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29 May 2025

5 minutes read

Top Scholarship Giving Universities in USA for Indian Students

Dirghayu Kaushik
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Dirghayu Kaushik

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Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

15 August 2024

5 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • Top scholarship giving universities in USA offer full or partial aid to international students based on merit or financial need.
  • Top scholarship giving universities in USA like Harvard and MIT cover full demonstrated financial need.
  • Top scholarship giving universities in USA provide scholarships open to all students, including undergraduates.

Indian students aspire to study in USA, but the steep tuition fees and living costs may prove to be a problem.

Good news is just around the corner: some of the best universities in the USA provide scholarships and generous financial aid packages that ensure international students can afford to study.

These scholarships are available to all the students who demonstrate academic achievement or financial difficulties. From merit scholarships for foreign students to full scholarships that pay tuition and living expenses, the possibilities are immense.

This guide covers the various kinds of scholarships in USA for international students, how to choose the correct university, and how to apply effectively. Whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student, there are USA study scholarships for you.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for International Students: An Overview of Studying in the US

Did you know that U.S. universities distribute over $7 billion in financial aid to international students every year?

top scholarship giving universities in usa 1

Studying in the US might be expensive, but many scholarships are available for international students to ease the burden.

  • Financial aid is available for both undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Scholarships are based on either merit or demonstrated financial requirement.
  • Many top US universities that provide scholarships include Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.
  • Some scholarships cover full tuition while others offer partial tuition scholarships.
  • International students must meet English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL or standardized exams like SAT, ACT, GRE or GMAT.
Program/UniversityScholarship OfferedLevelCoverage
Harvard UniversityNeed-based Financial AidUG & GradFull demonstrated financial requirement
Stanford UniversityKnight-Hennessy ScholarsGraduateTuition, stipend, living
MITMerit-based & Need-basedUGPartial to Full
Yale UniversityNeed-based Financial AidUGFull demonstrated financial requirement
Amherst CollegeFinancial Aid for InternationalUGFull demonstrated need

Different Types of Scholarships in USA for International Students

Fun fact: Some US universities offer need-blind admissions for international students, meaning your financial requirement doesn’t affect your admission chances. The types of scholarships in USA are wide-ranging, designed to meet different student profiles.

Whether you’re academically exceptional, financially challenged, or both, there’s a scholarship tailored for you.

  • Merit-based scholarship: Awarded to high-achieving international students with excellent academic records.
  • Need-based scholarship: Provided to students based on financial requirement.
  • Tuition scholarships: These scholarships cover full or partial tuition to selected international students.
  • Full-scholarships: They cover tuition, living expenses, books, and sometimes even travel.
  • External scholarships: Offered by governments, private organizations, or non-profits to students from around the world.
Scholarship NameEligibilityDescription
Wien International Scholarship ProgramOpen to meritorious international studentsOffers need-based scholarships to undergraduate students.
Fulbright Foreign Student ProgramGraduate students from 160+ countriesFull-scholarships to study in the USA; includes tuition, travel, living.
AAUW International FellowshipsFemale international applicantsScholarships are awarded for graduate and post-graduate studies.
Clark University Global ScholarsHigh-achieving international studentsMerit-based financial covering tuition and living.
Rotary Peace FellowshipSelect group of international applicantsGraduate-level scholarships in peace and conflict studies.

How to Find Universities That Offer Scholarships to International Students in USA?

Guess what? There are over 1,000 US universities and colleges that offer scholarships to international students.

top scholarship giving universities in usa 2

If you want to find scholarships to study in the USA, you have to look in the right places and use the right tools.

  • Visit the official websites of universities in the USA and explore their ‘Financial Aid for International Students’ section.
  • Use scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.
  • Contact education consultants like Ambitio to discover hidden scholarships.
  • Join forums and social media groups of international students in USA to get real insights.
  • Check out the list of universities that offer scholarships to international students provided by government or embassy portals.

Universities in the USA Giving Maximum Financial Aid to International Students

Did you know that some top universities in the USA give financial aid to international students equal to or more than $60,000 annually?

Here are the universities in the USA giving maximum financial aid to international students, based on financial requirement or academic excellence.

University NameScholarships GrantedEligibilityAverage Financial Aid
Harvard UniversityNeed-based scholarshipsBased on full demonstrated financial requirement$65,000
Yale UniversityFinancial assistance to international studentsUndergraduate & Graduate$63,000
Princeton UniversityNeed-based scholarshipsOpen to international students$60,000
MITMerit-based and need-based optionsUndergraduate students$58,000
Stanford UniversityKnight-Hennessy and othersGraduate students$55,000
Amherst CollegeFull-scholarships to internationalBased on demonstrated financial need$62,000
Columbia UniversityScholarships that cover tuitionInternational undergraduate students$59,000
University of ChicagoMerit based scholarshipsHigh-achieving international students$57,000
Duke UniversityNeed-based and merit scholarshipsUndergraduate and graduate students$56,000
Dartmouth CollegeFull scholarships are openOpen to all students$61,000

How to Apply for Scholarship Programs and Financial Waiver for International Students?

Fun fact: Many scholarships in USA for international students require no separate application!

To apply for a scholarship or financial waiver for international students to study overseas in top colleges and universities, one must follow specific steps and prepare ahead.

  • Start early and research thoroughly about each university and scholarships.
  • Gather required documents: transcripts, recommendation letters, SOP, resume, financial statements, test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT).
  • Apply directly on the university website or scholarship portal.
  • Track deadlines carefully as some scholarships are awarded early in the admission cycle.
  • Apply for multiple scholarships to increase your chances.
StepAction Required
ResearchFind scholarships open to international students
Prepare DocumentsSOP, LOR, financial documents, standardized test scores
Check EligibilityReview criteria such as financial need or academic merit
Apply on TimeSubmit application before the deadline
Follow UpSend reminders or emails to admission/scholarship offices

Conclusion

Going to study in the USA is no longer a pipe dream for the elite. With so many scholarships to study abroad and financial aid provided by universities in USA to international students, the journey becomes affordable to most.

From study aid to international students to tuition scholarships, it’s all out there. Scholarships are given based on merit, financial need, or both. Institutions that provide study aid to international students such as Harvard, Yale, and Stanford always provide some of the best resources.

If you are an undergraduate or a graduate student, and you possess superior academic records or face financial difficulties, you are welcome to apply. Utilize funds judiciously, make your application well in time, and browse through the extensive range of scholarships in USA for international students.

Don’t forget, outstanding international students with a rich tale and complete documents usually achieve full assistance.

So go ahead and make that jump with Ambitio, as the suitable scholarship can transform your life for good. Happy applying!

FAQs

What are the top scholarship giving universities in USA for international students?

The top scholarship giving universities in USA for international students include Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, and Princeton.

Do top scholarship giving universities in USA offer full scholarships?

Yes, top scholarship giving universities in USA often offer full scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and other costs.

How can Indian students apply to top scholarship giving universities in USA?

Indian students can apply to top scholarship giving universities in USA by submitting strong academic records, test scores, and financial documents.

Are there merit-based scholarships at top scholarship giving universities in USA?

Absolutely, top scholarship giving universities in USA offer merit-based scholarships to academically outstanding international students.

Do top scholarship giving universities in USA consider financial need?

Yes, many top scholarship giving universities in USA offer need-based aid based on full demonstrated financial need.

What tests are required by top scholarship giving universities in USA?

Top scholarship giving universities in USA generally require IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT depending on the program level.

Can graduate students apply to top scholarship giving universities in USA for scholarships?

Graduate students can apply to top scholarship giving universities in USA for fellowships and assistantships that act as scholarships.

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