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Attending New York University (NYU), one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, is a dream for many, and scholarships are a vital pathway, especially for international students targeting the 2026-2027 academic year. NYU offers a variety of institutional awards, including merit-based scholarships and limited need-based financial aid for first-year international undergraduates who submit the CSS Profile, as well as program-specific scholarships across its various schools and colleges like the Tandon School of Engineering or Stern School of Business, often covering partial to full tuition costs and, in some cases, providing stipends and other benefits. While full-funding is rare and highly competitive for international students, these awards significantly reduce the financial burden, enabling access to NYU’s diverse undergraduate and graduate programs in New York City and its global sites.
In this blog, we provide a detailed breakdown of the key NYU scholarships, eligibility criteria, application process, and strategies to maximize your chances for financial support for the 2026-2027 entry.
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Types of New York University Scholarships
New York University (NYU) offers a diverse array of scholarships and grants to help students finance their education. These awards generally fall into the following main categories:
| Scholarship Type | Description | Examples (Undergraduate) |
| Institutional Need-Based Aid | Grants and scholarships awarded directly by NYU based on a student’s demonstrated financial need (determined by the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile). NYU has a policy to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted first-year students on its New York campus. | NYU Scholarship (the primary institutional grant) |
| Institutional Merit-Based Awards | Scholarships granted based on exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and other outstanding qualities, regardless of financial need. These are typically awarded upon admission and do not require a separate application. | NYU Presidential Honors Scholars Program, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program, Lewis Rudin City Scholarships |
| School/Program-Specific Scholarships | Awards offered by individual schools or colleges within NYU, such as the Stern School of Business, Tandon School of Engineering, or Rory Meyers College of Nursing. They often target students in specific fields of study or with particular academic profiles. | Tandon Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, Meyers Nursing Scholars Program, Stern School of Business Merit Scholarships |
| Transfer Student Scholarships | Scholarships specifically for students transferring from other institutions, particularly those from community colleges. | Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships, Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) Scholarships |
| International Student Aid | NYU offers limited institutional scholarships and grants for international students, which are typically need-based for first-year undergraduates who submit the CSS Profile, or merit-based. | Global Pathways Scholarships (for study away) |
| Government and External Aid | Federal, state, and external scholarships that NYU students may be eligible for, though federal and state grants are typically only for U.S. citizens/residents. | Federal Pell Grant, New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Yellow Ribbon Scholarships (for Veterans) |
List of New York University Scholarships for International Students
New York University (NYU) offers limited but crucial financial aid to international students, primarily through institutional grants and scholarships.
The main types of aid available to international students are detailed below:
| Scholarship/Program Name | Coverage | Eligibility & Important Details |
| The NYU Promise | Meets 100% of Demonstrated Financial Need. Families with income under $100,000 and typical assets will have full tuition covered by grants/scholarships. | First-Year Undergraduate Applicants (Non-U.S. Citizens) to the New York campus. This is the primary source of need-based aid. |
| NYU Merit-Based Scholarships (e.g., Presidential, AnBryce) | Varies, ranging from up to $32,000 annually to full tuition (for the extremely competitive AnBryce Scholarship). | First-Year Undergraduate Applicants who are among the most academically talented students. Awards are based on exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service. |
| Graduate Assistantships & Fellowships | Often provides Full Tuition Coverage plus a stipend for living expenses. | Graduate Students in specific Master’s or PhD programs. Requires strong academic and research credentials; usually involves teaching or research responsibilities. |
| NYU Law School Scholarships (LL.M. & J.S.D.) | Highly competitive scholarships for LL.M. students (partial to full funding) and Full Funding for J.S.D. candidates. | Graduate Law Students (LL.M., J.S.D.) based on outstanding merit and qualifications. |
| Global Pathways Scholarship | Up to $4,000 per semester (need-based grant). | Current NYU Undergraduate Students (including international) seeking a degree from the NY campus who demonstrate financial need for the additional costs of a semester or year of Study Away. |
Also Read: Study in UK after 10th from India: A Complete Guide
Details of New York University Scholarships
The top scholarships for international students at NYU’s New York campus are generally combined into institutional aid or are highly selective merit awards, as detailed below:
NYU Promise: Institutional Need-Based Aid
The NYU Promise is the most significant source of financial aid for international undergraduates, guaranteeing to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all first-year students admitted to the New York campus, regardless of citizenship status, through a combination of grants, scholarships, and expected student work. This institutional aid is particularly generous for low- and middle-income families, as those with a family income less than $100,000 and typical assets will have their full tuition covered by grants and scholarships, making a world-class NYU education accessible based on need; to be considered for this aid, international applicants must submit the CSS Profile by the financial aid deadline.
| Feature | Details for International Undergraduates (NY Campus) |
| Benefits | 100% of Demonstrated Financial Need Met through grants and scholarships. Full tuition covered by grants for families with income under $100,000 and typical assets. |
| Eligibility | First-time, First-year Undergraduate applicants to the NYU New York campus (all citizenships). Must demonstrate financial need based on the CSS Profile assessment. |
| Application Process | Submit the CSS Profile and the Noncustodial Parent’s CSS Profile (if applicable) to NYU using School Code 2785. |
| Estimated 2026-27 Deadline | Early Decision I: November 10, 2025. Early Decision II: January 10, 2026. Regular Decision: February 1, 2026. |
| Official Link for Apply | https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ |
Presidential Honors Scholars Program
The Presidential Honors Scholars Program is one of NYU’s premier, highly competitive merit scholarships for exceptional first-year undergraduate applicants, typically reserved for the top 10% of the admitted class, recognizing superior academic achievement, leadership, and service. While the specific monetary award for international students varies, it is a substantial, renewable institutional grant (often cited up to $32,000 per year), and the program also offers scholars unique academic benefits like specialized seminars, faculty mentoring, research grant opportunities, and the expectation to complete the honors track in their major and study abroad. Students are automatically considered for this merit award based on their admission application and do not need a separate scholarship application form.
| Feature | Details for International Undergraduates (NY Campus) |
| Benefits | Significant institutional grant (often up to $32,000 annually) renewable for four years. Includes unique benefits like seminars, faculty mentoring, research grants, and study away opportunities. |
| Eligibility | First-year undergraduate applicants (all citizenships) who demonstrate superior academic achievement, exceptional leadership, and service. Primarily awarded to the top 10% of the entering class. |
| Application Process | Automatic Consideration |
| Estimated 2026-27 Deadline | Same as Admission Deadlines: ED I (Nov 1), ED II (Jan 1), or Regular Decision (Jan 5) of the entry year. |
| Official Link for Apply | Apply for Admission: https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions.html |
AnBryce Scholarship Program (Undergraduate and Law)
The AnBryce Scholarship Program is NYU’s most prestigious and holistic full-tuition scholarship, primarily targeting academically motivated, high-achieving students who are often first in their immediate family to attend college and have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in the face of challenging social or economic circumstances. For undergraduates, the award covers full tuition and is renewable over four years, while the parallel program at the NYU School of Law offers full-tuition funding and professional development support to incoming J.D. and sometimes LL.M. students who fit the same profile of overcoming adversity and committing to public service. Consideration for this highly selective scholarship requires both strong academic credentials and a dedication to the program’s ideals of integrity and giving back to society, often involving a separate scholarship essay or application component within the admission process.
| Feature | Details for International Students |
| Benefits | Full Tuition Coverage (renewable for the program’s duration). Includes extensive support services, mentoring, leadership training, and networking. |
| Eligibility | Highly selective applicants (undergraduate or J.D. Law) who are first-generation students to attend college/graduate school, have demonstrated financial need, and have overcome significant personal, social, or economic adversity. |
| Application Process | Undergraduate: Likely automatic consideration based on admission and CSS Profile. NYU Law (J.D.): Must indicate interest on the JD application and submit a separate essay describing their background and commitment to the program’s ideals. |
| Estimated 2026-27 Deadline | Undergraduate: Same as Admission/CSS Profile Deadlines. NYU Law (J.D. Programmatic): December 1, 2025; Final Deadline is January 1, 2026. |
| Official Link for Apply | Undergraduate: Use the general admission application. NYU Law: https://www.law.nyu.edu/financialaid/jdscholarships/anbryce |
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships are the primary source of substantial aid for international graduate students, particularly those pursuing research-focused degrees like PhDs, and often cover 100% of tuition in addition to providing a stipend to cover living expenses in exchange for service as a teaching or research assistant. These awards are departmental-specific and highly competitive, determined by the student’s academic record, research potential, and the needs of the faculty and department; for some competitive Master’s programs and many PhD programs, the fellowship package is the standard mode of funding, which an international applicant is automatically considered for upon admission.
