Scholarships for Indian Students in USA: Benefits, Eligibility & Application Process
Scholarships greatly benefit India students who want to fulfill their dreams of carrying out higher study programs in the USA. This not only covers educational and living expenses but also offers them great relief from the burden of financial stress. In this blog, we have discussed the scholarships for Indian students in the USA with their benefits, eligibility criteria and more.
Why Study in the USA?
These are some of the top reasons why one should go to study in the USA:
Worldwide Recognition: USA is recognised and preferred worldwide by most Indian students desiring to pursue higher academic programs abroad.
Wide Variety of Opportunities: This is due to the presence of world-class universities like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Miami, etc., which offer a diverse range of academic programs along with internship opportunities and career support.
Promoting Sustainability: With a strong emphasis on innovation, creativity, and leadership skills, USA is preparing a strong team of leaders and thinkers who can contribute to making this world a better place.
Strong Governance: USA is known to have a strong economy and adaptive financial policies that promote universities and industries to create new innovative educational and research ideas for the incoming students.
Government Scholarships for International Students in the USA
These are some government scholarships for Indian students in the USA, along with their descriptions, benefits, application process, and deadlines.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright foreign student program is administered by the US embassies of all countries, facilitating Indian students to pursue master’s and doctoral studies in the USA. Every year, approximately 4000 grants are awarded.
| Benefits | J-1 visa sponsorship Funding support Health benefit plan Enrichment activities |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have an Bachelor’s degree with atleast 55% Must fulfill the following English language criteria: TOEFL iBT: 70-80 IELTS: 6.5 Do not hold USA citizenship Should also demonstrated experience in leadership and community service |
| Application Process | Apply on the official website of the USIEF |
| Application Deadlines | By March 2025 (tentative) |
Full Bright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship is the scholarship scheme awarded to undergraduate Indian students who have shown extraordinary leadership qualities in the USA. This fellowship is awarded to Indian students who have obtained a US bachelor’s degree in one of the following subject areas:
- Economics
- Environmental Science/Studies
- Higher Education Administration
- International Affairs
- International Legal Studies
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Women’s Studies/Gender Studies
| Benefits | J-1 visa sponsorship Round-trip economy class air travel from home city to the host institution in the USA Funding for tuition, studies and living expenses Accident and sickness coverage by the USA government. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have 4 years of Indian bachelor’s degree equivalent to a US Bachelor’s degree with at least 55% Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience relevant to the course Should also demonstrate experience in leadership and community service. |
| Application Process | Apply on the official website of the IIE or Institute of International Education |
| Application Deadlines | May 2025 (tentative) |
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
This National Overseas Scholarship Scheme scheme aims to empower students coming from low-income and marginalised communities such as scheduled castes, scheduled castes, denotified nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural labourers, and traditional artisans. It provides study grants for pursuing master’s and PhD in the USA till the completion of the course.
| Benefits | Annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 Annual contingency allowance of USD 1,500 University tuition fees Visa application fees Medical insurance premium Airfare allowance |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% Less than 35 years old of age as of 1st April for the selection year Total family income shall not exceed Rs. 8 lakh per annum. |
| Application Process | Apply on the official website of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme |
| Application Deadlines | May 2025 (tentative) |
University Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA
Indian students are also given opportunities to take advantage of university scholarships to study in the USA. These scholarships are often provided based on merit and financial needs. Let’s look at some of these scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, application process and deadline.
Scholarships for Bachelor’s Degree Course
Whitman Dean’s Inclusive Excellence Scholarship- Syracuse University
Syracuse University offers Dean’s Inclusive Excellence Scholarships to International students enrolled in full-time undergraduate-level programs. It is renewed every year.
| Benefits | Provide tuition fee and living expenses assistance worth more than USD 200,000 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have Indian senior secondary level education Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA Total family income exceed Rs. 8 lakh per annum |
| Application Process | Apply on the official website of the Syracuse University |
| Application Deadlines | October 13, 2024 |
MIT Scholarships- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is the world’s leading technological university that aims to encourage the participation of International students in its academic programs and provide scholarships to undergraduate students in the first year of study. The financial aid depends on the type of course taken by the students.
| Benefits | Provide tuition fee assistance worth approximately USD 63,729 in the first year. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have completed Indian senior secondary level education They must have been enrolled in the MIT course. |
| Application Process | Automatically considered while filling out the MIT enrollment application process, provided that CSS profile has been created |
| Application Deadlines | February 15 of the previous year |
Merit Scholarships for Internatioanl Students- University of Chicago
All first-year enrolled international students are considered for merit scholarships, which aim to provide partial tuition fee assistance in the form of grants. The scholarship amount may vary depending on the course. Students are also eligible to apply for need-based financial aid when required.
| Benefits | Provide partial tuition fee assistance to meritorious students in the first year Students can also apply for financial assistance under this scheme when required |
| Eligibility Criteria | Applicants must have completed Indian senior secondary level education Students must have been enrolled in the full-time undergraduate course. |
| Application Process | Automatically considered for the scholarships |
| Application Deadlines | Depends on intake |
Scholarships for Master’s Degree Course
Harvard University MBA Scholarships
The Boustany Harvard MBA scholarships are awarded once in every two years to an MBA student, including Indians.
