Jasmine Grover Content Strategy Manager
Content Strategy Manager
Highlights
- To calculate financial need for need-based scholarships, subtract family contribution from the cost of attendance.
- Scholarship deadlines can be months ahead of university application deadlines. It is better to check on a case-by-case basis.
- Your scholarship essay can make or break your game, and so can your CV. Other documents you’ll need to apply for scholarships are grade transcripts, English proficiency scorecards, LOR, SOP, proof of funds, passport and student visa.
- Graduate Assistantship, Research Assistantship, and Teaching Assistantship can help you earn while working on your research or contributing to course administration.
- About 40% of full-time students were employed at part-time jobs in the US as of 2020.
The USA is often the first choice of students as they plan to study abroad. However, the average cost of MS in the USA ranges from 20,000 to 65,000 USD (16.50 to 53.62 lakhs INR) per year. Add to it the cost of living in the USA, which amounts to 43 to 48 lakhs INR per annum, and a Master’s in the USA seems next to impossible.
To get into the best universities for MS in the USA, you need extensive research, months of planning, an analysis of your entire career so far, a comprehensive understanding of your interests and inclination, and, more often than not, a lot of money. If you are dreaming of a Master’s in the US, and are ready for a grueling application process, don’t let financial concerns stop you. Read on to learn all about scholarships for MS in the USA.
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100% Scholarships for MS in USA
First things first: there is a difference between full fee scholarships and full scholarships. The latter entails every expense related to studying abroad, from accommodation to food. Full fee scholarships, on the other hand, only cover tuition fees. With the cost of colleges for MS in the USA, that’s hardly a bad deal.
And thankfully, 100% scholarships aren’t a myth—there are financial aids that take care of your tuition fee, cost of (modest) living, and international travel.
Here are some 100% scholarships for MS in USA you can actually avail for your Master’s in the USA—along with why it may not work out, so you are fully prepared.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Awarded by | Benefits | What’s the Catch | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program | Open to international students with exceptional academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to creating positive change | Stanford Graduate School of Business | Full tuition, a living stipend, and travel allowances | Highly competitive | Application opens June 2024 |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships | A minimum of three years of relevant experience is required from the date of their most recent degree to the start of the fellowship programme | Rotary International | Fully funded, covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses | Peace and development fellowship - master’s degree program is not for individuals already enrolled in a graduate program | 15 May 2024 |
| Obama Foundation Scholars’ Program | Emerging leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their field and are now at a “breakthrough moment” in their careers | Obama Foundation | Full tuition fee, monthly living stipend, funding for books and course material | Fully-funded 9-month residency on campus at Columbia World Projects | Application Closed |
| Fielding Leadership Fellowships | For full-time MBA | Simon Graduate School of Business | Up to full tuition and a living stipend | All Fielding Leadership Fellows are required to serve as a student ambassador and work for the Admissions Office. | July 23, 2024 |
| Named Faculty Scholarship | Enrolled in MBA at NYU Stem | NYU Stem | full tuition and fees | Needs a very strong application | All applicants automatically considered |
| Dean’s Scholarship | Enrolled in MBA at NYU Stem | NYU Stem | full tuition and fees | Needs a very strong application | All applicants automatically considered |
Other Popular Scholarships for Masters in US
A fully-funded Master’s in the US is every student’s dream, but scholarships that provide some financial assistance are in themselves a huge help and a matter of pride. Check out these grants, fellowships, and scholarships that can make your MS in the US dream come true.
| Scholarships | Eligibility | Awarded by | Benefits | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Need-Based Tuition Awards and Graduate Student Family Grants | Students must: 1) demonstrate financial need; 2) have completed two semesters at UC Berkeley; and 3) be registered full-time each semester. | Berkeley International Office | Tuition; Student Services Fee; Berkeley Campus Fee; Class Pass Fee - Transit; Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition; Instructional Resilience & Enhancement Fee; Health Insurance Fee. | May 24, 2024 |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Open for the students below 30 years of age who are the residents of the country where the AK Foundation, AK Education Service, AK Education Board has its local office | Aga Khan Foundation | 50% grant 50% loan | Application opens January 2025 |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and related subjects, a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA 6.8/10, or GPA 2.6/4
For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects, a minimum academic grade of 70%, CGPA 7.2/10, or GPA 2.8/4 Candidates who have an English language certification as a conditional part of their offer letter need to attain that certification before applying for the scholarship |
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | ₹8,350,000 ($100,000) | APPLICATIONS CLOSED |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program | Enrolled in MBA at Stanford | Reliance Industries Limited | 150,000 USD | May 31, 2023 (closed) |
| Forté Fellowship | Minimum GPA of 3.5 (or 75%) in UG studies | Forté Foundation | ₹2,125,159 ($25,451) | Jan. 31, 2024 |
| The Philip Brett LGBT Studies Fellowship | Research in LGBT Studies
endorsement letter from the academic adviser |
UC Berkeley | $4,000 | March 15, 2024 (Closed) |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships | Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, have at least three years professional work experience, and are committed to return and contribute to their communities | United States-India Education Foundation | Variable Amount | May 15, 2024 |
| Distinguished Graduate Fellowships | Open to international students with exceptional academic records and research potential | Penn State | Include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance | Same as program’s internal deadline |
| Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarships | For Indian women graduates
A consistent and remarkable academic record Must have applied for admission or preferably secured admission to reputed universities or institutions in the United States, UK or Europe Those awaiting their results are not eligible to apply Graduates with relevant work experience of a minimum 2 years preferred |
Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust | ₹698,478 ($8,365) | April 27, 2024, 6.00 pm |
| National Overseas Scholarship | For financially disadvantaged students from specific social groups with at least 60% marks or equivalent grade in the Bachelor’s degree | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India | ₹1,285,900 ($15,400) | March 31, 2024 |
| BrokerFish International Student Scholarship | The applicant must be pursuing a degree, diploma, or equivalent program from an accredited university
The employees of academic institutions and their respective family members are not eligible |
Broker Fish | ₹83,500 ($1,000) | Dec 21 2023 |
| Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program | Have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice or similar fraud-related discipline.
