Scholarship guide for the 2026–27 application cycle · Last checked September 2026
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Scholarships at US universities, and who can apply for them

The major merit, need-based and external awards for undergraduate, graduate and MBA study in the United States: what each one covers, who is eligible, and when it closes.

Figures and deadlines are for the 2026–27 cycle and were checked against official sources in September 2026.

16scholarships & funding routes listed
9need-blind universities for international undergrads
$7,395maximum federal Pell Grant, 2026–27
~50%of Harvard MBA students receive need-based aid
On this page
Section 1

How US scholarships work

Almost all funding for study in the US falls into four groups. They come from different sources and have different rules, so many students end up combining more than one.

Merit scholarships

Given for academic results, leadership or talent. Some need a separate application; at many schools you're considered automatically when you apply.

See merit scholarships →

Need-based aid

Based on what your family can afford rather than your grades. A handful of universities cover all of an admitted student's demonstrated need.

See need-blind universities →

External awards

Run by governments and foundations, not universities. They're applied for separately and can often be combined with a university award.

See external awards →

Assistantships

Mainly for graduate students: you work as a teaching or research assistant, and in return often get a tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend.

See assistantships →
Section 2

Scholarship finder

Filter by study level, who can apply and type of award. Click a name to jump to its full eligibility details.

ScholarshipLevelOpen toTypeTypical value
Section 3

Need-blind universities for international undergraduates

At these universities, what your family can pay doesn't affect your admission, including for international applicants. Once admitted, each commits to meeting your full demonstrated financial need.

UniversityStateNeed-blind for international?Aid commitment
Harvard University ↗MassachusettsYesMeets full demonstrated need
Yale University ↗ConnecticutYes100% of need, without loans
Princeton University ↗New JerseyYes100% of need with grant aid
MIT ↗MassachusettsYes100% of demonstrated need
Amherst College ↗MassachusettsYesFull need, no gap
Dartmouth College ↗New HampshireYesMeets full demonstrated need
Bowdoin College ↗MaineYesMeets full demonstrated need
University of Notre Dame ↗IndianaYesFull need, no-loan packages from fall 2025
Brown University ↗Rhode IslandYes, from fall 2025 entryMeets full demonstrated need
Worth knowing: "Need-blind" affects admission only. You still have to apply for financial aid, usually with the CSS Profile and your family's financial documents, by each university's aid deadline.
Section 4

Undergraduate scholarships

Named merit scholarships for students starting a bachelor's degree. They're highly competitive and usually close earlier than normal admission.

Morehead-Cain Scholarship

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UndergraduateInternational & USMerit
Full cost of attendancefour years, plus summer programmes
Eligibility
  • On track to graduate from high school in the spring
  • A competitive applicant to UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Nominated by your high school or an affiliate programme; if your school isn't a partner, you may still be considered through UNC's Admissions Referral Program by applying Early Action
Key facts
Deadline: 1 October 2026
UNC application: Early Action 15 Oct 2026 or Regular 1 Jan 2027
Decision: Final selection Feb–Mar 2027
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

Duke University & UNC-Chapel Hill
UndergraduateInternational & USMerit
Full scholarshiptuition, housing and fees for four years
Eligibility
  • Open to students of any citizenship or nationality who can get a US study visa
  • Applying as a first-year student to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Not open to transfer students, graduate applicants, or students already admitted and on a gap year
Key facts
Opens: 15 August 2026
Early notification: 15 October 2026
Regular deadline: 15 November 2026
Decisions: Mid-March 2027
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

Stamps Scholars Program

Offered through partner universities across the US
UndergraduateSome schools accept internationalMerit
Varies by schoolscholarship plus an enrichment fund
Eligibility
  • Academic merit, strong leadership potential and exceptional character
  • Financial need is not considered
  • Open to all fields of study; each award is tied to one school and can't be transferred
  • International eligibility depends on the partner school, so check with each one
Key facts
How to apply: Through each partner school's own process, often just by applying for admission
Extra: A separate award to fund leadership activities of your choice
See partner schools ↗↑ Back to finder

