How to find scholarships for international students in the US?

I'm an international student planning to apply to colleges in the US, but I'm worried about the cost. What are some good resources or scholarships specifically for international students in the U.S.?

There are multiple scholarship databases where you could conduct a comprehensive search for scholarships for international students. These include databases like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Appily. These databases allow you to filter by citizenship status, among other categories, so you can find scholarships that international students are eligible for.

Make sure to exhaust opportunities with the colleges you apply to as well. Schools like Harvard and MIT offer need-based aid to international students. Some universities also offer merit scholarships that are open to all applicants, including international students. For instance, the University of Southern California offers a few full-tuition scholarships, and Emory University offers the Emory Scholars Program.

Additionally, there are also organizations like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which offers the College Scholarship Program for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need. This includes students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, and as of 2023, this scholarship has been open to international students applying to US colleges.

Finally, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is an excellent resource for discovering financial aid options for international students. They publish a guide called "Funding for United States Study," which is a comprehensive directory of grants, fellowships, and scholarships available to international students.

Remember, when you're applying for scholarships, avoid any that ask you to pay a fee to apply. Legitimate scholarships don't ask for payment. Also, be mindful of deadlines and requirements for each scholarship application, as they can vary. It's a time-intensive process, but finding and applying to these sorts of funding opportunities can really pay off in the long run.