{"id":53983,"date":"2023-11-09T10:35:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T10:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=53983"},"modified":"2026-09-10T12:45:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:45:49","slug":"scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Scholarships for Indian Students in USA: 2027-28 Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>Fulbright-Nehru covers tuition, stipend, and airfare, worth roughly $40,000-$70,000 (\u20b938 lakh-\u20b966.6 lakh) per fellow.<\/li>\n\n    <li>The Tata Scholarship covers full Cornell costs for undergraduates with demonstrated financial need.<\/li>\n\n    <li>India sent 363,019 students to the US in 2024-25, per the Open Doors 2025 report (the latest available).<\/li>\n\n    <li>Inlaks Shivdasani caps funding at $120,000 (\u20b91.14 crore) for eligible postgraduate fields.<\/li>\n\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian students researching a scholarship to study in USA for Indian students for the 2027-28 intake\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#What_Scholarships_Are_Available_for_Indian_Students_in_the_USA_in_2027-28\" title=\"What Scholarships Are Available for Indian Students in the USA in 2027-28\">What Scholarships Are Available for Indian Students in the USA in 2027-28<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Which_Scholarship_for_Indian_Students_in_USA_Fits_You_A_Decision_Framework\" title=\"Which Scholarship for Indian Students in USA Fits You? A Decision Framework\">Which Scholarship for Indian Students in USA Fits You? A Decision Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Fulbright-Nehru_Fellowship_Eligibility_and_Where_Things_Actually_Stand\" title=\"Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship: Eligibility and Where Things Actually Stand\">Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship: Eligibility and Where Things Actually Stand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Tata_Scholarship_for_Cornell_University_How_It_Works\" title=\"Tata Scholarship for Cornell University: How It Works\">Tata Scholarship for Cornell University: How It Works<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Inlaks_Shivdasani_Aga_Khan_and_Narotam_Sekhsaria_Private_Funding_Options\" title=\"Inlaks Shivdasani, Aga Khan, and Narotam Sekhsaria: Private Funding Options\">Inlaks Shivdasani, Aga Khan, and Narotam Sekhsaria: Private Funding Options<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#PhD_Scholarships_and_Funding_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\" title=\"PhD Scholarships and Funding for Indian Students in USA\">PhD Scholarships and Funding for Indian Students in USA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Documents_Required_for_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\" title=\"Documents&nbsp; Required for Scholarships for Indian Students in USA\">Documents&nbsp; Required for Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Month-by-Month_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA_Planning_Calendar_for_2027-28\" title=\"Month-by-Month Scholarships for Indian Students in USA Planning Calendar for 2027-28\">Month-by-Month Scholarships for Indian Students in USA Planning Calendar for 2027-28<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#What_to_Do_If_You_Miss_a_Deadline_or_Get_a_Low_Score\" title=\"What to Do If You Miss a Deadline or Get a Low Score\">What to Do If You Miss a Deadline or Get a Low Score<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#3_Takeaways_on_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\" title=\"3 Takeaways on Scholarships for Indian Students in USA\">3 Takeaways on Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-for-indian-students-in-the-usa\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Indian Students in USA\">Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Scholarships_Are_Available_for_Indian_Students_in_the_USA_in_2027-28\"><\/span><strong>What Scholarships Are Available for Indian Students in the USA in 2027-28<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The scholarships for Indian students in USA fall into one of three broad scholarship programs for Indian students: government-funded, USA university scholarships for Indian students, or private-foundation awards. Which one fits you depends less on your marks and more on your degree level and work history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Examples<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Typical Coverage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Government-funded<\/td><td>Fulbright-Nehru, Hubert Humphrey<\/td><td>Postgraduates, working professionals<\/td><td>Full tuition, stipend, airfare<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>University-specific<\/td><td>Tata (Cornell), Knight-Hennessy (Stanford)<\/td><td>Undergrads and grad students with financial need<\/td><td>Full demonstrated need<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Private\/foundation<\/td><td>Inlaks Shivdasani, Aga Khan ISP, Narotam Sekhsaria<\/td><td>Postgraduates in non-technical or mixed fields<\/td><td>$120,000 (\u20b91.14 crore) cap to \u20b920 lakh loan<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you&#8217;d rather get a shortlist matched to your profile, LeapScholar&#8217;s<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/mario.leapscholar.com\/scholarship-finder\"><em> <\/em><em>scholarship finder tool<\/em><\/a><em> does that directly.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For what studying in the US costs before scholarships, see<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-studying-in-usa-for-indian-students\/\"><em> <\/em><em>cost of studying in USA<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note: <\/em><\/strong><em>The exchange rate used is 1 USD = \u20b995.19 as of September 2026. Recheck the live rate before finalizing your budget.