I'm in 12th grade right now and thinking about studying in the U.S. for college. Does anyone know what kinds of scholarships are available for recent high school graduates? Any specific programs or tips to enhance my chances?
There are a couple of types of scholarships available in the U.S. for international students pursuing undergraduate studies. The first one is Financial Need-based Scholarships. U.S. schools that offer need-based financial aid will typically ask you to fill out the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile to assess your need. Schools including Stanford, MIT, and Harvard are need-blind and promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, irrespective of their nationality.
Secondly, there are Merit-based Scholarships. These focus on rewarding and recognizing standout achievements in areas like academics, leadership, or community service. Keep note that these scholarships emphasize your grades, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and leadership examples. To maximize your chances of obtaining these scholarships, ensure that you maintain a high GPA, and excel in your extracurricular activities.
You might also find Athlete Scholarships if you are a standout athlete. But remember, securing this type of scholarship requires a strong record of accomplishment in competitive sports.
As for Scholarship Platforms, you might look into them. Both Appily and Scholarship.com are searchable databases that could provide insights into the range of scholarships available.
Last but certainly not least, do not forget to review the scholarship page specific to each university you're interested in. Universities often have their own set of scholarships (both need-based and merit-based).
In conclusion, with the right planning, effort, and a robust application, you can make your dream of studying in the U.S. come true with scholarships. It requires time and effort but has the potential to greatly reduce the financial burden of studying abroad.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.