If you are looking to further your studies in the US for your degree program, you might consider applying for a scholarship, given the high cost of higher education. For example, public college fees can exceed $25K per year for one person. Even worse, private schools can cost over $60K per year.
Despite the high costs of pursuing education, the US has some of the world’s most respected higher education institutions, universities, and colleges that make the learning process a bit easier for students through scholarships. Students who could have joined higher institutions miss out if they can’t access scholarships or don’t know how to apply for them.
If you’re planning to apply for higher learning assistance through scholarships and don’t know where to start, don’t worry. This resource will share more about the types of scholarships you can access, where to find them, and what you need to know when applying, especially for international students.
Types of US scholarships
You need to have all the required details and know which scholarships, once you apply, can qualify you and give you a chance to further your studies. The different types of scholarships include:
- Specialized scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships target students who want to specialize in their chosen majors. It also covers underrepresented minorities and first-generation students.
- Institutional/University-Specific scholarships: Universities offer these scholarships. For example, Vanderbilt and Emory award merit aid to a significant percentage of their students. Other institutions offer flagship programs for their international students, such as the You’re Welcome Here
- Athletic Scholarships: These scholarships cover athletic students advancing their students internationally. They cover full tuition and living expenses for athlete students who represent the university in various sports activities.
- International/Government-Funded scholarships: They include prestigious programs like the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for graduate study and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. The programs are very expensive.
- Merit-based scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who have shown outstanding results in various activities. It could be academic excellence, great artistic talents, or exceptional extracurricular performance.
- Need-based scholarships: Covering students from low-income families who can’t cover the learning expenses. Eligibility for these programs is determined by FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Specialized scholarships. These are awarded to disadvantaged students.
College Track provides support to first-generation students from low-income communities. They help these students through their learning process from high school onward, even as they advance to higher learning. They also factor students from certain ethnic backgrounds or those who were raised by foster parents.
College Track
Provider: College Track
College Track has served nearly 5,000 students across 12 communities in California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C. Metro Area, as well as more than 1,100 alums. For over 10 years, the program has helped remove academic, financial, and social-emotional barriers for first-generation students from low-income communities so they can advance their academic and life pursuits. Shirley M. Collado, the CEO of College Track and previously the executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer at Rutgers University-Newark, is on a mission to remove the barriers that prevent students from attaining their academic goals. This is according to the Emerson Collective.
The Gates Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders to help them attain their full potential. It factors high school seniors with great potential but from low-income families.
Provider: The Gates Scholarship
Dell Scholars
This is a scholarship and college program that nurtures and empowers students in their studies towards a college degree. Since the time it was launched in 2004, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has supported 6K scholars and has over 4.5K graduates from the programme.
Provider: Dell Scholars
Top/Prestige US Scholarships / Institutional & University-Specific Scholarships
Eugene McDermott Scholars Program
This program from the University of Texas is among the top-rated scholarships in the US. The scholarship covers over $300K in funding across 4 years. Beneficiaries of these scholarships receive financing for full tuition, housing, a stipend, and travel and cultural enrichment for events. The factors they consider for the scholarship award include academic excellence, leadership, and impact on society.
Fund: $306,000
Provider: University of Texas, Dallas
The Hollingsworth Scholarship
The scholarship from Florida Southern College is the most prestigious, covering the full four-year tuition. Scholarship beneficiaries also get exclusive access to join a cohort with networking opportunities, leadership opportunities, and special events.
Fund: $170,000
Provider: Florida Southern College
Allegheny College Trusted Scholarship
This scholarship with $42K annual valuation recognizes great academic achievement and leadership potential from students. Once you get the scholarship, you can get an annual renewal with a total of $168K after four years of learning.
Fund: $168,000
Provider: Pennsylvania, Allegheny College
Carthage College Ruud Scholarships
This scholarship was named to honor Carthage leaders. It gives scholarships to exceptional students. With a $145K valuation, the scholarship beneficiaries also get a pass to honors and mentorship programs.
