In the United States alone, universities such as Arizona State University, Pace University, Simmons University, the University of Connecticut and the University of Oregon offer substantial merit or need-based funding opportunities for international applicants. Kaplan International Pathways confirms that its U.S. partner universities award scholarships to high-achieving international students admitted to degree programs.
Meanwhile, a Yale Young African Scholars resource identifies institutions including Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, University of Pennsylvania and Yale among U.S. colleges and universities where international students can investigate need-based financial aid. Yale cautions that its list is not comprehensive and is intended as a starting point.
For students searching for international scholarships, understanding the difference between merit scholarships, need-based financial aid, full-tuition awards and full-ride scholarships is essential.
International Scholarships at a Glance
| University/Program | Scholarship Type | Funding Mentioned in Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Undergraduate merit | $7,000–$20,000 annually |
| Pace University | Undergraduate merit | Up to $36,000 annually |
| Simmons University | Undergraduate merit | Up to $32,000 annually |
| University of Connecticut | Undergraduate merit | $5,000–$15,000 annually |
| University of Oregon | Merit | $7,500–$20,000 annually |
| University of Oregon ICSP | Merit/service | Up to $25,000 annually |
| Centre College Lincoln Scholars | Full ride | Full-ride scholarship |
| Davidson Belk Scholarship | Major merit award | Full funding + study stipends |
| Wisconsin King-Morgridge | Full scholarship | Tuition, housing, insurance, airfare + stipend |
| American University EGL | Major scholarship | Tuition, room and board |
| Tulane Sub-Saharan Africa Award | Merit | Full tuition |
| Wesleyan African Scholars | Scholarship | Full scholarship |
| University of Victoria | International entrance | Up to CAD$15,000 for specified 2026 starts |
| University of Alberta | Progression | Up to CAD$30,000 |
| Kaplan UK Impact Scholarship | Impact award | Up to £6,000 |
Amounts and terms above come from the supplied sources and should be verified against the relevant university’s current scholarship page before applying.
Types of Scholarships Available to International Students
Before searching for scholarships, students should understand the main categories of funding.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit scholarships are generally awarded based on achievements such as:
- Academic performance
- GPA
- Leadership
- Extracurricular involvement
- Community engagement
- Talent
- Other accomplishments
Several universities in the supplied Kaplan information automatically consider admitted international students for merit scholarships.
Need-Based Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid considers whether the student and their family can afford the cost of university.
The Yale Young African Scholars resource identifies a substantial group of U.S. colleges and universities where international applicants can investigate need-based financial aid.
Institutions on that list include:
- Amherst College
- Bates College
- Barnard College
- Berea College
- Brandeis University
- Brown University
- Bryn Mawr College
- Bucknell University
- California Institute of Technology
- Carleton College
- Claremont McKenna College
- Clark University
The list continues with major universities and liberal arts colleges across the United States.
Full-Tuition Scholarships
A full-tuition scholarship generally pays tuition but may leave the student responsible for expenses such as:
- Housing
- Food
- Health insurance
- Books
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
Full-Ride Scholarships
Full-ride awards can be significantly broader.
Depending on the scholarship, they may include tuition and additional costs such as housing, meals, insurance, travel or living expenses.
Students should never use “full tuition” and “fully funded” interchangeably.
Arizona State University Scholarships
Arizona State University offers several scholarship possibilities through the information supplied by Kaplan.
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
For admitted undergraduate students meeting the relevant criteria, awards are listed at:
$7,000 to $20,000 annually for first-year applicants.
For transfer students, awards range from:
$3,000 to $14,000 annually.
Both are described as renewable, subject to conditions.
That could make a significant difference over a four-year undergraduate degree.
ASU Master’s Scholarships
Outstanding master’s applicants with a GPA of at least 3.50 may qualify for tuition discounts ranging from:
$2,500 to $10,000.
Criteria differ according to the academic college.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Kaplan also lists scholarships associated with ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.
