What are the Scholarships for Nigerian Students in the USA? Get the Full List Here

Have you ever planned to study in the USA, but worried the cost would be too high for you? Do you see yourself in an array of universities, honing your skills in cutting-edge programs like Robotic Engineering or diving deep into specialized fields like Public Health Policy? 

Many scholarships exist specifically for ambitious Nigerian students, like yourself, to pursue their higher education in the USA. 

From full tuition coverage to valuable financial assistance packages, these listed scholarships can unlock the door to an incredible American Higher Education, allowing you to specialize in programs across a vast array of disciplines. Read on to explore the exciting scholarship opportunities for Nigerian Students in the USA to fuel your academic journey in the USA.

The International Undergraduate Commitment Scholarship (IUCS)

The International Undergraduate Commitment Scholarship (IUCS) offers financial support specifically for high-achieving Nigerian students like yourself. The IUCS provides financial assistance to incoming undergraduate students from Nigeria based on their academic merit. The scholarship amount can range from $4,000 to $8,000 per year, making a significant contribution towards your educational expenses. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) as long as you meet the renewal requirements.

Name	International Undergraduate Commitment Scholarship (IUCS)
Host University	Western Illinois University (WIU)
Grant / Amount	$4,000 to $8,000 per year
Application Deadline	April 1st
Official Link	https://www.wiu.edu/graduate_studies/international/

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a first-time freshman applying to WIU as an F-1 international student.
• Demonstrate strong academic achievement by meeting the following GPA requirements:
  • 3.5 GPA or higher: Awards $8,000 per year.
  • 3.0 GPA – 3.49 GPA: Awards $6,000 per year.
  • 2.5 GPA – 2.99 GPA: Awards $4,000 per year.

How to Apply 

Scholarship eligibility is determined automatically during the application process for admission to WIU. Here’s what you need to do:

• First, visit the WIU Office of Admissions website and complete the online application for international students.
• Ensure you submit all the necessary documents for international student admission, including transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and proof of financial support.
• Maintain the required GPA throughout your application to be considered for the IUCS.

Global Maverick Access Scholarship

The Global Maverick Access scholarship is specifically designed to support high-achieving first-year undergraduate students from underrepresented countries, including Nigeria. The Global Maverick Access Scholarship offers a valuable financial award of $4,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. This scholarship can significantly reduce your educational expenses and make your higher education dream a reality.

Name	Global Maverick Access Scholarship
Host University	Minnesota State University
Grant / Amount	$4,000 per year
Application Deadline	May 1st
Official Link	https://www.mnsu.edu/mavconnect/

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of a qualifying underrepresented country, including Nigeria.
• Be a first-year undergraduate student with no prior university experience.
• Possess a strong academic record, with a high school GPA of 3.5 or the equivalent.
• Have graduated from high school within the past five years.
• Be admitted to any undergraduate program offered by Minnesota State University, Mankato.

How to Apply 

There’s no need for a separate application for this scholarship. Scholarship eligibility is automatically considered during the application process for admission to MSU Mankato. Here are the steps involved:

• Visit the MSU Mankato Office of Admissions website and complete the online application for international students.
• Demonstrate your academic excellence throughout your application to be considered for the scholarship.

USF International Student Scholarship

The University of South Florida (USF) can help make that dream a reality with the USF International Student Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to specifically support ambitious Nigerian students like yourself in pursuing their undergraduate studies at USF. The USF International Student Scholarship provides an opportunity to finance your education in the USA. The scholarship offers an award of $4,000, distributed over four years at $1,000 per year. While not a full ride, this scholarship can significantly reduce your educational expenses and open doors to a rewarding academic journey at USF.

Name	USF International Student Scholarship
Host University	University of South Florida
Grant / Amount	Award of $4,000, distributed over four years at $1,000 per year
Application Deadline	March 1st
Official Link	https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/index.aspx

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of Nigeria.
• Be a first-time freshman student applying to USF as an international student (F-1 visa status).
• Demonstrate academic achievement by meeting the following minimum GPA requirements:
• A 3.3 GPA or higher is required to be considered for the scholarship.

How to Apply 

Consideration for the USF International Student Scholarship happens automatically

during the application process for admission to USF.

• First, visit the USF official website and complete the online application for international students.
• Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher to be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission, including transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and proof of financial support.

Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all first-year undergraduate applicants, including ambitious Nigerian students like yourself, regardless of nationality. The Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship provides a merit-based financial award to help offset your tuition costs at SDSU. The award amount varies depending on your academic performance in high school, as measured by either your GPA or a combination of your ACT or SAT scores. This scholarship can be a valuable starting point for financing your education at SDSU.

Name	Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship
Host University	South Dakota State University
Grant / Amount	Varies
Application Deadline	February 1st
Official Link	https://www.sdstate.edu/scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a first-time freshman undergraduate applicant to SDSU.
• You must be planning to enroll at the main campus in Brookings, South Dakota.
• Demonstrate academic achievement through a strong high school GPA or a combination of high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores.

How to Apply 

The beauty of the Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship is that no separate application is required. Your eligibility for the scholarship will be automatically considered during the admissions process for SDSU.

• First, visit the SDSU official portal and complete the online application for undergraduate students. 
• Your high school GPA or standardized test scores will determine your scholarship eligibility and award amount.
• Ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program

The WUE program offers a significant tuition reduction for qualified students from Western states and approved international locations, including Nigeria. WUE recipients pay a discounted tuition rate that is comparable to in-state resident tuition fees. This can result in substantial savings compared to the standard non-resident tuition rate.

