Scholarships for Indian students in the USA are the foundation of financial aid. The cost of living in the United States for international students has increased by 14% since last year. Despite this growth, the number of Indian students enrolled in US universities has increased by 5.4%.
The approximate annual cost of tuition, fees, housing, and other incidentals for an international student studying in the United States is approximately 28 lakhs INR. Indian students applying to higher education institutions in the United States have access to several funding options for a cost-effective education.
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Types of Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students
As an Indian student who wants to study in the Unites States, you can apply for several scholarships in the USA.
- Government-Funded Scholarships: A small number of scholarships for overseas students are funded by the US government, and there are special scholarships available only to Indian students who wish to study there. The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Programme and the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships are two well-known scholarship programmes.
- Non-Government Scholarships: Scholarships for Indian students to study in the United States are often provided by some private organisations and trusts. Among them are AAUW International Fellowships and International Student Financial Aid (ISFA).
- University-Funded Scholarships: Students can apply for scholarships at almost all of the highest-ranked universities in the United States based on a few requirements. A few examples are the University of Minnesota Fellowship and the University of New Haven Scholarship.
Top 5 Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA
As an Indian student, you can apply for a list of the most well-known scholarships offered in the United States. Here are the top 5 scholarships for Indian students in the USA.
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Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship is offered by Rotary Clubs to undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to pursue their education in the USA. There are three types of scholarships are offered under this programme.
Awards
- Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarship: INR 20.82 Lakhs
- Multi Year Ambassadorial Scholarship: INR 9.90 Lakhs
- Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship: INR 9.90 Lakhs – INR 15.80 Lakhs
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Benefits
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Travel expenses
Eligibility
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate
TATA Scholarship for Cornell University
TATA Scholarship is a college specific scholarship programme for Cornell University, offered by TATA organisation and trusts. It is a need/merit-based scholarship offered to Indian students who wish to study in Cornell University.
Awards
A funding of INR 2.5 Crores has been made with Cornell University by TATA Organisation and trust to help 20 scholars each year by assisting them financially.
Benefits
- Awarded annually until the student is graduated
- Funding awarded only for 8 semesters for architecture major students
- Tuition fees and living expenses
Eligibility
- Undergraduate
- Should be eligible for need/merit- based scholarship
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is a merit-based scholarship offered by Reliance Industries Limited to Indian students wishing to pursue MBA from Stanford Business School.
Awards
This scholarship offers INR 1.24 Crores to 5 selected students each year.
Benefits
- About 80% of tuiton fee
- Course related costs for each semester for 2 years
Eligibility
- Undergraduate
- GRE/GMAT and IELTS/PTE/TOEFL
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship is offered to students who wish to pursue their higher education in the USA and is a merit-based scholarship.
Awards
- this scholarship offers 50% grant and 50% loan
- The award amount varies from course to course
Benefits
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
Eligibility
- Undergraduate
- Minimum work experience of 1 year
Inlaks Scholarship
Inlaks Scholarship is offered by Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation to Indian students wishing to pursue their higher studies from the USA.
Awards
Maximum amount upto INR 83.31 Lakhs is awarded to Indian students.
Benefits
- Tuition fee
- Health Insurance
- Living expenses and one-way travel allowance
Eligibility
- Postgraduate
- Doctoral (Ph.D.)
Top 5 Universities with the maximum benefit of scholarships
Here are the top 5 universities in the USA for Indian Students with the maximum benefit of scholarships.
- University of Chicago
- Duke University
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Notre Dame
- Wahington University in St. Louis
Benefits of joining NGOs to enhance scholarship opportunities
For Indian students, joining NGOs can be a great way to increase their chances of receiving scholarships in the United States. Here are some of the benefits of joining an NGO:
- Access to Information: Not-for-profit organisations usually know about scholarships and other financial options that might not be publicly accessible. You might find out about scholarships through joining an NGO that you would not have otherwise been aware of.
