Fulbright Foreign Student Program
🇺🇸 United States
Masters
- Full tuition and fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Round-trip airfare
Deadline: Varies by country (February–October)
🇺🇸
North America
Scholarships in United States for International Students
2 verified scholarships · 2 fully funded · Including Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
United States is a top study destination renowned for its world-class universities, cutting-edge research facilities, and vibrant campus life. We've compiled 2 scholarship opportunities — including 2 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in United States in 2026.
2
Total Scholarships
2
Fully Funded
3
Degree Levels
1
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in United States
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
🇺🇸 United States
Undergraduate Masters PhD
- Full tuition and fees
- Accommodation
- Books and supplies
Deadline: Varies by partner university
Why Study in United States?
The United States hosts more international students than any other country — over 1.1 million in the most recent academic year — and dominates global university rankings: roughly half of the top 50 institutions worldwide are American. US universities offer some of the most generous research funding, the deepest alumni networks, and the broadest range of academic programmes anywhere. Doctoral programmes are typically fully funded with stipends; Master's funding is more competitive but Fulbright, university fellowships, and assistantships make graduate study possible for international applicants from over 160 countries.
Top Universities in United States for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Business, law, medicine, public health
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, MA
Engineering, computer science, economics
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Engineering, AI, business; home of Knight-Hennessy
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Mathematics, physics, public affairs
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Law, drama, international relations
Columbia University
New York, NY
Journalism, business, public health
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Engineering, computer science, environmental studies
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Economics, social sciences, policy
Tuition and Cost of Living in United States
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- $30,000–$60,000 per year (public out-of-state) or $50,000–$85,000 (private)
- Master's
- $25,000–$70,000 per year
- PhD
- Most PhDs are fully funded by the university; international students rarely pay tuition.
Fulbright and Mastercard Foundation Scholars cover full tuition plus stipend; doctoral assistantships waive tuition and pay $25k–$45k/year stipends.
Monthly Living Budget ($1,500–$3,500)
- Rent
- $800–$2,500 (varies enormously by city; Midwest cheapest, NYC/SF most expensive)
- Food
- $300–$500
- Transport
- $70–$200 (transit pass) or $400+ if you need a car
Rent is the dominant variable. Cities like Pittsburgh, Columbus, Austin, and Madison are popular among international students for the cost-to-quality ratio.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
F-1 Student Visa (J-1 for Fulbright)
- Visa Fee
- $185 visa fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
- Processing Time
- Wait times vary by consulate; 2 weeks to 6+ months depending on country
- Financial Proof Required
- I-20 amount on financial documents (~$50k–$90k for one academic year)
- Health Insurance
- Required by most universities; usually $1,500–$3,500/year through the university plan
- Work While Studying
- 20 hours/week on-campus during term; Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for internships; Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation
Post-Study Work Rights
12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for any degree; STEM graduates get a 24-month extension (36 months total). Beyond OPT, the H-1B work visa requires employer sponsorship and is allocated by lottery (cap is 85,000/year and routinely oversubscribed 3×).
English Language Requirements
TOEFL iBT 80–100 is the most common requirement; competitive universities want 100–110. IELTS Academic 6.5–7.5, PTE Academic 60–70, and Duolingo 115–125 are widely accepted. Many graduate programmes also require GRE or GMAT, although GRE-optional admissions has spread post-2020.
Application Timeline for United States Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
15–18 months before
Begin GRE/GMAT prep if required; shortlist programmes.
- 2
12–15 months before
Take TOEFL and GRE/GMAT; line up three strong recommenders.
- 3
8–12 months before
Submit applications (deadlines mostly December–February for Fall start).
- 4
6–8 months before
Apply for Fulbright through your country's binational commission (deadlines vary May–October).
- 5
3–5 months before
Accept offer, pay deposit, receive I-20, schedule F-1 visa interview.
How to Win a Scholarship in United States
Fulbright is the most prestigious US scholarship for international students but is administered country-by-country — apply through your home country's Fulbright Commission or US Embassy, not directly to a US university. Deadlines and procedures differ wildly by country (some require campus interviews; others just submit online). For doctoral funding, target programmes where your prospective advisor has grant funding rather than chasing fellowships. Many top universities have institutional fellowships (Knight-Hennessy at Stanford, Yale World Fellows, Harvard's HKS scholarships) that are far less competitive than Fulbright. Stem extension is the strongest argument for picking STEM over humanities if post-graduation work in the US matters to you.
United States Scholarships at a Glance
- Fulbright funds ~4,000 international students per year across 160+ countries.
- International PhD students at top R1 universities are almost always fully funded.
- STEM OPT lets graduates stay and work in the US for up to 36 months post-degree.
- Roughly 26% of US Nobel laureates 2000–2024 were born outside the United States.
Scholarships in United States by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in United States tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in United States
Yes, United States offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Some programs offer pre-sessional language courses to help you meet the requirements.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in United States allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 2 scholarship programs in United States for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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