Can international students get the most scholarships?

I'm an international student hoping to study in the U.S. and I'm curious about scholarship opportunities. How can I find the most scholarships available to international students and what criteria do they usually focus on?

As an international student, there's indeed a variety of scholarship opportunities available to you, though these may be more limited compared to those provided for domestic students. However, it's still quite possible to obtain generous financial aid from a range of sources.

Firstly, the colleges or universities you are applying to are often the most crucial sources for funding. Many institutions offer scholarships based on academic merit and may also account for financial need, even for international students. For instance, schools like Harvard, MIT, and Princeton commit to meeting 100% demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students.

It's essential to attentively review the financial aid policies of each individual institution. For colleges that are not need-blind for international students, you need to be careful. "Need-aware" means they consider your financial need in the admissions decision and might admit you but offer inadequate aid.

There are also external scholarships available. Some private organizations and foundations offer scholarships to international students. Some examples include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program, and the Rotary Peace Fellowships, among others. The Appily website has a search engine specifically designed for international students, which can help you find additional scholarships that you are eligible for.

The specific criteria for winning these scholarships varies, but generally, they're going to be looking for signs of academic excellence (like high GPA and strong test scores), leadership qualities, and community involvement. Some may also consider aspects such as your intended major, country of origin, or personal essays. Be sure to review the requirements of each scholarship carefully to make sure you are eligible before you apply.

Lastly, but crucially, remember to start as early as possible. The scholarship application process can be quite demanding and time-consuming, especially if English is not your first language. Start researching and preparing your materials as early as you can to alleviate some of this stress.

Best of luck with your scholarship search! It's definitely an effort that can pay off tremendously.