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The Land of Opportunity, USA, offers fully funded scholarships for deserving domestic and international students enrolled at higher education institutions. Fully funded scholarships in the USA are based on criteria on entrance-basis, in-course external funds, etc. Before considering any scholarship program, students must understand that scholarships in the USA have a high competition level and their process of availability and eligibility changes every year or semester. Let’s discuss some of the most popular fully funded scholarships in USA to study abroad.
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Types of Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
Indian students seeking to pursue higher education abroad can access several fully funded scholarship opportunities. These scholarships primarily differ based on the entity providing the funding.
- Government-Based Fully Funded Scholarships: These scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on merit. Due to high demand, securing these scholarships can be challenging. However, they typically cover comprehensive costs, including tuition fees, monthly stipends for living expenses, health insurance, accommodation, and travel allowances.
- University-Based Fully Funded Scholarships: Many universities abroad offer full scholarships to attract exceptional international students. Eligibility criteria vary across institutions but often include academic excellence, work experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities. A strong application is crucial to impress the scholarship committee and increase the chances of selection.
- External Fully Funded Scholarships: Organizations such as businesses, charities, and international higher education institutions also provide fully funded scholarships to promising students. These scholarships often involve a specific selection process and may include a job or internship offer upon completion of the degree program.
How Scholarships Make Studying in the USA a Global Reality?
On average, college students graduate with around $30,000 in student loans, a figure that has seen a 25% increase over the past decade as per U.S. News & World Report. Scholarships offer an advantage in minimizing student debt. Additionally, scholarships help in:
- Post-COVID-19 pandemic, public colleges, and universities faced budget cuts, leading to increased tuition fees. Scholarships play an important role in filling these funding gaps.
- Unlike students who rely on part-time jobs to afford tuition, scholarship recipients have more time to focus on their studies.
- Merit-based scholarships often require a high GPA and strong writing skills. Adding these awards to a resume can increase the appeal of scholarship recipients to future employers.
Also Read: Scholarships to Study in the USA for International Students
Top 5 Best Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
From New York to Oregon, institutions and universities in the USA offer several scholarships for domestic and international. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students with their academics and study abroad journey. From tuition fee coverage to health insurance, these scholarships offer several benefits. That’s why we have filtered out some of the best fully funded scholarships in the USA for you.
1. Yale University Scholarship
Yale University primarily offers need-based financial aid to undergraduate students, including international applicants. The Yale Scholarship is a significant component of this aid, covering a substantial portion of tuition and living expenses. Awarded based on demonstrated financial need, the scholarship amount varies depending on individual circumstances. Yale University also offers a range of external scholarships and fellowships for graduate students, which may cover tuition, research expenses, and living costs. Check the table for more details.
| Eligibility | Must have an excellent academic record. Must be enrolled in a UG, PG or Doctoral program at Yale University. |
| Course Covered | UG, PG, and Research Program |
| Amount | Up to $70,000 |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Application Link | https://admissions.yale.edu/ |
2. Fulbright Scholarships USA
“The Fulbright Scholarship, a highly sought-after program for Indian students, offers full funding for studies in the US. Administered by the US government, it covers tuition, airfare, living expenses, and health insurance. Eligibility and selection criteria vary by country. The US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) website provides comprehensive information on the 16 types of Fulbright Fellowships available for Indian students, serving as a valuable resource for those pursuing education, research, or teaching opportunities in the US.”
| Eligibility | Be a citizen of India and have a bachelor’s degree from a good Indian university with a minimum of 55% marks (if applying for a master’s degree) |
| Course Covered | UG, PG, and Research Program |
| Amount | $2,500 to $3,500 monthly allowance |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded and Cost of Living Expenses |
| Application Link | https://us.fulbrightonline.org/ |
3. Stanford University Scholarships
Stanford University Scholarships are fully funded programs for interested students enrolled in postgraduate and doctoral programs. With this scholarship, students will be able to cover their academic expenses like tuition fees and stationary expenses, health insurance, living allowances and travel allowances. Check the table for more details.
