I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolScholarships for Indian Students in USA: The Complete Guide
Updated on April 8, 2024
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At a Glance
- AEF Scholarship: $20,000 support for immigrant students in NYC high schools.
- Tobaccowala Fellowship: $25,000 MBA scholarships at Chicago Booth with 2 awards available.
- AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: Approximately $4,000 per year for undergraduate students dedicated to improving underserved communities.
- Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund: $2,500 for Asian female students with leadership skills.
Studying in the United States is the dream of many Indian students. More often than not, this dream gets shattered due to financial constraints. Thankfully, there is now a range of scholarships available for Indian students in the U.S., and if you are vigilant enough, you can enjoy the benefits of receiving one or more for yourself.
In this article, we will have a closer look at the best scholarships available for Indian students in the United States.
AEF Scholarship
Also called the Ascend Educational Fund, this scholarship is awarded to immigrant students, irrespective of their immigration status, ethnicity, and nationality.
The only requirements to be eligible for this scholarship is that the applicant must be born outside the U.S., or, alternatively, they should have both their parents born outside the U.S. and must be a graduating senior of a high school in New York City.
- Scholarship amount: $20,000
Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship
Established in memory of Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala, a 1952 graduate from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, this scholarship provides the students of Booth’s full-time MBA program with tuition support.
Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala was the alumnus of the Booth School of Business and also the former director of Tata Group.
- Scholarship amount: $25,000
- Number of scholarships: 2
American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
In a bid to help high-performing students with their education, and to help them in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S., the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGL) is offered to undergraduate students of any field by the American University.
This scholarship is made for students who plan to improve the condition of underserved communities in their home country. Thus, as a requirement, the scholarship is provided to students who are sincere in civic and social activities.
Although the scholarship covers all billable expenses including room, full tuition fees, and the like, the non-billable expenses like health insurance, cost of books, and airfare are exempted from the scholarship.
- Scholarship amount: Approximately $4,000 per year
- Number of scholarships: 1
Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund
The Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund is offered to Asian female students with excellent leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Naturally, to be eligible for this scholarship, you should be an Asian female. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA while applying.
- Scholarship amount: $2,500
- Note: no scholarship will be awarded in 2019 due to a lack of donations
Chicago Booth School of Business
the University of Chicago Booth School of Business provides scholarships in a range of areas based on merit. The number of scholarships awarded per year depends on the foundation donors.
The candidates who apply for the scholarship are evaluated on various aspects including professional goals, interview performance, academic skills, and so on.
Cornell University Tata Scholarship
Offered by a philanthropic affiliate of Tata Group of India, the Tata scholarship is offered by the Tata Education and Development Trust in collaboration with Cornell University. Scholarships worth $25 million are offered to 20 meritorious Indian undergraduate students.
- Number of scholarships: 20
Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
If you want to pursue a master’s degree program in the U.S., the Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship could be helpful to you. The scholarship is offered in various areas including Arts and Culture Management, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, International Legal Studies, Women’s Studies/Gender Studies, Public Administration, and others.
The scholarship is offered to highly motivated students who exhibit good leadership qualities and have completed a degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in the U.S. and have at least three years of professional work experience.
Gunvant and Bharati Parekh College Scholarship Award
If you are a college student or a high school senior, you might be eligible for the Gunvant and Bharati Parekh College Scholarship award. To receive this scholarship, you must be of Indian origin and must exhibit strong personal and academical skills.
- Scholarship amount: $1,000
- Awards available: 2
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is provided to young students for their expertise in any field which could prove useful to society. The two types of scholarships offered are for specific programmers and university courses.
University courses scholarships provide scholarships to study at the top American, UK, and European institutions to help fund their tuition fee. The max scholarship under this category is $100,000. However, if the total expenses are expected to exceed $100,000, students must show that they will be able to handle the extra expenses at the time of their interview.
Add to that, the scholarship is also offered to students who want to conduct their research work either independently or in association with a leading institution.
- Scholarship amount: $100,000
LSEF – UMass Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to selected students who are pursuing post-graduate degrees in fields like Public Policy, Data Analytics, and Applied Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Scholarships worth $29,500 each are offered for the two-year degree programs of international students. As an Indian student, you are eligible to apply for the scholarship if you have completed at least 3 years of an undergraduate degree program.
- Scholarship amount: $29,500
- Awards available: 20
Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship
This scholarship is offered in memory of the former State Treasurer of California, Matt Fong, to honor the dedication that he exhibited towards public service.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be an incoming sophomore, senior, or junior at a four-year college/university and must be enrolled in a California college or university.