High-GPA admitted students can receive an automatic award of up to $10,000, while the source states an average award of $21,000 in the relevant Thunderbird scholarship context.
Applicants should check carefully which award and program the amount applies to.
Pace University Scholarships
International students considering Pace University have substantial merit scholarship possibilities.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Students are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon admission.
The awards can reach:
Up to $21,000 per year at the New York City campus
and:
Up to $36,000 per year at the Westchester campus.
The scholarships are renewable annually, subject to conditions.
Graduate Scholarships
Graduate applicants are also automatically considered.
Students with at least a 3.3 GPA in their bachelor’s degree are described as being most likely to receive an award, depending on their chosen master’s program.
Awards range from:
$1,500 to $6,000 per academic year.
Simmons University Scholarships
Simmons University provides another significant opportunity.
International undergraduate students can automatically receive merit-based tuition scholarships upon admission.
Awards reach:
Up to $32,000 per year for first-year students
and:
Up to $20,000 per year for transfer students.
They are renewable subject to conditions.
Graduate students can also automatically receive merit-based tuition scholarships, with awards varying by program and potentially reaching:
$20,000 for the duration of study.
University of Connecticut Scholarships
International students applying for first-year fall admission at the University of Connecticut are automatically considered for undergraduate merit scholarships.
Awards range from:
$5,000 to $15,000 per year
and are renewable subject to conditions.
For graduate applicants, students applying for master’s admission through UConn’s School of Business are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
Those awards start at:
$3,600 for the first semester of graduate study.
University of Oregon Scholarships
The University of Oregon has several particularly interesting international funding options.
Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
Students applying for fall first-year admission are automatically considered based on:
- High-school GPA
- Holistic application review
Awards range from:
$7,500 to $20,000 per year.
They are renewable subject to conditions.
Transfer students admitted with a GPA of at least 3.3 are listed as receiving a:
$5,000 renewable scholarship.
University of Oregon Need-Based Scholarships
International students can also submit a separate application for several need-based awards.
Endowed scholarships range from:
$1,000 to $12,000.
The university’s International Cultural Service Program is listed as awarding up to:
$25,000 per year
based on academic merit and the applicant’s ability to make presentations to diverse groups.
University of Oregon International Work-Study
Another interesting option is the International Work-Study Award.
According to the supplied source, eligible international students can apply by April 15.
The award provides a monthly paycheck for on-campus employment of up to:
20 hours per week.
Importantly, receiving the award does not guarantee a job, although the university says it substantially increases opportunities for on-campus employment.
Harvard University Financial Aid
The Yale Young African Scholars resource includes Harvard University among institutions where international students can investigate need-based financial aid.
This should not be interpreted as evidence that every international applicant receives a scholarship.
Students need to check Harvard’s current official financial-aid policy and submit the required financial information.
MIT Financial Aid for International Students
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also included on Yale’s need-based financial-aid list.
Students interested in:
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Artificial intelligence
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Economics
- Technology
may therefore want to investigate MIT’s current international undergraduate financial-aid arrangements directly.
Princeton University Financial Aid
Princeton University appears on the Yale resource’s need-based aid list.
For international applicants targeting highly selective U.S. institutions, understanding need-based aid can be just as important as searching for named merit scholarships.
Stanford University Financial Aid
Stanford University is another institution included in Yale’s directory for international students investigating need-based aid.
Applicants should distinguish Stanford’s financial-aid process from external scholarships and graduate research funding.
Yale University Financial Aid
Unsurprisingly, Yale’s own university appears in its directory of U.S. colleges and universities providing financial-aid information for international students.
Students should use the current Yale undergraduate admissions and financial-aid pages when determining their actual eligibility.
Other Prestigious US Universities Offering Need-Based Aid
The Yale resource provides a useful starting list of institutions.
