Scholarships for International Students Eyeing U.S. Colleges

Are there specific scholarships for international students planning to study in U.S. colleges? I'd love some guidance on where to start my search and any recommendations for reputable programs.

Absolutely, there are a few scholarships specifically tailored to international students applying to U.S. colleges. However, as an initial point, it's worth noting that obtaining scholarships as an international student can be challenging, so it's important to start your search early and be persistent in your efforts.

Let's start with scholarships offered by prominent foundations. The Aga Khan Foundation, for instance, offers a highly competitive scholarship program for postgraduate studies, including programs in the U.S. You might also want to look into the PEW Charitable Trusts Scholarship Program. Both these scholarships are based on demonstrated financial need.

Another place to look for scholarships is directly from the universities themselves. Many U.S. universities offer scholarships to international students to attract global diversity. For instance, the University of Oregon offers the International Cultural Service Program Scholarship that covers part of tuition for selected international students who demonstrate financial need. Similarly, colleges like Amherst and Harvard offer financial aid packages for international students that can be quite generous.

Then there are databases like Appily, that curate scholarship opportunities for international students. In Appily, you can filter by your intended degree, field of study, and even the region you are from to find scholarships that fit your profile.

Lastly, there's also the Rotary International Scholarship which awards funding to international students in certain fields, typically related with humanitarian work. Your local Rotary club could provide more information about this opportunity.

Keep in mind, application procedure and requirements for each scholarship are different. So, carefully reading the guidelines and keeping track of deadlines is crucial. Overall, while the process may seem daunting, many international students have found ways to fund their U.S. college education, so don't get discouraged!