Scholarships for Bachelor’s Studies in the United States

We’ve compiled a list of scholarships you can apply for if you’d like to get a Bachelor’s degree in the USA as an international student.

Scholarships are a great way to make your studies more affordable, enabling you to concentrate on your academic program without the added stress of tuition and living expenses.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our article on application documents you’ll need to study in the US as an international student.

Here’s a list of scholarships you can apply for if you’d like to get a Bachelor’s in the US as an international student:

University scholarships

Treasure Transfer Scholarship

• University: Boise State University (Boise, Idaho)
• Scholarship award: $8,000 per year. Students need to maintain an average grade of 2.50 for scholarship renewal 
• Period: 2 years (4 semesters)
• Eligibility:
  • Must be an international student (a non-US citizen on a Student Visa)
  • Studying an eligible major (check this list of NON-eligible majors).
  • Must have graduated high school with a GPA of 3.40-4.0
  • Must have earned 14 or more semester credits post-high school prior to the scholarship deadline
• Deadlines: December (autumn semester) and October (spring semester)

Boston University Presidential Scholarship

• University: Boston University, Massachusetts
• Scholarship award: $25,000 per year
• Period: 4 years
• Fields of study: Engineering, Communication, Arts & Sciences, Fine Arts, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Global Studies, Business, Administration, Education & Human Development
• Deadline: December 1st (annually)
• Eligibility: all nationalities
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Rank in the top 5% of their high school class
  • Exceptional academic achievement: SAT scores above 1500 and ACT scores above 33
  • Extracurricular achievements and leadership positions in high school and community.
  • Be an incoming first-year student at Boston University.

Berea College Scholarships 

• University: Berea College 
• Scholarship award: 100% tuition reimbursement
• Period: 4 years or longer depending on the course
• Eligibility: All Nationalities
• Standout features:
  • The only US college to provide 100% funding to all enrolled international students for the first year of studies. The financial aid and the scholarship award offset the costs of tuition, room, board, and fees.
  • International students are provided with paid jobs and summer jobs to cover personal expenses.
• Fields of studies: Check out the full list of eligible programs 
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Scores from at least one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ACT or SAT
  • Strong academic performance and financial need 
  • English language skills
• Deadline: November 30th every year

ICSP (International Cultural Service Program) Scholarships

• University: University of Oregon
• Scholarship award: €8000-€30000, based on financial need and achievements
• Eligibility:
  • International students (non-US citizens on a Student Visa)
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Financial need
  • Required 80 hours per year of cultural service 
• Standout Feature: Focus on practical skills. The scholarship requires students to give presentations about their home country to children, community organizations, and the university’s students, faculty, and staff.

Scholarships funded by governmental bodies and external organizations

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Match Scholarship Recipients are granted financial help and early admission to one of QuestBridge’s college partners.

• Scholarship award: fully-funded tuition fees over all 4 years of study (covering tuition fee, Housing and food, Books and supplies, and Travel expenses)
• Eligibility: Open to all nationalities (including US citizens).
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Applicants must graduate from high school during or before the summer.
  • Candidates must intend to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall semester.
  • Applicants are expected to have exceptional academic qualifications.
  • Applicants who come from low-income households are considered for the scholarship.

Note: Not all colleges consider non-U.S. citizens.

ICT Fund’s BETHA program for UAE students

• Funded by: UAE Government
• Field of study: ICT-related disciplines (computer engineering, electronic engineering, computer science, information technology). See the full list of courses.
• Scholarship reward: fully funded tuition fees
• Eligibility:
  • Open to citizens of the United Arab Emirates
  • Have a high school education (or finish it before the beginning of the program) and have a high school certificate (issued by the Ministry of Higher Education)
  • You haven’t received any other scholarship.
  • You’re not currently employed.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • High GPA (above 75%)
  • Acceptance letter from your chosen university and a transcript of grades
  • Family book
  • Official IBAN letter that contains the seal (stamp) and signature of the bank
  • Required Language tests like GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.

AP Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarships for SC students

• Funded by: Social Welfare Department
• Scholarship award: Full Funding, up to Rs. 10,00,000(5.00 +5.00) lakhs grant in two installments
• Eligibility:
  • Open to Indian citizens.
  • Parental income less than Rs.6.00 lakhs
  • Only one child from a single family can be eligible under this scheme.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • High academic achievement: students will be selected in order of academic merit.