Additional universities and colleges include:
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Davidson College
- Emory University
- Grinnell College
- Hamilton College
- Northwestern University
- Pomona College
- Rice University
- Swarthmore College
- Tufts University
- University of Chicago
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Pennsylvania
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Williams College
Again, Yale explicitly says its directory is a starting point, not a comprehensive list.
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
International applicants should also know about the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship.
The Yale resource states that participating colleges and universities offer annual renewable scholarships covering a minimum of:
50% of tuition
to selected international undergraduate students committed to intercultural understanding.
Applicants may be asked to submit an essay or multimedia project explaining how they would promote intercultural learning on campus.
Participation by institutions should be checked for the current admission cycle.
Centre College Lincoln Scholars Program
The Lincoln Scholars Program is one of the major scholarship opportunities highlighted by the Yale resource.
The source describes 10 full-ride scholarships, renewable for four years.
Competitive applicants are expected to demonstrate qualities including:
- Leadership potential
- Intellectual curiosity
- Extracurricular participation
- Service or community involvement
The source also lists an English-language threshold for international applicants of 90 TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS.
Applicants should verify those requirements for the current application cycle.
Davidson College Belk Scholarship
Another significant opportunity is the John M. Belk Scholarship at Davidson College.
The Yale resource describes it as providing:
Full funding plus special study stipends.
International candidates can be nominated by high schools abroad.
Competitive applicants should demonstrate:
- Academic excellence
- Intellectual curiosity
- Purposeful engagement
- Leadership and involvement
Because nomination and selection procedures can change, current applicants should confirm the latest process with Davidson.
University of Wisconsin–Madison King-Morgridge Scholars Program
For students from developing regions, the King-Morgridge Scholars Program is one of the strongest opportunities in the supplied sources.
It targets academically successful and motivated students committed to addressing poverty in their home countries.
Eligible regions mentioned include:
- Africa
- Latin America
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia
- Caribbean
The source describes the award as a four-year/eight-semester scholarship covering:
- Tuition and fees
- On-campus room and board
- Health insurance
- Airfare
- Miscellaneous-expense stipend
It states that six scholarships are provided each year.
This is much closer to what students typically mean when searching for a fully funded undergraduate scholarship.
American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is another major opportunity.
According to the Yale resource, it is intended for an international student demonstrating:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership
- Global engagement
- Commitment to positive civic and social change
The scholarship covers:
Tuition, room and board
and is renewable for four years, subject to continued satisfactory performance.
Students should note that this description does not say every incidental expense or international airfare is covered.
Tulane University Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Award
Students from Sub-Saharan Africa have another noteworthy option at Tulane University.
The Yale resource describes the Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Award as a:
Full-tuition scholarship renewable for four years.
It is intended for multiple full-time undergraduate students from and studying in Sub-Saharan Africa with strong academic and extracurricular credentials.
Because this is full tuition rather than an explicitly full-ride award, students should budget separately for other expenses unless Tulane provides additional aid.
Wesleyan African Scholars Program
The Wesleyan African Scholars Program is particularly relevant to students across Africa.
According to the Yale resource, it provides exceptionally promising African students with:
Full scholarships for four years of bachelor’s degree study.
Citizens and permanent residents of Africa’s 54 countries applying to Wesleyan as financial-aid-seeking applicants are considered.
The source says approximately:
10 incoming students
receive the scholarship each year.
St. Lawrence University Kenya Scholarship Program
For Kenyan students, Yale’s resource highlights the St. Lawrence University Kenya Scholarship Program.
It states that the university offers:
Two full scholarships annually
to qualifying Kenyan students.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Room
- Board
It does not cover:
- Transportation to and from the United States
- Books
- Personal expenses
This is a good example of why applicants should inspect exactly what “full scholarship” means before assuming every expense is covered.
Scholarships in Canada
International scholarship searches should not stop with the United States.
Kaplan’s source also provides information about Canadian opportunities.
University of Victoria Scholarships
First-year undergraduate international students at the University of Victoria are automatically eligible for entrance scholarships based on previous academic performance.
