well-established programs open to applicants from around the world. This 2026 guide rounds up the best scholarships for international students in the USA, with what each one covers and how to apply.
Most of these awards go to students who already hold – or are applying for – a US study place. If you are still planning your route, start with our guide to the types of USA student visa and the F-1 student visa. You can usually hold more than one award at a time, so it is worth applying for several.
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Types of Scholarships for International Students
It helps to know the main categories before you apply. Government and foundation programs, such as Fulbright and the World Bank awards, are prestigious and often fully funded but highly competitive. University scholarships are offered directly by US colleges to attract strong international applicants, and are frequently merit-based. External or private scholarships come from companies, non-profits and community organisations. Finally, need-based aid – less common for international students than for US citizens – is offered by a handful of well-funded universities. Casting a wide net across all of these categories is the surest way to fund a US education.
Best Scholarships for International Students in the USA
The programs below are among the most respected scholarships for international students studying in America. Deadlines and amounts change each cycle, so always confirm details on the official pages before applying.
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the best-known scholarships for international students, funding graduate study, research and artistic projects in the US. Around 4,000 awards are made each year, covering tuition, a living stipend, travel and health cover. You apply through the Fulbright Commission or US Embassy in your home country.
2. Rotary Foundation Global Grants
Rotary’s Global Grants fund graduate-level study and can support tuition and living costs abroad, including in the US. Applications are made with the help of a local Rotary club and a host club, so start early and build those relationships.
3. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation offers postgraduate scholarships for international students from a defined list of countries. Awards are given as half grant and half loan, with priority to master’s applicants, and cover tuition and living costs but not travel. Age and country-of-residence conditions apply.
4. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is among the most generous undergraduate scholarships for international students. It funds full tuition, room and board for two students, plus up to eight partial awards worth as much as USD 40,000 a year. The award is renewable for four years, and the deadline for the 2026 intake is 15 January 2026. Details are on the American University EGLS page.
5. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program funds master’s study in development-related fields for applicants from developing countries with relevant work experience. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare, health cover and a travel allowance.
6. Robert S. McNamara Fellowship
The World Bank’s Robert S. McNamara Fellowship supports early-career PhD researchers from developing countries, offering up to USD 42,750 net for an eight-month fellowship (September to May) hosted at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Both this and the Joint Japan/World Bank award are listed on the World Bank Scholarships page.
7. #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship is a renewable award offered by a network of participating US universities to international undergraduates who promote cross-cultural understanding. Because the participating schools and amounts change each cycle, check the current list before applying – but it is a strong, welcoming option among scholarships for international students.
| Scholarship | Study Level | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Graduate / research | Tuition, living stipend, travel, health cover | About 4,000 awards a year; apply via home-country Fulbright Commission or US Embassy |
| Rotary Foundation Global Grants | Graduate | Tuition and living costs for graduate study | Applied for with a local and host Rotary club |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Postgraduate | Part grant, part loan toward tuition and living | Priority to master’s applicants; age and country conditions apply |
| American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship | Undergraduate | Full tuition, room and board (2 awards) or partial (up to ~USD 40,000/yr) | Deadline 15 January 2026; renewable for four years |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship | Master’s (development) | Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, health cover, travel allowance | For applicants from developing countries with work experience |
| Robert S. McNamara Fellowship | PhD researchers | Up to USD 42,750 net for an 8-month fellowship | Hosted at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. (Sept-May) |
| #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship | Undergraduate | Renewable partial-to-full tuition at participating US universities | VERIFY participating schools and amounts for the current cycle |
Other Places to Look for Funding
Beyond the headline programs, do not overlook the money closest to your course. Individual universities publish their own international scholarship pages, and many departments hold assistantships that waive tuition in return for teaching or research – especially at graduate level. Your home country’s government may offer overseas study grants, and professional bodies in your field sometimes fund study abroad. Reliable scholarship databases can help you search by country and subject, but always apply through the official program page to avoid scams. The more sources you check, the more of these scholarships for international students you will be eligible to claim.
How to Win Scholarships for International Students
Competition for scholarships for international students is intense, so apply strategically. Start at least a year ahead, because many deadlines fall long before the academic year begins. Tailor each application to the funder’s mission, secure strong recommendation letters, and write a focused statement that shows both need and potential. Above all, apply widely – you can hold more than one award, and each one you win reduces what you have to fund yourself.
| Key Takeaways |
| – Scholarships for international students can cover tuition, living costs, travel or research – and you can often hold more than one. |
| – Fulbright funds about 4,000 graduate awards a year, applied for via your home-country commission or US Embassy. |
| – The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship funds 2 full awards plus up to 8 partial awards (~USD 40,000/yr); 2026 deadline 15 January. |
| – The World Bank’s Robert S. McNamara Fellowship offers up to USD 42,750 net for an 8-month PhD-researcher fellowship. |
| – The Joint Japan/World Bank award funds master’s study in development fields for applicants from developing countries. |
| – Apply at least a year ahead, tailor each application, and confirm amounts and deadlines on the official pages. |
With planning, scholarships for international students can turn a US education from out of reach into achievable. For related reading, see our guides to the F-1 student visa, the STEM OPT extension, and why international student numbers are shifting.
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