Scholarships for undergrad courses in US

Q. My aim is to study abroad right after I finish my Class XII. Is there any fully-funded scholarship available at the undergraduate level?

Rajshri Sharma, Ghaziabad

 A. Competition around education is increasing exponentially. The competition is fierce, but there are a number of opportunities too. Studying abroad has been made possible through a wide range of undergraduate scholarships, graduate scholarships, international internships, academic grants, so that the conventional notion of sustaining your international journey through the provision of student loan can be sidelined.

On top of it all, most interestingly, international scholarships and grants particularly applicable to overseas students are also available, in order to get enrolled in any university in the USA. While doctoral scholarships are said to be more beneficial (fully-funded), the same opportunities are also there at the undergraduate level, which are not so popular. Here is a list of university-funded scholarships and grants provided at the undergraduate level in US for Indian students:

1. Pace International Undergraduate Scholarships

These scholarships are particularly provided to international students pursuing undergraduate studies at the university. These include university-sponsored scholarships for the overseas students with exceptional academic merit and financial need. Although domestic students don’t need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the international students need to fill out additional forms and requirements.

2. University of Vermont Merit Scholarships for International Students:

It is a merit-based scholarship to fund international students, which can go up to $20,000 per year. While getting admitted to the university, you will automatically be directed to the provision of the scholarship. There’s no additional formality of going through additional applications.

3. Dominican University International Merit Scholarship

The Dominican University of California provides full-time transfer students the opportunity to apply for the scholarships. Their Trustee Scholarship can go as high as $12,000 per year. Other scholarships include Reedsy Creative Writing Scholarship, Davis Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship ($10,000) and more.

4. Widener University International Undergraduate Scholarships

The centre for International Studies at Widener University provides students with commendable academic excellence the opportunity to be part of the scholarship programme. Available for undergraduate students, the university offers a limited number of full-tuition scholarships depending on the strength of the applicant pool. In the last year more that $20 million in grants and scholarships from Widener University went to the undergraduate programme.

5. Weinstein JAMS International Fellowship

Students from outside US are eligible to apply for this scholarship designated to fund up to $20,000 for the project you will be working on. Applicants have to send additional hardcopy or softcopy to be selected for the scholarship.

 You can choose scholarships funded by various global and regional organisations such as FULBRIGHT, DAAD, UNICEF Foundation, RHODES Foundation, OFID and many more and study anywhere in the world, especially through the scholarships offered to students from developing countries. So, think no more, expand your horizons and follow your dreams.

Sanjay Arora is Chief Mentor and CEO Maven Career Coaching, https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachsanjayarora/