Pursuing higher studies in the USA is expensive, but proper pre-planning can significantly curb costs. The universities and educational institutions of the USA highly emphasise accommodating international students and offering world-class infrastructure to help them reach their academic goals.
There are various scholarships for Indian students in the USA, but they will not work for Indians which are highly easy to avail.
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Top Scholarships For Indian Students in USA
Here are some notable scholarships for Indian students to study in the USA –
- Inlaks Scholarships
- Tata Scholarship
- Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
- Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship
- University of Cincinnati Scholarship
Let’s look at these USA scholarships for Indian students in more detail!
1. Inlaks Scholarships
Inlaks Scholarship is one of the most famous scholarships for Indian students in the USA. This USA scholarships for Indian students provides financial help to students who have been admitted to the top universities in the USA.
Inlaks scholarships offer assistance in covering tuition fees, healthcare, living expenses and the one-way journey of the students. This scholarship is only valid for students pursuing masters, PhD and doctoral degrees.
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No. of Awards:
Varies
Benefits:
- Give maximum funding of INR 83L
- Covers tuition fees of Indian students who have been admitted to US universities.
- Living expenses
- One-way airfare for the student
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Only valid for Indian students with an Indian passport.
- Students must have a UG degree from a recognised university in India
- Students must have applied for a master’s or PhD programme at a US university.
- Students should score good marks on the tests like the IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT.
- Candidates must be born on and after 1st January 1992.
- For subjects like Humanities, Law, Social science, and Fine arts, students should have at least 65% academic grades
- For subjects like Science, Mathematical and Environmental, students should have at least 70% of academic grades.
Documents Required:
- Indian Passport
- Degree certificate from an Indian university.
- Scores of IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT
- Admission letter from the University of the USA
- Academic Transcripts
- 2 LOR (Letter Of Recommendation)
- Resume/CV
- SOP (Statement of Purpose)
How To Apply:
To apply for the Inlaks Scholarship, Indian students need to follow the application process given below:
- Visit the official website of Inlaks Scholarship and fill out the application form.
- Submit the required documents along with the application form.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview.
- The final selection will be based on the interview.
- The scholarship amount will be disbursed to the selected candidates only after they have secured admission to the US university.
The application has started from February 2024.
2. Tata Scholarship
The TATA scholarship is one of the most renowned USA scholarships for Indian students who want to study at Cornell University in the USA. This is one of those fully funded scholarships for Indian students in the USA that covers the whole cost of the UG course to get the best education without any financial burden. More than 5000 Indian students have benefitted from this scholarship and are pursuing their UG course at Cornell University.
fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA
No. of Awards:
20 students are awarded every year
Benefits:
- Covers Tuition fees for undergraduate courses
Eligibility Criteria:
- Only Indian Students can apply for this scholarship.
- Students must apply for a UG course at Cornell University.
- The minimum IELTS score required is 7.0.
- The minimum TOEFL score required is 100.
- Students’ family income should be less than INR 25L.
- The candidate must have an excellent academic record and should have scored above 90% in their high school.
Documents Required:
- Academic transcripts
- Standardised test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS)
- Financial documents demonstrating family income
- LOR (Letter Of Recommendation) from teachers or mentors
- Essays or personal statements
- School Academic Records
How To Apply:
Indian students must complete the TATA Cornell Scholarships programme online through the University’s official page. Indian students need to complete two application forms:
- TATA Cornell Scholarship application form
- Need Based application form.
The application deadline has passed for 2024, which was 24 January 2024.
3. Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program is an excellent opportunity for Indian students who want to pursue a career in fraud examination and prevention.
This scholarship is offered by ACFE and gives funding to students engaged in the fields of criminal justice, Accounting, Business Administration and Finance. Ritchie Jennigs scholarships have awarded more than 1200 students in the world, including Indian students. The scholarship funds vary from INR 4L and INR 6L to INR 8L.
No. of Awards:
Varies
Benefits:
- Scholarship Funds are vary by INR 4L, INR 6L and INR 8L
- This amount will be used to cover the student’s tuition fees in the USA.
- One year ACFE student associate membership.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Declared significant or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice or similar fraud-related discipline required.
- Must be currently enrolled at an accredited, 4-year college or university.
- Must be enrolled through the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Undergraduates must be a junior, senior, or at least in the second half of their sophomore year when applying.
- Graduates must be registered in 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term.
