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Can you explain the scholarship opportunities if I do my bachelors and masters in the USA for a Master's/Bachelor's?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Geetha Muthu · 2 min read
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A handful of elite US universities are need blind for international undergraduates and cover full demonstrated need, while most others offer partial merit awards. At the Master's level, funding usually comes through Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships that waive tuition and pay a monthly stipend.

Geetha Muthu
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Your funding strategy needs to shift completely once you move from your Bachelor's to your Master's, since the two levels run on very different systems in the US. As an undergraduate, a small group of need blind schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton will cover your full demonstrated need, while most others offer partial merit money instead. At the Master's level, your best bet is usually a departmental assistantship rather than a general scholarship.

How Funding Differs By Degree Level

DegreeMain Funding SourceWhat It Typically Covers
Bachelor'sNeed blind aid or merit scholarshipsFull demonstrated need at select schools, partial elsewhere
Master'sGraduate Teaching or Research Assistantships (GTA/GRA)Tuition waiver plus a monthly living stipend
Master'sExternal fellowships (Fulbright, AAUW)Partial to full cost coverage for eligible applicants
4+1 combined programsStandard undergraduate aid, years 1 to 4 onlyRarely extends automatically into the Master's year

Where To Focus Your Search

  • Target liberal arts colleges, since their larger endowments often fund international undergraduates more generously than big state schools
  • Look for Master's funding tied to a specific department rather than the general admissions office
  • Keep your undergraduate GPA around 3.7 or higher to stay competitive for assistantships and fellowships later
  • Budget separately for visa fees, health insurance, and travel, since scholarships rarely cover these

My Advice

If a 4+1 program is on your shortlist, ask the admissions office in writing exactly what happens to your scholarship in year five before you commit, since most students discover the funding gap too late. Start building faculty relationships in your junior year, since strong recommendation letters are often the deciding factor for Master's assistantship offers.

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