Sources of Financial Aid for International Students

Since sources and sponsors of financial aid to study in USA are very limited, international students should explore every possible option. FastWeb is a free and great database that can be used to supplement scholarship information given here.

Aid from Your Home Country

Charity begins at home! The best place to embark your scholarship search is at your home country. Locate an educational advising center and get any information about available sources of support.

Most governments set aside financial aid to suit many purposes, this being one. The catch may be that you may be required to go back to your home country after finishing your program, to use your skills therein. Contact your Local ministry of Education or your Embassy to get information about financial aid which you are eligible for.

Privately-run organizations e.g. Businesses, churches, and foundations, may have financial aid available for study in the US.

Aid from International Organizations

Most international organizations require applicants for private scholarships to be in their home country at the time of application. Some are known for funding graduate international students for studies in the US e.g. Organization of American States (OAS), United Nations, AMIDEAST, The International Telecommunications Union, International Maritime Organization, the League of Red Cross Societies, The World Health Organization and the world Council of Churches. These are all highly competitive awards.

To qualify for the Fulbright scholarships awarded to approximately 4,700 grad students worldwide, applicants should have taken the TOEFL and GMAT or GRE exams. People awarded these scholarships are required to be on J-1 visas for the entire duration they're being sponsored. Contact your country's US Embassy or Consulate for information on Fulbright Scholarships.

Aid from the US Government

International students should note that the US State Student Assistant Programs, including the Stafford, Pell Grant and PLUS loans as well as work-study programs are not available for them.

The US government however, aids students from particular countries in securing aid. You may contact your Embassy to find out if your country is among the favored.

Aid from US Educational Institutions

Financial aid for international undergraduates is extremely rare and highly competitive.

For more information on this, please see the list of schools with financial aid for international undergraduate students.

International Students wishing to enroll for grad or post-doc programs at any US university should contact the prospective school and enquire from their Financial Aid Offices on which options they have for financial aid for international students. Most aid actually comes from the institutions themselves in form of research and teaching assistantships based on merit and not financial need. The only requirement may be passing the Test of Spoken English.

Aid from Private US Organizations and Sponsors

Really, there is little financial aid from individual sponsors or foundations to international students. To get the few available one visit the FinAid and FastWeb databases to see a listing of what is available although most are only for US citizens and permanent residents.

A long shot may be reading the newspapers to locate such sources of financial aid. If there's nothing listed call the editor to certain newspapers and ask whether they have such information and if not possible 'point' you to the direction of a member in the community in a position to help sponsor your education.

Assistance from Your Family

More than two-thirds of the international students in US universities sponsor their own education (according to NAFSA). Statistics have it that you are most likely to have to rely on your own assets, parents and relatives to complete your studies in the US.