Five US Universities Offering Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

Studying in the United States remains a top aspiration for international students, but high tuition fees, living costs and test requirements often make access difficult. For students facing financial constraints, fully funded scholarships—covering tuition and, in many cases, living expenses—can significantly reduce the cost barrier.

Several US universities currently offer funding packages that either fully or substantially cover education costs through institutional scholarships, fellowships, and need-based aid. Here is a look at five US universities offering such opportunities, based on official university disclosures.

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

The University of St. Thomas offers undergraduate and graduate programmes across business, engineering, education and law.

For business-focused students, the GHR Fellows Programme provides:

• Full tuition coverage
• Mandatory academic fees
• Leadership training
• A fully funded short-term international study experience

The programme is open to first-time undergraduate applicants planning to major in business, with strong academic performance typically required. Additional merit-based scholarships, including Schulze Innovation Scholarships for entrepreneurship-focused students, are also available.

University of Michigan–Dearborn

The University of Michigan–Dearborn offers programme- and college-specific funding, particularly for graduate students in:

• Business
• Engineering
• Computer Science

Scholarships and assistantships are administered at the college level, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Business. Applicants are required to review funding opportunities directly through the official university portal, as award structures vary by programme.

Cornell University

Cornell University provides full funding for most PhD students, covering:

• Tuition
• Health insurance
• Living stipends

Funding is typically offered through fellowships, research assistantships or teaching assistantships. While funding for master’s and professional programmes is more limited, select departments may offer partial financial support. Students are advised to confirm funding details with individual academic departments.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech)

WVU Tech focuses on engineering, technology and business education with an emphasis on workforce readiness.

The university offers:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Programme-linked financial support
• Funding availability depends on academic performance and chosen field of study. Updated scholarship details are published on the institution’s official website.

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame follows a need-based financial aid model and commits to meeting 100% of an admitted student’s demonstrated financial need, regardless of nationality.

Financial aid packages may include:

• Grants
• Scholarships
• Campus employment opportunities

This policy applies equally to international and domestic students, making Notre Dame one of the most accessible US institutions for students requiring comprehensive financial support.

What Students Should Keep in Mind

Fully funded scholarships are highly competitive and often linked to:

• Academic excellence
• Programme type (PhD funding is more common than master’s)
• Department-level availability
• Students are strongly advised to:
• Check official university websites
• Track programme-specific deadlines
• Confirm funding terms before accepting offers

While studying in the US can be expensive, fully funded and high-value scholarship pathways do exist, particularly at research-intensive and need-blind institutions. For international students willing to research early and apply strategically, these universities offer viable routes to a US education without an overwhelming financial burden.