5 prestigious scholarships for international students in the US
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Fulbright Foreign Student Program
One of the most renowned government-funded scholarships for international students is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. This program offers scholarships to graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study and conduct research in the US for one year or more. Open to international students in all fields except medicine, the Fulbright Program operates in over 160 countries and awards approximately 4,000 scholarships annually.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Reside in the country of nomination at the time of application.
- Possess the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record at the time of the program start date.
- Demonstrate English proficiency with a recommended recent score of at least 550 (Paper-Based TOEFL), 79-80 (Internet-Based TOEFL – IBT), or 6.5 (Overall Score International English Language Testing System – IELTS). Test scores should be submitted to IIE by indicating the institutional code 2326 on the test day.
- Not hold U.S. citizenship; dual citizens are ineligible.
- Additional eligibility requirements may vary by country of citizenship. Please check the Fulbright Program website for specific details.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree scholarship for experienced international professionals seeking 10 months of academic study in the US. Although the funding does not support degree qualifications, it allows students to enhance their knowledge at academic institutions across the nation. This program promotes leadership by enabling professionals to address local and global challenges and advance societal and institutional capacities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country.
- Hold an undergraduate degree.
- Have a minimum of five years of full-time professional experience.
- Demonstrate leadership qualities and a record of public service in the community.
- Have limited experience in the United States.
- Show proficiency in English.
Harvard University Scholarships
Harvard offers a variety of highly competitive scholarships for international students. When students qualify for financial aid at Harvard, the university creates a personalized aid package tailored to their demonstrated need. This package may include scholarship funds, student employment opportunities, and any external awards the student has secured. Additionally, Harvard provides parent and student loan options for families seeking further support.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The university calculates the financial aid award based on the parents’ contribution, student employment, and external awards.
- Remaining financial need is covered by grant-based scholarship funds that do not require repayment. These scholarships are sourced from Harvard’s endowment, alumni contributions, general tuition revenues, and federal and state grants.
Rotary Peace Fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowship provides scholarships to master’s degree students studying at one of Rotary’s Peace Centers, such as Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This fellowship targets leaders with professional experience in peace and development who are committed to community and international service. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 fellowships for certificate studies at leading universities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Proficient in English.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace through professional, academic, or community service achievements.
- Exhibit leadership potential.
- Have at least three years of full-time, relevant experience in peace or development work.
- Have a minimum gap of three years between the completion of the most recent academic degree and the intended start date of the fellowship. Current students in undergraduate or graduate programs are ineligible.
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are aimed at highly motivated individuals with exceptional leadership potential. Applicants should have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, possess at least three years of professional work experience, and be committed to returning to and contributing to their communities in India. These fellowships support up to two years of study for a master’s degree at U.S. colleges and universities. Eligible fields of study include Economics, Environmental Science/Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, International Legal Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Administration, Public Health, Urban and Regional Planning, and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must have either a four-year bachelor’s degree or a completed master’s degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution if the bachelor’s degree is of less than four years’ duration.
- Must have at least three years of full-time professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline.
- Should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service.
- Must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program.
- If employed, must obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must confirm that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.
