PickAScholarship.com

Scholarships for International Students in the USA: Hidden Gems

Securing a scholarship as an international student in the USA can be a daunting task. With high tuition fees and cost of living expenses, many students find themselves overwhelmed when it comes to funding their education abroad. However, there are several lesser-known scholarships available, often referred to as "hidden gems," that can significantly ease the financial burden. This article aims to uncover these hidden gems and provide guidance on accessing them.

1. Need-Based and Merit-Based Scholarships

The USA offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships for international students. Need-based scholarships consider the applicant’s financial situation, while merit-based scholarships focus on academic excellence, leadership qualities, or specific talents.

Need-Based Scholarships:

1. Clark University Presidential LEEP Scholarships – Clark University in Massachusetts offers the Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP) scholarship to incoming international students. This need-based scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board for four years. It also provides a stipend for research and internship opportunities.

2. Illinois Wesleyan University International Student Scholarships – This university provides need-based financial aid opportunities for international students. Scholarships can cover up to the full cost of tuition and are renewable for up to four years.

Merit-Based Scholarships:

1. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program – This prestigious fellowship for experienced professionals covers full tuition fees and provides a living allowance, fees, airfare, and insurance. Though it is more of a professional development program, it falls under merit-based aid because selection is based on professional achievements and leadership potential.

2. Emory University Scholar Programs – Emory University in Georgia offers several merit-based scholarships, including the Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program. These scholarships cover full tuition fees and may include stipends for research and internships.

2. Field-Specific Scholarships

Certain scholarships cater to students in specific fields of study. These field-specific scholarships target disciplines such as engineering, science, arts, and social sciences.

Science and Engineering:

1. AAUW International Fellowships – The American Association of University Women offers scholarships for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in science and engineering fields. Award amounts range from $18,000 to $30,000.

2. The American Physical Society (APS) Scholarships – APS offers various scholarships for students pursuing degrees in physics. These scholarships often cover tuition fees and provide stipends for living expenses.

Arts and Humanities:

1. Lambda Pi Eta Communication Scholarships – This scholarship is provided by the National Communication Association for students in the field of communication studies. It covers partial tuition fees and may offer a small stipend for additional educational resources.

2. Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund – This fund provides interest-free educational loans to Latin American and Caribbean students who need financial assistance to pursue higher education in the United States in various disciplines including arts and humanities.

3. Regional Scholarships for International Students

Various scholarships cater specifically to students from certain regions of the world. These regional scholarships aim to promote educational exchange and international cooperation.

Africa:

1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – This scholarship is aimed at African students with high academic potential and leadership qualities. Several partner universities, including Duke University and the University of Michigan, offer this scholarship. It covers full tuition, room, and board.

2. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program – This program provides scholarships to students from developing countries, including African nations. It offers a 50% grant and a 50% loan to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Asia:

1. The Asian Cultural Council Grants – This organization provides scholarships for students pursuing research or training in the arts. Though not strictly for formal education, these grants help cover costs related to educational projects in the fields of visual and performing arts.

2. East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship – This fellowship provides funding for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the USA to engage in degree study at the University of Hawaii. The fellowship covers full tuition and provides a stipend for living expenses.

Latin America:

1. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund – This fund offers scholarships to students of Hispanic heritage, including those from Latin American countries. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 and are available for undergraduate and graduate students.

2. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Scholarships – IDB offers various scholarship programs for students from Latin America and the Caribbean. These scholarships are aimed at fostering international development and may cover tuition, living expenses, and airfare.

4. Graduate Scholarships

Graduate studies often come with higher costs, but several scholarships are specifically tailored for international graduate students. These opportunities are geared toward master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers.

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – One of the most well-known international exchange programs, Fulbright offers scholarships to foreign graduate students, young professionals, and artists. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.

2. Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships – These scholarships are funded by Rotary clubs around the world for graduate-level study. They can fund degree programs in fields with a significant social impact, such as peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention, water and sanitation, and economic development.

3. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) – This program provides scholarships to students from developing countries to study graduate programs in development-related fields. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, and health insurance.

5. Research Grants and Fellowships

For those interested in research, several fellowships offer funding for specific projects, doctoral research, and postdoctoral studies.

1. American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships – These fellowships are awarded for full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the USA to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The fellowships support research in various fields and provide funds for living expenses and research-related costs.

2. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) – NSF GRFP supports graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are in pursuit of research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. It provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend and a cost of education allowance.

3. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships – These fellowships target women from developing and emerging countries who are pursuing Ph.D. or post-doctoral research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. They provide up to $50,000 per year.

6. Specialized Scholarships and Awards

Some scholarships are highly specific and target unique groups or less common fields of study. Exploring these options can also reveal hidden gems.

1. Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) – These grants are available to women from developing countries who are pursuing their education in the United States. MMEG awards grants about $15,000 each academic year to about six women from developing countries who are committed, upon graduation, to returning to their countries and working in community or national development.

2. Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) – These awards provide fully-funded scholarships for master’s degree study to individuals who demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, and living expenses.

3. PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women – This scholarship provides financial assistance to women from other countries who are pursuing graduate study in the USA and Canada. The scholarship award is up to $12,500, and it is renewable for multiple years of study.

Conclusion

While the scholarship opportunities for international students in the USA can seem limited, a plethora of hidden gems exists. By exploring need-based and merit-based scholarships, field-specific scholarships, and regional scholarships, students can find financial support tailored to their needs. Additionally, graduate scholarships and research grants offer further avenues for funding.

The effort to uncover these scholarships is well worth it, as they can significantly reduce the financial burden and help students focus on their academic and career goals. For those willing to dig deeper, a treasure trove of opportunities awaits.