Scholarships and Funding Options for International Students Pursuing a Master’s in the US

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Pursuing a master’s in the US for many overseas students is not only about intellectual ambition, but also presents the harsh reality of finances. Although the US offers some of the world’s greatest universities, even mid-tier institutions can have tuition and living expenses that exceed $50,000 a year. Though this number can be frightening, keep following your dreams. If you take the time to explore your options, as an international student, you will find a multitude of scholarships and funding options to aid your Masters in USA. Financial assistance is offered not only by the elite universities and Ivy Leagues, but also by public universities and middle-tier private colleges; they offer merit-based and need-based scholarships to attract talent from around the globe.

While applying for any scholarship, you must study the specific offerings of that scholarship, the qualifying requirements, and the application process. While some scholarships provide partial support, such as tuition exemptions or stipends for books and research, others cover the full cost of living expenses and tuition. Even the partial scholarships can sometimes ease your financial burden considerably. At first, a yearly $5,000 award may seem small, but when combined with on-campus employment or reasonably priced housing options, it helps close a significant financial gap.

Apart from the well-known scholarships, several departments offer program-specific grants, assistantships, or scholarships for conferences and research projects. Although they are somewhat competitive, foundations and government-funded projects, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program or the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), offer significant help.

This blog explores various funding sources and scholarships available to international students keen to pursue master’s in US. The blog includes competitive fellowships, need-based as well as merit-based scholarship awards, assistantships, and external scholarships, so as to help you navigate your financial planning for graduate education.

Scholarships & Funding Options for Masters in USA

Institutional Scholarships

This category of scholarships available to international students is directly offered by the concerned universities. Universities of various tiers offer these scholarships, making them accessible to a wide range of students.

1. At top-tier universities, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and MIT, institutional scholarships often include merit-based fellowships, assistantships, and specific departmental awards that can cover tuition and living expenses for international students.

2. Mid-tier universities, like Illinois State University, University of New Haven, and Portland State University, also provide generous institutional scholarships, often aimed at attracting talented international students. These can include merit-based awards, grants, and discounted tuition. Through some of these scholarships, international students automatically qualify for the Provost’s Assistantship and Dean’s Scholarship, which provide between $3,000 and $6,000 each academic year.

3. Even more affordable schools (also which may be relatively less competitive in terms of their selection criteria) offer competitive scholarships that significantly reduce tuition fees, making them great options for international students seeking quality education at a more budget-friendly price.

Institutional Emergency Grants

Many universities offer emergency funding or one-time grants for international students facing sudden financial hardship. Some common situations covered under this category include: –

1. Sudden loss of a parent or sponsor
2. Unexpected medical expenses
3. Natural disasters affecting home country/family
4. Loss of housing or food insecurity
5. Delayed stipend or financial aid disbursement

External Scholarships for MS in USA

1. Fulbright Scholarship

   1. The U.S. Department of State runs this highly competitive National Scholarship program, which takes care of full tuition, living expenses, airfare, and health insurance.
   2. While many people link Fulbright recipients with top-tier institutions, you’ll find that they also come from mid-tier schools, especially in fields like public administration, education, and environmental sciences.
   3. The Fullbright scholarship offered to Indian students is known as the ‘Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships’.
   4. The purpose of this scholarship is to facilitate US-India collaboration and cultural exchange for a more globalized world.

2. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

   1. This is a fully-funded, need-based & merit-based external scholarship program, funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank.
   2. This program offers students from developing countries full tuition coverage, a monthly living stipend, and round-trip airfare.
   3. It is offered by U.S. universities that go beyond the Ivy League, featuring mid-tier schools as well.

3. AAUW International Fellowships

   1. The American Association of University Women offers fellowships to women from all corners of the globe who are chasing master’s in the USA.
   2. It is a merit-based scholarship that looks for evidence of academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to women’s empowerment.
   3. It covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and dependent child care (depending on the award amount).
   4. It is a partially-funded scholarship; Master’s students can snag awards of up to $50,000.
   5. Mid-tier schools consistently hit the mark by placing AAUW fellows in fields such as public health, engineering, and law.

4. Rotary Peace Fellowship

   1. It is a merit-based external scholarship.
   2. While it is primarily for mid-career professionals with a minimum of three years of professional work experience in areas related to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, international development, and other relevant fields, it also supports MS students pursuing peace or developmental studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers located at prestigious universities worldwide. Some of these universities include Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
   3. Fellows are trained in conflict resolution, international relations, human rights, and development, and have access to hands-on fieldwork experiences and networking opportunities.
   4. This fellowship is not for fresh graduates.
   5. It covers tuition, living expenses, round trip transportation, internship and field-study expenses for masters in US and for professionals committed to peace and conflict resolution.

5. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship

   1. This is only for students from India pursuing programs in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Law, etc.
   2. It offers coverage of up to $100,000 that includes tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, and health allowance.
   3. While it is primarily a merit-based scholarship that requires evidence of academic excellence, exceptional talent, and a well-articulated vision for future goals, it is also need-sensitive. The latter mans that a candidate who shows financial need, but also demonstrates the merit criteria, is eligible.

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Privately-funded loan scholarships

1. Exclusively for Indian students

   1. J.N. Tata Endowment for Higher Education

      1. This prestigious loan scholarship supports Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad, including Master’s and PhD programs.
      2. The scholarship offers partial financial support that can be used toward tuition fees, living expenses, and other academic costs.
      3. It covers ₹1–10 lakh loan + travel grant.
      4. Repayment is expected at a very low interest rate (currently 2%), starting one year after course completion, with flexible terms.
      5. Selection is based on academic excellence, a well-articulated statement of purpose, and the potential for future leadership.

   2. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

      1. This scholarship is offered to outstanding Indian students under the age of 30, pursuing postgraduate programs.

      2. Provides interest-free loans for graduate studies at top global universities.

      3. It covers tuition and other academic expenses, and requires repayment over a structure timeline, post-graduation.

      4. The selection process includes a rigorous review of academic records, GRE/GMAT scores, admission offers, and personal interviews.

      5. Scholars also benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities offered by the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation.

2. For students from developing countries

   1. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
   1. This competitive program supports students from select developing countries, including India, Pakistan, Kenya, and others, who have no other means of financing their graduate education.
   2. While any graduate field is eligible, preference is given to applicants pursuing development-related fields with a clear commitment to returning and contributing to their home countries.
   3. The scholarship follows a unique model: 50% of the award is a grant, while the remaining 50% is a loan repayable with 5% annual service charge.
   4. It covers full tuition fees and living expenses for postgraduate studies, primarily at globally recognized institutions.

Assistantships: The Hidden Full-Funding Model

For overseas students pursuing a masters in the US, graduate assistantships remain the most valuable source of support. They are usually a mix of tuition remission and a monthly living stipend in return for 10 to 20 hours of academic work per week. These roles may include administrative, instructional, or research project assignments.

There are three main types of assistantships:

1. Teaching Assistantships (TA) – where students assist faculty with undergraduate courses, lead lab sessions, or grade assignments.

2. Research Assistantships (RA) – where students work on faculty-led research projects, often closely tied to their own academic interests.

3. Graduate Assistantships (GA) – where students provide administrative or academic support across various departments, including student services, academic advising, or program coordination.

Additionally, some graduate students in research-intensive fields may be offered “Assistantships with Teeth”. These roles, typically found in STEM disciplines, require more substantial contributions to faculty research, often with additional perks such as higher stipends and specialized responsibilities. These positions can provide invaluable experience and are highly competitive, offering students the opportunity to significantly advance their academic careers.

Besides easing students’ financial burden, assistantships often come with added benefits, such as health insurance, professional development opportunities, and priority course registration. Additionally, ‘Research Dollars and Tuition Breaks’ are commonly available through these assistantships, where students are given funding support for their research, along with tuition assistance. These opportunities are especially prevalent in STEM fields and are an excellent way for international students to reduce the financial burden of their MS programs in the U.S. Usually, depending on the program, eligibility criteria include a strong English language proficiency score (such as TOEFL or IELTS), a solid undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale), and occasionally, GRE results. Most assistantships, notably, are decided at the departmental level rather than through central admissions. Therefore, reach out early to academic departments and program coordinators; this would greatly increase your prospects.

Selection criteria sometimes heavily rely on a well-crafted statement of purpose, defined research objectives, and past academic or professional expertise in the field of study.

Important Tips while applying for Scholarships for Master’s in US

1. Some scholarships close months before admission deadlines. Plan 12–15 months in advance.

2. After general admission, write directly to department chairs or graduate coordinators. Many awards are department-specific, and not listed on central financial aid pages.

3. Combine multiple small scholarships with assistantships to form a full funding model.

4. Highlight not just your academic merit in the Statement of Purpose, but also how your goals align with specific departmental strengths.

5. Funding deadlines often differ from academic deadlines. Keep a separate calendar.

6. Always calculate the total cost of attendance (tuition, living expenses, insurance, and fees) against the award value.

7. Check out how Indian students can secure scholarships to study in the USA.

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