| Feature | Details for International Graduate Students |
| Benefits | Often provides Full Tuition Coverage and a generous stipend for living expenses (especially common for Ph.D. programs and some competitive Master’s degrees). |
| Eligibility | Highly qualified Graduate Students (Master’s or Ph.D.) based on academic merit and research potential. Requires a strong academic record and, often, a commitment to teaching or research duties. |
| Application Process | Automatic Consideration |
| Estimated 2026-27 Deadline | Varies widely by program. Most graduate deadlines are in December 2025 or January 2026. |
| Official Link for Apply | https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions.html |
Tips for a Successful New York University Scholarship Application
For international students applying for scholarships at NYU, the process is highly competitive and centered on two main factors: academic excellence for merit scholarships and demonstrated, verified financial need for need-based aid (NYU Promise).
Here are the important tips for a successful application for the New York University scholarship:
- Submit the CSS Profile on Time is the only way to be considered for need-based institutional scholarships (like NYU Promise). Missing the deadline means forfeiting aid.
- While need-aware, applying ED signals NYU is your first choice, potentially benefiting your application review for limited international aid.
- Maintain top grades and strong performance in the most rigorous curriculum available (IB, A-Levels, AP, etc.) to qualify for merit-based programs (e.g., Presidential Honors).
- Merit scholarships heavily weigh quality over quantity. Focus your activities on showing deep commitment, leadership, and tangible results in your community or chosen field.
- Clearly explain why an NYU education and its global network are essential to your unique goals. Connect your future aspirations to specific NYU programs or research.
- The information you submit must be verifiable with official documents (tax returns, income statements). NYU may verify a percentage of applicants.
- If you are a first-generation student, emphasize this, especially for scholarships like AnBryce, which specifically targets future leaders overcoming adversity.
- f applying for scholarships tied to hardship (like AnBryce), use a required essay to specifically and thoughtfully describe the obstacles you overcame and how they shaped your character.
- For Master’s and Ph.D. funding, email the department (not the main financial aid office). Ask specifically about research assistantships, teaching fellowships, and departmental grants.
- Even with aid, be prepared to certify your ability to cover the remaining costs (tuition, housing, living expenses) as part of the visa (I-20) process. NYU requires proof of funding for the first year.
Why Study at New York University?
Students choose to study at New York University (NYU) primarily for its unmatched urban integration, global reach, and robust professional opportunities in one of the world’s most vital cities.
Here are the reasons to study at New York University:
- Global Network University: Access to three degree-granting campuses (NYC, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai) and over 12 global study-away sites.
- Ultimate Urban Integration: No traditional campus walls; the university is integrated into New York City, treating the city as the classroom.
- Unrivaled Career Access: Unmatched year-round internship and networking opportunities in the finance, media, arts, and tech capitals of the world.
- Top-Tier Global Ranking: Consistently ranked among the best universities worldwide, enhancing career prospects globally.
- Elite Specialized Schools: Home to world-renowned programs like the Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts, and NYU Law.
- Most International Student Body: Hosts the largest population of international students in the U.S., creating an exceptionally diverse and global community.
- World-Class Faculty: Learn from leading scholars and practitioners, including Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners.
- Cultural Immersion: Direct access to NYC’s arts, culture, and social scenes in Greenwich Village.
Also Read: How to Study in UK Without Money?
FAQs
NYU meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted first-time, first-year undergraduate students at the New York campus, this policy primarily benefits U.S. citizens and permanent residents. For international students, the university maintains a need-aware admissions policy, meaning that a student’s need for financial aid is considered as part of the admission decision. Therefore, while admitted international students may receive substantial aid, the overall pool of funding is more limited, and the guarantee of meeting full need is not applied in the same way as it is for domestic students.
Yes, New York University absolutely accepts students from India for both undergraduate and graduate programs. NYU is highly welcoming to international applicants—it hosts the largest international student population of any university in the U.S., with India consistently being one of the top three countries of origin. The process for Indian students is similar to other international applicants, though it is highly selective due to the university’s overall competitive acceptance rate (under 10%).
Successful applicants for these awards typically have academic records that far exceed the average admitted student’s GPA, which is approximately 3.9 (unweighted), with most students ranking in the top 10% of their high school class. Therefore, an exceptionally high GPA, generally 4.0 or equivalent, is essentially required to be considered competitive for merit-based financial aid.
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