How do American scholarships work for international undergraduate students?

I'm an international student and I'm curious about the scholarships American universities offer for people like me. How competitive are these scholarships, and what kind of financial support can international undergrads expect?

International students actually have many scholarship opportunities available to them at American universities. However, the competitiveness and total amount can greatly vary between schools.

There are two major types of scholarships to consider:

1. Merit-based scholarships are awarded for exceptional accomplishment in various areas. This can include high academic achievement, volunteering, or distinctive personal attributes. Merit-based scholarships are very competitive, especially for international students, as they're typically not based on financial need and therefore more applicants usually qualify.

2. Need-based scholarships come into play based on your family's economic situation. The college or university determines the amount you and your family can reasonably contribute towards your education and then attempts to supplement the rest. Keep in mind that not every school offers need-based aid to international students, although some schools, such as Harvard and MIT, are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including internationals.

Unfortunately, international students aren't eligible for federal aid in the U.S., which is a large source of funding for domestic students. Scholarships granted by individual universities are typically the biggest source of aid for international students.

However, college is not the only avenue for scholarships. Many third-party organizations, foundations, and corporations also offer scholarships to international students.

In terms of competitiveness, these scholarships can be highly competitive especially at high-ranking institutions. Hence, it's beneficial to apply for scholarships at multiple schools and from diverse sources.

Keep track of each university's specific application process and requirements for accessing financial aid as an international student. These details are typically found on a university’s financial aid department's webpage.

Remember that every dollar helps when funding your education, so apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for, and start as early as possible. But the max amount of aid you receive can vary greatly depending on how much the school you're applying to costs, your family's financial situation, and how much funding the school has available. Some schools have very generous financial aid programs, but others have less resources available.