Top 20 U.S. Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

 

1. National & Global Scholarships

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
   A flagship U.S. government scholarship supporting graduate study, research, or teaching for international students. It typically offers full funding, including tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.scholarshipdiary.netWikipedia

2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
   A non-degree professional development program for mid-career professionals. Provides funding for tuition, living costs, and travel over a 10-month stay.scholarshipdiary.netApply Scholarships Hub

3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University)
   Fully funded graduate scholarship offering tuition, living expenses, travel, leadership training, mentorship, and global networking support.scholarshipdiary.netAmberstudent

4. Rotary Peace Fellowship
   Supports master’s-level study in peace and conflict resolution at select institutions—including U.S. universities—covering tuition and living costs.scholarshipdiary.netScholarship Union

5. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
   Fully funds master’s programs in development-related fields for students from World Bank member countries to study at select U.S. universities.Scholarship UnioneStudyKit

6. AAUW International Fellowships
   Graduate-level grants (up to $50,000) awarded to women pursuing postgraduate study or research in the U.S. who are not U.S. citizens.Scholarship UnionGreat Value Colleges

7. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
   Full funding for Indian students (under 30) accepted into top U.S. master’s programs, covering tuition, living expenses, and one-way travel.eStudyKit

8. PEO International Peace Scholarship
   Offers need-based support to women from outside the U.S. and Canada pursuing graduate study in the U.S.eStudyKit

9. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
   Combines a 50% grant with a 50% loan to enable students from developing countries to pursue graduate programs in the U.S.eStudyKit

10. World Bank Scholarship
    For master’s or Ph.D. students from developing countries studying at U.S. institutions, covering tuition and, in some cases, full expenses.Great Value Colleges

2. University-Specific & Institutional Scholarships

11. Yale University Scholarships (International)
    Need-based financial aid for undergraduates that can reach over $70,000/year, depending on family income and academic merit.CollegeXpressUniversity Living

12. Harvard University – International Student Financial Aid
    Offers need-based packages that may cover tuition, room, board, and other expenses—meeting full demonstrated need.Mpower FinancingUniversity Living

13. Cornell University Financial Aid
    Need-based aid for international undergrads that meets 100% of demonstrated need—though admission is “need-aware.”CollegeXpressApply Scholarships Hub

14. University of Chicago Scholarships
    Offers financial aid packages for international students covering full tuition, fees, and room and board.scholarshipdiary.net

15. Boston University Presidential Scholarship
    Meritorious award for first-year international undergraduates worth $25,000 annually, renewable through the four undergraduate years.CollegeXpressApply Scholarships Hub

16. Clark University Global Scholars Program
    Merit-focused award offering $15,000–$25,000 per year for international undergrads.CollegeXpressScholarship Union

17. University of Minnesota Global Excellence Scholarships
    Merit-based scholarships for international undergraduates, ranging from $10,000 up to full tuition.Scholarship UnionApply Scholarships Hub

18. Jefferson Scholarship (University of Virginia)
    Elite merit-based scholarship covering four years of tuition, room/board, plus enrichment funds (for travel, research, etc.). Highly selective and invitation-only.Wikipedia

19. Stamps Scholarship
    Merit-based undergraduate award partnering with multiple U.S. institutions, offering $5,400–$75,000 per year plus enrichment funding like international travel and research.Wikipedia

20. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program
    Fully funded scholarships for Egyptian students (undergraduate and graduate), supporting studies at top U.S. universities (e.g., UChicago, Stanford, Harvard).CollegeXpressMeetGist

3. Overview & How to Choose the Right Scholarship

Putting these together, here’s a snapshot of how to evaluate them:

Type	Key Benefits
National/Global	Broad eligibility, non-degree to graduate levels, fully funded.
University-specific	Access to prestigious institutions; can be need or merit-based; resources vary by school.
Country-specific (eg. Onsi Sawiris)	Tailored aid for specific nationalities or regions.

Tips for Applicants:

• Start early: Many scholarships have deadlines 6–12 months before term begins.

• Check fit: Some aid is tied to nationality (e.g., Onsi Sawiris), field of study, or career stage.

• Gather strong materials: Recommendation letters, essays (especially on leadership or civic commitment), academic records, GRE/TOEFL as required.

• Look into enrichment benefits: Programs like Stamps and Jefferson offer more than funding—they include travel, networking, leadership training, or research opportunities.

4. Final Thoughts

These Top 20 Scholarships represent some of the most generous and prestigious financial opportunities available to international students in the U.S.—ranging from global government-funded programs (like Fulbright) to elite university awards (like Knight-Hennessy and Jefferson), and scholarships tailored to nationalities or demographics (like Onsi Sawiris or Inlaks).