- Networking: You may be able to network with other professionals, organisations, and students by joining an NGO. By doing this, you can meet people who can support you in reaching your objectives and find out about new scholarship opportunities.
- Experience: Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) provide internships and other opportunities that can aid in gaining valuable experience in your area of interest. When applying for scholarships and other opportunities, this experience can make a big impression.
- Community Involvement: You can get involved with your community and have a positive impact by joining an NGO. Scholarship committees may find it appealing to see evidence of your dedication to community service and social responsibility, which you can demonstrate through this.
Why Study in the USA
India’s top choice for studying abroad is the USA, for a lot of reasons. American colleges provide a broad range of programmes and are renowned for their academic excellence. The US educational system also places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and gives students access to advanced resources and research opportunities.
Final Thoughts
There are several scholarship options available to Indian students who wish to pursue higher education in the US. These scholarships provide a range of opportunities for Indian students to pursue their dreams of higher education in the United States, ranging from full tuition to partial funding. Indian students may fulfil their dreams of studying in the United States of America with the right scholarship.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Do Indian students in USA receive scholarships?
Ans. Yes, there are many foreign scholarships available to Indian students in the United States. Scholarships from external organisations, universities, government funding, program-specific funding, and other sources are available to students.
Q. How Indian students get scholarship in USA?
Ans. By going to the relevant scholarship provider’s website, Indian students can apply for the scholarships. Transcripts, recommendation letters, and other supporting documentation may be required as part of the application process.
Q. What are the tests for USA scholarship?
Ans. Depending on the scholarship programme, there are different requirements for eligibility in the United States. To be eligible for most scholarship programmes, however, a candidate must prove both financial need and academic achievement. Furthermore, standardised tests like the SAT, IELTS, GMAT, TOEFL, or GRE are required for many scholarship programmes.
Q. What are the basic documents required for applying to a scholarship in USA?
Ans. The basic documents required for applying to a scholarship include Transcripts, LOR, SOP, Standardised test scores, proof of citizenship, CV, essay, medical information, tax returns, and financial information of parents.
Q. What shall I include in the scholarship essay to study in USA?
Ans. A scholarship essay is an opportunity to showcase your personality, achievements, and goals to the scholarship committee. You can also add your extracurricular achievements and goals in your essay.
Q. Is it easy to get a scholarship in the USA?
Ans. In the United States, obtaining a scholarship is relatively easy if you meet the requirements. To increase your odds of being selected for further consideration, you can also consider the advice provided in the blog.
Q. Can I get 100% scholarships in the USA?
Ans. In the USA, it is possible to receive 100% scholarships. Indian students can receive full tuition and living expenses reimbursement from a few scholarships, such as the Fulbright Scholarship Programme.
Q. How does scholarship work in USA?
Ans. Scholarships are financial awards given to students to assist with the cost of their education. Scholarships can be awarded by a number of organisations, including corporations, governments, colleges, and private citizens. Certain scholarships are awarded to students who meet specific requirements, while others are available to students of all backgrounds.
Q. How long do scholarships take to process?
Ans. Depending on the scholarship programme, processing times for applications might differ. While some scholarships could be processed in a matter of weeks, others might take several months. It should take the scholarship provider 7–10 business days to receive and process your application after you submit it.
Q. Can an average student get scholarship in USA?
Ans. Yes, you can get funding to study in the USA, regardless of your academic performance. Various options are available for students with average academic performance, even though some scholarships may prioritise academic excellence.
Q. What major has the most scholarships?
Ans. Education, healthcare, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are the most popular study areas. Considerable financial aid opportunities may be available to students pursuing degrees in these fields to help with educational expenses.
Q. Why do Indian students prefer USA?
Ans. In the world, the United States of America (USA) is home to the largest number of international students. Many Indian students wish to study in the USA for a number of reasons, including the country’s diverse environment, excellent educational system, and wealth of opportunities.
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