Top USA Scholarships in 2024: Fully Funded Opportunities to Apply for Now

Are you a USA residential student or international student seeking to pursue or further your educational career without dwelling yourself in Student loan debt that might not be easy for you to pay back? Worry less, there is good news for you. Whether you are a home or international student seeking to further your advanced education in the USA, there are several fully funded scholarships in the USA you can opt in for. That is you would not need to pay for tuition fee, accommodation fee, health insurance and sometimes, monthly stipends on average of $1000. Read further to apple now.

 

1. Fulbright Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships are renowned fully funded scholarships for international students seeking to undertake postgraduate degrees, teaching, or research in the USA. They offer various types of awards, such as:

• Postgraduate Awards: Covering a wide range of graduate programs at any accredited US university
• Academic Awards: Grants for academics to lecture and/or conduct research in any discipline at any accredited US university
• Professional Awards: Scholarships for mid-career teachers and professionals

Some specific Fulbright Scholarships include:

• Global Challenges Teaching Award: Offers virtual exchange courses for UK teaching faculty
• Study of the US Institutes: Short-term intensive academic programs for undergraduate student leaders
• Brown University (PhD) Award: Covers a PhD in any discipline available at the university
• Distinguished Awards in Teaching: Designed for teachers and education professionals interested in working in the USA

Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and adhere to application deadlines set forth by the Fulbright Commission or Foundation in their respective countries. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers grants for U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals, and artists

2. Knight-Hennessy Stanford University Scholarships

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University is a fully funded scholarship aimed at developing a diverse group of future leaders across all fields and geographies. The program offers the following benefits:

• Travel stipend for an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford
• Stipend for living and academic expenses
• Tuition coverage commensurate with the standard departmental level of enrollment

To be eligible for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, candidates must:

• Complete and submit the online application for admission to Stanford University, including personal and academic information
• Be admitted into a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such as DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs
• Have earned a first/bachelor’s degree in 2015 or later
• Not have completed another doctoral degree
• Demonstrate ambition, curiosity, empathy, integrity, and a desire to improve the lives of others
• Be fluent in English—listening, reading, speaking, and writing—with a minimum TOEFL score of 100 iBT or 600 PBT

Application Process for Knight-Hennessy Stanford University Scholarships

• Submit the online application for admission to Stanford University, including personal and academic information.
• Apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program.
• Complete the entire application process, including any GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc., and if needed, an English proficiency test.
• Meet the character traits described by Stanford University, such as being ambitious, curious, empathetic, and persistent.
• Attach a resume that frames your intellectual, personal, and extracurricular achievements.
• Submit transcripts and recommendation letters.
• Answer short questions and essays as requested by Stanford University.
• Application for 2024 starts on June 1, 2024.

3. Clark Global Scholarship Program

The Clark Global Scholarship Program at Clark University in Massachusetts, USA, is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students. The program provides a scholarship of $15,000 to $25,000 per year for four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal. Additionally, if the financial need is greater than the amount of the Global Scholars award, students may be eligible for up to an additional $5,000 in need-based financial aid

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Clark Global Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a first-year applicant (not a transfer student) who has attended school overseas for at least four years.
• International citizens attending school in the United States are also considered.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a difference in their community and the world.
• Show good academic results and other activities.

Application Process

• Complete the Common Application and indicate interest in the Global Scholars Program.
• Submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE form by the deadline.
• Upon indicating interest in the program, detailed information, including the topic of the short essay, will be provided on how to apply for the scholarship.
• Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and no separate application is required. 

4. Rotary Peace Fellowship Program

The Rotary Peace Fellowship Program is a fully funded scholarship program for international students that offers up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities. The program is designed for professionals with work experience in international development or peace and requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate leadership skills, and have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience.
• They should have at least three years of full-time experience in peace or development work.
• Proficiency in English is required.
• A demonstrated commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace through professional and academic achievements is necessary.
• Applicants must show potential for leadership.

Application Process:

• The application for programs starting in 2025-26 is now open.
• Deadline for applications is May 15, 2024.
• The fellowship application is available on the Rotary from early February.
• Prospective candidates can use an online tool to determine their eligibility and whether their language skills and work experience meet the requirements.

5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious fully funded scholarship for international students offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The scholarship is available for Masters and PhD studies at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
• Apply to pursue a full-time residential course of study at the University of Cambridge, such as a PhD, MSc/MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course.
• Demonstrate academic excellence and the potential to succeed in the chosen course.
• Show a commitment to improving the lives of others and possess leadership capacity.