The scholarship is offered to students who major in public policy, political science, accounting, business administration, and other related fields. Additionally, you should also be an Asian and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible. The scholarship is provided to students who are in need of financial support, and thus might be asked to showcase supporting documents.
- Scholarship amount: $5,000
- Awards available: 2
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
Rotary Foundation provides students with scholarships if they are working on any of the six areas mentioned below:
- Improving accessibility to water and sanitation
- Basic education and literacy
- Diseases prevention and treatment
- Peace and conflict prevention
- Maternal and child health
- Economic and community development
The amount provided as a scholarship ranges between $15,000 and $30,000.
S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students
In an attempt to produce thought leaders and innovators, WINStep forward, the government of India, the Science & Engineering Board (SERB), and the Indo U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) have partnered to develop a student exchange program to honor Satyendra Nath Bose, an Indian physicist.
Indian students who are currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognized institute in Chemical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Mathematical and Computational Sciences are eligible to receive the scholarship.
SEED Foundation Scholarship
SEED Foundation has made an attempt to support Indian youth with this scholarship. This is one of the largest scholarship programs of India for Indian youth.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must be of Asian-Indian ethnicity and must be graduating from a U.S. high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. the student must also enroll as a full-time undergraduate with a U.S. university in the fall.
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program
As the name indicates, this fellowship is offered by the Reliance group, the reputed corporate giant of India, and aims to help students who are leading positive change.
The scholarship is awarded to five Indian students every year, and each student receives a grant of $150,000 for the two-year business management course from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- Scholarship amount: $150,000 total
- Awards available: 5
Upakar Indian Scholarship Foundation
Upakar aims to support the educational and career dreams of the Indian-American community. In addition to supporting students financially, Upakar also runs a mentoring program for students who have received this scholarship.
If the scholarship recipient is able to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point of 3.3 out of 4.0, the annual scholarship is renewed automatically.
- Scholarship amount: $2,000
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This is a scholarship program designed specifically for young and bright minds from developing countries to help them pursue non-degree graduate study and gain related practical experience in the US.. for about 10 months.
The program provides fellowship in various areas including Urban and Regional Planning, HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention, Economic Development, and others.
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The Wrap Up
Many international students can realize their dreams of studying in the United States and reaching great heights with the help of the scholarship programs mentioned above. It is important that they keep a sharp eye on each of these programs and apply before their deadlines or an important opportunity could be missed.
What is your take on this? Do you think we missed any important scholarships which should be a part of this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Types of Scholarships are Available for Indian Students in the USA?
- Merit-based Scholarships: Awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
- Need-based Scholarships: Provided to students with financial needs.
- Specific Field Scholarships: For students pursuing specific fields of study like engineering, medicine, business, etc.
- Community/Cultural Scholarships: Aimed at students from certain cultural backgrounds or communities, including Indian students.
How Can Indian Students Apply for Scholarships in the USA?
- Research: Identify scholarships offered by U.S. universities and external organizations.
- Eligibility Check: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for each scholarship.
- Application Process: Complete the application process, which typically includes submitting academic records, essays, and recommendation letters.
- Deadlines: Adhere to application deadlines, which vary for different scholarships.
What are Some Popular Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA?
- Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships: For postgraduate study, research, and professional development.
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: For full-time programs at American universities.
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships: For Indian students at Stanford’s MBA program.
- Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund: For Asian female students, including Indians.
Are Scholarships for Indian Students Full or Partial Funding?
Scholarships for Indian students in the USA can be both full and partial funding. Full scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes travel, while partial scholarships may cover only a portion of these costs.
Do All U.S. Universities Offer Scholarships for Indian Students?
Not all, but many U.S. universities offer scholarships for international students, including Indian students. Availability and type of scholarship vary by institution.
How Competitive are Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA?
Scholarships for Indian students in the USA are highly competitive, as they attract numerous applicants from India and other countries.
Can Indian Students Get Scholarships for Any Level of Study in the USA?
Yes, scholarships are available for various levels of study including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
What Factors Improve the Chances of Receiving a Scholarship?
Factors include strong academic records, extracurricular achievements, leadership qualities, well-articulated essays, and strong letters of recommendation.
Are There Any U.S. Government Scholarships Available for Indian Students?
Yes, U.S. government scholarships like the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships are available for Indian students to study in the United States.
Can Indian Students Apply for Scholarships After Beginning Their Studies in the USA?
Yes, Indian students can apply for some scholarships after beginning their studies, though many scholarships are typically awarded at the time of admission.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.