Documents Required:
- Application Form
- CV
- Transcripts
- 2 LOR (Letter Of Recommendation) from Professor
How To Apply:
Students who want to apply for this scholarship must check the official website and complete the application form before the deadline.
Deadline: 5 February 2024
4. Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship
The Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship is an excellent scheme offered by the government of India to provide financial assistance to Indian students who are from weaker backgrounds or are not financially well. Only some selected students can get this opportunity in India to study for Master’s and Doctoral degrees in the USA universities.
This scholarship encourages Indian students from economically weaker backgrounds to pursue their higher education from the top-ranking, world-class universities abroad without any financial burden.
No. of Awards:
125 students are to be awarded
Benefits:
- Maintenance Allowance – INR 13L
- Contingency Allowance – INR 1.2L
- Tuition Fees
- Visa Fees
- Incidental Journey Allowance & Equipment Allowance – INR 1,664
- Airfare
Eligibility Criteria:
- To be eligible for the scholarship, at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination are required.
- For PhD courses, the qualifying exam would be a Master’s Degree, and for Master’s Degree courses, it would be a Bachelor’s Degree.
- The age limit is 35 years as of the first day of April
- The total family income from all sources should not exceed INR 8L per annum.
- An income certificate issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of “Tehsildar” and ITR/ITRs of the family members should be submitted.
Documents Required:
- Caste Certificate
- 10th Board Certificate
- Scanned Signature
- Photograph
- Current Address Proof
- Transcripts
- Aadhar Card
- ITR acceptance rate
- Employer’s NOC Certificate if the applicant is employed.
- Income Proof
- Qualifying Degree/Provisional Certificate
How To Apply?
- Candidates can apply online on the Ministry portal after assessing their eligibility as per the Scheme Guidelines.
- The selection period will be from April to March of each year. The portal will be open for 45 days from mid-February for the first round and from 1st September for the second round.
- For the first round, the family income of the last completed financial year will be considered, and for the second round, the previous completed financial year will be considered.
- Online applications will be considered for the award, and incomplete applications will be rejected.
- Grievances in connection with results will be entertained for up to 30 days.
Deadline: 31st March 2024
5. University Of Cincinnati Scholarship
The University of Cincinnati provides scholarships for Indian students and international students, giving them an opportunity to study in the USA without any financial burden. This university offers a merit-based scholarship, which is applicable to students who have scored exceptionally well.
Many students from different countries study at the university, and this scholarship helps students from all backgrounds to have access to high-quality education. In 2023, more than 800 students have been awarded by this scholarship.
No. of Awards
Varies
Benefits:
- The average collective scholarship awarded is INR 6.65L per academic year, up to INR 26.6L over 4 academic years.
- The average scholarship amount is INR 1.2L per academic year, up to INR 2.5L over 4 academic semesters in UC Blue Ash College or UC Clermont College.
- Tuition Fees are covered in this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Student must have completed their high school education outside the USA.
- Students must come to UC from a foreign university.
- Students must get into UC with Conditional Admission.
- International students must have completed their Associate degree from a recognised university in the USA or from outside the USA.
- Students must have earned at least 24 semester hours of university-level courses from outside of the USA.
- A minimum score of 79 is required for the TOEFL exam
- Minimum of 6.5 overall IELTS exam score is required
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Essays
- IELTS/TOEFL score
- 2 LOR (Letter Of Recommendation)
How To Apply?
Indian students who want to apply to the University Of Cincinnati are automatically considered for this scholarship. There is no separate application for this scholarship. The selection is based on the application and documents submitted by the student.
Deadline: 1st April 2024
Top Universities Offering Scholarships For Indian Students In The USA
Many renowned Universities in the USA offer scholarships for Indian students to pursue higher education in the USA. Around 2L to 3L Indian students were enrolled in the top universities in the USA, and this figure is increasing every year.
Universities in the USA offer scholarships on a merit basis and need basis to help Indian students get a high-quality education and the best career opportunities in the USA without any financial burden.
