Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students in the USA

In 2025, numerous scholarships are available for international students, including those from Africa, Asia, and other regions. This guide details key scholarship programs, eligibility criteria, application strategies, and practical tips, with financial figures in British pounds.

Key Postgraduate Scholarship Programs

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• Institution: Various U.S. universities
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• Value: Covers full tuition, living stipend (£760–£1,520), airfare, and health insurance.
• Eligibility: Open to students from over 160 countries, including African nations (e.g., Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya). Requires a bachelor’s degree, strong academic record, English proficiency (TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.5+), and a clear study plan. Excludes medical fields.
• Application Process: Apply through the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your home country by August–September 2025. Submit transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency.
• Notes: Highly competitive, with approximately 4,000 awards annually. Offers one to two years of funding.

2. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

• Institution: Any reputable U.S. university
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• Value: 50% grant, 50% loan (repayable within five years), covering tuition and living expenses (up to £19,000). Limited awards.
• Eligibility: Students under 35 from African countries (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) with outstanding academic records and financial need.
• Application Process: Apply by March 31, 2025, through Aga Khan Foundation offices. Requires academic transcripts, financial need documentation, and a study proposal.
• Notes: Prioritizes students with no other funding sources. Loan repayment starts six months post-graduation.

3. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

• Institutions: Partner universities (e.g., University of California, Berkeley)
• Level: Master’s
• Value: Full tuition, living stipend (£912), accommodation, travel, and insurance.
• Eligibility: Sub-Saharan African students with academic talent and a commitment to transformative change in Africa. Requires a bachelor’s degree and financial need.
• Application Process: Apply directly through partner universities by January–March 2025. Submit transcripts, essays, and recommendation letters.
• Notes: Supports 108 master’s students at UC Berkeley. Focuses on social impact.

4. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

• Institutions: Selected U.S. universities (e.g., Harvard, Stanford)
• Level: Master’s
• Value: Full tuition, monthly stipend (£912), airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance (£380).
• Eligibility: Mid-career professionals from developing countries (e.g., Nigeria, Ethiopia) with 3+ years of development-related experience. Must commit to returning home post-study.
• Application Process: Apply from mid-February to mid-April 2025 via the World Bank website. Requires a CV, transcripts, and proof of professional experience.
• Notes: Supports development-related fields (e.g., economics, public policy). Highly selective.

5. AAUW International Fellowship Program

• Institution: The American Association of University Women
• Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
• Value: £13,680–£22,800 annually, covering tuition and living expenses, renewable with academic progress.
• Eligibility: Non-American women with a bachelor’s degree, English proficiency, and a commitment to advancing women and girls.
• Application Process: Apply by November 15, 2024, via the AAUW website. Submit academic records, essays, and recommendation letters.
• Notes: Prioritizes women from underrepresented regions, including Africa.

6. Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

• Institution: Stanford University
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• Value: Full tuition, living stipend (£1,140), travel allowance, and academic expenses.
• Eligibility: Open to all nationalities, including African students. Requires a bachelor’s degree, leadership potential, and enrollment in a Stanford graduate program.
• Application Process: Apply by October 8, 2025, via Stanford’s portal. Submit essays, CV, transcripts, and two recommendation letters.
• Notes: Awards up to 100 scholars annually. No IELTS required if prior education was in English.

7. Yale University Scholarship

• Institution: Yale University
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• Value: Varies from £380–£53,200 annually, often covering full tuition and living expenses for need-based recipients.
• Eligibility: Open to all international students with financial need and academic excellence. Requires admission to a Yale graduate program.
• Application Process: Apply by December 2024–January 2025 via Yale’s financial aid portal. Submit financial need documentation and academic records.
• Notes: Average need-based award is £38,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Common requirements include:

• Academic Excellence: Minimum GPA of 3.0–3.7 (B+ or higher on ECTS scale). Transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• English Proficiency: TOEFL (80–100+), IELTS (6.5–7.0+), or proof of English-taught prior education.
• Financial Need: Demonstrated through financial statements or scholarship-specific forms (e.g., Aga Khan, Yale).
• Program Enrollment: Acceptance into a full-time master’s or PhD program at a U.S. institution.
• Country-Specific Criteria: Some scholarships target African or developing countries (e.g., MasterCard, JJ/WBGSP).
• Leadership or Service: Evidence of community impact, ministry commitment, or professional experience, especially for Fulbright and AAUW.

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Application Strategies

1. Research Early: Use resources like Scholars4Dev, InternationalStudent.com, and university financial aid pages to identify scholarships. Check eligibility for programs like Fulbright, AAUW, and university-specific awards (e.g., Yale, Stanford).
2. Prepare Documents: Gather transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS scores, recommendation letters (academic or professional), and a compelling personal statement linking your goals to the scholarship’s mission.
3. Network: Contact university financial aid offices or Fulbright Commissions for guidance. Join forums like Reddit’s r/gradadmissions or LinkedIn groups for international students.
4. Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Increase chances by applying to Fulbright, Aga Khan, MasterCard, and university-specific awards simultaneously.
5. Meet Deadlines: Key deadlines include November 15, 2024 (AAUW), March 31, 2025 (Aga Khan), and October 8, 2025 (Stanford). Check university-specific deadlines (e.g., Yale: December 2024–January 2025).
6. Secure an F-1 Visa: After receiving a scholarship, obtain a SEVIS Form I-20 from the university. Apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy, providing proof of funds for non-covered expenses.

FAQs

What are the best postgraduate scholarships for international students in the USA?

Top scholarships include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Aga Khan Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, JJ/WBGSP, AAUW International Fellowship, Stanford Knight-Hennessy, and Yale University Scholarship, covering tuition, stipends, and travel.

Do I need IELTS/TOEFL for U.S. postgraduate scholarships?

Most require TOEFL (80–100+) or IELTS (6.5–7.0+), but exemptions apply if your prior degree was taught in English (e.g., Stanford, Yale).

Can African students apply for these scholarships?

Yes, programs like Aga Khan, MasterCard, and JJ/WBGSP specifically target African students from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

What expenses do full scholarships cover?

Full scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, Stanford) cover tuition, living stipends (£760–£1,520/month), airfare, and insurance. Some, like Yale, vary based on need.

How do I apply for a U.S. study visa after receiving a scholarship?

Obtain a SEVIS Form I-20 from your university, apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy (£140–£380), and provide proof of funds for non-covered expenses.