Getting Scholarships as an International Student at UCLA?

I'm an international student really interested in applying to UCLA, but I'm concerned about the costs. Are there any scholarships specifically for international students, and what are the chances of receiving them?

First of all, I applaud your proactive approach to seeking funding for your education.

UCLA is a member of the broader UC system, and it's important to note that the UC campuses, including UCLA, offer a limited amount of scholarships to international students. These competitive awards are based mostly on academic merit and, in some cases, additional criteria such as financial need, leadership, or community service.

One such scholarship offered by UCLA is the UCLA Regents Scholarship. This scholarship is available to both domestic and international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and exceptional promise. However, the competition is quite high as this is a very prestigious scholarship.

Additionally, UCLA provides Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships to international students entering their freshman year of study. The selection is based on a comprehensive review of the admission application, focusing on academic achievement.

However, due to the competitive nature of these scholarships, they will only be awarded to a very small percentage of the international student population. For this reason, it's beneficial to diversify your scholarship search.

There are a number of external platforms, such as Appily, that have databases of scholarships that are open to international students studying in the U.S. You can filter by criteria like a field of study, award amount, and more. Likewise, some private organizations or companies offer scholarships that aren't institution-specific and are open to international students.

Lastly, remember to also explore opportunities in your home country. Sometimes local businesses, organizations, or even the government may provide scholarships or loans for students studying abroad.

While securing scholarships as an international student can be challenging due to the competition and eligibility criteria, it's not impossible. Cast a wide net with your applications and show persistence with your efforts. Best of luck in your scholarship search!