10 Best American Scholarships 2026 For Undergraduate, Masters, PhD [Fully Funded]

10 Best American Scholarships 2026 For Undergraduate, Masters, PhD [Fully Funded]: Dreaming of studying in the United States? A fully funded American scholarship can make that dream affordable. The US is home to some of the world's top-ranked universities, known for rigorous academics, diverse campus communities, and career-focused programs across nearly every field. But with tuition and living costs among the highest in the world, scholarships are often the only realistic path for international students to study there.

The good news: hundreds of US universities and organizations offer scholarships, grants, and financial aid to international applicants each year - and not all of them require IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE scores. Several accept the Duolingo English Test instead, making the application process more accessible. Requirements, funding amounts, and deadlines vary widely by program, so it's worth reviewing each scholarship's eligibility criteria carefully before applying.

Below, we've compiled 10 scholarships in America offering full or partial funding for undergraduate, master's, and PhD students in 2026.

10 Best American Scholarships 2026 For Undergraduate, Masters, PhD [Fully Funded]

Scholarships exist to make higher education accessible, since studying abroad - especially in the US - can otherwise be prohibitively expensive. Funding typically comes from two main sources: grants, which are awarded based on financial need, and scholarships, which are merit-based and given for academic achievement or excellence in a specific field of study. In the US, this funding comes from a mix of university endowments, private organizations, and federal government programs. For context, the US student visa acceptance rate in 2025 stood at 79%, reflecting how accessible the country remains for international students.

A common question among prospective students is how easy it actually is to study in America - and the answer is: easier than many assume, thanks to the sheer number of scholarships and grants available each year. These funding opportunities are offered by a wide range of organizations and universities, covering fields from medicine to the humanities.

Compared to many other countries, the US education system is widely regarded as high-quality, which is why it continues to attract students from around the world. Full or partial funding through a US scholarship can make studying there tuition-free. Some universities don't require standardized tests like the SAT, and others waive IELTS requirements altogether - making admission more accessible for international applicants who might otherwise be excluded. Given how expensive US education can be without support, exploring scholarship opportunities is essential for most international students. Below is a list of 10 of the best American scholarships available for undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies at top US universities.

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#1 Montana State University Scholarship, USA

Montana State University's Office of International Programs offers merit-based scholarships to international students applying for undergraduate study. Awards are given automatically to applicants offered full admission - no separate scholarship application is required. Montana State is now test-optional, so scholarship eligibility is based on GPA rather than SAT/ACT scores.

Benefits of the Montana State University Scholarship

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship: Freshman applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.5+ (on a 4.0 scale) are automatically considered and can receive $5,000 - $12,000 per year, renewable annually with a 3.0+ GPA and full-time enrollment.
International Transfer Scholarship: Transfer students with a 2.5+ GPA are eligible for $7,000 per year in tuition aid.
MSU Presidential Scholarship: MSU's top academic award, offering annual tuition waivers plus a stipend for four years; also doubles as an Honors College application.
Departmental & Cat Scholarships: Additional awards offered by individual colleges (Business, Engineering, Computing, Agriculture, and more) for enrolled students.

Deadlines

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship: No separate deadline - awarded automatically based on your admission application, so apply early since awards go out in the order students are admitted and funding is limited.
Presidential Scholarship: Early December each year (confirm the exact date on MSU's Honors College page).

Eligibility: International freshman and transfer applicants offered full admission (not available to Conditional Admission students)

Apply here: Montana State University International Scholarships

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#2 U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP)

The U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) offers fully funded Bachelor's and Master's degree study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for students from eligible Pacific Island nations. Authorized by the U.S. Congress and funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program is administered by the East-West Center. It's a competitive, merit-based award aimed at supporting fields directly relevant to the development needs of Pacific Island countries.

Benefits of the USSP Scholarship

Full funding for Bachelor's or Master's degree study at the University of Hawai at Manoa
Priority fields include agriculture, business, communications/journalism, education, environmental studies, gender studies, NGO management, political science, public administration, public health, and STEM - professional degrees such as law, medicine, and architecture are not eligible
Includes a mentoring component, with potential summer internship and host-family/volunteer program opportunities
Helps recipients gain a broader understanding of U.S. society and culture alongside their academic training

Deadline: Applications typically open annually with a January 15 deadline for programs beginning that August - confirm the exact date on the East-West Center's site, as it can shift slightly year to year.