Fund: $145,000
Provider: Carthage College, Wisconsin
Carthage College Lincoln Scholarships
This scholarship was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln, an early trustee of Carthage College. The college covers full tuition expenses up to $145K. They offer scholarships to students who prove outstanding academic performance and demonstrate great leadership potential, like Abraham himself.
Fund: $145,000
Provider: Carthage College, Wisconsin
Carthage College Clausen Scholarships
The Clausen scholarship from Carthage College is a great program awarded to students with strong academic performance. The scholarship also prefers students actively giving back to the community and are concerned with community growth. See more details about the program below.
Fund: $145,000
Provider: Carthage College, Wisconsin
Carthage College Kenosha Scholarships
This scholarship is open to students from Kenosha or Racine counties. The students who benefit from the scholarship get full tuition funding of $145K from the college.
Fund: $145,000
Provider: Carthage College, Wisconsin
LeTourneau University Heritage Scholarship
The scholarship considers students with strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership skills. Once your scholarship is approved, you get funding of $31,250 yearly, totaling $125K for the whole study time.
Fund: $125,000
Provider: LeTourneau University, Texas
Society of Yeager Scholarships
At Marshall University, this is the most prestigious scholarship you can get. The scholarship funds your tuition fee, house rent, your meals, your overseas studies, and you even get a laptop. It’s an all-inclusive scholarship package valued at $135K.
Fund: $135,000
Provider: Marshall University, West Virginia
Southern Methodist University Provost Scholarships
If you apply for this scholarship and are selected, you will receive $30K in funding per year for 4 years of your studies. To get the scholarship, you have to prove your academic excellence and have great leadership skills. Extracurricular performance is a great added advantage.
Fund: $120,000
Provider: Southern Methodist University, Texas
Top Athletic Scholarships
These programs are offered by various universities like Alabama, Stanford, and Kentucky, among others, for their high performance in sports.
University of Alabama- Known for football scholarships
The university offers prestige scholarship to at least one student from every high school in the state. The preferred students have great academic performance and also exceptional co-curricular performance. Once awarded, you get full tuition fees for four years covered and rent for one year.
Location: The University of Alabama, Alabama
Stanford University- Famous for Volleyball scholarships
Once admitted to this university, you can apply for athletic scholarships for NCAA Division I sports, which support tuition, rent, board, and books. The university offers both full and partial scholarships to students.
Location: Stanford University, California
Duke & Kentucky Universities- Men’s basketball scholarships
Many students at these universities have great talent in basketball. They have consistent NCAA tournament success and are great investors in students with great talent. If you’re a university student, you have a chance to apply for top-level athletic scholarships in these institutions. The above schools have open opportunities in NIL (name, image, and likeness) in this modern era.
Location: Duke University, North Carolina
International US Scholarships
Sometimes the funding programs are strict and only for students born in the US or with permanent residency there. To avoid wasting your time, cross-check each scholarship to verify whether it accepts international students into its program. On the other hand, there are scholarships only for international students. Access to these scholarships is through government programs like the Fulbright or awards from companies, universities, or foundations.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This scholarship program was launched in 1978 in honour of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. It offers fully funded programs and non-degree exchange programs for mid-career professionals. They favor people who demonstrate strong commitment to public service and strong leadership skills.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
This is a fully endowed, multidisciplinary leadership development program for graduate students at Stanford University. The program awards scholarships to scholars worldwide, providing up to 3 years of funding for their studies. They can take their studies at Stanford and other schools, gaining great experience to become visionary and great leaders.
Summary
As you apply for these scholarships, know that there are other smaller awards you can also claim. To increase your chances of scholarship approval, apply to multiple schools and provide all the information they need, including accurate, verified details. When the opportunity is announced and opened, apply immediately. Beyond just great academic performance, show that you can bring more value, like great leadership skills, community service, great potential to advance, and be an influence on others.
