The United States is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, offering world-class education, cutting-edge research opportunities, and diverse campus life. For international students, studying in the U.S. can be financially challenging, but many top universities offer generous scholarships—some even fully funded—to attract talented students from around the world.
Here are some of the best U.S. university scholarships available for non-U.S. citizens:
🎓 1. Harvard University – Financial Aid for International Students
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Up to 100% of demonstrated financial need
Harvard offers need-blind admissions for international students, meaning your financial situation doesn’t affect your chance of getting in. Once admitted, Harvard ensures all students can afford to attend through a generous financial aid program that can cover tuition, room, board, and other fees.
🔗 https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid
🎓 2. Yale University – Yale International Scholarship
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Full financial need met
Yale also practices need-blind admissions for international students and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants and work-study, not loans. The average scholarship exceeds $60,000 per year.
🎓 3. Stanford University – Stanford Financial Aid for International Students
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Full tuition + living expenses (based on need)
Stanford meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students, including international applicants. For families with income below $100,000, Stanford often covers full tuition and room/board.
🔗 https://financialaid.stanford.edu
🎓 4. Amherst College – International Student Scholarships
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Up to full funding
Amherst offers generous aid packages to international students based on financial need. Aid includes scholarships, work opportunities, and occasionally student loans. The college ensures all admitted students can afford to attend.
🔗 https://www.amherst.edu/admission/financial-aid
🎓 5. MIT – International Financial Aid
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Full demonstrated need
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) meets the full financial need of all admitted students, including international ones. Aid packages are primarily grant-based and do not need to be repaid.
🎓 6. Duke University – Karsh International Scholarship
Type: Merit-based
Coverage: Full tuition, room, board, and other fees
The Karsh International Scholarship at Duke is one of the most generous merit-based scholarships for international students. It also includes research funding and summer experiences.
🔗 https://karshscholars.duke.edu
🎓 7. University of Chicago – International Financial Aid
Type: Need-based
Coverage: Up to full tuition and fees
The University of Chicago offers need-based financial aid for international students and commits to covering 100% of demonstrated need. Some merit scholarships are also available.
🔗 https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu
🎓 8. Clark University – Global Scholars Program
Type: Merit-based
Coverage: $15,000–$25,000 annually, with an extra $5,000 for research
This program offers generous scholarships and leadership training for international students. In some cases, full tuition scholarships are available to exceptional students.
🎓 9. University of Notre Dame – International Scholars Program
Type: Merit and need-based
Coverage: Varies; can include full tuition
Notre Dame offers both need-based and merit scholarships for international students, including The Kellogg Institute International Scholars program, which supports research and offers stipends.
🎓 10. Berea College – No-Tuition Promise
Type: Fully funded for all admitted international students
Coverage: 100% tuition for the first year; continued support through work-study
Berea College is one of the few U.S. colleges that offers full-tuition scholarships to all international students in their first year and covers costs through campus jobs and financial aid thereafter.
🔗 https://www.berea.edu/admissions
💡 Final Thoughts
Applying to U.S. universities as an international student can be competitive, but scholarships and financial aid make it possible for talented students from all backgrounds to access elite education. Be sure to:
- Start early with your applications
- Prepare strong essays and test scores
- Pay attention to financial aid deadlines
With determination and the right information, studying in the U.S. can become a reality—without the burden of overwhelming debt.