Eligibility: Citizens of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Bachelor's applicants must have completed secondary school; Master's applicants need at least a three-year bachelor's degree.

Apply here: U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program

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#3 Boston University College of Fine Arts Scholarships

Boston University's College of Fine Arts (CFA) awards merit and artistic scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding talent through an audition or portfolio review. These awards are open to both domestic and international applicants pursuing degrees in Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts. Portfolio and audition requirements vary by program, so applicants should check the specific School of Music, School of Theatre, or Visual Arts admissions pages before applying.

Benefits of the CFA Scholarship

CFA applicants are automatically considered for all merit and artistic scholarships, with or without standardized test scores, as long as they apply by the priority deadline. Available scholarship categories include:

Merit Scholarships (first-year applicants)
Additional Merit Scholarships
Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students
QuestBridge Scholarships

Deadline: Applicants must apply by December 1 (the Presidential Scholarship deadline) to be considered for merit and artistic scholarship funding.

Eligibility: First-year, transfer, and QuestBridge applicants to the College of Fine Arts; scholarship consideration is automatic upon application - no separate scholarship form is required.

Apply here: Boston University College of Fine Arts Scholarships

#4 The Gates Scholarship

Important note before applying: The Gates Scholarship is not open to international students. It's a highly selective, "last-dollar" scholarship for U.S. citizens or permanent residents only who are high school seniors from low-income (Pell-eligible) households. If you're an international applicant, this scholarship won't apply to you - see the eligibility note below for why it's included here.

The Gates Scholarship is a full "last-dollar" award, meaning it covers whatever cost of attendance remains after other financial aid (including the FAFSA-calculated Student Aid Index) has been applied. It's one of the most competitive and generous need-based scholarships in the U.S., aimed at high-achieving students who might otherwise face financial barriers to a four-year degree.

Benefits of The Gates Scholarship

Covers the full cost of attendance not already covered by other aid - including tuition, fees, books, housing, food, and additional personal costs
Renewable for the length of a four-year undergraduate program
Awarded to students enrolling full-time at any accredited U.S. not-for-profit college or university

Deadline: Applications open July 15 and close September 15 each year, with semifinalist decisions announced December–January and final awards confirmed the following spring.

Eligibility:

High school senior
Pell Grant - eligible (demonstrated financial need)
U.S. citizen or permanent resident - international students do not qualify
Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3/4.0
Planning to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at a U.S. institution

Apply here: The Gates Scholarship

#5 University of Arizona Global Wildcat Award

The University of Arizona - a public research university in Tucson founded in 1885 - offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, spanning fields from biomedical sciences and engineering to journalism, psychology, and data science. Both U.S. citizens and international students are eligible for admission, and many programs don't require IELTS or GRE scores. For international undergraduates specifically, the university's primary scholarship is the Global Wildcat Award.

Benefits of the Global Wildcat Award

A merit-based, GPA-driven scholarship for incoming international first-year students, ranging from roughly $4,000 to $23,000 per academic year depending on GPA (converted to the US 4.0 scale)
International transfer students are eligible for $5,000–$12,000 per academic year
No separate scholarship application required - eligibility is assessed automatically as part of the general admission application
Renewable annually, typically requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment to maintain

Deadline: For priority consideration, apply by the university's Early Action deadline (November 1); the general scholarship consideration deadline is May 1 each year.

Eligibility: International first-year or transfer applicants admitted to an undergraduate program; award amount is determined by GPA at the time of admission.

Apply here: University of Arizona Admissions & Cost

#6 Clark University Global Scholars Program

Clark University is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 1887. It offers more than 30 undergraduate majors, 12 interdisciplinary concentrations, and 30+ graduate and professional programs. For incoming international first-year students, its flagship award is the Global Scholars Program Scholarship.

