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International student loan provider Mpower also offers scholarships exclusively for international students and DACA recipients. One scholar will receive $5,000 while four regional runners-up will get $3,000 each. The only main requirement is that you attend a school that Mpower works with — it’s meant to be broad so more students have the opportunity to participate. Scholars are chosen based on the essay you submit with your application, as well as your potential to make a positive impact as a scientist, entrepreneur, leader or change-maker.
This is actually a half-scholarship, half-loan program that funds the full tuition of international scholars pursuing master’s and doctoral programs, though master’s students get preference. The foundation selects students based on financial need, academic records, the reputation of the program you’re accepted to and the relevance of your studies to Aga Khan’s focus: development.
The loan portion of this program comes with a 5% annual service charge, which students must repay over five years. Repayments don’t begin until six months after you graduate. And all students must have a cosigner.
This merit-based scholarship sponsored by the US State Department covers up to two years of graduate-level study. It’s meant to promote cultural exchange and is available to all academic disciplines. While it’s highly competitive, eligibility requirements vary depending on your nationality.
This might not be the best choice if you want to stay in the US after your studies, though. Depending on the type of visa you receive, you might be required to return home for a few years after finishing your program.
This scholarship is an essay contest meant for students studying design and technology. One student will win $2,000 to go toward their COA, while two runners-up will receive $500 each. You can apply by filling out an online form and uploading your essay on the CG Trader website by the December 2nd deadline.
The Organization of American States (OAS) offers a wide range of scholarships and grants to students from member countries. You can use this to fund the second part of your undergraduate degree and a full master’s — high school seniors will need to look elsewhere.
Aside from completing an online application, you’ll need to submit several documents including copies of your transcripts and your highest-earned diploma. You can reach out to the OAS national liaison office in your country with any questions.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been offering fellowships to female international students since 1917. It covers up to two years of graduate or postgraduate work for women who intend to start their professional careers in their home countries.
The AAUW considers factors such as your history of community or civic service in your home country, your commitment to advance women and girls and the feasibility of your plan of study. Preference is given to women from underrepresented areas of their home countries or those who’ve attended schools that aren’t top-level universities.
The Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) has been offering its International Peace Scholarship to female graduate students from around the world since 1949. This need-based program won’t cover your whole degree — it’s meant to cover part of your COA along with other financial aid. It could be a good option for students just starting a graduate program, since you don’t need to be enrolled to qualify. It’s also open to international undergraduate students pursuing a degree at Cottey College.
This merit-based grant is meant to help fund doctoral studies and professional research abroad. You might want to give it a closer look if you’re studying a discipline in the humanities — especially subjects related to development and sustainability. It can be a great resource for students who need funding to conduct fieldwork, visit libraries or collaborate with international peers. The downside? You can only qualify for this grant once.
Don’t qualify for any of these? Want more options? You might want to check out these online databases that include scholarship opportunities for international students:
From government funding to fellowships and grants, there are a few different types of free financial aid available to international students.
Keep these pointers in mind when searching for and applying to scholarships as an international student:
It’s important for all students to pay attention to deadlines. But as an international student, you might want to make sure you get your scholarship applications in as early as possible. That’s partly because many financial aid programs are on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s also because you need to be able to prove you have the funds to pay for school in order to get a student visa.
Your financial aid options as an international student studying in the US might be limited. But there are several scholarships, grants and fellowships that only offer funding for international students — especially for graduate, doctoral and postgraduate programs.
You can learn more about your other options with our guide to student loans for international students.
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