Application Process

• Admission Application: Candidates must apply for admission to a specific graduate course and a College place at the University of Cambridge. This is done through the University’s application portal.
• Funding Application: Applicants must also complete the funding section of the admission application to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. This includes providing a Gates Cambridge Statement, a CV/Resume, a Research Proposal (for PhD applicants), and a Gates Cambridge Reference.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides full coverage for university tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course, inbound visa costs, and other benefits such as academic development funding and family allowance

6. Boston University Presidential Scholarship

Boston University Presidential Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship that covers $25,000 annually towards tuition fees for four years of undergraduate study at Boston University. The scholarship is open to incoming first-year domestic and international students who exhibit exceptional academic performance and leadership abilities

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Boston University Presidential Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Required Language: English
• Rank in the top 5% of their high school class
• Have SAT scores above 1500 and ACT scores above 33
• Have demonstrated exceptional extracurricular achievements in their schools and communities
• Must be an incoming first-year student at Boston University

Application Process

There is no additional application form required for the Boston University Presidential Scholarship. To apply, students must:

1. Apply to Boston University through the Common or Coalition Application.
2. Submit their application for admission and all supporting credentials by December 1st.

• Secondary School Records (High School Transcript, Senior Year Grades
• English Proficiency Testing Results (TOEFL / IELTS scores)
• Standardized Tests (SAT / ACT scores)
• Copy of Data Page of Passport
• Counselor Recommendation and School Report Form
• Teacher Recommendation
• Documentation of Financial Support
• No additional essays or application forms are required for the Presidential Scholarship consideration

7. Yale University Scholarship

Yale University offers a wide array of scholarships covering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The scholarships are need-based and aim to ensure that talented students from diverse backgrounds can attend Yale University.

Eligibility Criteria:

• English proficiency: Minimum TOEFL scores of 100 for the Internet-Based Test, 600 for Paper-Based Test, and 250 for Computer-Based Test; IELTS scores of 7 or higher.
• Financial Need: Based on the family’s income, assets, and finances.
• Enrollment in Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program, TRIO programs, or receipt of an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
• For undergraduate students, being a ward of the state or an orphan, or living in a federally subsidized public housing, foster home, or being homeless.

Application Process:

1. Apply for admission to Yale University.
2. Complete the financial aid application, which includes the CSS Profile and Parent’s Financial Statement.
3. Provide supporting documents, such as academic transcripts, English proficiency tests, and financial statements.

8. Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) Scholarship

Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) offers several scholarship opportunities for international students seeking undergraduate degrees. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Eligibility Criteria

• English language proficiency
• Academic excellence
• Test scores on required entrance exams
• Talent, interests, and academic achievements for President’s Scholarships

Application Procedure

• Merit-based scholarships: Automatically considered upon submitting the admissions application
• President’s Scholarships: Separate application submission by February 15 for fall entry
• Need-based financial aid: Submit the CSS PROFILE by March 1

Scholarship Details

• Merit-based scholarships: Range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years
• President’s Scholarships: Full tuition, renewable for up to 4 years
• Need-based financial aid: Variable amounts depending on need

9. University of Miami Stamps Scholarship

The University of Miami Stamps Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship for international students seeking undergraduate degrees. Here are the eligibility criteria and application process:

Eligibility Criteria

• International students from all countries, as well as U.S. citizens, can apply.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and English language proficiency.
• Applicants must submit all First-Year Admission Requirements by November 1 if applying under the Early Decision I (EDI) or Early Action (EA) deadline.
• Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for the academic year at the University of Miami.

Application Process

• Complete and submit the Common Application online.
• Send official transcripts, English test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, and awards/achievements to the address given on the official website.
• Selected semi-finalist candidates for the Stamps Scholarship are asked to write a short response to a predetermined essay prompt.
• Finalists will be selected based on a review of candidates’ applications and supporting documents, including their responses to the predetermined essay prompt, and notified of their status as finalists at the time of admission in late January.
• Finalists will be interviewed by the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation thereafter, and Stamps Scholarship announcements will be made by early March.

Scholarship Details

• The Stamps Scholarship is UM’s most prestigious merit award available to students at the University of Miami.
• Stamps Scholars receive the full cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study, including tuition and fees, on-campus housing, a meal plan, University health insurance, textbooks, a laptop allowance, and access to a $12,000 enrichment fund.
• The Stamps Scholarship is awarded to exceptional and academically accomplished high school seniors.
• The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided that the recipient maintains a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for the academic year at the University of Miami.

10. University of Mississippi Scholarships.

The University of Mississippi offers a range of scholarships for international students. The scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Here is an overview of the University of Mississippi scholarships for international students:

Eligibility Criteria:

• International applicants with a high school cumulative grade point average
• between 3.50 and 4.00 on a 4.00-U.S.-scale are considered.
• English language proficiency is required, demonstrated through tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE-A, etc.
• All candidates must have graduated from a high school outside of the USA.

 Application Process:

• No separate application for the scholarship is required. Applicants only need to apply for an undergraduate degree at the university.
• • Required documents include pre-qualification degree, academic transcripts,
• English language proficiency certificates, personal statement, and a copy of the passport.
• • Scholarship Benefits:
• The scholarship award ranges from $3,900 to $23,454, covering approximately 15% to 95% of undergraduate tuition or 9% to 55% of the total cost of study.
• Scholarships are generally credited towards non-resident fees and resident tuition fees and may be combined with other scholarships.

The University of Mississippi is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for all students, offering various types of scholarships that can cover part or all of the tuition and fees, as well as provide additional benefits such as housing, mentoring, and networking