Scholarships for MS in USA for International Students

Pursuing a master’s degree in the USA can be expensive for international students, but scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and university funding can significantly reduce the cost.

Students searching for scholarships for MS in USA can find both university-specific and external funding opportunities. Depending on the award, funding may cover part or all of tuition and, in some cases, provide a stipend, health insurance, or support for living expenses.

However, fully funded opportunities for master’s students are less common than partial scholarships and program-specific funding. Eligibility, award amounts, application procedures, and deadlines also vary considerably between universities and programs.

If you are searching for scholarships for MS in USA, it is important to look beyond the word “scholarship.” Graduate funding may come through university merit awards, fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, government schemes, and external funding organizations.

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Types of Funding for MS in the USA

Before comparing MS in USA scholarships, understand the major types of graduate funding.

Scholarship vs Fellowship vs Assistantship: A scholarship generally provides financial support without an employment obligation, while an assistantship normally requires research, teaching, or other work. Fellowships vary but often provide academic or research funding without the same employment responsibilities as an assistantship. Because terminology differs by university, always check the individual award terms.

Why Apply for MS Scholarships in the USA?

For international students, scholarships can make an expensive graduate degree considerably more manageable.

Reduce Your Education Costs
Depending on the award, a scholarship may cover part or all of tuition. Some fellowships and assistantships can also provide stipends, insurance, or other benefits.

Remember that tuition is only part of your total budget. Consider the cost of living in USA before deciding how much funding you need.

Gain Recognition for Your Academic Profile
Competitive merit scholarships recognize strong academic, research, professional, or leadership achievements. Winning one can add another accomplishment to your academic profile.

Focus More on Your Studies
Funding that reduces your tuition or living-cost burden can allow you to devote more attention to coursework, research, projects, and professional development.

University-Specific Scholarships for MS in USA

Many US universities offer merit scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and other graduate funding opportunities for international students. However, funding for master’s students often varies by academic department rather than being available uniformly across an entire university.

The following universities provide examples of funding opportunities MS applicants can investigate. Always check the funding page for your specific graduate program before applying.

Funding details can change. Check the university’s official scholarship or graduate funding page before applying.

Arizona State University Graduate College Enrichment Fellowship

Arizona State University’s Graduate College Enrichment Fellowship (GCEF) provides substantial support to selected graduate students.

For the first year, the current award includes:

• A $26,600 fellowship, paid as $13,300 per semester
• A tuition award
• ASU student health insurance premium for eligible enrollment periods

In the second year, the academic unit is expected to provide at least a 50% teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or similar funding, subject to satisfactory academic progress and applicable conditions.

Recipients must enroll in at least nine credit hours during their first year and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

One important point for applicants is that students do not directly apply for this fellowship. The admitting academic unit nominates candidates for consideration.

University of Cincinnati Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships & Assistantships

The University of Cincinnati’s International Outreach Scholarship should not be treated as an MS scholarship because the university currently presents that award as an undergraduate opportunity.

Graduate students instead have access to program- and university-based funding such as:

• Graduate Scholarships
• Graduate Assistantships
• University Fellowships
• Program-specific awards

Graduate Scholarships can cover all or part of tuition and fees. Graduate assistantships combine a stipend for assigned work with full or partial tuition scholarship support, while university fellowships can include a tuition scholarship and stipend without an associated service requirement.

Amounts and selection procedures vary, so prospective MS students should check the funding policies of their intended graduate program.

Northeastern University Graduate Scholarships

International students applying to Northeastern graduate programs may qualify for merit-based scholarships. Graduate students can be considered through their admission application as well as for opportunities offered by individual departments or colleges.

There is no single university-wide graduate scholarship amount that applies to every MS student. Awards vary by college and program.

For example, some College of Arts, Media and Design Graduate Student Scholarships are awarded as percentage tuition reductions, illustrating why applicants should check their specific school rather than relying on a university-wide dollar figure.

Texas A&M University International Student Scholarships

Texas A&M provides several funding routes for international students, including scholarships and department-based assistantships and fellowships.

One option is the International Education Fee Scholarship, which is available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate applicants must be enrolled full-time for nine hours and demonstrate financial need.