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usief.org.in\/fulbright-fellowships\/fellowships-for-indian-citizen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>USIEF &#8211; Fulbright Fellowships for Indian Citizens<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Most students apply to only one scholarship type and stop. The stronger approach is stacking a university&#8217;s own need-based aid with one external award, since very few single scholarships cover 100% of a US degree on their own.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Scholarship_for_Indian_Students_in_USA_Fits_You_A_Decision_Framework\"><\/span><strong>Which Scholarship for Indian Students in USA Fits You? A Decision Framework<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you go deep on any one scholarship for Indian students to study in USA, place yourself here first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Final-year BTech student graduating in 2027, aiming for an MS:<\/strong> If you&#8217;re looking at scholarships for Indian students to study MS in USA, you&#8217;re a stronger fit for university-specific aid and assistantships than Fulbright-Nehru, since Fulbright&#8217;s master&#8217;s track requires three years of work experience you won&#8217;t yet have.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Class 12 student targeting undergraduate study:<\/strong> Options are genuinely narrower here. Most scholarships for Indian students in USA after 12th, including undergraduate scholarships for Indian students in USA more broadly, run through the university itself, not an external foundation.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tata Scholarship at Cornell is one of the few named, fully funded scholarships for Indian students who are undergraduates in USA, and it only works if you also qualify for Cornell&#8217;s need-based aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>If you are a working professional with 3+ years of experience and are planning a master&#8217;s degree:<\/strong> Fulbright-Nehru is built for you. Start your SOP and employer endorsement paperwork at least eight months before whatever the next confirmed deadline turns out to be.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Read expert answers on<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/will-my-academic-gaps-and-low-10th-grade-percentage-affect-my-admission-or-scholarship-chances-in-germanyusa-for-a-bachelors\"><em> <\/em><em>what happens to your academic and scholarship chances with gaps or lower early grades<\/em><\/a><em> before assuming a past low score rules you out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Students frequently apply to Fulbright-Nehru straight out of college and get rejected on the work-experience requirement alone. Read the eligibility list line by line before you invest weeks in the application.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fulbright-Nehru_Fellowship_Eligibility_and_Where_Things_Actually_Stand\"><\/span><strong>Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship: Eligibility and Where Things Actually Stand<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/scholarship-finder\/fulbright-nehru-masters-fellowship\"> Fulbright-Nehru Master&#8217;s Fellowship<\/a> is the best-known American scholarship for Indian students pursuing postgraduate study and one of the most competitive US scholarships for Indian students for masters. Here&#8217;s what it covers and requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Run by<\/td><td>United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What it funds<\/td><td>Tuition, fees, and living costs for up to two years of a master&#8217;s degree, plus round-trip economy airfare<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total value<\/td><td>Roughly $40,000-$70,000 (\u20b938 lakh-\u20b966.6 lakh), depending on the host university<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Academic eligibility<\/td><td>Four-year bachelor&#8217;s degree, or a master&#8217;s\/PG diploma, with at least 55% marks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Work experience required<\/td><td>Three years of full-time paid work experience relevant to your field<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Key restriction<\/td><td>No prior degree from a U.S. university<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2027-28 cycle status<\/td><td>Closed (Doctoral Research Fellowship deadline was July 1, 2026)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Next realistic window<\/td><td>For a 2028 start, the Master&#8217;s typically opens in February and closes in May; Doctoral typically closes around July 1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usief.org.in\/fulbright-fellowships\/fellowships-for-indian-citizen\/fulbright-nehru-masters-fellowships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>USIEF &#8211; Fulbright-Nehru Master&#8217;s Fellowship<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usief.org.in\/fulbright-fellowships\/fellowships-for-indian-citizen\/fulbright-nehru-doctoral-research-fellowships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Verified timing correction:<\/em><\/strong><em> USIEF&#8217;s fellowship naming runs about a year ahead of enrollment, and both the Master&#8217;s and Doctoral Research Fellowship windows tied to a 2027 start have already closed as of this writing. Confirm exact 2027-28 cycle dates at usief.org.in before assuming anything is open.