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What share of international graduate students in the USA get a scholarship or assistantship?

07 Oct 2026 · Answered by Muskan Vashishtha · 1 min read
Quick Answer verified

Over 37% of international graduate students in the USA receive some form of scholarship or assistantship, according to IIE's Open Doors Report as cited. Over 75% also work as teaching assistants, research assistants or on-campus employees to help offset costs, so partial funding is far more common than full funding.

Muskan Vashishtha
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Over 37% of international graduate students in the USA receive some form of scholarship or assistantship, as cited from IIE's Open Doors Report. That means most students cover at least part of their costs another way.

The Numbers Behind US Graduate Funding

MeasureFigure cited
Receive some scholarship or assistantshipOver 37%
Work as teaching assistants, research assistants or on-campus employeesOver 75%

What These Figures Mean for You

  • The gap between the two numbers shows that some funding is common, while full funding is much less so.
  • Most students land somewhere in between rather than at either extreme.
  • Master's students usually need a specific channel such as a named scholarship, assistantship or fellowship.

My Advice

Use these figures to set realistic expectations. Budget for tuition and living costs as if you may receive only partial support, and apply early to assistantships and scholarships to improve your odds.

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