Be currently enrolled at an accredited, four-year college or university and be enrolled through the 2025-2026 academic year. Graduates must be enrolled in 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term. |
ACFE Foundation | Variable Amount | Application opens September 2024 |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Have citizenship in a country other than the U.S.
Hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by the application deadline Intend to devote themselves full-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year. Intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies. English proficiency |
AAUW | $20,000 - $50,000 | November 15, 2023 |
Need-Based and Merit-Based Scholarships
There are a number of universities and private organizations ready to fund meritorious students. Don’t get me wrong—the number of scholarships you can avail is limited, and no more than 10-15% of students that apply actually get them. The odds are not great, I agree, but your academic record (hopefully) is.
Scholarships for MS for international students are, broadly, of two types: merit-based and need-based.
- Merit-based scholarships, as the name implies, are awarded on the basis of your academic record, achievements and publications, artistic and athletic merit, and your application.
- Need-based scholarships are to help students unable to afford higher education due to financial constraints.
- Some universities that offer need-based scholarships include Brown University, Caltech, and Columbia University.
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Financial need is calculated as: Cost of attendance - contribution of the family = demonstrated financial need |
Graduate Assistantship, Research Assistantship, And Teaching Assistantship
- Tripti Raj, studying MS at University of Maryland, funded her Master’s education with the help of assistantships, securing all three in the course of her study.
- The first semester of her Master’s degree was funded by a graduate assistantship, which her school advertised on the student portal. She applied directly to the professors who had sent out the requirements for a graduate assistant.
- The process for acquiring teaching assistantship is along the same lines, and your possible previous research work can help you get a research assistantship.
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What Documents Do I Need? Apart from your CV and scholarship essay, the documents you’ll need include:
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Looked up Scholarships for MS in USA, What Next?
Are your academic scores exceptional, and extracurriculars impeccable? Have you already found scholarships you are eligible for? Here’s what to do next:
- The first step to the application process is: do your homework. Look into every opportunity that strikes you as feasible. If you’re eligible for one, you’re probably eligible for more.
- Apply for multiple scholarships, in fact, every single one you’re eligible for.
- A good scholarship essay is simply not enough. You need it to be better than great. Your essay needs to show the strength of your profile, everything from your academic achievements to community and social work.
- Don’t think the scholarships offered in India give you a better chance—the universities you’ve been shortlisted for are your biggest bet.
- Scholarships become easier once you have an admission. Call up the admissions office and ask them about the funding assistance they can provide.
Before the next application season rolls in, you have time to shine up your CV, come up with a strong scholarship essay, and look up any and every scholarship for MS to study in the US you come across. All the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Is it possible to get a scholarship for Masters in the USA?
Ans: Yes, there are many scholarships available for students on the basis of need and merit, like Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship, Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships, Forté Fellowship, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships, Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, and more.
Ques: Are there any scholarships that cover all costs?
Ans: Scholarships like Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships, Obama Foundation Scholars’ Program, and Rotary Peace Fellowships among others are some of the scholarships that provide travel and accommodation costs as well.
Ques: How do I write a good scholarship essay?
Ans: Carefully curate career details for your essay. Your scholarship essay should show the strength of your profile, everything from your academic achievements and extracurricular activities to community and social work.
Ques: How do I apply for NYU’s Dean’s Scholarship?
Ans: All the applicants are automatically considered for the Dean’s Scholarship from NYU Stem. The applications are selected based on merit and financial need.
Ques: Can I apply for more than one scholarship for MS in the USA?
Ans: Yes, you can and should apply for multiple scholarships, as that increases your chances of getting selected.
Ques: When should I start applying for scholarships?
Ans: Applications for scholarships typically are months ahead of university application deadlines. For the scholarships offered by other trusts and organizations, you should start applying as early as possible.
Ques: How much does the Reliance Stanford Scholarship offer?
Ans: The Reliance Stanford Scholarship is provided by the Reliance Group to students who get enrolled at Stanford. The amount offered by the Reliance Stanford Scholarship is 150,000 USD.
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