For the 2026 starts listed in the source, awards were:
- CAD$10,000 for January 2026
- CAD$15,000 for May and September 2026
Kaplan says up to 250 International Entrance Scholarships are awarded by UVic each year.
Students should verify future intake amounts directly.
University of Victoria IB Scholarship
International Baccalaureate students also have another funding route.
The source lists automatic awards for admitted students achieving at least 32 IB points.
For May and September 2026 starts, the award was:
CAD$10,000.
It could be combined with an entrance scholarship, allowing qualifying students with at least 36 IB points to receive up to:
CAD$25,000.
University of Victoria Graduate Funding
Master’s students are automatically considered for renewable Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarships.
The supplied source lists awards of up to:
$17,500
based on grades during the applicant’s final two undergraduate years.
University of Alberta Scholarship
The University of Alberta is also included.
Kaplan lists a progression scholarship worth:
Up to CAD$30,000
following completion of the Year One Foundation Program.
Selection considers:
- GPA
- Attendance
- Program engagement
The source states that 10 scholarships are awarded each academic year.
Scholarships in the UK
Kaplan also highlights scholarship opportunities connected to UK university pathways.
The source states that students can access scholarships worth up to:
£5,000 per year
through certain partner arrangements.
Kaplan also provides one-off merit scholarships for qualifying pathway students based on previous academic achievement.
Kaplan Impact Scholarships
Students whose degrees align with particular social-impact themes may also investigate Kaplan’s Impact Scholarships.
The two categories listed are:
- Community and Sustainability
- Women in Leadership
Applicants submit either:
- A two-minute video
- A 400-word impact statement
explaining how their chosen degree will contribute positively to the world.
Awards are worth up to:
£6,000
for students applying to a UK university.
These scholarships are only available during certain periods of the year.
Are International Scholarships Automatically Awarded?
Sometimes.
This is an important distinction.
Kaplan states that scholarship awards are institution-specific. Some require separate applications, while others automatically consider students when they are admitted.
Examples of automatic consideration in the supplied source include:
- Pace undergraduate merit scholarships
- Pace graduate merit scholarships
- Simmons undergraduate scholarships
- Simmons graduate scholarships
- UConn undergraduate merit scholarships
- UConn School of Business graduate merit scholarships
- University of Oregon merit scholarships
Applicants should check each university individually.
Who Should Apply for International Scholarships?
Scholarships are available across different academic profiles.
Strong candidates may include students with:
- Excellent academic records
- Leadership experience
- Community involvement
- Strong extracurricular achievements
- Financial need
- Social-impact experience
- Research potential
You do not necessarily need to satisfy all of these characteristics.
Scholarship criteria differ considerably.
How to Improve Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
Start Early
Do not begin researching scholarships after university admission deadlines have passed.
Create your scholarship shortlist several months in advance.
Maintain Strong Academic Results
Many merit scholarships are closely connected to GPA or previous academic performance.
Demonstrate Leadership
Leadership can include:
- Student organizations
- Volunteering
- Entrepreneurship
- Community initiatives
- Sports
- Research projects
Explain Your Impact
Major scholarships frequently look for applicants who can demonstrate how they will contribute beyond the classroom.
Write Specific Essays
Avoid generic statements such as:
“I want this scholarship because I am passionate about education.”
Instead, explain:
- What you have achieved
- What challenge you want to solve
- Why your chosen degree matters
- What you plan to do after graduation
Documents You May Need
Requirements vary, but applicants may need:
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- University admission application
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- Recommendation letters
- CV or résumé
- Proof of financial circumstances
- English-language results where required
Do not submit unnecessary documents unless requested.
Common Scholarship Application Mistakes
Calling Every Scholarship Fully Funded
A $20,000 scholarship may be substantial but still leave a considerable tuition balance.
Confusing Full Tuition With Full Ride
Full tuition usually refers specifically to tuition costs.
Missing Separate Scholarship Applications
Some awards require additional forms or essays.
