Fully funded scholarships in the United States provide international students with a remarkable opportunity to pursue higher education without the financial burden. Offered by various organizations and government bodies, these scholarships cover essential costs like tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance. They enable students from different backgrounds to study at prestigious U.S. institutions. Alongside academic excellence, these programs also emphasize leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, and professional growth, empowering students to contribute to their home countries and the global community.
Here are the Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA:
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program offers fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue graduate studies, research, and professional development in the U.S. It promotes mutual understanding by providing educational and cultural exchange opportunities. Recipients benefit from full coverage of tuition, living expenses, and travel costs.
Eligibility: Strong academic background, a clear study or research proposal, and commitment to cross-cultural understanding.
Website: Fulbright Foreign Student Program
2. Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides full funding for master’s degrees focused on economic development at select universities, including those in the U.S. It supports students from developing countries, covering tuition, living costs, and travel.
Eligibility: Relevant professional experience and a clear vision for how studies will benefit the candidate’s home country.
Website: Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
3. AAUW International Fellowships
The AAUW International Fellowships support women pursuing graduate or postgraduate studies in the U.S. These fellowships provide full funding for tuition, living expenses, and travel, helping women advance in their fields.
Eligibility: Academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to advancing women’s roles in society.
Website: AAUW International Fellowships
4. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Aimed at mid-career professionals, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program offers a fully funded year of professional development and academic study in the U.S., covering tuition, living expenses, and travel.
Eligibility: Proven professional achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to public service.
Website: Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
5. Rotary Peace Fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowships program provides full funding for master’s degrees or professional certificates in peace and conflict resolution at select universities worldwide, including in the U.S.
Eligibility: Demonstrated commitment to peacebuilding, relevant professional experience, and potential to contribute to the field.
Website: Rotary Peace Fellowships
6. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
This program offers fully funded one-semester scholarships for undergraduate students to study in the U.S., covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. It promotes academic and cultural exchange.
Eligibility: Strong academic performance, leadership potential, and commitment to cultural exchange.
Website: Global UGRAD Program
7. World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
This program provides fully funded research opportunities for Ph.D. students from developing countries, supporting studies related to development.
Eligibility: Strong research proposal in development studies, academic excellence, and commitment to development goals.
Website: World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
8. USAID Scholarships
USAID offers fully funded scholarships for students from developing countries to study in the U.S., covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. It aims to build human capacity in critical development areas.
Eligibility: Strong academic background, leadership potential, and alignment with USAID’s development goals.
Website: USAID Scholarships
9. IREX International Fellowships
IREX offers fellowships such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship, providing fully funded opportunities for international students and professionals to study and engage in leadership development in the U.S.
Eligibility: Demonstrated leadership potential, professional experience, and a commitment to addressing global challenges.
Website: IREX Fellowships
10. Obama Foundation Scholars Program
This program offers full funding for rising leaders to study at the University of Chicago or Columbia University, along with leadership training, networking, and mentorship opportunities.
Eligibility: Demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to social impact, and relevance of proposed studies.
Website: Obama Foundation Scholars Program