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Also worth checking:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/which-countries-offer-100-percent-scholarships-for-students-like-me-in-ukaustralia-for-a-masters\"><em> <\/em><em>which countries, including the USA through Fulbright, offer 100% scholarships<\/em><\/a><em> if you&#8217;re comparing your odds across destinations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Students who assume &#8220;2027-28&#8221; means &#8220;opens next year&#8221; often miss it entirely, because USIEF&#8217;s own naming convention is forward-shifted. Always check the live deadline on USIEF&#8217;s site, not the fellowship&#8217;s year label.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tata_Scholarship_for_Cornell_University_How_It_Works\"><\/span><strong>Tata Scholarship for Cornell University: How It Works<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Among university-specific scholarships for Indian students in the USA, and one of the most searched options for a scholarship for Indian students to study at the undergraduate level in USA, the Tata Scholarship is the most established, supporting roughly 20 Indian undergraduates at Cornell at any given time. Here&#8217;s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Funded by<\/td><td>Tata Education and Development Trust, $25 million (\u20b9238 crore) endowment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Scholars supported<\/td><td>Roughly 20 Indian undergraduates at any given time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Eligibility<\/td><td>Attended secondary school in India; offered undergraduate admission to Cornell; eligible for need-based financial aid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>How to apply<\/td><td>No separate application; eligibility assessed automatically via the CSS Profile once you apply for financial aid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2027-28 Early Decision deadline<\/td><td>November 1, 2026 (financial aid due the same date for international applicants)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2027-28 Regular Decision deadline<\/td><td>January 2, 2027<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coverage duration<\/td><td>Up to 8 semesters (10 for the 5-year B.Arch), renewable with a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cornell&#8217;s need policy<\/td><td>Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/admissions.cornell.edu\/how-to-apply\/first-year-applicants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For the full walkthrough,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cornell-tata-scholarship\/\"><em> <\/em><em>LeapScholar&#8217;s Cornell Tata Scholarship guide<\/em><\/a><em> covers the application sequence in more depth, and you can<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/how-do-i-apply-for-the-tata-scholarship-to-study-abroad-and-what-are-the-eligibility-criteria\"><em> <\/em><em>read expert answers on how to apply for the Tata Scholarship<\/em><\/a><em> if you&#8217;re weighing it against other Tata Trust programs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Because Tata funding rides on Cornell&#8217;s need-based aid decision, the CSS Profile matters as much as your essays. Families that under-report or delay this form often lose eligibility even after admission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Inlaks_Shivdasani_Aga_Khan_and_Narotam_Sekhsaria_Private_Funding_Options\"><\/span><strong>Inlaks Shivdasani, Aga Khan, and Narotam Sekhsaria: Private Funding Options<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond government and university awards, several private-foundation scholarships for Indian students to study in USA for masters are worth tracking for postgraduate study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Coverage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Eligibility Highlights<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Typical Application Window<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/inlaksfoundation.org\/opportunities\/scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $120,000 (\u20b91.14 crore) toward tuition, living costs, travel, and health insurance for master&#8217;s, MPhil, or PhD study<\/td><td>Excludes Engineering, Computer Science, MBA, and Medicine<\/td><td>2026 cycle closed March 31, 2026; 2027 cycle (for 2027-28 study) typically opens in February<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/the.akdn\/en\/what-we-do\/developing-human-capacity\/education\/international-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (ISP)<\/a><\/td><td>50% grant, 50% loan covering tuition and living costs<\/td><td>Priority to applicants under 30 with an admission offer already in hand<\/td><td>Forms typically open January 1 and close March 31<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/nsfoundation.co.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship<\/a><\/td><td>Interest-free loan of up to \u20b920 lakh; repayment starts a year after course completion<\/td><td>Admitted master&#8217;s applicants under 30<\/td><td>The portal typically opens in January and closes mid-March<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>One of these, the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship, remains one of the few genuinely fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA for master&#8217;s study and a strong answer to &#8220;Can I get a scholarship to study in USA&#8221; if your field is eligible.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> These three overlap in timing (January-March), so prepare your recommendation letters and financial documents once and use them for all three rather than creating new ones for each.