Name	Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program
Host University	University of Wyoming
Grant / Amount	Varies
Application Deadline	June 1
Official Link	https://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/apply.html

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of Nigeria or another WUE-approved country.
• Be a first-time, entering non-resident freshman seeking your first bachelor’s degree.
• Meet the minimum academic requirements set by UW, which include a SAT score of 1260 or above (ACT scores are not considered).

How to Apply 

The good news is there’s no separate application needed for the WUE program at UW. Your eligibility for WUE will be automatically considered during the admissions process for international students.

• Visit the UW Office of Admissions website and complete the online application for international students. 
• Ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission, including transcripts, test scores (SAT or ACT), and proof of financial support.
• Once admitted under WUE, you must maintain full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester during fall and spring semesters) and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to keep the scholarship throughout your undergraduate studies (up to eight semesters or your first bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first).

President’s Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship is open to brilliant students from around the world, including Nigerian students like yourself, seeking an enriching undergraduate experience. The President’s Excellence Scholarship offers significant financial support to first-time freshmen with outstanding academic records. This merit-based scholarship awards up to $18,000 per year, making a substantial contribution towards your tuition and fees over four years. This scholarship can be a game-changer, allowing you to focus on your studies and embrace the full potential of your higher education.

Name	President’s Excellence Scholarship
Host University	Alcorn State University
Grant / Amount	$18,000 per year
Application Deadline	–
Official Link	https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/international-students/

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a first-time freshman applying to Alcorn State University as an international student (F-1 visa status).
• Demonstrate academic excellence with a strong high school GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
• Be a U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen, which includes Nigerian students.

How to Apply 

The President’s Excellence Scholarship is a simplified application process. Your eligibility for this scholarship is automatically considered during the admissions process for international students at Alcorn State University.

• First, visit the Alcorn State University Office of Admissions website and complete the online application form.
• Ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission, including transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), proof of financial support, and a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Show your academic excellence throughout your application to be considered for the scholarship.

President’s Scholarship

The President’s Scholarship is a merit-based award designed to recognize and reward top first-year students. This scholarship offers a significant financial benefit, with award amounts ranging from $35,000 to $36,000 distributed over four years (up to $9,000 per year). Receiving this scholarship can greatly reduce your educational expenses at SDSMT.

Name	President’s Scholarship
Host University	South Dakota School of mines and technology
Grant / Amount	$35,000 to $36,000 distributed over four years (up to $9,000 per year)
Application Deadline	January 1st
Official Link	https://www.sdsmt.edu/apply/

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a first-year undergraduate student applying to SDSMT.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement through a strong high school GPA and potentially standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).

Specific GPA and test score requirements for the President’s Scholarship aren’t publicly available. However, SDSMT scholarship information suggests a high GPA (likely in the 3.8+ range) and strong standardized test scores are generally expected for merit-based scholarships.

How to Apply 

There’s no separate application required for the President’s Scholarship. Your eligibility for this and other merit-based scholarships will be automatically considered during the admissions process for undergraduate students. Ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission, including transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), proof of English language proficiency, and proof of financial support.

Eastern Illinois University International Student Scholarship

The Eastern Illinois University International Student Scholarship offers partial tuition assistance to deserving international students, including those from Nigeria. This scholarship recognizes both academic excellence and a commitment to cultural exchange. Awards are designed to partially offset tuition costs, making EIU a more affordable option for your studies.

Name	Eastern Illinois University International Student Scholarship
Host University	Eastern Illinois University
Grant / Amount	Partially
Application Deadline	May 15th
Official Link	https://www.eiu.edu/international/

Eligibility Criteria

• Be an international student from any country, including Nigeria.
• Be a first-time freshman or transfer student applying to Eastern Illinois University.
• Demonstrate academic achievement by meeting the minimum GPA requirements:
  • Undergraduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Graduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)

How to Apply 

The beauty of this scholarship is the streamlined application process. There’s no separate application needed. Your eligibility for the International Student Scholarship will be automatically considered during the admissions process for international students at EIU. Visit the Eastern Illinois University official of International Students and Scholars (OISS) website complete the online application form and ensure you submit all necessary documents for international student admission.

University of The People

Students from all over the world, including Nigerians, find the University of the People (UoPeople) to be an extremely appealing alternative since an education there is provided without the need for tuition. The University of People does not have any scholarships that are specifically targeted for students from Nigeria, however, they do provide a variety of financial assistance possibilities to assist with covering assessment costs. The alternative is that they provide tuition-free evaluations in addition to partial and full scholarships according to the student’s financial need.

Name	Partial and full scholarships
Host University	University of The People
Grant / Amount	Varies
Application Deadline	No deadline
Official Link	https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/

Eligibility Criteria

Anyone facing financial hardship can apply for financial aid at UoPeople. This includes-

• Students from all backgrounds, including Nigerians.
• Currently enrolled students or those accepted into a program.

How to Apply 

The application process is straightforward:

• Complete the online application for your chosen program.
• Once accepted or already enrolled, submit a financial aid request through the student portal. Explain your financial need and why you require assistance.
• UoPeople will review your request and determine the appropriate level of support (full or partial coverage of assessment fees).

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