US financial aid for international students: your guide to what’s available and where to apply

Studying in the United States is a dream for many international students, but with the price tag of a four-year degree hitting more than six figures, cost can be a significant barrier.

Whether it’s kickstarting your career with a degree from an internationally recognized university or becoming more specialized in your current field, there are lots of different financial aid options to help make your American dream a reality.

Who offers scholarships for international students studying in the US?

Based on merit, need, or specific talents, scholarships and grants are one of the most sought-after forms of financial aid. These financial awards cover part or all of the tuition fees and don’t require repayment.

Most students focus on university scholarships, but there are also government, private, and sector-specific options to explore, as well as work-study programs where students can offset fees by working on campus.

1. University scholarships

Many US universities offer scholarships specifically for international students, such as New York University or the California State University International Programs.

2. Government scholarships

The US government also provides funding for international students to study in the US through programs like the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program which helps 4,000 students each year.

3. State scholarships

More rare than federal scholarships, there are some state-level programs such as the California State University International Programs that work across the 23 different institutions to offer scholarships for international students.

4. Private scholarships

Various organizations and foundations offer scholarships to international students, such as the AAUW International Fellowships, for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme, for academically outstanding students from a range of countries who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to study.

5. Sector-based scholarships

There’s a shortage of workers in key sectors like leisure, hospitality, and nursing in the US. If you’re planning to study an in-demand field, research sector-specific scholarships like the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program to find financial support.

How to find US scholarships for international students

With so many different financial aid and scholarship options available for international students wanting to study in America, it can be hard to know where to start.

A great first step is contacting the Financial Aid team at the universities you’re interested in, as well as searching online databases for relevant scholarship opportunities.

1. University financial aid offices

Almost every university in the US has a financial aid office. They’ll have many years' experience helping international students with funding options and be able to provide detailed information about available scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities specifically for international students.

2. Online scholarship databases

Don’t limit yourself to what’s available from your university. Online scholarship databases can help find more specific financial aid from a wide variety of sources.

Popular databases include:

• StudyPortals is one of the largest databases and brings together everything you need to know to explore your study options all in one place. They have dedicated scholarship portals for bachelors, masters and PHD study.

• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): A resource for financial aid, college scholarships, and grant information for international students.

• The US Department of Labor has a scholarship search tool where you can filter by level of study.

• Scholarships.com: Offers a searchable database of scholarships for international students.

3. EducationUSA

EducationUSA is a US Department of State network with advice centers in more than 170 countries — check if there’s a center near you with their online search tool. From financial aid right through to the documents you’ll need for immigration, they offer advice and support with all aspects of studying in the US.

Which US universities offer the best financial aid for international students?

If you’re looking for universities with great support for international students, the East Coast is the place to start.

With the exception of a few institutions in California, the U.S. News “Best Value Schools” research found that institutions in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut gave the most generous support to international students.

Here are just a few of universities offering specific support for international students:

• New York University (NYU) Global Scholarships

• University of Maryland

• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

• Florida State University International Student Scholarships

• The University of California, Berkeley International Student Scholarships

Narrowing down your university search to institutions with a strong track record of supporting international students can help maximize your chance of receiving financial aid.

Applying for financial aid

The most important thing to remember when applying for financial aid is to allow plenty of time.

Researching the different options, writing applications, and waiting to hear back can be a long process, and many scholarships and grants have early deadlines.

You’ll also want enough time to tailor each application to the institution, as well as getting important documents translated and completing English proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English (PTE) — the faster, fairer, simpler English test. The test only takes 2 hours with results typically in less than 2 days and is approved by most universities across the US.