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you&#8217;d rather see the broader strategy for stacking awards like these,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-study-abroad-scholarship\/\"><em> <\/em><em>how to get a study abroad scholarship<\/em><\/a><em> walks through the sequencing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PhD_Scholarships_and_Funding_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\"><\/span><strong>PhD Scholarships and Funding for Indian Students in USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Searches for a PhD in USA for Indian students with a scholarship, or a broader scholarship for masters in USA for Indian students, usually miss what most guides get wrong: a PhD in the US is rarely funded by a &#8220;scholarship&#8221; at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Funding Route<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How It Works<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>University assistantship<\/td><td>Teaching or research roles that come with a tuition waiver and stipend, not a separate award you apply for<\/td><td>Most PhD applicants: this is the default funding model in the US<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/fulbright-india-scholarship-overview-eligibility-process\/\">Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship<\/a><\/td><td>Funds six to nine months of dissertation research in the US<\/td><td>Students already registered in a PhD program in India, not a full US-based PhD<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/knight-hennessy.stanford.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)<\/a><\/td><td>Full funding covering tuition, stipend, and travel for any graduate program<\/td><td>Grad students, including MBA applicants, since fully funded MBA scholarships for Indian students in the USA that are MBA-only are rare<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> If you&#8217;re applying to PhD programs directly (not a research-fellowship route), your funding conversation should be with the university&#8217;s graduate admissions office. about assistantship packages, not with external scholarship databases.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If your funding plan for a professional degree like MBBS is different again,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarship-for-mbbs-in-usa-full-scholarship-guide-for-indian-students\/\"><em> <\/em><em>scholarship for MBBS in USA<\/em><\/a><em> covers that path separately.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Documents_Required_for_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\"><\/span><strong>Documents&nbsp; Required for Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whichever scholarship for Indian students studying in USA you&#8217;re targeting, the paperwork overlaps more than most students expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Document<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Requirement<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>India-Specific Detail<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/academic-transcript-certificates-meaning-sample-university-colleges\/\">Academic transcripts<\/a><\/td><td>Class 10, 12, and degree marksheets<\/td><td>Get English-attested copies from your board\/university<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Provisional\/degree certificate<\/td><td>Proof of completion or expected completion<\/td><td>Final-year students need a bona fide certificate from the institution<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Financial documents<\/td><td>Income proof, bank statements<\/td><td>The CSS Profile (Tata\/Cornell) needs both parents&#8217; income, including non-custodial parent if applicable<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Passport<\/td><td>Valid Indian passport<\/td><td>Required at application stage for most foundation scholarships (Inlaks, Aga Khan)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/letter-of-recommendation\/\">Recommendation letters<\/a><\/td><td>2-3 letters<\/td><td>Give recommenders at least three weeks; Indian professors often need reminders<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>English proficiency score<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/toefl\">TOEFL<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\">IELTS<\/a><\/td><td>Some foundation scholarships (Tata) require a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS 7.0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If a scholarship doesn&#8217;t fully close the gap, most families combine it with an education loan;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/is-it-possible-to-apply-for-a-student-loan-for-studying-abroad-and-what-are-the-requirements-regarding-guarantors\"><em> <\/em><em>is it possible to apply for a student loan for studying abroad, and what are the guarantor requirements<\/em><\/a><em> and what lenders ask for? Your SOP also does double duty across most applications; see<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/statement-of-purpose\/usa\"><em> the <\/em><em>SOP for USA student visa and university applications<\/em><\/a><em> for the format difference.