1. Eligibility & General Restrictions
- International students (including F‑1 visa holders) are not eligible for U.S. federal or Arizona state financial aid (e.g. FAFSA‑based support) Reddit+8ASU Admission+8moreusemore.com+8.
- ASU offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships, accessible to high‑achieving first‑year or transfer international students, often automatically considered during the admissions process ASU Admission+1Asu SalesForce+1.
🌐 2. New American University (NAMU) Scholarship
- The most significant scholarship open to international undergraduates is the New American University (NAMU) Scholarship.
- Award amounts vary—typically $3,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on academic merit (GPA, test scores, etc.) and whether you’re in-state or out-of-state Asu SalesForce+4Hellouni+4ASU Admission+4ASU Admission.
- No separate application is required—students are automatically considered if they submit a complete application by approximately April 1 Wikipedia+15ASU Admission+15Reddit+15.
- One Reddit user summarized: “This is $8000 per semester for 8 consecutive semesters … Presidents is the highest level New American Merit scholarship … for non‑resident students” Reddit+1Reddit+1.
- Other students noted: “ASU does offer merit‑based aid to international students … a few thousand dollars a semester that are renewable for 8 consecutive semesters.” Reddit+15Reddit+15Barrett Honors College+15
🏛️ 3. College‑ & Department‑Specific Scholarships
- Various colleges and departments within ASU (e.g. engineering, business, Barrett Honors College) may offer additional merit-based scholarships or assistantships for international students. Criteria vary and may require separate applications or strong program fit Hellouni+14ASU Admission+14Reddit+14.
- Example: Barrett, The Honors College has over 50 awards (some open to international students), typically accessible via its own application & portfolio process by early February Barrett Honors College+1Reddit+1.
🌍 4. ASU Scholarship Universe & Private/External Scholarships
- Scholarship Universe is ASU’s online platform that matches admitted and current students—including international students—with both internal and vetted external scholarships based on their profile, background, and academic interests Tuition at ASU+1ShunStudent+1.
- International students are encouraged to regularly check and apply via this system.
- Additionally, external/private scholarships funded by corporations, foundations, and national programs (e.g. Fulbright, Rotary, AIF) can be used toward ASU study ShunStudentmoreusemore.comNational Scholarships Office.
🧑🎓 5. Graduate Student Funding: Assistantships & Tuition Waivers
- International graduate students may secure teaching, research, or administrative assistantships, which often offer tuition waivers, stipends, and health coverage—depending on the department and program demand moreusemore.com.
💼 6. On‑Campus Employment & Other Aid
- F‑1 international undergraduates are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus (during the semester) and full-time in academic breaks moreusemore.com.
- These jobs (e.g. RA/TA, library assistant, dining, administrative roles) can help offset living expenses, though they are not formal scholarships Reddit+3moreusemore.com+3Hellouni+3.
🧩 7. Summary Table
| Category | International Student Eligibility | Typical Award or Benefit | Application Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAMU Scholarship (Undergrad) | Yes (first-year/transfer F‑1) | $3,000–$10,000/year — varies; eligible per admission merit ; renewable up to 4 years | No (auto-considered) |
| College/Department Scholarships | Varies by program | Varies (merit-based, ranges from a few thousand) | Often yes |
| Barrett Honors Scholarships | Yes (if admitted to Barrett Honors) | Varies; portfolio-based; may include merit + need | Separate by Feb deadline |
| Graduate Assistantships (Grad only) | Yes | Tuition waiver + stipend + insurance | Department process |
| External/Private Scholarships | Yes | Varies; some full cover, some partial | Yes (via external bodies) |
| On‑Campus Work (F‑1 visa limit) | Yes | 20 hrs/week jobs to earn income | Apply via ASU Job Portal |
💡 8. Tips to Maximize Your Chances
- Apply by April 1 for automatic NAMU consideration.
- Apply early and thoroughly to scholarships via Scholarship Universe as soon as you gain admission.
- Keep GPA/test scores strong to make yourself competitive for merit-based awards.
- Reach out to your academic college/department to learn about discipline-specific funding opportunities.
- Apply to prestigious external programs (e.g. Fulbright, national fellowships, regional/private awards) as suitable Reddit+2Reddit+2ASU Admission+2Reddit+12National Scholarships Office+12ASU Admission+12RedditReddit+4ASU Admission+4Hellouni+4moreusemore.com+1Hellouni+1Wikipedia+2Reddit+2ShunStudent+2moreusemore.com+3Hellouni+3Tuition at ASU+3.
- Consider applying to Barrett Honors—it opens access to additional scholarship funds if eligible and admitted by March 7 for the next year Barrett Honors College.
🧭 9. Real‑World Perspective (from Students)
- Reddit discussions reflect that most international students receive limited support, often just the NAMU award if selected; full‑ride scholarships are extremely rare Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3.
- As one Indian applicant noted: “Arizona State provides ZERO need‑based aid to international students, and fairly limited merit‑based money.” Reddit+4Reddit+4Reddit+4
✅ Final Thoughts
While ASU does not provide need‑based federal aid to non‑U.S. residents, there are concrete scholarships and funding paths available:
- The New American University Scholarship is the primary merit-based state-funded award for high-achieving internationals.
- Department and honors college scholarships, as well as graduate assistantships, can further reduce your cost.
- Scholarship Universe and other external global scholarships help expand your funding options.
By submitting your admission materials early, maintaining strong academic performance, using Scholarship Universe, and exploring external funding, you can significantly lower the out-of-pocket cost of an ASU education as an international student.