Benefits of the Global Scholars Program

A merit-based scholarship (not need-based) of $15,000 - $25,000 per year, renewable for four years if academic standards are maintained
Some award tiers include a guaranteed $2,500 stipend for a summer internship or research assistantship after sophomore or junior year
All applicants are automatically considered for most of Clark's merit scholarships upon admission; the Global Scholars track requires an additional short essay
Additional Clark scholarship programs include the Presidential LEEP Scholarship, Jonas Clark Scholarship, and need-based aid via the CSS Profile

Deadline: November 15 for Early Decision/Early Action applicants; February 15 for Regular Decision applicants. To apply, check the Global Scholars Program box on the Common Application and complete the accompanying essay when prompted.

Eligibility: First-year international applicants only (not open to transfer students) who have attended school outside the U.S. for at least four years, with a strong academic record and demonstrated leadership potential. Note: Clark's admissions process is need-aware for international students - applicants must show they can cover a significant portion of costs beyond what scholarships and aid provide.

Apply here: Clark University International Student Admissions

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#7 University of Michigan International Student Scholarships

The University of Michigan, founded in 1817, is one of the oldest and top-ranked public research universities in the United States, offering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. However, it's worth setting expectations clearly: Michigan's schools and colleges have very limited funding available for international students, and most scholarships are merit-based, competitive, and awarded to only a small number of applicants each year.

Benefits of University of Michigan Scholarships

LSA International Student Scholarship: The main scholarship pathway for undergraduates, offered through the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) to a limited number of incoming first-year international students. Awards can reach up to $25,000 per year, renewable for four years of study provided eligibility requirements are maintained.
International students are not eligible for Michigan's need-based Michigan Scholarships and Opportunity Grants - LSA's award is merit-based only.
Graduate funding is not centralized; applicants must contact their specific admitting department, school, or college directly to ask about assistantships, fellowships, or departmental funding, as availability varies significantly by program.

Deadline: The LSA International Student Scholarship application typically closes in mid-April, with award notices sent by mid-to-late April, ahead of the May 1 enrollment deadline. Exact dates shift slightly each cycle, so confirm on the official page below.

Eligibility: Must first be admitted as a first-year undergraduate to the College of LSA before applying - the scholarship application only becomes accessible after admission. Current University of Michigan students are not eligible.

Apply here: University of Michigan LSA International Student Scholarships

#8 Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at University of Hawaiʻi

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is one of the partner institutions for the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), a fully funded scholarship for Master's degree study, administered through the East-West Center and funded by the Government of Japan. It supports students from ADB's developing member countries in fields such as economics, management, science, technology, and other development-related areas.

Benefits of the ADB-JSP Scholarship

Full tuition and fees
Monthly subsistence allowance
Housing in East-West Center dormitories (except for students with accompanying children)
Medical insurance
Airfare to and from Hawaii
Initial award covers one year, renewable up to a maximum of two years, contingent on satisfactory academic progress

Deadline: December 1 each year (note: this is earlier than the general University of Hawaiʻi graduate admissions deadline, so apply to both on the ADB-JSP timeline).

Eligibility:

Citizen and current resident of an ADB developing member country (citizens of Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Brunei are not eligible)
No older than 35 at the time of application
Holds a 4-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent)
At least 2 years of full-time professional work experience after completing a university degree
English proficiency test required: TOEFL (550 paper-based / 79–80 iBT), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 95
Applicants currently living/working outside their home country, or pursuing a second Master's degree, are not eligible

Apply here: ADB-Japan Scholarship Program - East-West Center

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#9 Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships in USA

Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) offers merit-based and need-based financial support to international undergraduate applicants. Scholarship consideration is automatic - students who complete the admissions application are automatically reviewed for merit-based awards, with no separate scholarship application required.

Benefits of Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships: Range from approximately $16,000-$30,000 per year (some sources cite up to $38,000 for top applicants), renewable for up to four years, awarded automatically based on academic achievement and entrance exam scores.
President's Scholarships: Full-tuition awards given to just two highly qualified international students each year, based on academic achievement, talents, and interests. Renewable for four years. Does not cover room, board, or other living expenses.
Need-Based Financial Aid: International applicants must submit the CSS Profile to be considered for additional need-based support.

