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According to recent reports, 3.31 lakh visas were allotted to Indian students in 2024 to study in the US, making the US a preferred study-abroad destination for Indian students. Studying in the US is a career booster, but the cost of study can be hectic for a middle-class student, given that the average cost of study in the US is 45,000 USD (INR 37 Lakhs), and the living cost is around 1,500 USD (INR 1 Lakh).
While the rising cost of study and living in the US pose a challenge, scholarships rescue Indian students to find financial solutions. Read the article to know in-depth about different types of scholarships in the US for Indian students and apply on time.
To win a scholarship in the US, you must fulfill the eligibility requirements specified for that scholarship. In general, the following requirements are applicable to all scholarship options:
If you plan to rely on a scholarship to fund your studies in the US, you can explore the following types of scholarships:
1. Government-funded scholarships: These are scholarships for international students funded by the US government.
2. Non-government-funded scholarships: Various trusts and private organizations offer merit/ need-based financial assistance to study in the US.
3. University-specific scholarships: Many universities in the US offer scholarships for international students based on their academic merit, financial need, and extracurricular involvement.
These scholarships are either merit-based or need-based. Let’s see the details of the scholarships to study in the USA.
For undergraduates, the cost of study will be around 5,000 – 50,000 USD, according to various sources. Some of the scholarship options available for undergraduate students can be seen in the following table.
Scholarship | Amount | Application deadline |
Yale University Scholarships | 50,000 USD | December 1, 2025 |
Clark Global Scholarship Program | 15,000 – 25,000 USD | February 1, 2025 |
Global Scholarship, Boise State University | 9,370 – 18,740 USD | March 1, 2025 |
Berea College Scholarships | 100% of the expenses | December 31, 2025 |
ACI Foundation Scholarship | 10,000 USD | November 1, 2025 |
The Next Genius University Scholarships | Variable amount | October 1, 2025 |
Various scholarships are available for students planning to pursue an MS in the USA. The top scholarships for MS in the USA for Indian Students are as follows:
Scholarship | Amount | Deadline |
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program | Variable amount | Application deadlines vary by country |
Fulbright Fellowships | Variable amount | May 15, 2025 |
National Overseas Scholarship | Variable amount | March 31, 2025 |
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program aims to enhance leadership among international students studying in US universities. The fellowship lasts for 10 months, and those who are interested in taking up a non-degree study in the US can apply for this fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.
Fulbright Fellowships are designed to provide meritorious Indian students to pursue master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral study opportunities in the US. These fellowships are offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the Fulbright Fellowships.
The National Overseas Scholarship helps low-income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, denotified nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural laborers and Traditional Artisans category to pursue master’s or Ph.D courses abroad.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the National Overseas Scholarship.
Pursuing a PhD in the USA is a goal for many international students. However, managing finances can be a barrier. Numerous scholarships are available for international students pursuing a PhD in the USA. The top scholarships for PhD in the USA are as follows:
Scholarship | Amount | Deadline |
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Variable amount | March 31, 2025 |
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | 100,000 USD | March 31, 2025 |
AAUW International Fellowship | 20,000 – 50,000 USD | November 15, 2025 |
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Variable amount | March 17, 2025 |
The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Program (ISP) aims to support financially weak students from developing countries to study postgraduate courses abroad. The scholarship is provided for full-time programs and supports distance learning programs or studies in local or regional universities only if the quality of the course is maintained.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship.
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation offers scholarships to Indian students who secure admission to top universities in the US, the UK, and Europe for Masters, Phil, or Ph.D courses. The scholarships are provided based on the student’s academic merit and financial need.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the Inlaks Scholarship.
AAUW International Fellowships helps international students who identify themselves as women to pursue full-time graduate, postgraduate, or postdoctoral studies in the US. Students are selected based on their application’s strengths.
Eligibility Criteria
Know more about the AAUW International Fellowships.
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship is dedicated to Indian students who are planning to pursue a PG or PhD course. Each year this scholarship is awarded to Indian students with high academic records.
Eligibility Criteria:
Know more about the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
The government-funded scholarships in the US for international students often help meritorious applicants to cover their complete expenses related to their studies. The table below shows the details of some popular government-funded scholarships in the US for international students for MS in the US and other courses.
Scholarship | Amount | Deadline |
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program | Variable amount | Application deadlines vary by country |
Fulbright Fellowships | Variable amount | May 15, 2025 |
National Overseas Scholarship | Variable amount | March 31, 2025 |
Read Also:
International students of MS and various other courses in the US can apply for scholarships funded by various organizations for meritorious and financially weaker students. Some of the prominent non-government-funded scholarships for international students include the following:
Scholarship | Amount | Deadline |
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Variable amount | March 31, 2025 |
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | 100,000 USD | March 31, 2025 |
AAUW International Fellowship | 20,000 – 50,000 USD | November 15, 2025 |
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Variable amount | March 17, 2025 |
The Next Genius University Scholarships | Variable amount | October 1, 2025 |
The Next Genius University Scholarships cover the tuition fee for international undergraduate students admitted to select universities in the US. Students are selected based on their academic merit.
Eligibility criteria
Know more about the Next Genius University Scholarships.
US universities offer scholarships for international students based on their academic merit, extracurricular activities, and financial needs. If you are planning to study MS in the US or any other courses, see the table below for a handpicked list of US universities with their scholarship details.
Scholarship | Amount | Application deadline |
Cornell University Tata Scholarship | Variable amount | November 1, 2025 |
New York University Wagner International Scholarships | 5,000 USD | February 23, 2025 |
Yale University Scholarships | 50,000 USD | December 1, 2025 |
Columbia University Scholarships | 66,350 USD | November 1, 2025 |
University of Minnesota Fellowship | 15,000 USD | December 15, 2025 |
Michigan State University Scholarships | 25,000 USD | November 1, 2025 |
Illinois State University Scholarships | 5,000 USD | November 1, 2025 |
Oregon State University Scholarships | 25,000 USD | February 15, 2025 |
University of Arkansas International Scholarships | 7,000 USD | March 15, 2025 |
The competition for winning your desired scholarship is tough, depending on the total number of scholarships available and the competition at the time when you apply for the scholarship. Here are some tips to help you enhance your chances of winning a scholarship in the US:
In short, a well-planned approach will be beneficial to increase your chances of winning a scholarship in the US. Don’t forget to check your eligibility before planning your application.
But remember that usually scholarships are limited in number compared to the high number of applicants. Since the competition is tough, a limited number of students are fortunate to win a scholarship in the US. The remaining students have to look for other financial options, such as education loans.
To kickstart your planning, visit the website of the university of your choice and see which scholarships are available for you. For information on scholarships and proper guidance on funding options for your education in the US, get in touch with our experts who will provide you with the best service after analyzing your profile.
Yes, you can. Research and find out which scholarships are available for your preferred course of study. However, be mindful that such scholarship options are limited and it is extremely difficult to win such scholarships, given the tight competition.
You must obtain passing scores in relevant entrance tests like GRE or GMAT and any of the international English tests to apply for scholarships in the US. Popular English proficiency tests include the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, etc.
Typically, you need a minimum of 80% academic scores to be considered for a merit-based scholarship in the US. However, the educational requirement is relaxed for need-based scholarships.
For some scholarships in the US, your application is automatically made at the time of admission. For others, you need to apply separately on time. Refer to the scholarship website for which you plan to apply and get details on how to apply.
You must start preparing your scholarship application simultaneously with your US university admission application. Make sure you gather all the documents in advance and are informed about the deadlines and other important dates.
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