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The financial documents step is where Indian applicants lose the most time. Start gathering income proof and CSS Profile inputs at least two months before any scholarship deadline, not two weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Month-by-Month_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA_Planning_Calendar_for_2027-28\"><\/span><strong>Month-by-Month Scholarships for Indian Students in USA Planning Calendar for 2027-28<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this calendar to plan your scholarship applications around the 2027-28 intake, based on each funder&#8217;s historical pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Month<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Action<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct-Nov 2026<\/td><td>Shortlist scholarships matching your degree level; start <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/statement-of-purpose\">SOP<\/a> drafts<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nov 1, 2026<\/td><td>Cornell Early Decision deadline (Tata Scholarship consideration)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dec 2026-Jan 2027<\/td><td>Take\/retake the TOEFL or IELTS if scores are borderline<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jan 2, 2027<\/td><td>Cornell Regular Decision deadline<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jan-Feb 2027<\/td><td>Aga Khan Foundation and Narotam Sekhsaria portals typically open<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb 2027<\/td><td>Inlaks Shivdasani&#8217;s 2027 cycle typically opens<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mar 2027<\/td><td>Inlaks, Aga Khan, and Narotam Sekhsaria deadlines typically fall in this window<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Apr-May 2027<\/td><td>Confirm any pending university financial aid decisions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Fully funded scholarships more broadly tend to follow a September-to-January application rhythm across programs and countries;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/when-do-fully-funded-scholarship-applications-open-and-close\"><em> <\/em><\/a><em>if you&#8217;re also weighing non-US options, the general pattern is that <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/when-do-fully-funded-scholarship-applications-open-and-close\"><em>fully funded scholarship applications typically open and close during this time<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Every deadline above is based on each foundation&#8217;s historical pattern, not a guarantee. Bookmark the official page for each scholarship you&#8217;re targeting and check it monthly starting October.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_If_You_Miss_a_Deadline_or_Get_a_Low_Score\"><\/span><strong>What to Do If You Miss a Deadline or Get a Low Score<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Missing the Inlaks or Aga Khan window for one year doesn&#8217;t cost you the US plan; it costs you that specific foundation&#8217;s cycle. Your real options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Apply to the same scholarship the following year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lean harder on your target university&#8217;s own need-based aid, which usually has a later deadline than external foundations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use an education loan to cover the gap while you reapply externally in a later cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/can-i-get-100-percent-education-loan-for-studying-abroad\"><em>Our expert answer on \u201c<\/em><em>Can I get a 100% education loan for studying abroad<\/em><\/a><em>?\u201d breaks down how much of the cost that can realistically be covered.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>A GRE or TOEFL score below what a scholarship prefers doesn&#8217;t disqualify you outright from most foundation scholarships (Inlaks and Aga Khan don&#8217;t set hard test-score cutoffs), but it does for Tata (minimum TOEFL 100\/IELTS 7.0). If you&#8217;re short, retake the test rather than applying with a below-threshold score.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> A missed scholarship deadline is a timing problem, not a funding dead end. Most students who panic here end up making a worse decision (an expensive private loan) than one who simply waits for the next cycle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Takeaways_on_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\"><\/span><strong>3 Takeaways on Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>There is no single best scholarship for Indian students in USA; match the type to your actual stage: Fulbright-Nehru needs work experience, Tata needs financial-aid eligibility, and most scholarship programs for Indian students in USA are postgraduate-only.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm every deadline directly on the funder&#8217;s official page before planning around it. Several cycles labelled &#8220;2027-28,&#8221; especially Fulbright-Nehru&#8217;s, have already closed as of this writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A missed deadline or a soft test score is a timing setback, not the end of your options for scholarships for Indian students to study abroad in USA. The next cycle, a later university aid deadline, or a bridge loan can all keep your plan on track.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Verified by<\/em><\/strong><em>: LeapScholar&#8217;s USA counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through scholarship and financial aid applications.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have questions about scholarships for Indian students in USA? <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=in-content-cta&amp;utm_campaign=counselling\"><em>Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students_in_USA\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Indian Students in USA<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044069769\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How to get a scholarship in USA for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Start 12-18 months before your target intake and build a strong profile: a GPA above 3.5, competitive TOEFL\/IELTS scores, and a Statement of Purpose tailored to each scholarship&#8217;s stated mission. The best scholarships for Indian students to study in USA usually reward a combination of a need-based university award (like Tata at Cornell) with an external foundation scholarship, since very few single scholarship programs for Indian students cover the entire cost.