Deadlines:

President's Scholarship: Complete your application by November 15 (some sources list mid-February - confirm the current year's exact date on IWU's official site, as it may vary by admissions cycle)
CSS Profile (for need-based aid): Preferred filing date of March 1
General international application deadline: March 15 for Fall entry

Eligibility: International first-year applicants from any country; standardized test scores are optional. A recommended minimum of 15 academic units (English, foreign language, math, lab science, social science) and a cumulative B average or higher.

Apply here: Illinois Wesleyan University Admissions

#10 Homer Higbee International Education Award

Important note: Unlike the other entries in this list, the Homer Higbee International Education Award is not a scholarship prospective students can apply for to fund their education. It's a nomination-based recognition award honoring current MSU students or community members who have already made significant contributions to international understanding on campus. It does not provide tuition funding and isn't something a prospective applicant abroad could use to help pay for a degree.

The award honors the memory of Homer Higbee, who spent 25 years advancing international education exchange at Michigan State University's Office of International Studies and Programs.

What the award actually offers

A cash award (amount not publicly specified) - financial need is not a selection criterion
Recognition for one of the following:
1. An international student at MSU actively involved in leadership roles promoting international understanding on campus or in the community
2. A domestic student who participated in or developed an independent education-abroad program
3. A community member active in supporting international student exchange at MSU
Nominees must be full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled at MSU (or qualifying community members) - this is not open to prospective or incoming students

Deadline: Nominations open periodically each year; recent cycles have closed nominations with results announced the following spring - check MSU's page directly for the current nomination window, as it is not open for prospective applicants year-round.

Eligibility: Current MSU students or MSU-affiliated community members only - not applicable to prospective international students applying to study in the US.

Learn more: Homer Higbee International Education Award - MSU

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students?

Yes. Several programs on this list - including the U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program and the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program - cover full tuition, housing, airfare, and living expenses. Others, like the Global Wildcat Award or Clark University's Global Scholars Program, are partial merit-based awards that reduce costs but don't cover everything.

Can international students get US scholarships without IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes, in many cases. Several US universities, including Montana State and the University of Arizona, don't require IELTS or GRE scores for admission or scholarship consideration. Some programs accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative - check each program's specific requirement before applying.

What's the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

Scholarships are merit-based and awarded for academic achievement or excellence in a specific field. Grants are based on financial need. Many US universities offer both, and some, like Illinois Wesleyan and Clark University, require a separate form (such as the CSS Profile) specifically to be considered for need-based aid.

Is the Gates Scholarship open to international students?

No. The Gates Scholarship is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Pell-eligible high school seniors. International applicants are not eligible, despite it often being listed alongside international scholarship opportunities.

Do I need a separate application for university scholarships, or are they automatic?

It depends on the program. Scholarships like Montana State's International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, the University of Arizona's Global Wildcat Award, and Boston University's CFA scholarships are automatically considered as part of the general admissions application - no separate form is needed. Others, like Clark University's Global Scholars Program, require an additional essay, and need-based aid almost always requires a separate form like the CSS Profile.

What GPA do I need for a merit-based US scholarship?

Minimum GPA requirements vary by school. Montana State requires a 2.5+ GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for its base international scholarship, while Illinois Wesleyan recommends a cumulative B average or higher. Higher GPAs typically unlock larger award amounts, as seen with the University of Arizona's tiered Global Wildcat Award.

When are the application deadlines for US scholarships?

Deadlines vary significantly by university and program - from November 1 (University of Arizona's Early Action priority date) to mid-April (University of Michigan's LSA scholarship) to January 15 (U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program). Always confirm the current year's exact deadline directly on the university's official page before applying, since dates can shift slightly each cycle.

Can I get a scholarship for a PhD program in the USA?

Yes, though PhD-specific funding is often handled differently than undergraduate scholarships - typically through departmental assistantships, research funding, or fellowships rather than a single named scholarship. For graduate funding at schools like the University of Michigan, applicants generally need to contact their specific admitting department directly to ask about available assistantships or fellowships.

Are US university scholarships only for high-achieving students?

Most listed here are merit-based, so strong academics matter, but "high-achieving" doesn't always mean top 1%. Programs like the ADB-JSP scholarship also weigh professional work experience and career potential, while the Homer Higbee Award recognizes contribution and leadership rather than academic performance alone.