Cornell University Tata Scholarship

For students from India at Cornell University
UndergraduateIndian citizensNeed-based
Covers demonstrated needabout 20 students a year
Eligibility
  • Indian citizen (dual citizens are not eligible)
  • Applying as a first-year, full-time undergraduate to Cornell
  • Substantial demonstrated financial need
  • Strong academic record
Key facts
Renewal: Yearly, while you keep good academic standing and still have financial need
How to apply: Apply to Cornell as a first-year student and apply for financial aid; check Cornell's aid office for the current steps
Cornell financial aid ↗↑ Back to finder
Section 5

Graduate funding

For master's and PhD study, funding usually comes from the department itself: fellowships, assistantships or both.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Stanford University, all graduate schools
GraduateMBAAny nationalityMerit
Fully fundedtuition plus living stipend
Eligibility
  • Bachelor's degree earned in January 2020 or later (January 2018 or later with military service), for the 2027 cohort
  • Citizens of all countries can apply; DACA recipients are eligible
  • Must also apply to and enrol in a full-time Stanford graduate programme (MA, MS, PhD, MBA, JD, MD, MPP, MFA or DMA)
  • Offers can't be deferred
Key facts
Deadline: 6 October 2026, 1 pm Pacific
Separate application: Yes, in addition to your Stanford programme application
Selection: Holistic; no minimum scores
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

Graduate assistantships (TA / RA / GA)

Offered by departments at most US research universities
GraduateInternational & USWork-based
Tuition waiver + stipendamounts vary by university
Eligibility
  • Admitted to a graduate programme, most often a PhD or research master's
  • Teaching assistant roles may need proof of spoken English
  • Research assistant roles usually depend on a professor's grant funding
  • Usually about 20 hours of work a week during term
Key facts
How to get one: Tick the funding box on your application and contact professors whose research fits yours
Tip: PhD offers in the US are often fully funded through assistantships
Check each department's "funding" page↑ Back to finder
Section 6

MBA funding

Business schools use a mix of need-based fellowships and merit or mission-based fellowships. Most are awarded through your normal MBA application.

Harvard Business School fellowships

Need-based scholarships for HBS MBA students
MBAInternational & USNeed-based
~$100,000 averageover the two-year programme
Eligibility
  • Admitted HBS MBA students, both domestic and international
  • Awarded only on demonstrated financial need (HBS gives no merit scholarships)
  • International applicants complete a Certification of Finances form
Key facts
Who receives it: About 50% of students
Range: $2,000 – $87,000 a year
Full tuition: About 10% of students, those with the greatest need
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

Forté MBA Fellowships

Awarded by Forté Foundation member business schools
MBAAny nationalityMerit
Varies by schoolplus leadership and networking events
Eligibility
  • Pursuing an MBA at a Forté member school
  • Open to any nationality, gender or gender identity
  • Exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing women in business
Key facts
How to apply: No separate application; schools select fellows from admitted students
Formats: Full-time at all member schools; part-time and executive at some
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

The Consortium Fellowship (CGSM)

Consortium for Graduate Study in Management member schools
MBAUS citizens, PR & DACAMission-based
Partial to full tuitiondecided by each school
Eligibility
  • US citizen, US permanent resident or DACA recipient
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited US institution, or the international equivalent
  • A clear commitment to advancing under-resourced communities, shown with specific examples
Key facts
Opens: 15 August
Early deadline: 15 October 2026
Final deadline: 5 January 2027
Note: Membership doesn't guarantee funding
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder
Section 7

External awards for international students

Run by governments and foundations outside the university. They're applied for separately, usually a year ahead, and can often be combined with a university offer.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

US Department of State, in more than 160 countries
GraduateInternationalExternal
Varies by countryoften tuition, living costs and travel
Eligibility
  • Graduate students, young professionals and artists from outside the US
  • Exact rules are set by the Fulbright office in your country
  • For degree study or non-degree research
Key facts
Apply through: The Fulbright Commission or US Embassy in your home country
Deadline: Varies by country, often 12–18 months before you'd start
Scale: About 4,000 awards a year
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship

Non-degree fellowship for mid-career professionals
ProfessionalInternationalExternal
Fully fundednon-degree year at a US university
Eligibility
  • Citizen of an eligible country
  • Bachelor's degree
  • At least five years of full-time professional experience
  • Leadership record and public-service commitment
  • Limited prior US experience; good English
Key facts
Apply through: The US Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your country
Deadline: Varies by country
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder

AAUW International Fellowships

American Association of University Women
Graduate (STEM)International womenExternal
$20,000 – $25,000master's / doctorate
Eligibility
  • Identify as a woman
  • Not a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Admitted to a first master's or doctorate in a STEM field
  • GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Key facts
2027–28 window: 17 Aug – 17 Sep 2026
Results: March 2027
Paid: In two instalments
Official site ↗↑ Back to finder
Section 8

For US citizens & permanent residents

These major programmes are limited to US citizens, permanent residents or other eligible non-citizens.

ProgrammeWho can applyValueDeadline
Federal Pell Grant ↗US federal governmentUndergraduates with financial need who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens; apply with the FAFSAUp to $7,395 (2026–27)Via FAFSA; state deadlines vary
QuestBridge National College Match ↗55 partner collegesHigh-achieving high-school seniors from households earning under about $65,000 (family of four), with minimal assetsFull four-year scholarship, valued at over $360,0001 Oct 2026
Coca-Cola Scholars Program ↗150 scholars a yearHigh-school seniors who are US citizens, permanent residents, refugees or asylees, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher$20,00030 Sep 2026
Section 9

Deadline timeline, 2026–27 cycle

Deadlines in date order. Each status updates automatically from today's date.

Fulbright and Humphrey deadlines are set by each country's Fulbright Commission or US Embassy. Check your local office, as they're often a year or more before you'd start.
Section 10

Document checklist

Most scholarship and financial aid applications ask for the same core documents. Tick them off as you gather them.

0 of 8 ready
Section 11

Frequently asked questions

Can international students get full scholarships in the US?

Yes, but places are limited. The main routes are the need-blind universities that meet full need, flagship merit awards such as Robertson and Morehead-Cain for undergraduates, Knight-Hennessy for graduate study at Stanford, and fully funded PhD assistantships.

What does "need-blind" mean?

A need-blind university doesn't look at your ability to pay when deciding whether to admit you. That's different from "meeting full need", which is a promise to cover the gap between the cost and what your family can pay. The universities in Section 3 do both for international students.

Do I need a separate application for each scholarship?

It depends. Named scholarships such as Knight-Hennessy, Robertson and AAUW need their own application. Others, including Forté Fellowships and many university merit awards, are decided from your normal admission application.

Can I combine different scholarships?

Often, yes. External awards such as Fulbright sit outside the university, so they can add to a university award. Some universities reduce their own aid when you receive outside money, so always ask each financial aid office how they treat it.

When should I start applying?

About 12–15 months before you'd start. Many major awards close in September–November for study starting the following autumn; see the deadline timeline.

Want to narrow it down?

Answer a few quick questions to see which funding types suit your profile.

Retake the eligibility check →
Section 12

Sources

Checked in September 2026. Amounts, rules and deadlines change every cycle, so always confirm with the official source before applying.

  1. Knight-Hennessy Scholars: Eligibility
  2. Morehead-Cain: International eligibility
  3. Robertson Scholars: High school students
  4. Stamps Scholars: Criteria & eligibility
  5. Harvard Business School: Tuition assistance
  6. Forté Foundation: MBA Fellowships
  7. The Consortium: Application instructions
  8. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
  9. Humphrey Fellowship: Eligibility
  10. AAUW International Fellowships
  11. US Dept. of Education: 2026–27 Pell Grant amounts
  12. QuestBridge: National College Match
  13. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Apply
  14. Notre Dame News: Need-blind for all students
  15. Study International: Need-blind universities in the US