Scholarships in USA

Scholarships to study in United States

In the USA, most funding comes from universities themselves: need-based aid and merit scholarships for bachelor’s students, and scholarships or assistantships for master’s students. Some country-specific programmes such as Fulbright add government funding.

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Bachelor’s & master’s

Scholarships in USA

A summary of each scholarship. Values and dates change every year, so always confirm on the official page before you apply.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

Master’s

USIEF (US and Indian governments)

Value
Tuition, living costs, travel and accident and sickness cover
Who can apply
Indian citizens with a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least three years’ work experience, for a master’s in selected fields at a US university.
When to apply
Usually opens in early spring for study starting the following year.

Need-based financial aid

Bachelor’s

US universities

Value
Up to the full cost of attendance, depending on family income
Who can apply
A small number of universities meet the full demonstrated need of admitted international students; many others offer limited need-based aid.
When to apply
Applied for alongside admission (CSS Profile or the university’s own form).

Merit scholarships

Bachelor’sMaster’s

US universities

Value
Partial to full tuition
Who can apply
Many US universities award merit scholarships to international students based on academics, test scores or talent, often considered automatically.
When to apply
Usually considered with your application; early deadlines can matter.

Graduate assistantships

Master’s

US university departments

Value
Tuition waiver and/or a stipend in return for teaching or research work
Who can apply
Master’s students in some departments, especially STEM. More common for research-based programmes.
When to apply
Ask the department when you apply; offers often come with or after admission.

Tata Scholarship at Cornell

Bachelor’s

Cornell University and Tata Education and Development Trust

Value
Need-based aid for undergraduate study at Cornell
Who can apply
Undergraduate students from India admitted to Cornell University who qualify for financial aid.
When to apply
Applied for with your Cornell application and financial aid forms.

Last reviewed October 2026. Gradmire is not the awarding body for these scholarships and cannot guarantee an award; the official page always takes precedence.

How we help

Apply for scholarships with Gradmire

  1. Shortlist

    We match your profile, course and destination to the scholarships you are realistically eligible for.

  2. Plan deadlines

    Many scholarship deadlines come before admission deadlines. We build one timeline for both.

  3. Strengthen your application

    Feedback on scholarship essays, personal statements and CVs; the writing stays yours.

  4. References and documents

    Guidance on referees, transcripts and any financial documents the scholarship asks for.

  5. Interviews

    Practice for scholarship interviews, such as Chevening’s.

  6. Plan the rest

    Most scholarships are partial, so we help you plan the remaining funding too.

FAQs

Scholarships in USA: common questions

Are scholarships available for bachelor’s students?

Yes, but fewer than for master’s study. Most bachelor’s funding comes from universities as partial tuition discounts or need-based aid, so apply early and to several universities.

Do scholarships cover everything?

A few fully funded scholarships cover tuition, living costs and travel, but most are partial. Plan for the full cost of study and treat a scholarship as a bonus until it is confirmed.

Can I apply before I have an admission offer?

For some scholarships, yes; others need an offer first. Check each scholarship’s rules on its official page.

Other destinations

Scholarships in other countries

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