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Study in the USA - Discover scholarships that can ease your financial burden

With the right funding, you can focus on your education without worrying about costs. Hamlet’s Education helps you find and apply for the best scholarships suited to your profile.

Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA

Studying in the USA is a dream for many, but tuition fees and living costs can be a challenge. On average, Indian students spend $25,000 to $55,000 per year on tuition alone, with additional living expenses of $10,000 to $18,000 per year. Scholarships help reduce this burden by covering part or all of these costs, making higher education more accessible
Hamlets Education assists students in identifying and applying for scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, and other eligibility criteria. With thousands of scholarships available—ranging from $5,000 to full tuition coverage—our experts assist students in identifying and applying for scholarships that match their profiles, ensuring they maximize their chances of receiving funding

Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA

The USA provides a wide range of scholarships, supporting various academic fields and diverse student groups. Ready to turn your study abroad dream into reality? Let’s find your perfect scholarship today!

1. USA Government Scholarships

  • These scholarships are funded by the U.S. government and aim to support international students pursuing higher education in the United States.
  • They often cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and travel costs, making education more accessible to talented students worldwide.
  • These scholarships are highly competitive and usually require outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities, and a strong statement of purpose.

2. Indian Government Scholarships

  • The Indian government offers several funding opportunities for students looking to study abroad, including in the USA.
  • These scholarships are typically need-based or merit-based and help students cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other educational costs.
  • Eligibility criteria may include academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to return to India after completing the course.

3. University-Specific Scholarships

  • Many universities in the USA offer scholarships to international students based on academic achievements, leadership potential, and financial need.
  • These scholarships are either fully funded (covering tuition, living costs, and travel expenses) or partially funded (covering only tuition or part of the expenses).
  • Some scholarships may require students to maintain a high GPA or participate in extracurricular activities.

4. Other Scholarships

  • Various private organizations, NGOs, and educational foundations offer scholarships to international students.
  • These scholarships are often awarded based on academic merit, research interests, leadership potential, or specific career goals.
  • Some scholarships are to support women, students from developing countries, or those pursuing studies in particular fields.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements for Indian Students in the USA

Understanding the eligibility criteria is important for securing a scholarship in the USA. Requirements vary by program but often include academic excellence, standardized test scores, financial need, and leadership experience. Indian students must also meet specific criteria set by universities, government bodies, or private organizations.

Essential Eligibility Factors

1. Academic Performance

Students must have strong academic records, with high marks in 10th, 11th, and 12th for undergraduate scholarships and good undergraduate GPA for postgraduate scholarships.

2. Standardized Test Scores

Many scholarships require scores from exams like GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT for academic evaluation. Higher scores increase scholarship chances.

3. English Proficiency

Indian students must take IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE and achieve a required score to prove their English language skills.

4. Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

Demonstrated leadership through school clubs, community service, or volunteering enhances scholarship applications like Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships.

5. Awards & Recognitions

Scholarships favor students with academic, sports, or research achievements, with documented proof of accomplishments like Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships.

6. Financial Need

Need-based scholarships require proof that the student’s family income is insufficient to cover educational expenses. universities often require applicants to provide documents like; Income Tax Returns, bank statements, and Other Financial Document.

7. Scholarship Essay (Statement of Purpose)

A well-written SOP or scholarship essay explaining career goals, achievements, and financial needs is crucial.

8. Letter of Recommendation (LORs)

Universities often require one or more recommendation letters from teachers, professors, or mentors to assess a student’s potential.

9. Citizenship & Residency Requirements

Some scholarships are country-specific, meaning only Indian citizens or students from developing countries are eligible, including the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships, and the Tata Scholarship for Cornell University.

10. Application Deadlines & Submission

Students must meet early deadlines and submit complete applications, including transcripts, essays, and test scores, to be considered for scholarships.

Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA

The USA offers numerous scholarships for Indian students, making higher education more affordable. Whether through government, university, or private funding, these scholarships can be your gateway to success. Explore the top scholarships and take a step closer to your dream university!

Scholarship Name
Scholarship Amount
Eligibility Criteria
Additional Details
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Covers tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, and health insurance
Academic Qualification:
Completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor's degree or a completed master's degree, or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution if the bachelor's degree is of less than four years' duration.

Work Experience:
At least three years' full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study.
Fields of Study:
Applicable for master's degrees in fields such as Arts and Culture Management, Environmental Science/Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, Public Administration, Public Health, Urban and Regional Planning, and Women's Studies/Gender Studies.

Application Deadline:
Typically in May each year.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Provides for a round-trip economy air ticket to the United States, tuition and fees at the host university, living allowance including a one-time settling-in allowance, accident and sickness coverage, and funding for professional activities such as field trips and conferences
Academic Qualification:
An undergraduate (first university or Bachelor's) degree.

Work Experience:
A minimum of five years of full-time professional experience.
Fields of Study:
A non-degree program focusing on leadership and professional development in various fields.

Duration:
Typically 10 months

Application Deadline:
Typically in May each year.
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
Fully funded, covering tuition, airfare, living stipend, and health insurance.
Citizenship:
Must be a citizen, national, or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the applicant's country. Applicants cannot hold U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

Academic Qualification:
Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree with a good academic record; Master's degrees are highly desirable at many institutions.
Program Type:
Available for master's and Ph.D. programs in various fields

Application Deadline:
 Varies by country; applicants should consult the Fulbright website or the U.S. Embassy

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
Provides one-semester scholarships covering tuition, travel, housing, and a stipend for living expenses.
Academic Qualification:
Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good standing at any accredited university, public or private, and has at least one year remaining at their home university after the UGRAD program.

