Best College Scholarships for International Students

I'm an international student planning to attend college in the U.S. and am curious about scholarships available for students like me. What are some good opportunities, and how competitive are they?

Sure, there are definitely scholarships out there for international students!

One is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which offers grants for graduate study and research in the U.S. It's quite selective; eligibility and application deadlines vary by country, but it's definitely a top-tier program to look into.

The Soros Fellowships for New Americans is another option. This program specifically targets immigrants and children of immigrants, and the fellowship provides up to $90,000 in support toward an undergraduate or graduate degree at any U.S. institution. The program is based on merit, creativity, accomplishment, and commitment to the American values of an open and fair society, so it's highly competitive.

The Davis United World College Scholars Program is probably one of the best-known scholarship programs for international students. It supports undergraduate students worldwide to study at one of its partner colleges or universities in the U.S. The application process and selectivity can vary based on institution.

Another initiative is the AAUW International Fellowships for Women. These fellowships support full-time graduate or postgraduate study in the U.S. for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The amount of funding varies, and it's a competitive program since it's open to women across all fields of study.

Lastly, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other means of financing their graduate studies. The scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis, so it's not entirely free but can definitely help cut costs.

Keep in mind that most university-specific scholarships in the US don't differentiate between domestic and international students. So it might be helpful to start by looking at schools that are known for giving out generous aid, then checking if their scholarships are open to non-citizens.

Lastly, though the resources listed above are quite selective, they are by no means exhaustive. There are many other scholarships out there, so do spend some time researching opportunities that align with your unique profile and interests. Good luck on your search!