Below is the list of top universities offering scholarships for Indian students in the USA:
| Top University | Annual UG Tuition Fee | Annual PG Tuition Fee |
| University of California Berkeley (UCB) | INR 43.5L | INR 40L |
| Stanford University | INR 48L | INR 42L |
| Harvard University | INR 45L | INR 47.7L |
| Princeton University | INR 52L | INR 50L |
| California Institute of Technology | INR 72L | INR 52.7L |
| University of Chicago | INR 53L | INR 54.6L |
| The University of Pennsylvania | INR 49L | INR 54.6L |
| Yale University | INR 54L | INR 54L |
| Cornell University | INR 54.2L | INR 55L |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | INR 69L | INR 66.6L |
Final Thoughts
Pursuing higher studies in the USA can be costly for Indian students, but with proper planning and research, Indian students can avail of various scholarships to fund their education. Scholarships like Inlaks, Tata, and Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program offer great funding to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare for Indian students.
However, it’s essential to meet the eligibility criteria and submit the required documents to increase your chances of securing a scholarship.
So, students who want to study in the USA should start their research early, identify the scholarships for Indian students in the USA that suit their needs, and work towards fulfilling the scholarship requirements to make their education dream a reality.
If you are ready to take the first step, further information for Scholarships in the USA is just a click away on LeapScholar.
And if you’re considering other options like the UK, Canada and Australia, we’ve got you covered, too. Schedule a free consultation with our experts today for personalised guidance and advice.
Related Articles:- Scholarships For MBBS Abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What are the scholarships for MS in USA for Indian students?
A. The scholarships for MS in USA for Indian students are:
– Inlaks Scholarships
-Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship
-Fullbright Nehru Fellowships
-AAUW International Fellowships -
Q. How to get a MS scholarship in USA for Indian students?
A. To get a scholarship for MS in the USA, Indian students can apply for various scholarships such as the Inlaks Scholarship, Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, and AAUW International Fellowships. These scholarships provide financial assistance to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare for Indian students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in the USA. Eligibility criteria and application processes vary for each scholarship, so students should research and apply accordingly.
-
Q. What are the scholarships for Indian students in the USA?
A. US Scholarships for Indian students are:
– Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships
– International Education Financial Aid
– AAUW International Fellowships
– Inlaks Scholarships
– Tata Scholarship
– Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program -
Q. How can I study from India to the USA for free?
A. You should apply for a scholarship for Indian students in USA. It covers almost everything, including the living cost, tuition fees, course fees, flight fares and health insurance.
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Q. Is there any exam for scholarships for Indian students to study in the USA?
A. Indian students need to pass various exams to become eligible for scholarship programs to study abroad. These include exams like GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and ACT. Upon excelling, students can become eligible to apply for various scholarships for Indian students in USA.
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Q. Is it possible to do PhD in the USA with a scholarship?
A. Yes, it is possible for Indian students to pursue PhD with a scholarship in the USA. Many scholarships, like the Inlaks scholarship and the Fullbright Nehru Scholarship, provide financial assistance to students who want to do PhD in the USA.
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Q. What are the scholarships for MBA in USA for Indian students?
A. The scholarships for MBA in USA for Indian students are:
– Wharton India Economic Forum Joseph Wharton Fellowship
– Harvard Business School’s Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship
– Yale School of Management’s Singh Center for Entrepreneurship Scholarship
– Chicago Booth School of Business India Trust Fellowship
– Kellogg School of Management’s Emerging Markets Scholarship -
Q. What percentage is required for USA scholarships for Indian students?
A. Minimum percentage for a scholarship for Indian students in USA can vary. For example, in the Inlaks scholarship, Indian students must have at least 65% grades in subjects like Humanities, Law, Social Science and Fine Arts. On the other hand, for subjects like Mathematics, Science and Environment, Indian students need 70%. It is essential to check the specific eligibility criteria of any scholarship for Indian students in USA before applying.
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Q. Is it easy to get USA scholarships for Indian students?
A. Yes, there are many scholarships available for Indian students in the USA. It may require some effort and preparation, but if the eligibility criteria are fulfilled, scholarships can be easily availed. Proper research and planning can help in identifying the right scholarships to study in the USA without any financial burden.
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Q. What is the cheapest way for Indian students to study in the USA?
A. Studying in the USA can be expensive for Indian students. Applying for scholarships and financial aid programs can help students reduce their expenses. Opting for community colleges or state universities can also be a more affordable option for Indian students in the USA.
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Q. What are the top Universities offering Scholarships for Indian students in the USA?
A. Top Universities offering scholarships for Indian students in the USA are:
– Harvard University
-Stanford University
-University Of Chicago
-Yale University
-California Institute Of Technology
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