wpx_adminAre you an international student dreaming of studying in the United States without the financial burden? The good news is that many top universities in the USA offer fully funded scholarships to exceptional students from around the world. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and even health insurance — making it possible to earn a world-class degree without debt.
Below, we highlight 7 of the best universities in the USA offering fully funded scholarships to international students in 2025–2026.
1. Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Scholarships: Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI), Fulbright, and other fellowships
Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Coverage: Tuition, room and board, travel, and personal expenses
Why Choose Harvard?
Harvard offers need-based aid to all admitted students, including international students. Many graduate programs also come with generous fellowships and assistantships.
👉 Visit: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid
2. Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California
Scholarships: Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Level: Graduate
Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and academic expenses
Why Choose Stanford?
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford are trained to become global leaders. The program supports up to three years of graduate study in any of Stanford’s schools.
👉 Visit: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu
3. Yale University
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Scholarships: Yale Need-Based Financial Aid
Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Coverage: 100% of demonstrated financial need
Why Choose Yale?
Yale’s financial aid policy ensures that any admitted international student can attend without financial hardship. Graduate students can also apply for external fully funded scholarships like Fulbright and home-country awards.
👉 Visit: https://finaid.yale.edu
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Scholarships: MIT Need-Based Aid and Fellowships
Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, and research support (for graduate programs)
Why Choose MIT?
MIT provides generous aid to undergraduate international students and fully funds most graduate students through assistantships and fellowships.
👉 Visit: https://sfs.mit.edu
5. University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Scholarships: UChicago Empower Initiative, Graduate Fellowships
Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Coverage: Full tuition, housing, and living expenses
Why Choose UChicago?
The university offers comprehensive financial aid packages and fellowships. International PhD students are typically funded throughout their programs.
👉 Visit: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu
6. Duke University
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Scholarships: Karsh International Scholarship Program
Level: Undergraduate
Coverage: Full tuition, room and board, and funding for research/internships
Why Choose Duke?
The Karsh program is dedicated exclusively to international students, combining full funding with leadership development opportunities.
👉 Visit: https://financialaid.duke.edu
7. University of Idaho
Location: Moscow, Idaho
Scholarships: Various merit-based and need-based scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students
Level: All degree levels
Coverage: Some scholarships are fully funded
Why Choose University of Idaho?
Though less known than the Ivy League, the University of Idaho offers competitive scholarship opportunities — particularly through international partnership programs.
👉 Visit: https://www.uidaho.edu/admissions/international
Conclusion
These seven universities not only provide academic excellence but also offer fully funded scholarship opportunities that can transform your future. Whether you’re planning to study engineering, business, public policy, or the arts, there’s a program and scholarship tailored for you.
Start preparing early by gathering your documents, perfecting your personal statement, and meeting application deadlines. A fully funded education in the USA is within reach — and it begins with taking the first step today.
FAQs – Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA
Q1: Can international students get fully funded scholarships in the USA?
Yes. Many U.S. universities offer fully funded scholarships based on merit or financial need for international students.
Q2: Are undergraduate scholarships available for non-U.S. citizens?
Yes. Schools like Harvard, Yale, and Duke provide need-based or merit-based aid to international undergraduates.
Q3: How do I apply for fully funded scholarships?
Apply through the university’s admission portal and check scholarship-specific requirements. Programs like Fulbright and Knight-Hennessy have separate applications.
Q4: When is the best time to apply?
Start 12–18 months before your intended program begins. Most deadlines fall between November and January for Fall admission.
Q5: Do I need to take the SAT, GRE, or IELTS/TOEFL?
Most schools require standardized tests, though some have waived them. Always check each university’s requirements.
Olomu AbdulQaadir