San Diego State University offers 1,500+ scholarships for international students, with 15+ directly accessible to Indian applicants. The flagship is the SDSU International Tuition Scholarship, offering $2,000 to $5,000 (₹1.92 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) for both UG and Graduate students. The Fowler MBA Scholarship adds up to $15,000 (₹14.40 Lakhs). SDSU has produced 90+ Fulbright scholars since 2005.
- Standard Graduate tuition (OOS): $20,332/year (₹19.52 Lakhs)
- Graduate tuition with International Scholarship $5,000: $15,332/year (₹14.72 Lakhs)
- Combined Scholarship Stack: International + Graduate Equity up to $10,000 (₹9.60 Lakhs) for Year 1
- Fowler MBA tuition with MBA Scholarship $15,000: $25,500 minus $15,000 = $10,500/year (₹10.08 Lakhs)
![]()
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 96 as of 27th May 2026. The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship requires a separate application (January 2026 cycle closed; next cycle January 2027). The Graduate Equity Fellowship needs a separate form too.
Also check,
SDSU Scholarships for UG Students
SDSU offers tuition-discount scholarships for international undergraduate applicants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The flagship UG award is the SDSU International Tuition Scholarship, offering up to $5,000 per year (requires separate application by January).
| Scholarship |
Award Value |
Eligibility |
Application |
| SDSU International Tuition Scholarship (UG) |
$2,000 to $5,000 (₹1.92 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
International UG applicants with strong Class 12; merit-based |
Separate form; Jan deadline |
| SDSU International Student Award |
$1,000 to $3,000 (₹96,000 to ₹2.88 Lakhs) |
International UG applicants demonstrating leadership |
Separate form; Mar deadline |
| SDSU Honors College Scholarship |
$2,000 to $4,000 (₹1.92 to ₹3.84 Lakhs) |
UG applicants in the Weber Honors College |
Apply to Honors College with main app |
| SDSU Alumni Engineering Scholarship |
$1,500 to $3,000 (₹1.44 to ₹2.88 Lakhs) |
Engineering UG applicants with 80%+ Class 12 |
Auto-considered with offer |
The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship UG is paid annually, renewable for up to 4 years with a 3.0 GPA maintained at SDSU. Indian Class 12 students with 85%+ scores have the strongest chance for both the International Tuition Scholarship and the SDSU International Student Award.
Also check,
SDSU Scholarships for Graduate Students
SDSU's Graduate funding is led by the SDSU International Tuition Scholarship: $5,000 per year with a separate January deadline. The Graduate Equity Fellowship adds $3,000 to $5,000 for students from diverse backgrounds.
| Scholarship |
Award Value |
Eligibility |
Application |
| SDSU International Tuition Scholarship (Graduate) |
$2,000 to $5,000 (₹1.92 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
International Graduate with first-class Bachelor's (70%+) |
Separate form; Jan deadline |
| Graduate Equity Fellowship |
$3,000 to $5,000 (₹2.88 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
Graduate students with strong academic record; diversity focus |
Separate form; Apr deadline |
| Aztec Investment Group Award |
$2,500 to $5,000 (₹2.40 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
Finance and Investment MS applicants |
Auto-considered with offer |
| Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) |
$10,000 to $20,000 (₹9.60 to ₹19.20 Lakhs) + tuition waiver |
PhD and select MS applicants matched with research faculty |
Direct faculty contact |
| Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) |
$15,000 to $25,000 (₹14.40 to ₹24.00 Lakhs) + tuition waiver |
PhD and advanced MS with teaching ability |
Department-level application |
Reddit Insight: Indian Master's applicants on r/gradadmissions report that SDSU's Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) and Teaching Assistantship (GTA) are the highest-value funding for Indian applicants, including a full out-of-state tuition waiver plus $15,000 to $25,000 (₹14.40 to ₹24.00 Lakhs) stipend. PhD applicants typically receive GRA/GTA by default; MS applicants must contact specific faculty during the application stage.