Ignoring Automatic Scholarships
Students sometimes spend months searching for external scholarships while overlooking automatic merit aid offered by their universities.
Applying Without Checking Eligibility
Check:
- Nationality
- Degree level
- GPA
- Admission status
- Academic program
- Financial-need requirements
Relying on Old Scholarship Information
Funding amounts and eligibility rules can change between admission cycles.
Always confirm current information before applying.
How to Build a Scholarship Strategy
Instead of relying on one extremely competitive scholarship, build a diversified funding plan.
For example:
Category 1 — Full-Ride Opportunities
Target a small number of highly competitive awards that cover most major costs.
Category 2 — Full-Tuition Scholarships
Apply for awards that eliminate tuition even if living expenses remain.
Category 3 — Large Merit Scholarships
Target renewable awards worth $10,000, $20,000 or more annually.
Category 4 — Need-Based Financial Aid
Apply to institutions willing to consider the financial circumstances of international students.
Category 5 — Smaller Scholarships
Several smaller awards can collectively reduce your final cost significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get scholarships?
Yes.
The supplied sources identify numerous scholarship and financial-aid opportunities in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.
Can international students get full scholarships in the United States?
Some programs provide full tuition or broader funding.
Examples in the Yale resource include Centre College’s Lincoln Scholars Program, Davidson’s Belk Scholarship, the King-Morgridge Scholars Program and Wesleyan African Scholars Program.
Which scholarship covers airfare?
The King-Morgridge Scholars Program description specifically includes airfare alongside tuition, fees, housing, health insurance and a miscellaneous-expense stipend.
Which scholarships are available for African students?
The supplied sources highlight opportunities including:
- King-Morgridge Scholars Program
- Tulane Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Award
- Wesleyan African Scholars Program
- St. Lawrence University Kenya Scholarship Program
Does Arizona State University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes.
The Kaplan source lists undergraduate awards of $7,000–$20,000 annually for qualifying first-year applicants and $3,000–$14,000 for transfer applicants.
Does Pace University offer international scholarships?
Yes.
Pace merit scholarships can reach $21,000 annually at its New York City campus and $36,000 annually at its Westchester campus according to the supplied source.
Does Simmons University offer international scholarships?
Yes.
The supplied source lists awards of up to $32,000 per year for first-year admission and up to $20,000 per year for transfer students.
Does the University of Oregon offer scholarships?
Yes.
Merit awards listed in the source range from $7,500 to $20,000 annually, while its International Cultural Service Program can provide up to $25,000 annually.
Can international students receive need-based financial aid?
Yes, at some institutions.
The Yale Young African Scholars resource provides a substantial starting list of U.S. colleges and universities offering financial-aid information for international applicants.
Are scholarships available for master’s students?
Yes.
Examples in the Kaplan source include graduate awards at Arizona State University, Pace University, Simmons University, UConn and the University of Victoria.
Is every scholarship automatically awarded?
No.
Some scholarships require separate applications, while others automatically consider admitted students.
Final Thoughts
Scholarships for international students can substantially reduce the cost of studying in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, but applicants need to understand exactly what each award covers.
Some opportunities provide partial tuition discounts. Others cover full tuition. A much smaller group provides broader packages covering expenses such as accommodation, health insurance, airfare and living costs.
For students looking for substantial merit funding, universities such as Arizona State University, Pace University, Simmons University, University of Connecticut and University of Oregon provide several possibilities in the supplied Kaplan information.
Students searching for need-based aid can also investigate the extensive list provided through Yale Young African Scholars, which includes institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania and Yale.
African students have additional opportunities worth researching, including the King-Morgridge Scholars Program, Tulane Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Award, Wesleyan African Scholars Program and St. Lawrence University Kenya Scholarship Program.
Scholarship information changes frequently. Treat these opportunities as a shortlist for further research and verify the current deadline, funding amount, eligibility rules and application procedure on the relevant university’s official website before applying.
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