| Eligibility | Must have an excellent academic record. Must be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at Stanford University |
| Course Covered | Undergraduate Program |
| Amount | $50,000 |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Application Link | https://financialaid.stanford.edu/ |
4. University of Haven Scholarships
The University of Haven offers fully funded scholarships for students who are pursuing a 2-year master’s course at the university. Through this scholarship, students are offered an annual financial assistance of 75% of their tuition fees and an hourly wage. Check the table for more details.
| Eligibility | Must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum score of 85% or equivalent.Must be enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Haven, USA. |
| Deadline | Fall Semester – 30th March/Spring Semester- 15th October |
| Amount | 75% of Tuition Fees + hourly wage |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded and Wages |
| Application Link | https://www.newhaven.edu/admissions/ |
5. ACI Foundation Scholarship
ACI Foundation scholarship or fellowship program is offered to international students enrolled in UG, PG, PhD and Postdoctoral courses at universities in the USA which offers financial assistance to students, which can range between $10,000 to $15,000 annually. Check the table for more details.
| Eligibility | Must have an excellent academic record.Must be enrolled in aUG, PG, PhD or Postdoctoral program in any American university. |
| Course Covered | UG, PG, and Doctoral levels |
| Amount | Must have an excellent academic record.Must be enrolled in aUG, PG, PhD, or Postdoctoral program in any American university. |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Application Link | https://studentapps.secure-platform.com/a |
Must Read: Study Abroad Scholarships and Applications
Other Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
Below we have listed the details regarding some other fully funded scholarships for international students :
| Scholarship Name | Level of Study | Covers |
| University of Memphis Scholarships | Undergraduate / Masters | Varies (covers cost difference between international and domestic tuition) |
| University of Minnesota Fellowship | Masters | Tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance |
| AAUW International Fellowship Program | Masters / PhD / Postdoctoral | $18,000 – $30,000 / year |
| Onsi Sawiris Scholarship | Undergraduate / Masters | Tuition, living allowance, travel, health insurance |
| Rotary Peace Fellowship Program | Masters / Certificate Studies | Tuition, fees, room and board, travel, internship and field-study expenses |
| Clark Global Scholarship Program | Undergraduate | $15,000 – $25,000 per year for 4 years |
| The HAAA Scholarship | Undergraduate | Varies |
| Boston University Presidential Scholarship | Undergraduate | $25,000 per year, renewable for 4 years |
| Berea College Scholarships | Undergraduate | 100% for first year |
| Cornell University Scholarship For International Students | Undergraduate | Need-based financial aid |
| Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships | Undergraduate | Full tuition scholarships ranging from $16,000 to $30,000 per year |
| Jefferson Scholars Foundation National Fellowship | PhD | $25,000, office, access, internet, seminar presentation opportunity, discounted scholar accommodations |
| University of Miami Stamps Scholarship | Undergraduate | Tuition, room and board, textbooks, computer allowance, $12,000 for research and conferences |
FAQs
A1. There are several fully funded scholarships in the USA which are offered to eligible students. Some of these scholarships are Stanford University Scholarships, The University of Minnesota Fellowships, ACI Foundation Scholarship, etc.
A2. To apply for a scholarship in the USA, students must successfully take admission to a higher education institution. Once admission is secured, students will automatically become eligible for scholarships. However, for certain scholarships, students must visit the official website of their university and apply for scholarships.
A3. To become eligible for a 100% scholarship in the USA, your academic record must be excellent with a persuading personal statement and essay, financial records, and a strong letter of recommendation from teachers or mentors.
Yes, it’s possible to secure 100% scholarships in the USA. Numerous options exist, including prestigious programs like Fulbright Scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and travel. Additionally, many universities, especially private institutions, offer generous need-based financial aid packages that can fully cover the cost of attendance for qualified students with demonstrated financial need.
While a strong GPA is important for securing a full scholarship in the USA, it’s not the sole determinant. Competitive scholarships often favor applicants with GPAs above 3.5, but need-based aid considers your family’s financial situation alongside your academic record. A holistic review also evaluates extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
No, getting a scholarship in the USA is not easy. It requires a strong academic record, compelling essays, and often, demonstrated financial need. Competition is fierce, and securing a full scholarship is highly competitive.
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