The university currently lists the following application deadlines:

• Summer/Fall: February 1
• Spring: October 12

Texas A&M also lists the George J. Eppright ’26 International Student Scholarship, with at least one $3,000 award presented annually to an international student demonstrating academic achievement, leadership, service, and extracurricular involvement.

Because requirements differ by award, MS students should check both university-level opportunities and funding offered through their academic department.

The University of Texas at Dallas Graduate Scholarships

UT Dallas offers graduate scholarship opportunities through individual schools and academic programs.

For example, the Naveen Jindal School of Management states that its graduate scholarships can be available to incoming and current students, with criteria potentially including academic merit, leadership, work experience, community service, and residency status. International students are among those who may qualify for applicable awards.

The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science also offers merit-based graduate fellowships to eligible full-time graduate students.

Instead of assuming that every UT Dallas graduate student receives a fixed scholarship amount, check your specific school and program for current awards and deadlines.

Stevens Institute of Technology Provost Master’s Scholarship

The Provost Master’s Scholarship at Stevens Institute of Technology is a competitive tuition scholarship for exceptional students entering a full-time master’s program.

Selection can consider factors such as:

• Strong undergraduate academic performance
• GRE/GMAT scores, where relevant
• TOEFL scores for international applicants

The scholarship is awarded at admission, and Stevens describes it as a one-time tuition scholarship. Students should therefore not assume that it covers 100% of tuition or the full cost of their degree unless their individual award letter explicitly states this.

Stevens also notes that master’s degrees are not typically fully funded.

Harvard University Graduate Funding

Harvard does not have one universal “Harvard Graduate Scholarship” that guarantees up to 100% tuition for international MS students.

Funding for master’s students varies according to the Harvard school, degree program, and individual award.

For example, Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences states that financial support for master’s students is mostly limited to federal and private loans, although limited scholarship aid may be available in certain cases. Program-specific support is detailed in a student’s offer of financial support.

International applicants should therefore check the financial-aid and funding policies of the specific Harvard graduate school and master’s program to which they are applying.

Scholarships for MS in USA for Indian Students

Indian students pursuing a master’s degree in the USA can explore university scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, Indian government schemes, and external funding programs.

Indian students are generally eligible to compete for university scholarships and assistantships available to international students, while some external programs are specifically designed for applicants from India. Eligibility varies substantially, so students should distinguish between broadly available university funding and India-specific schemes.

Two important options worth considering are:

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships support eligible Indian applicants pursuing a master’s degree at selected US colleges and universities for up to two years.

Benefits include:

• J-1 visa support
• Tuition and fee funding
• Living and related costs
• Round-trip economy airfare
• Accident and sickness coverage under applicable program guidelines

However, USIEF notes that its funding may not cover all costs, meaning recipients could need additional resources.

Applicants also need at least three years of relevant full-time paid professional experience and must satisfy other eligibility requirements. Most importantly, this fellowship is not available for every MS/STEM field.

For the 2026-27 cycle, eligible fields included:

• Economics
• Environmental Science/Studies
• Higher Education Administration
• International Legal Studies
• Journalism and Mass Communication
• Public Health
• Sustainable Development/Sustainability
• Urban and Regional Planning

Therefore, students pursuing areas such as general computer science or many engineering disciplines should not assume they qualify.

Application cycles and eligible fields can change, so check the latest USIEF announcement before applying.

National Overseas Scholarship

India’s National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) supports eligible students pursuing master’s or PhD study abroad, including at eligible universities in the USA.

However, it is not a general scholarship open to every Indian student.

Under the Government of India’s 2026–27 guidelines, the scheme targets eligible low-income students from specified categories, including Scheduled Castes, Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans.

The current scheme provides 125 fresh awards subject to funding availability and other rules.

Students should review the current NOS category, income, academic, university-ranking, and other eligibility conditions before applying.

Other Funding Options for Indian MS Students

Not every form of financial assistance is a conventional scholarship.

For example, the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship Programme provides interest-free financial assistance to selected students pursuing postgraduate education.

Importantly, this is repayable assistance, not a non-repayable full scholarship. Current Foundation guidance states that repayment begins after a grace period following course completion.