| Benefits | It covers 75% of financial aid amounting to tuition fee Also, it covers travel and accommodation expenses related to internships |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must have excellent academic background |
| Application Process | Candidates can send a copy of their CV with a photograph, GMAT scores and acceptance letter from the university to admissions@boustany-foundation.org |
| Application Deadlines | May 31st, 2025 |
Dean’s Scholarships- University of Sothern California
Dean’s scholarships of University of Southern California are awarded to full-time master’s students who have been enrolled in the university’s academic courses.
| Benefits | Tuition fees and grant ranging from USD 5000-20,000 Also covers travel and accommodation expenses related to internships. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must have a good academic background Open to all International students, including Indians |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the university |
| Application Deadlines | December 15, 2024 |
Dean’s Scholars Program- New York University (NYU)
The Dean’s Scholars program aims to provide tuition fee assistance/ partial fee waiver to meritorious International students who have been accepted into the master’s program at the university.
| Benefits | Partial fee waiver worth USD 5,000-10,000 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must have a good academic background Candidates must showcase extraordinary community and leadership abilities. |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the university |
| Application Deadlines | To be announced |
Provost’s Assistantship- University of New Haven
The Provost’s assistantship program allows international students to work for the academic departments of the University of New Haven, for which they get several benefits.
| Benefits | It covers 50% tuition fee assistance Students also gets hourly wage |
| Eligibility Criteria | Students should work up to 15-20 hours per week (550 total hours per academic year) for an academic department. |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the university |
| Application Deadlines | March 1st, 2025 |
International Merit Scholarships- East Tennessee University
It provide tuition fee assistance during for academic program at the East Tennessee University.
| Benefits | USD 5,000 as tuition fee assistance |
| Eligibility Criteria | Minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) Admitted to a graduate full-time master’s degree program |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the university |
| Application Deadlines | To be announced for 2025 |
Scholarships for Ph.D Course
Dean’s Fellowship and Research Apprenticeship- University of Pennsylvenia
It provides full funding to International students desiring to pursue PhD programs at the University of Pennsylvania in any of the listed courses. There is no need to apply for this program separately, as the admission committee considers the student’s application automatically.
| Benefits | Full funding to PhD students. Support includes tuition and fees, health insurance, and a living stipend |
| Eligibility Criteria | No specific eligibility criteria |
| Application Process | Complete the GSE application on the university website and give consent to consideration for this fellowship program. |
| Application Deadlines | Depend on intake |
External Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA
Besides government and university scholarship programs, there are several other external scholarships for international students in the USA that help them to afford their study costs, living expenses, and other expenditures. They are:
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarships are provided to young Indian individuals desiring to pursue any type of study program in the USA and who want to broaden their vision and use their talent for the welfare of society.
| Benefits | USD 100,000 which covers total tuition fee and living expenses |
| Eligibility Criteria | First-class undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree from the Indian university Candidates must be below 30 years of age on 1 July in the year of application. |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the foundation |
| Application Deadlines | April 2025 (tentative) |
JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indian Students
It was established by the Tata Group to support Indian students financially who want to pursue higher education in any of the international educational institutions.
| Benefits | Study loans upto Rs 10 lakh, which is repayable within 7 years after the conclusion of the program |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must have a good academic record. Candidates who have pursued bachelor’s/master’s programs within the Mumbai urban and suburban areas are eligible to apply. |
| Application Process | Apply with application process on the official website of the foundation |
| Application Deadlines | March 2025 (tentative) |
Conclusion
Indian students planning to study in the USA are eligible for several scholarship programs, which might vary depending on the issuing authority, eligibility criteria, and education level. Most of the scholarships in the USA for Indian students are available on merit-based criteria, provided that they have an excellent academic record and are committed to serving the community and society.
These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other expenditures such as flight ticket fares, health insurance premiums, etc.
FAQs
How do I get the best scholarship to study in the US?
To get the best scholarships to study in the USA, you must have an excellent academic record and commit to community service and leadership through extracurricular participation. You can search for the scholarships according to your criteria and apply for them.
What scholarships are available for Indian students studying in the USA?
There are various types of scholarships available in the USA for international students, such as tuition fee waivers, living expenses grants, fellowships to continue higher education, study loans, etc.
Is there any application fee that needs to be submitted while applying for scholarships in the USA?
Mostly, there is no application fee required to apply for scholarships in the USA because universities consider students’ applications automatically without requiring them to submit an additional cost. This is also applicable to government and private-funded scholarships.
How can I get a 100% scholarship at USA University?
To get a 100% scholarship in the USA, applicants must have excellent academic records and good scores in the university’s entrance examinations such as GMAT, GRE, ACT, SAT, etc.
How much is the percentage required to get a scholarship in the USA?
To get scholarships in the USA, students must have at least a GPA of 2.5-3.0 in their previous degree program. It may also depend on the university and the organisation offering the scholarship.
