Ongoing USA Scholarships for International Students 2025 -2026

Scholarships in the U.S. are financial awards given to students to help pay for college or university expenses.

They don’t need to be repaid, which makes them a great way to fund education. Here’s a breakdown of the key types and important points:

Types of Scholarships in the U.S.

Merit-Based Scholarships
- Awarded based on academic, athletic, artistic, or other achievements.
- Example: National Merit Scholarship (for high PSAT scores).
Need-Based Scholarships
- Given to students who demonstrate financial need.
- Often require submission of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to assess family income.
Subject-Specific Scholarships
- For students pursuing a particular field, like engineering, medicine, or art.
Demographic Scholarships
- Target specific groups, such as minority students, women, or first-generation college students.
Employer and Organization Scholarships
- Some companies or nonprofit organizations offer scholarships for employees, community members, or their families.
Military Scholarships
- Available for students who are in the military or are dependents of military personnel.

Top U.S. Universities Offering Scholarships to International Students

Many U.S. universities offer scholarships to international students, ranging from need-based financial aid to merit-based awards. Here’s a curated list of notable institutions that provide such opportunities:

1. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

Financial Aid: Need-blind admissions for all students, including internationals. Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Notable Scholarships: Harvard Need-Based Scholarship Program, Harvard Scholarship for Students from India.
Eligibility: Requires submission of the CSS Profile and other financial documents during the application process.

2. Yale University (New Haven, CT)

Financial Aid: Need-blind admissions for international students. Provides full financial aid based on need.
Notable Scholarships: Yale International Scholarship, Chua Undergraduate Scholarship.
Eligibility: Applicants must submit the CSS Profile and other required financial documents.

3. Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

Financial Aid: Need-blind admissions for international students. Covers 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Notable Scholarships: Princeton Scholarship Fund, Shapiro Scholarship Program.
Eligibility: Submission of the CSS Profile and other financial documentation is required.

4. Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

Financial Aid: Offers need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (graduate), Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship (graduate).
Eligibility: Applicants need to submit the CSS Profile and other financial documents.

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Cambridge, MA)

Financial Aid: Provides need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Aga Khan Scholarship, Rolex Scholarship.
Eligibility: Requires completion of the CSS Profile and submission of financial documents.

6. University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

Financial Aid: Offers need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Odyssey Scholarship Program.
Eligibility: Applicants must submit the CSS Profile and other required financial documents.

7. Columbia University (New York, NY)

Financial Aid: Provides need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Various merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Eligibility: Submission of the CSS Profile and other financial documentation is required.

8. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

Financial Aid: Offers need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Various merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Eligibility: Applicants need to submit the CSS Profile and other financial documents.

9. Duke University (Durham, NC)

Financial Aid: Provides need-based financial aid to international students.
Notable Scholarships: Karsh International Scholarship.
Eligibility: Requires submission of the CSS Profile and other financial documents.

10. New York University (NYU) (New York, NY)

Financial Aid: Offers a combination of merit-based and need-based scholarships to international students.
Notable Scholarships: AnBryce Scholarship.
Eligibility: Applicants must submit the CSS Profile and other required financial documents.

Berea College (Berea, KY): Offers full-tuition scholarships to all students, including international students, with additional support for room and board.
Amherst College (Amherst, MA): Provides need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students, including internationals.
Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME): Offers need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students.
Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): Provides need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students.
Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.): Offers need-blind admissions for international students and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

How to Find and Apply for the University of Chicago Scholarships

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find and apply for scholarships at the University of Chicago:

Step 1: Visit Their Official Scholarship Website

Visit the official UChicago Financial Aid Scholarships page (https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/financial-support/applying-aid) to learn about the various scholarships offered, including:

Merit-Based Scholarships: All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and community commitment. No separate application is required.
First Phoenix Scholarship: Guaranteed free tuition for first-generation college students who qualify for need-based financial aid.
Police and Fire Scholarship: Up to full-tuition scholarships for children of active-duty, injured, or fallen municipal, county, or state police and firefighters.
Odyssey Scholarship Program: Provides enhanced academic, social, and career support to students from under-resourced families or the first in their families to attend college.
Neubauer Adelante Family Programs: Offers financial support to students engaged in Hispanic/Latino communities.
UChicago Promise: Provides financial support and resources to students from the Chicagoland area.
Evans Scholarship: Awards full housing and tuition college scholarships to deserving caddies.
Trott Scholar: A four-year award for outstanding full-time students from rural communities.

Step 2: Apply for Admission

To be considered for scholarships, you must first apply for admission to the University of Chicago. The application process includes submitting your application materials by the respective deadlines:

Early Action & Early Decision I: November 15
Early Decision II: January 15
Regular Decision: February 15

Ensure that you complete all required components of the application, including essays, recommendation letters, and standardised test scores (if applicable).

Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid

If you are applying for need-based financial aid, you must submit the following:

FAFSA: For U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet: Available through your UChicago account after applying for admission.
Parents’ Last-Year Tax Returns: Signed copy of your parents’ federal income tax return, including all schedules and W-2 Forms.

International students should refer to the International Financial Aid page for specific requirements.

Step 4: Submit All Required Documents

Upload all required documents to your UChicago account. Ensure that all materials are submitted by the respective deadlines to avoid delays in processing.

Step 5: Await Scholarship Notification

Scholarship winners will be notified on a rolling basis through the end of April. Only scholarship winners will receive notification.

College Websites: Most universities list available scholarships for incoming or current students.
Scholarship Search Engines: Sites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the College Board’s scholarship search tool.
Community Organizations: Local clubs, religious groups, and nonprofits sometimes offer scholarships.
High School Counselors: They often have info on scholarships available for local students.

Helpful Links

Important Tips

Apply early: Deadlines can vary widely.
Read eligibility carefully: Some scholarships are very specific.
Prepare good applications: Include strong essays, recommendation letters, and accurate info.
Beware of scams: Never pay to apply for scholarships.

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