College Grants and Financial Aid for International Students Studying in the U.S.
At least 500,000 students from across the globe participate in international academic studies in the United States each year. Many of these students fund their American college and university education with their own money, however, a large percentage of international students who study in the U.S. also receive financial aid in form of grants, scholarships, fellowships and tuition waivers.

International student grants and scholarships can be obtained through a diverse array of sources, and are available to undergraduate, graduate (masters) and doctoral / Ph.D students. However, the financial aid programs designed to assist international students are often extremely competitive. Many of the international student grants are awarded to those who demonstrate a high level of academic competence, in addition to students specializing in particular, or concentrated areas of study.

Grants from Organizations that Support International Students

Fulbright International Student Grants

The Fulbright Program provides a funding platform for international students coming to study in the United States and U.S citizens pursing studies abroad. The program supports thousands of graduate and doctoral students each year and has distributed millions awards to deserving students since it was established. Popular grant programs available through Fulbright include:

  • The Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to conduct research and study in the United States.
  • The Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program provides opportunities for young English teachers from overseas to refine their teaching skills and broaden their knowledge of American culture and society while strengthening the instruction of foreign languages at colleges and universities in the United States.
  • The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award an internationally competed award for doctoral study at leading U.S. institutions in science, technology, and engineering.
  • The U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study abroad for one academic year. The Program also includes an English Teaching Assistant component.

Grants for Women from the AAUW

Originally the AAUW was designed to provide Latin American women with opportunities for graduate and postgraduate study in the United States. However, the AAUW now extends it support through the Women’s International Fellowships program to women of all ages and ethnicity who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents engaging in full-time study or research in accredited institutions at graduate or postgraduate level.

Colleges and Universities

Many colleges and universities across the United States offer financial aid programs for overseas students who wish to study at their institutions. Although the level and type of financial assistance varies between education institutions, international students may have access to scholarships, tuition fee waivers, grants for student housing and even need-based grants that pay for most of the students tuition fees.

  • Columbia College offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship programs for international students. Their International Excellence Award is available to a select number of new freshmen international students and covers half the cost of students tuition fees.
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey administer several scholarship and grants ranging from $1,000 – $20,000 to international students and freshmen transfer students. Their Global Housing Grant program provides up to $3000 towards the cost of housing and accommodation for international alumni.
  • Lewis and Clark University located at Portland offer very attractive need-based financial aid programs. Their Davis UWC Scholars grant is available to all students of international origin with a need of $10,000 or more. In addition students can also receive in top of this award a number of other grants including the “Enhanced L&C International Student grant” worth up to $38,850, and the “Standard L&C International Student grant” worth up to $22,000.