Fowler MBA Scholarships and Business School Funding
The Fowler MBA at SDSU's Fowler College of Business (AACSB-accredited) has dedicated scholarship pathways. The flagship is the Fowler MBA Scholarship, offering up to $15,000 (₹14.40 Lakhs).
| Scholarship |
Award Value |
Eligibility |
Application |
| Fowler MBA Scholarship |
$5,000 to $15,000 (₹4.80 to ₹14.40 Lakhs) |
MBA applicants with strong work history and leadership profile |
Auto-considered with MBA offer + interview |
| Women in MBA Scholarship |
$3,000 to $10,000 (₹2.88 to ₹9.60 Lakhs) |
Female MBA applicants with demonstrated leadership impact |
Short essay (300 to 500 words) |
| Fowler International MBA Award |
$2,500 to $5,000 (₹2.40 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
International MBA applicants with 5+ years work exp |
Auto-considered with offer |
| Fowler Veterans MBA Scholarship |
$5,000 to $10,000 (₹4.80 to ₹9.60 Lakhs) |
US and international military veterans |
Auto-considered with offer |
The Women in MBA Scholarship requires a separate 300 to 500 word essay describing leadership impact in a workplace or community setting. GMAT 580+ is recommended for the Fowler MBA (average 587), but strong managerial experience often offsets a lower test score for scholarship consideration.
India-Specific and External Scholarships at SDSU
Indian applicants funded at SDSU typically combine the auto-applied Fowler or Aztec scholarship with one external Indian or US government scholarship. The big four for US-bound Indian Graduate students are Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks Shivdasani, JN Tata Endowment, and Tata Trust Scholarship.
| Scholarship |
Award Value |
Eligibility |
Deadline |
| SDSU International Tuition Scholarship |
$2,000 to $5,000 (₹1.92 to ₹4.80 Lakhs) |
International UG and Graduate; merit-based |
Tentative January 2027 (annual cycle) |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship |
Full tuition + stipend (₹40+ Lakhs total) |
Indian Graduate applicants with 3 years work exp; leadership focus |
Tentative May 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship |
Up to USD 100,000 (₹96 Lakhs) |
Indian applicants under 30 with strong academics; Graduate and PhD |
Tentative April 2027 |
| JN Tata Endowment |
₹10 Lakhs loan + ₹7.5 Lakhs gift |
Indian applicants for any subject at any foreign university |
Tentative March 2027 |
| Tata Trust Scholarship |
Up to ₹10 Lakhs (varies by trust) |
Indian applicants with strong financial need |
Tentative March 2027 |
| NSP Central Sector Scholarship (Abroad) |
Up to ₹20 Lakhs total |
Indian applicants from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds; family income limit |
Tentative March 2026 |
The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship cannot stack with external scholarships that cover full tuition (Fulbright-Nehru). Indian applicants must choose: either SDSU internal (International $5,000 + Graduate Equity $5,000 = up to $10,000) or Fulbright-Nehru (full tuition + stipend). Fulbright-Nehru recipients must return to India for 2 years after the programme.
FAQs
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship stack at SDSU for an Indian Graduate applicant?
Ans. The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship $5,000 can stack with the Graduate Equity Fellowship $5,000 for a combined $10,000 (₹9.60 Lakhs) tuition reduction in Year 1. With a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or Teaching Assistantship (GTA), the total support can reach full tuition waiver + $15,000 to $25,000 stipend (₹14.40 to ₹24.00 Lakhs). The Fowler MBA Scholarship is separately up to $15,000.
Ques. When should I apply for SDSU scholarships?
Ans. The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship requires a separate form: tentative January each year. The Graduate Equity Fellowship deadline is tentative April. The Aztec Investment Group Award and Fowler MBA Scholarship are auto-applied with your offer. Apply for SDSU admission by February 2026 for Fall 2026 to allow scholarship form submission. External Fulbright-Nehru: tentative May 2026.
Ques. How do I apply for the SDSU International Tuition Scholarship?
Ans. The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship requires a separate online application after you receive a conditional or unconditional offer. The form asks for academic achievements, work experience, and a short essay (typically 500 words) on goals and impact. Graduate deadline: tentative January each cycle; decisions arrive by March or April.
Ques. Are SDSU scholarships automatic or do they need a separate application?
Ans. The Aztec Investment Group Award, Fowler MBA Scholarship, and SDSU Alumni Engineering Scholarship are auto-considered with your offer. The SDSU International Tuition Scholarship, Graduate Equity Fellowship, and Women in MBA Scholarship require separate applications. GRA/GTA requires direct faculty contact at the application stage.
Ques. Do SDSU scholarships cover living costs in San Diego?
Ans. Internal SDSU scholarships are primarily tuition discounts. GRA and GTA include both tuition waiver and stipends of $15,000 to $25,000 (₹14.40 to ₹24.00 Lakhs), which substantially cover San Diego living costs. Standard scholarships do not cover living. San Diego living costs are $23,000 to $26,500/year (₹22.08 to ₹25.44 Lakhs) and must be funded through loans, family savings, or part-time on-campus work (up to 20 hours/week on F-1).
Comments