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044102681\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is it possible for an Indian student to get a fully funded scholarship to a US university?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Indian students regularly receive full funding through the Tata Scholarship, Fulbright-Nehru, and need-blind admission at universities like Yale and Princeton, which cover 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students regardless of nationality.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044117583\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What criteria are used to award USA scholarships for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Committees weigh academic merit (grades, test scores), financial need (income and asset documentation), and, for fellowships like Fulbright-Nehru, leadership and community service history. This applies whether you&#8217;re chasing a scholarship for masters in USA for Indian students or an undergraduate award: a strong Statement of Purpose and specific letters of recommendation matter more than raw scores once you clear the minimum eligibility bar.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044131586\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Which USA scholarships are currently open for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Cornell&#8217;s Tata Scholarship consideration is open now through its Early Decision (November 1, 2026) and Regular Decision (January 2, 2027) deadlines. Inlaks Shivdasani, Aga Khan Foundation, and Narotam Sekhsaria typically open in January-February 2027 for the 2027-28 intake. Fulbright-Nehru&#8217;s windows tied to a 2027 start have already closed; the next opens for a 2028 start.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044146974\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Which intake is best for a scholarship in the USA?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Fall intake (August\/September) carries the largest scholarship pool, since most government fellowships and university merit awards are Fall-only. Spring intake (January) offers far fewer funded seats, so treat it as a fallback if you miss a Fall-linked scholarship deadline, not a primary plan.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044159159\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What GPA do I need for USA scholarships for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Most competitive scholarships expect a GPA around 3.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent. Committees also run a holistic review, so leadership roles and community work can offset a slightly lower GPA, but they won&#8217;t compensate for missing a scholarship&#8217;s stated minimum academic cutoff.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044172995\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I get a 100% scholarship to study in the USA?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, through fully funded awards like Fulbright-Nehru or Inlaks Shivdasani, or through need-blind admission at universities that meet 100% of demonstrated need. You can also reach full funding by combining smaller university merit awards with an external foundation scholarship.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044185836\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the \u20b975,000 scholarship people search for?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>This usually refers to a state-level or private local grant used to cover incidental costs like airfare or books, not tuition. For meaningful funding toward tuition, look at the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (up to \u20b920 lakh interest-free loan) or the larger foundation scholarships covered above.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1789044200738\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What happens if I miss a US scholarship application deadline?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You lose that specific cycle, not your US plan. Reapply to the same scholarship in its next cycle, check whether your target university&#8217;s own financial aid deadline is later, or bridge the gap with an education loan while you wait for the scholarship to reopen.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read Fulbright-Nehru covers tuition, stipend, and airfare, worth roughly $40,000-$70,000 (\u20b938 lakh-\u20b966.6 lakh) per fellow. The Tata Scholarship covers full Cornell costs for undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. India sent 363,019 students to the US in 2024-25, per the Open Doors 2025 report (the latest available). Inlaks Shivdasani caps funding at $120,000 (\u20b91.14 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":83701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5],"tags":[2910,2907,2911,1822,2906,2909,2908,2905,2913,2912,1980],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53983"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53983"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53983\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83703,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53983\/revisions\/83703"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}