8 Grants for International Students

Moving to the U.S. to get a degree can be life-changing, but it's expensive too. Here's a list of grants for international students looking to study in the U.S.

Zina Kumok

Oct 17, 2022

An international education can be an enriching, life-changing experience that opens up opportunities you may not have access to back home. But moving abroad to get your degree is anything but cheap, and many international students find themselves drowning in student loan debt after graduation.

That’s why it’s important to take advantage of any available grant opportunities you may qualify for. Here’s a list of grants for international students looking to study in the United States.

Grants for International Students

The following programs offer grants for foreign students interested in an international education.

Fulbright Program

International students who want to study in the U.S. can apply for the Fulbright Program. The program is available in more than 160 countries, and about 4,000 international students are selected to participate every year. Visit the official website here to see if your country participates.

The exact amount you can receive may vary, but students can often get tuition, room and board, and transportation fees covered.

The program will last between six and 12 months. Students need to have a bachelor’s degree to be eligible. Students will have to apply through their home country’s program, which they can find here.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program provides a grant for foreign citizens to teach their language and culture at a U.S. university. The grant lasts for one school year and cannot be renewed. A master’s degree is preferred but not required.

While international students will not receive a degree with the Fulbright FLTA Program, they will have to take coursework related to teaching. It can be a good learning opportunity for international students who want to teach professionally.

International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsors international fellowships for women interested in studying in the U.S.

The AAUW awards different amounts depending on the type of degree:

Master’s or first post-graduate degree: $20,000
Doctoral degree: $25,000
Post-doctoral degree: $50,000

The deadline for this grant is Nov. 15, 2022, and winners will be notified by April 15, 2023. The fellowship year will run from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Aga Khan Foundation

Students from developing countries can apply for funding through the Aga Khan Foundation. Half of the money is given as a grant, and half is given as a loan. Only students with financial need will be eligible for an award.

Students from the following countries are eligible to apply:

Bangladesh
India
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
Syria
Egypt
Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Madagascar
Mozambique

Margaret McNamara Education Grant

Women from developing countries who intend to study in the U.S. or Canada can apply for a Margaret McNamara Education Grant. The foundation gives out six to 10 awards, each worth about $12,000. You must be attending an accredited university to be eligible.

College-Specific Grants

Some schools have their own grant or scholarship programs for international students.

Ohio State University

The International Student Grant from Ohio State University is available to international students who have one semester left until graduation and who need financial assistance. To qualify, undergraduate students need to have a 2.5 GPA and graduate students need to have a 3.0 GPA.

International Grant in Aid

The International Grant in Aid from Miami University will provide a 100% tuition waiver for graduate international students. Students must also have demonstrated financial need to qualify. Students may also need to meet certain academic standards.

Curator’s Grant-in-Aid Scholarship

This scholarship is given to international undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Missouri. The total amount depends on the student. Awards are given for one semester at a time, but students can reapply.

Other Financial Aid Options for International Students

Tuition Waiver

Some universities offer tuition waiver programs, meaning international students will pay the in-state tuition rate instead of the out-of-state tuition rate. Over the course of four years, that can result in huge cost savings — often worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Here are a few schools that offer tuition waivers for international students:

Florida State University
Idaho State University
University of Washington
Clayton State University

There may be some requirements to maintain your eligibility for a tuition waiver, such as a minimum GPA.

Student Loans

International students are not eligible for federal student loans, but they may be eligible for private student loans. Unlike grants or scholarships, student loans must be paid back.

Some private student loan companies require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, but Juno does not. International students can take out a private loan for college without a co-signer, which can make obtaining and completing your degree much easier.

Scholarships

Scholarships are like grants in that they do not have to be paid back after you graduate. There are many scholarship programs available to international students. Start by contacting your college and asking how to apply for scholarships.

You can also find scholarships using the following websites:

In-School Student Loans

Written By

Zina Kumok

Zina Kumok is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. A former reporter, she has covered murder trials, the Final Four and everything in between. She has been featured in Lifehacker, DailyWorth and Time. Read about how she paid off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years at Conscious Coins.