Top Scholarships to Study in USA
Top Scholarships to Study in USA
When it comes to studying in the USA, it’s not just about chasing the American dream, it’s an investment that’s worth every penny. However, this dream comes with significant expenses. From high-quality education and tuition fees to accommodation and other miscellaneous costs, the overall journey can become financially stressful.
But what if you could gain global exposure, quality education, and international work opportunities, without a lifetime of debt?
That’s exactly what Scholarships to Study in the USA can offer. With the right strategy, timing, and support, you can turn your dream into reality, on a partial or even full scholarship.
The USA offers a wide range of scholarships for international students who are passionate about building their dream careers. If you’re an ambitious student who doesn’t want financial constraints to define your future, here’s your complete guide to the top general scholarships in the USA, including eligibility tips, application processes, and more.
Continue reading to discover which scholarships you can apply for and to check your eligibility.
Why This Is the Right Time to Apply for Scholarships to Study in USA
- Rising scholarship budgets: Many US universities have increased funding to attract more international talent post-pandemic.
- Favourable visa norms: The OPT period and STEM extensions make the ROI better than ever.
- Increased competition: Earlier applications stand a better chance at limited funds.
- Strong INR to USD planning: Scholarships reduce currency burden while opening up part-time work options.
If you’re planning to study abroad, this is not the year to delay, this is the year to prepare.
Top Scholarships to Study in USA (For International Students)
These are prestigious, non-college-specific scholarships, open to Indian and international students applying to undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programmes in the US.
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Funding: Tuition + living + airfare + visa
- Eligibility:
- Indian citizen with a bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian institution
- 3+ years of work experience
- Excellent academic and leadership track record
- Application Timeline: February to June
- Focus Fields: Public health, education, arts & culture, economics, etc.
Pro tip: Your statement of purpose plays a major role here, our expert counsellors at MetaApply IE can help tailor it for maximum impact.
2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
- Level: Mid-career professionals (non-degree program)
- Funding: Full
- Eligibility:
- 5+ years of professional experience
- Demonstrated leadership and public service
- Strong English skills
- Application Timeline: May to September
- Focus Areas: Human rights, education, law, and tech policy
Ideal For: Working professionals looking to return to India with advanced exposure and skills.
3. AAUW International Fellowships (For Women)
- Level: Master’s, Doctoral, Postdoctoral
- Funding: Up to $50,000 (approx ₹41 lakhs)
- Eligibility:
- Woman, non-US citizen
- Full-time study or research in the USA
- Application Timeline: August to November
- Focus Fields: Open to all
Why it matters: AAUW empowers women who want to lead globally in education, tech, research, or entrepreneurship.
4. EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP)
- Level: UG/PG
- Funding: Covers application, test fees, visa, travel
- Eligibility:
- High academic achievers from low-income backgrounds
- Must apply through EducationUSA network
- Application Timeline: March to May
- Support: Builds profile for Ivy League and top 100 US colleges
Best For: Students who are academically brilliant but financially constrained.
5. The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Level: Master’s (Full-time)
- Funding: Up to $100,000
- Eligibility:
- Indian citizen under 30
- First-class UG degree from a reputed Indian university
- Admission to top-ranking US institutions
- Application Timeline: February to March
- Focus Fields: Art, Architecture, Theatre, Film, Law, Music, Design
Key tip: This is a prestigious and competitive scholarship, having a compelling portfolio and intent letter is crucial.
6. Rotary Foundation Global Grants
- Level: Graduate-level coursework or research
- Funding: Minimum $30,000
- Eligibility:
- Must be aligned with Rotary’s 7 focus areas (peace, water, health, education, etc.)
- Local Rotary club sponsorship
- Application Timeline: Rolling
Ideal for: Students with a strong community focus or social impact project background.
7. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
- Level: Postgraduate
- Funding: Interest-free loan scholarship + mentorship
- Eligibility:
- Indian nationals under 30 years
- Academic excellence and extracurricular record
8. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University (UG Only)
- Note: Though university-specific, this is a foundational private scholarship for Indian students pursuing undergrad at Cornell.
- Funding: Full tuition and living costs
- Eligibility:
- Indian citizen admitted to Cornell
- Demonstrated financial need
Why it matters: It opens Ivy League doors for Indian undergrads otherwise priced out of the game.
Note: All prices mentioned are approximate values. Students should check official government websites or the respective university websites for exact figures.
5-Step Flow to Secure a US Scholarship
How to Find the Right Scholarships (And Not Miss Deadlines)
Here’s what students often get wrong:
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Applying after the university deadline | Track and apply earlier than admission closing |
| Only checking university websites | Use MetaApply IE’s curated scholarship database |
| Generic SOPs and essays | Customise with help from our expert editors |
| Ignoring private/government foundations | Consider non-university scholarships |
| Assuming you’re not eligible | Let a counsellor evaluate your profile properly |
How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
Here’s what makes a strong scholarship profile in 2025:
- A clear career goal (and how your course fits it)
- Strong letters of recommendation
- Leadership or community project experience
- A high GPA or academic standing
- High English proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Strategic essays tailored to the scholarship prompt
Why MetaApply IE Is the Smart Choice for Scholarship Seekers
At MetaApply IE, we understand that every rupee counts.
Whether you’re targeting a full-ride or partial financial aid, we help maximise your chances through:
- Personalised Counselling: From course to career goal mapping
- Essay & SOP Editing: Strategically framed for scholarship selection
- Application Support: Complete documentation, deadline tracking, and submission
- Financial Aid Guidance: Find hidden funding opportunities others miss
- Visa & TestPrep Services: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, visa mock interviews
- Career Counselling: Choose programs with the highest ROI for your goals
Our students have secured up to 50% scholarships with our help.
Let us help you write your own success story, without compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility for scholarships to study in USA typically depends on academic performance, standardised test scores (like IELTS, GRE, or TOEFL), financial need, leadership experience, and extracurricular involvement. Each scholarship has unique criteria, so it’s essential to research and apply early. Expert counselling from MetaApply IE can help you identify scholarships best aligned with your profile.
Indian students can apply for scholarships to study in USA by first shortlisting eligible scholarships based on their course and destination. The application usually involves submitting academic transcripts, test scores, SOPs, LORs, and financial documents. MetaApply IE offers complete scholarship application support, including essay editing, documentation, and deadline tracking.
Yes, full scholarships to study in the USA are available, especially through programmes like Fulbright-Nehru, AAUW, and EducationUSA OFP. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, airfare, and sometimes visa costs. However, they are highly competitive. With the right preparation, documents, and guidance from MetaApply IE, your chances can significantly improve.
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