Other Requirements:
Over 18 years of age; limited or no prior experience in the United States.
Program Type:
A non-degree, one-semester exchange program for international students in the U.S., focusing on academic study, community service, professional development, and cultural enrichment.

Application Deadline:
 Varies by country; applicants should check with the U.S. Embassy

Indian Government Offered Scholarships

Scholarship Name
Scholarship Amount
Eligibility Criteria
Additional Details
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, contingency, visa fees, and airfare
Indian Students from SC, Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Laborers & Traditional Artisans; Age below 35; 60% in the last degree
Offered for postgraduate & Ph.D. studies abroad; Covers fields like Engineering, Management, Medicine, and Social Science
J.N. Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
Loan scholarship ranging from ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 with additional travel grants & gift awards
Indian Students with a good academic record (minimum 60%); Admission to a foreign university for postgraduate studies
The loan needs to be repaid within a prescribed time; Selection based on test and interview
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Up to $100,000, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel
Indian citizens under 30 years old; First-class degree from a recognized Indian institution; Admission to top universities in the US, UK, or Europe
Offered for full-time master’s, MPhil, or doctoral programs (excluding Engineering, Business Studies, Medicine, Public Health, Fashion, Film Animation, and Music)
Raman-Charpak Fellowship
Monthly stipend of ₹50,000; Contingency grant of ₹50,000; Travel and visa costs covered
Indian Ph.D. students in Science and Technology fields; Age limit of 30 years
Joint initiative by the Indian and French governments; Aims to foster Indo-French research collaborations

University Offered Scholarships

Scholarship Name
Scholarship Amount
Eligibility Criteria
Additional Details
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship (Stanford University)
Covers 80% of tuition & associated fees for MBA program
Indian citizens with financial need must return to India after graduation to work for at least two years
Offered for the Stanford MBA program; Requires a separate fellowship application along with the MBA application
Tata Scholarship (Cornell University)
Covers full tuition and living expenses for undergraduate study
Indian students admitted to Cornell University demonstrated financial need
Awarded to around 20 students annually; Funded by the Tata Education and Development Trust
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (Stanford University)
Covers full tuition, stipend, and travel expenses
Open to students from any country; Must apply for a full-time graduate program at Stanford
Highly competitive; Focuses on leadership and interdisciplinary skills; Covers all graduate programs at Stanford
Chicago Booth School of Business Scholarships (University of Chicago)
Varies (full and partial tuition scholarships available)
Varies (full and partial tuition scholarships available)Open to MBA applicants based on merit and leadership potential
Includes scholarships like the India Trust Fellowship and Ramakrishnan Family Scholarship, specifically for Indian students

Private or NGOs Offered Scholarships

Scholarship Name
Scholarship Amount
Eligibility Criteria
Additional Details
AAUW International Fellowships (for women)
$20,000–$50,000 (varies by degree level)
Women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must hold an undergraduate degree, and Plan to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the U.S.
Prioritizes candidates committed to advancing women and girls through professional work or community service
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, and health insurance
Citizens of World Bank member developing countries must have a bachelor's degree and 3+ years of development-related work experience
Supports master’s degree programs related to development in top universities worldwide; Recipients must return to their home country for at least two years post-graduation
The Gates Foundation Scholarship
Full tuition, accommodation, travel, and living expenses
Full tuition, accommodation, travel, and living expensesOutstanding students from low-income backgrounds, High academic achievement, and Leadership potential
Primarily awarded through The Gates Cambridge Scholarship (for study at the University of Cambridge) and The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (for U.S. institutions)
Chicago Booth School of Business Scholarships (University of Chicago)
Varies (full and partial tuition scholarships available)
Varies (full and partial tuition scholarships available)Open to MBA applicants based on merit and leadership potential
Includes scholarships like the India Trust Fellowship and Ramakrishnan Family Scholarship, specifically for Indian students
Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships
Minimum of $30,000 covering tuition, travel, and living expenses
Graduate-level study in a field related to Rotary’s focus areas (e.g., peace, education, disease prevention); Must be sponsored by a local Rotary club
Requires a humanitarian service project; Recipients must present their work at Rotary events

Apply for Scholarships to study in the USA for Indian students

Every year, Indian students receive millions of dollars in scholarships to study in the USA. Programs like the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, Tata Scholarship at Cornell, and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships offer significant financial aid. In 2023 alone, over $7 million was allocated to Indian students through various scholarship programs. Whether merit-based, need-based, or university-specific, these scholarships help cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs. Start your application today and take a step closer to studying in the USA!

Understanding and applying for US scholarships as an international student can be challenging, but with a structured approach, the process becomes much simpler;

  • Many scholarships have early deadlines, often 6 to 12 months before the academic term begins. Some prestigious scholarships, like the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, have deadlines nearly a year in advance.
  • Universities prioritize students with strong academic performance and well-documented achievements. Obtain at least two to three recommendation letters from teachers, professors, or mentors.
  • A well-crafted Statement of Purpose (SOP) or scholarship essay can set you apart. Scholarships like the Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford require a strong essay reflecting leadership potential and innovation.
  • Some scholarships, such as the Rhodes Scholarship and Fulbright Program, require interviews. Be prepared to discuss your academic background, career aspirations, leadership qualities, and reasons for choosing the USA.
  • Indian students can apply for scholarships by visiting the official website of the respective scholarship provider.
  • Regularly checking the official websites ensures students stay updated on new scholarship opportunities and any changes in application guidelines.
  • Each scholarship program has its own application process, deadlines, and eligibility criteria, which can be found on their website.

Conclusion

Hamlets Education is committed to helping students find the right scholarships, perfect their applications, and maximize their chances of success. With thousands of applicants vying for limited opportunities, expert guidance can make all the difference, ensuring a strong application strategy and a competitive edge.

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