Onsi Sawiris Scholarship

Funded by Orascom Construction, this scholarship for Egyptian students provides full funding for Bachelor’s degrees at prestigious US universities in fields that will support the economic prosperity of Egypt.

• Universities: Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Harvard University, The University of Pennsylvania.
• Period: 4-years Bachelor’s program
• Scholarship award: full tuition, a living allowance, travel and health insurance.
• Fields of study: Engineering, Economics, Finance, Management
• Eligibility:
  • An Egyptian national, currently residing there
  • A high school GPA of 3.5 (90%)
  • TOEFL certificate with a grade of 100 or above
  • A proven record of participating in extracurricular activities
  • Haven’t lived more than 2 years abroad and is committed to coming back to Egypt after graduation.

Major-specific scholarships

Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship

• Field of study: Nursing
• Scholarship award: $1,000 per year
• Funded by Cascade Healthcare Solutions
• Eligibility: all nationalities are eligible, but must be a legal resident in the US or hold a valid Student Visa.
• Selection criteria: essay contest – assessed based on quality, thoughtfulness, and relevance to the topic.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • be a high school student that’s been accepted into a college and plans to study nursing
  • A GPA of at least 3.0

Note: Employees or family members of Cascade Healthcare Solutions are not eligible to participate.

The Science Ambassador Scholarship 

• Field of study: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math)
• Scholarship award: full tuition fee covered for 4 years.
• Funded by Cards Against Humanity
• Eligibility: Female applicants from all nationalities
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Must film a 3-minute educational video of yourself explaining a STEM topic you’re passionate about.
  • Applicants must be a high school senior or an undergraduate college student.

Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Scholarships

• Fields of study: Journalism, Electronic (Radio/Audio) Media
• Scholarship awards: varied depending on the scholarship, but between $1,500 and $4,000.
• Eligibility: All nationalities
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Academic transcripts – must include individual courses and grades earned in each as well as cumulative GPA.
  • 2 letters of recommendation.
  • A copy of your thesis.

Read more about the financial aid offered by BEA on the official scholarships page.

Theater Scholarships

• Field of study: Musical Theater
• Eligibility: All incoming 1st year students
• 4 scholarships available:
  • Ball State University CFA Awards: 10 merit-based scholarships amounting to $4,000 per year for in-state students and $2,000 per year for out-of-state students.
  • Ball State University Fine Arts Scholarships: merit-based scholarship of $1,000 for four students.
  • Ball State University Talent Scholarships: one-year stipends of $500 to $1,000 which you can reapply for each year for up to four years.
  • The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: $10,000 per year for a 4-year theater study, as well as a mentorship with key industry players, free masterclasses, panels for career advancement, and more.

Privately funded scholarships

educations.com Study a Bachelor’s in the USA Scholarship

• Scholarship award: $5,000
• Eligibility:
  • Must have applied for a Bachelor’s degree at a college or university located in the USA (either on-campus or online).
  • Must be an international student (US citizens are not eligible).
  • Must not have started your Bachelor’s yet.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Fill out the application form.
  • Submit a 400-500 word scholarship essay on the following topic: Why did you choose the USA as a study abroad destination, and how will it help you grow as a globally-minded leader?

Community Impact Scholarship

• Scholarship award: $2,500
• Eligibility:
  • Must be 18 years old.
  • Must be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
  • Must be a Bachelor’s student at an accredited college or university.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Demonstrate active involvement in community service.
  • Exhibit strong leadership qualities.
  • Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship

• Scholarship award: 3 scholarships of $1,250.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Be a current member of SHAPE America or join it before application.
  • Applicant must be majoring in the fields of health, physical education, recreation, or dance.
  • GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Note:

• You can only apply for this scholarship once. Previous recipients are ineligible.
• Scholarship winners also receive a 3-year SHAPE America membership.

St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship

• Scholarship award: $500 scholarships (can be applied for up to 5 times)
• Eligibility:
  • All nationalities are eligible.
  • Need-based – decided based on family size and financial need.

ServiceScape Scholarship

• Scholarship award: $1,000
• Selection criteria: scholarship essay.
• Scholarship requirements:
  • Candidates must submit a 300-word essay on the following topic: How does writing impact today’s world?
  • Attend or about to attend a college, university, or trade school.
  • Applicants will be judged on their quality of writing.