This distinction matters when comparing USA scholarships for masters: always check whether funding is a grant, tuition waiver, stipend, assistantship, or repayable loan scholarship.

Fully Funded Scholarships for MS in USA

Students often search for fully funded scholarships for MS in USA, but “fully funded” needs to be used carefully.

A fully funded award generally covers tuition plus substantial living support. Depending on the program, it may also cover health insurance, fees, airfare, or other costs.

A full-tuition scholarship, on the other hand, may pay tuition while leaving you responsible for housing, food, insurance, travel, university fees, and personal expenses.

For international MS students, complete funding is less common than partial scholarships or program-specific funding.

Students looking for fully funded MS scholarships in USA for international students should read the funding terms closely. An award advertised as “full tuition” should not automatically be described as fully funded.

Eligibility Requirements for MS Scholarships in USA

There is no universal GPA, GRE score, or eligibility formula for MS scholarships in the USA.

Each scholarship, fellowship, and graduate program sets its own requirements. Common selection factors may include:

Some scholarships specify a minimum GPA, while others assess your complete profile. Competitive merit scholarships for MS in USA generally favor applicants with stronger academic, research, professional, or leadership records.

Students should also check whether their university permits an English-test waiver or accepts alternatives. If relevant, explore scholarships without IELTS.

How to Get Scholarship for MS in USA

To improve your chances of receiving an MS scholarship in the USA, research funding while shortlisting universities, apply before priority deadlines, target scholarships that match your profile, submit tailored application materials, and explore RA/TA opportunities in addition to conventional merit scholarships.

1. Research Funding Alongside Universities

Do not choose your universities first and investigate scholarships later.

While shortlisting programs, compare:

• Tuition fees
• Merit scholarships
• Fellowships
• RA/TA availability
• Departmental funding
• External scholarships
• Living expenses
• Scholarship deadlines

You can also explore US universities offering scholarships to international students.

2. Check Whether Funding Is Automatic or Requires an Application

Some universities automatically consider admitted MS students for merit scholarships. Others require a separate application, essay, form, or departmental nomination.

Missing this distinction can mean missing an award entirely.

3. Apply Early

Scholarship deadlines can be earlier than final admission deadlines. Universities may also encourage early applications for stronger scholarship consideration.

Create a tracker with separate dates for:

• University application
• Scholarship application
• Assistantship application
• External scholarship application
• Supporting documents

4. Tailor Your Scholarship Application

Your SOP or scholarship essay should explain why your academic background, research interests, professional experience, leadership, or career goals match the purpose of the award.

Avoid submitting the same generic essay for every scholarship.

5. Explore RA and TA Opportunities

Research and teaching assistantships can sometimes provide more substantial support than conventional scholarships.

Review faculty research areas and department funding pages. Where appropriate, communicate professionally with departments or professors about available research opportunities.

6. Plan for the Funding Gap

Even after receiving a scholarship, you may have a remaining amount to finance.

Calculate your complete cost of attendance and subtract confirmed scholarships, assistantships, family funds, and other resources. If there is still a gap, compare suitable options for an education loan for MS in USA.

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When Should You Apply for MS Scholarships in the USA?

There is no single US scholarship deadline.

Deadlines differ by university, semester, academic department, and external funding provider.

A practical approach is to begin researching scholarships 9-12 months before your intended intake and verify the current deadline directly with the scholarship provider.

For example, Texas A&M currently lists February 1 for Summer/Fall consideration and October 12 for Spring consideration for its International Education Fee Scholarship.

Stevens, meanwhile, encourages prospective master’s students to apply early to maximize scholarship consideration. Because deadlines change between application cycles, always treat the official scholarship page as the final source of information.

Conclusion: Find the Right Scholarship for Your MS in USA

Scholarships can make an MS in the USA more affordable, but successful funding usually requires more than searching for a single “fully funded scholarship.”

Start by comparing university merit scholarships, fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, and external funding. Indian students can additionally explore options such as the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships and National Overseas Scholarship when they meet the specific eligibility requirements.

Most importantly, verify the latest eligibility criteria, coverage, and application deadline on the official provider website before applying.

Even after scholarships, you may still have a funding gap. Nomad Credit can help you explore study-abroad financing and admission options so you can build a realistic financial plan for your MS journey.

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