10 US scholarships for international students in 2022-23

Ever dreamt of studying in the US? Well, an American scholarship can help achieve that dream.

The US is known for many things, education is one of them. Quality programmes, unique curricula, major cities with a multicultural environment and abundant opportunities are just some of the reasons why an American degree is known as world-class.

If you’re all ready to live the all-American dream, many US universities offer a variety of scholarships for international students each year. Here are 10 of the best American scholarships that you should consider applying for in 2022:

Source: Mohammed Huwais/AFP

Undergraduate scholarships

Boston University’s College of Fine Arts Scholarships

Scholarships to the College of Fine Arts are granted to students who demonstrate outstanding artistic talent in an audition or through a portfolio review. Please visit the School of Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts websites for information about portfolio requirements and auditions.

Applicants to the College of Fine Arts will be considered for all merit or artistic scholarships with or without standardized test scores, provided they apply by the Dec. 1 Presidential Scholarship deadline.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is targeted at high-achieving international students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the US and who are dedicated to positive civic and social change. It is intended for students who will be to returning home to improve under-resourced, underserved communities in his/her home country.

The AU EGL scholarship covers all billable AU expenses (full tuition, room and board). The scholarship does not cover non-billable expenses such as mandatory health insurance, books, airline tickets and miscellaneous expenses (approximately US$4,000).

It is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance.

Illinois Wesleyan University International Students Scholarships

Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) is offering Merit-Based Scholarships, President’s Scholarships and Need-Based Financial Aid to international students who are applying to enter the first year of bachelor’s programmes. In addition to scholarships, students may be eligible for IWU-funded scholarships, loans, and campus employment opportunities.

Merit-Based Scholarships are worth US$16,000 to US$30,000 per year and renewable for up to four years. President’s Scholarships are full-tuition scholarships, which are renewable for up to four years of study.

Clark University Global Scholars Programme

Clark University offers the Global Scholars Programme which is open to high school students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the US, as well as US citizens/permanent residents who reside overseas and will complete their entire secondary school education outside the US.

A scholarship of between US$5,000 and US$25,000 per year (subject to conditions) and a guaranteed US$2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship or research assistantship taken for academic credit during the summer following the sophomore or junior year are included with the award.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Scholarship for International Students

A range of merit scholarships is open to international undergraduate students at this private university, with campuses in the state of New Jersey and across the border in Vancouver, Canada. One of them is the  FDU International Scholarship — part of the International Undergraduate Freshmen Scholarships — worth up to US$24,000 per year. It is renewable for up to four years. SAT/ACT is not required.

Source: Mandel Ngan / AFP

Master’s scholarships

Fulbright Foreign Student Programme

The Fulbright Programme operates in more than 160 countries worldwide and has provided approximately 400,000 participants with the opportunity to study, teach, or conduct research in each others’ countries and exchange ideas.

Approximately 8,000 competitive, merit-based grants are awarded annually in most academic disciplines and fields of study.

To participate in the Fulbright Foreign Student Programme, the applicant must have completed undergraduate education and hold a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Application details and grant terms for the Fulbright Programme vary by country of citizenship and programme. Potential applicants should consult individual country pages for programme availability and contact information or see a list of current programs.

AAUW International Fellowships

The programme provides support for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the US to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents, and who intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career.

Applicants must have citizenship in a country other than the US or possession of a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the US. Women who are currently, or expect to be during the fellowship year, a US citizen, US permanent resident, or dual citizen with the US and another country are not eligible. They also need to hold an academic degree (earned in the US or abroad) equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree completed by Nov. 15, 2021.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme at Stanford University cultivates a diverse, multidisciplinary community of emerging leaders from around the world and guides them to collaborate, innovate, and communicate as they prepare to address the complex challenges facing society. Through the King Global Leadership Programme, scholars will broaden their knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen character, as they will work with communities, as well as attend workshops, meetings with leaders, domestic and global study trips, and personal development opportunities.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars span all seven schools at Stanford. Knight-Hennessy Scholars are talented individuals, and they are made up of a multidisciplinary community of scholars. The programme offers a platform for purposeful leadership development and empowers you to effect large-scale positive impact in the world.

Homer Higbee International Education Award

This is an annual award for one student from the US and one international student who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of international understanding at Michigan State University.

The Homer Higbee International Education Award was designed to recognise full-time degree-seeking students at the undergraduate and graduate level who demonstrate the characteristics Homer Higbee represented. These include making significant contributions to the support of international awareness at Michigan State University through involvement in programmes that promote cross-cultural understanding on campus and in the community.

Siebel Scholars

Over the last 19 years, the Siebel Scholars programme has funded US$45 million in grants to top universities including Johns Hopkins, Wharton, Berkeley, Stanford, and many more. The programme, founded in 2000, picks the most talented students at the world’s leading graduate schools of business, computer science, bioengineering, and energy science.

Each year, more than 90 exceptional students — who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential — are awarded a US$35,000 award toward their final year of graduate studies.