Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA for International Students 2025

The dream of studying in the USA is a beacon of hope for countless international students, offering world-class education, cutting-edge research opportunities, and diverse cultural experiences. However, the financial commitment can often seem daunting. The good news is that numerous fully funded scholarships exist to alleviate this burden, making your American dream a tangible reality.

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to some of the top fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students in 2025. We’ve meticulously gathered information on each scholarship’s description, eligibility criteria, benefits, approximate deadlines, and the level of study supported, ensuring accuracy and adherence to ethical guidelines.

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA for International Students 2025

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• Description: The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized scholarships globally. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, it aims to foster mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through academic and cultural exchange. It provides opportunities for graduate study, research, and teaching in the U.S.
• Level of Study: Master’s and PhD programs.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicants must be citizens of a participating Fulbright country (U.S. citizens or permanent residents are ineligible).
  • Hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Demonstrate strong academic records and leadership potential.
  • Proficiency in English (TOEFL or IELTS scores are often required).
  • Must meet country-specific requirements and apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in their home country.
• Benefits: Comprehensive financial coverage, including tuition fees, living expenses (monthly stipend), round-trip airfare, health insurance, and visa assistance.
• Award/Value: Fully funded, covering all essential costs.
• Deadline: Varies by country, but generally between April and October for the 2025-2026 academic year. Some countries may have deadlines in June or July 2025 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Always check the specific deadline for your country through your local Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy.

2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University

• Description: The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program cultivates a multidisciplinary community of future leaders to address complex global challenges. It provides full funding for graduate study at Stanford University across all seven of its graduate schools.
• Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, and other professional graduate degrees.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Open to citizens of all countries.
  • Must have earned a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in January 2019 or later (for the 2026 intake). Exceptions are made for military service.
  • Must gain admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program.
  • Demonstrate independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset.
• Benefits: Covers tuition, stipend for living and academic expenses (e.g., books, academic supplies, local transportation), travel stipend, and a modest supplemental grant for academic enrichment.
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Typically in October 2025 for the 2026 intake. Applicants must also apply to and be accepted by their desired Stanford graduate program, which may have earlier deadlines.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (for study at the University of Cambridge, UK, but widely sought by US-bound students)

• Description: Established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious international postgraduate award for outstanding students from outside the UK to pursue full-time postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge. While not directly for US universities, many international students consider both US and UK options, and this is a top-tier fully funded scholarship.
• Level of Study: PhD, MSc/MLitt, or other one-year postgraduate courses (e.g., LLM, MPhil).
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.
  • Apply to pursue one of the eligible full-time residential postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge.
  • Demonstrate academic excellence, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential.
• Benefits: Full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition fees, maintenance allowance, airfare, and additional discretionary funding (academic development funding, dependent child allowance, fieldwork, maternity/paternity funding, hardship funding).
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Varies by course, typically in December 2024 or January 2025 for the 2025 entry, with applications usually opening in September 2024. US citizens usually have an earlier deadline around mid-October.

4. Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University (China, but highly competitive and attracts global applicants often considering US study)

• Description: The Schwarzman Scholars program is a fully funded one-year Master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. It is designed to build a global community of future leaders who will serve as global citizens. Although located in China, its global reach and highly competitive nature make it a common alternative for students who would otherwise pursue similar opportunities in the U.S.
• Level of Study: Master’s degree.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must have an undergraduate degree.
  • Ages 18-28.
  • Proficient in English.
  • Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong interest in understanding other cultures and global affairs.
• Benefits: Covers tuition fees, accommodation, personal stipend, round-trip airfare, in-country study tours, and a personal laptop.
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Typically in September 2025 for the 2026 intake.

5. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

• Description: The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries who have no other means of financing their education. The scholarship is awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis.
• Level of Study: Master’s and PhD programs.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Nationals of countries where AKF has active programs (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, etc.).
  • Have consistently excellent academic records.
  • Demonstrate genuine financial need.
  • Secured admission to a reputable institution for a Master’s or PhD.
  • Preference given to students under 30 for Master’s and under 35 for PhD.
  • Expected to return to their home countries to contribute to development.
• Benefits: Covers tuition fees and living expenses. The loan portion must be repaid with an annual service charge.
• Award/Value: Partial scholarship (50% grant, 50% loan), covering tuition and living expenses.
• Deadline: Typically in March 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications usually open in January.

6. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

• Description: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partners with various universities in the U.S., Africa, and other regions to provide comprehensive scholarships to young African leaders who are committed to giving back to their communities.
• Level of Study: Undergraduate and Master’s degrees.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Citizens of an African country.
  • Demonstrate academic excellence.
  • Proven leadership potential and a commitment to community engagement.
  • Facing significant socio-economic barriers to accessing education.
  • Age limits may apply depending on the specific university program (e.g., 18-33 for graduate studies at ASU).
  • Meet the specific admission requirements of the partner university.
• Benefits: Full tuition fees, accommodation, stipends, academic mentorship, leadership development, career services, and often a paid internship.
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Varies significantly by partner university. Some deadlines for Fall 2025 may be as early as March 2025, while others could extend to August 2025. It’s crucial to check the specific deadlines of the university you are applying to.

7. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

• Description: The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts.
• Level of Study: Non-degree graduate-level study (professional development).
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Mid-career professionals with a proven track record of leadership.
  • At least five years of full-time professional experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field.
  • Commitment to public service.
  • Proficiency in English.
  • Must be a citizen of an eligible country (U.S. citizens or permanent residents are ineligible).
  • Limited prior experience in the U.S.
• Benefits: Covers tuition and fees at the host university, a monthly maintenance (living) allowance, accident and sickness coverage, book allowance, a one-time computer subsidy, international and domestic travel, and professional development allowance.
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Varies by country, typically in June or July 2025 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Check with the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your home country.

8. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

• Description: The JJ/WBGSP provides scholarships to mid-career professionals from World Bank member developing countries to pursue a Master’s degree in development-related fields at participating universities worldwide, including in the U.S.
• Level of Study: Master’s degree.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Citizen of a World Bank member developing country.
  • Not a dual citizen of any developed country.
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years prior to the application deadline.
  • At least three years of recent paid work experience in a development-related field.
  • Be in good health.
  • Unconditionally admitted to one of the JJ/WBGSP participating Master’s programs.
  • Not an employee or close relative of someone working for the World Bank Group.
• Benefits: Covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
• Award/Value: Fully funded.
• Deadline: Typically has two application windows. Window 2 for 2025 may be around May 2025. Applicants must first secure admission to a participating Master’s program, which often has earlier deadlines (e.g., March 2025).

9. AAUW International Fellowships

• Description: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Level of Study: Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral studies.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be or identify as a woman.
  • Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Hold an academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Intend to devote herself full-time to the proposed academic plan.
  • Proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Assessment scores are required unless native language is English or previous degree from an English-speaking institution).
  • Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must have applied to an accredited U.S. institution for the fellowship year.
• Benefits: Awards range from $20,000 for Master’s/first professional degrees, $25,000 for Doctoral degrees, and $50,000 for Postdoctoral research. These funds cover educational expenses, living expenses, dependent child care, and limited travel for professional activities.
• Award/Value: Varies by level of study, typically comprehensive towards expenses.
• Deadline: Typically November 2024 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications usually open in September.

10. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)

• Description: The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada. The scholarship is based on demonstrated need and is designed to provide partial support.
• Level of Study: Graduate degrees (Master’s and PhD).
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a woman from a country other than the U.S. or Canada, seeking an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada.
  • Must have a full year of formal coursework remaining and be enrolled and in residence in the U.S. or Canada for the entire school year.
  • Committed to returning to her home country to utilize her education to make a positive impact and foster global peace.
  • Demonstrate financial need and indicate additional financial resources.
  • Doctoral students working only on dissertations are generally not eligible as first-time applicants.
• Benefits: Maximum award amount is $12,500. It is not intended to cover all expenses, but rather to provide significant support.
• Award/Value: Partial scholarship, up to $12,500.
• Deadline: Eligibility period for applicants is typically September 15 to December 15 for the following academic year. Announcement of awards is made in May.

Important Considerations for All Applicants

• Early Application is Key: Most competitive scholarships have early application deadlines. Start your research and prepare your application materials well in advance.
• Tailor Your Application: Each scholarship has unique criteria and values. Customize your essays, recommendations, and supporting documents to highlight how your profile aligns with their mission.
• Strong Academic Record: While not the only factor, a strong academic history is fundamental for most fully funded scholarships.
• English Language Proficiency: Prepare for and take standardized English tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.) if required, well before the scholarship deadlines.
• Letters of Recommendation: Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, leadership potential, and commitment. Give them ample time to write strong letters.
• Statement of Purpose/Essays: These are critical components. Use them to articulate your academic and career goals, how the scholarship will help you achieve them, and your commitment to your chosen field and community.
• Financial Need: Be prepared to demonstrate your financial need comprehensively, especially for scholarships that consider it.
• Official Websites: Always refer to the official scholarship websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information on eligibility, benefits, and deadlines. Scholarship information can change.

Conclusion 

Securing a fully funded scholarship to study in the USA is a significant achievement that can transform your academic and professional journey. By diligently researching, preparing thoroughly, and presenting a compelling application, you can significantly increase your chances of realizing your educational aspirations.