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Planning to consider the USA as your study abroad destination for undergrad, masters or MBA? If yes, then you have landed at the right place as we will guide you through. USA has always topped the charts when it comes to study in the USA for Indian students thereby, making it one of the primary study abroad destinations. However, studying abroad and that too in the USA can be an expensive affair which many can’t handle without the help of scholarships. Figuring out scholarships for Indian students may seem a daunting task, but as a prospective student you will have to research your options for the same. In this article we will be discussing everything you need to secure scholarships to study in USA for Indian students.

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Eligibility & Types of Scholarships to study in USA for Indian Students

Being eligible is the first and the foremost step or requirement to get a scholarship to study in the USA for Indian students. As we talk about eligibility it may depend on:

  • Your profile
  • Consistent strong academic record
  • Strong letters of recommendation from teachers
  • Leadership and teamwork skills
  • Study program chosen

In some cases, students need to have proven skills other than academics and it can be sports etc. For a research based scholarship, students need to have a sample of any previous work or assignment.

Types of Scholarships

There are two kinds of scholarships including:

    • Merit-based scholarships

As the name suggests, this scholarship is awarded to students who have excellent academic or extracurricular profile.

  • Need-based scholarships

Usually, students who come from financially weak backgrounds are granted this need-based scholarship.

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Popular Scholarships to study in USA for Indian students

As mentioned above, after getting to know your eligibility for a particular scholarship, one must know that the amount of scholarship is not the same for all. It varies between institutions, the courses you have chosen and of course on the basis of your eligibility. There are universities in the USA which offer a 100% waiver of the tuition fee, however some offer partial waiver. Mentioned below are some of the popular scholarships to study in USA for Indian students:

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

This is the most popular government-funded US scholarships for all international students. This scholarship is basically for graduate students and young professionals going to study in USA. Fulbright Foreign student program is even eligible for artists who are going to study in the US and this is open for all the fields except medicine. This is a government-funded US scholarship.

Tata Scholarship

As the name suggests, this scholarship is launched by the Tata Education and Development Trust and this allows the very reputed Cornell University to offer financial support to undergraduate students going to study in the USA. This scholarship is specifically for the undergraduate students which is an external scholarship and provides need-based financial aid.

AAUW International Fellowships

American Association of University Women International Fellowships are offered for female international students going to study in the US. It is a non-governmental scholarship and is offered to both graduate and postgraduate students.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

This fellowship is merit-based and is for students who are willing to get admission into the Stanford MBA program.

University Specific US Scholarships for Indian Students

Some university specific USA scholarships are mentioned below:

Scholarship Details
American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Undergraduate scholarships at the American University in Washington DC
Clark University Global Scholars Program $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship available for first-year international applicants.
Emory University Needs-based Scholarship Program Students should be able to demonstrate their financial need
Harvard University Scholarships Several competitive scholarships available for all international students
University of Iowa Scholarships for International First Year Students Various scholarships for international students
New York University Wagner International Scholarships Scholarships to study at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Illinois State University International Awards University offers graduate assistantships, merit awards and other tuition wavers

Important Things to Know about Scholarships for Indian Students

Documents required to apply for scholarships to study in the USA are quite an important thing to know before you actually go ahead and start applying for one. As far as important documents are concerned, below are the documents required:

  • Copy of your Academic scores (GPA)
  • Standardised test scores including SAT for undergraduate and GRE or GMAT scores for postgraduate or MBA courses
  • Photo ID/Passport
  • Language proficiency proof including IELTS or TOEFL exam scores
  • State of Purpose
  • Letter of Recommendation

These are the important documents, however different types of documents can be asked for different kinds of grants or scholarships. So, make sure that you have all of it handy for you at the time of applying for a scholarship.

Another important factor to know for securing a scholarship is that not all scholarships are listed on the Common Application. There are many which require a separate application, thus it is very important that a student must do his research well before applying. These scholarships can be gold mines, but you will have to make sure that you are doing your research well.

Skills that can Boost Scholarship Chances

Securing a scholarship to study in the USA for Indian students is never by chance. However, in order to secure these scholarships, few necessary skills are required to:

Strong Leadership Skills

Those who have shown strong leadership skills in the past, be it in school, graduate or even in their professional careers have better chances of securing a great scholarship. Being a head boy or head girl of your school or starting your own entrepreneurship club shows strong leadership skills. Universities are often in search of students who have the potential to become future leaders and if you are a leader with a strong academic record then it’s just like a cherry on the cake.

Strong Writing Skills

A personal statement is the most important part of your scholarship application and if you have strong writing skills then you can actually ace this piece by communicating your profile strengths in a strong way.

Need help in Securing Scholarships to Study in the USA?

Tips for Winning a Scholarship

There are a few tips that can help you in increasing your chances of gaining a scholarship to study in the US:

    • Start Early

This is one of the most vital tips. Don’t waste until the last minute as scholarship deadlines may be months earlier. Start preparing for it well in advance as some universities even conduct a formal scholarship interview. This interview is to be taken as seriously as any other professional interview and coming well-prepared for it will enhance your chances of backing up a scholarship.

    • Tailor your Application

Every scholarship has its own set of requirements and one-size fits all approach won’t work here. To improve upon your chances of getting a scholarship, it is important that you tailor or tweak your application as per the requirement. Share specific examples of your leadership accomplishments if asked for.

    • Demonstrate Financial Need (If required)

For those applying for need-based scholarships they may ask you to provide evidence of your financial need. So, be ready with all the necessary documents including tax returns, income statements and other roofs of financial hardships.

    • Strong Network with Mentors

Networking is quite an important aspect for those studying abroad. Building strong connections with your professors and mentors can actually help you in getting a good scholarship as many scholarships require a strong letter of recommendation in which your networking plays a major role.

    • Track Deadlines

Applying for scholarships to study in the USA calls for proper organization and tracking. Create a calendar mentioning all the requirements and deadlines so that you don’t miss out on any. Setting reminders for a few weeks ahead of the deadline will be of great help to you.

    • Avoid Plagiarizing Essays

Not writing your own essay and waiting for the last minute can be overwhelming. You can surely take your mentors’ guidance, however make sure that you write your own essay and avoid the temptation of plagiarizing it. Experts say that you should not be using any kind of AI assistance while writing your essay.

If you are interested in studying in the USA, sign up for a free study abroad counselling session with Jamboree and get expert advice.

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FAQs

No, Rotary Peace Fellowships is a scholarship to study in USA and is for graduate students. This fellowship is awarded to master’s degree students.

Students do get a 100% scholarship or full scholarships in the US. However, there are not many such universities and those that are available are quite competetive. But, you should definitely apply for one by knowing where to look for such universities offering full scholarships. Prepare well in advance for your scholarship applying and it is important to make yourself stand out from other applicants.