Scholarships for Undergrad Degree in the US

High school students aiming to study in the U.S. often face a major challenge: funding their education. While university-specific scholarships are widely recognized, many overlook the vast array of opportunities offered by non-university organizations. Government bodies, private foundations, corporations, and nonprofits all provide generous scholarships that can help reduce the financial strain of college tuition. Whether you excel in academics, athletics, or community service, there are numerous funding options designed to support your ambitions.

We’ve neatly divided these opportunities into three separate tables to help you find the perfect fit for your background.

A. Scholarships for Indian Nationals 

Name of Scholarship	Eligibility Criteria, Grades, etc.	Scholarship Amount	Deadline for 2025	Additional Information
Education Future International Scholarship Awarded by: Education Future Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Indian nationals only	Min. 60% in previous degree, admission to a U.S. institution, TOEFL/IELTS considered, no interviews	Varies (partial funding)	April 10, 2025 (Applications are accepted throughout the year)	Supports Indian students abroad; check official site for exact amount. Seats for this scholarship varies (hundreds, based on funding)
Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students (HEST) Awarded by: WeMakeScholars (funded by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India) Awarded for all subjects except Medicine. Nationality Requirements: Indian nationals only	Indian high school grad, min. 55% in 12th, planning U.S. study, TOEFL/IELTS recommended, HEST test required, no interviews	Up to $3,600 (INR 3 lakhs)	April 20, 2025	For Indian high school students to U.S. undergrad; requires education loan via WeMakeScholars. Seats for scholarships not specified (hundreds possible)
Tata Scholarship (Cornell) Awarded by: Tata Education and Development Trust Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Indian nationals only	Academic merit, financial need, admitted to Cornell, SAT/ACT required for admission, TOEFL/IELTS required, no interviews	Varies (covers tuition + fees)	Rolling (post-admission)	Need-based for Cornell undergrads; renewable for 4 years. Seats for scholarships: 20

B. Scholarship for International Students

Name of Scholarship	Eligibility Criteria, Grades, etc.	Scholarship Amount	Deadline for 2025	Additional Information
Georgia Rotary Student Program Scholarship Awarded by: Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to all nationals except U.S.	Academic excellence, intent to study in Georgia, TOEFL/IELTS required for non-English speakers, interviews required	Full funding (tuition + living) The scholarship covers one scholastic year from August to May	October 31, 2025	For Georgia colleges; interviews via Rotary clubs. 50-60 recipients max.
Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Scholarship Awarded by: Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to all nationals	Academic merit, financial need, min. 2.5 GPA, SAT/ACT optional, TOEFL/IELTS for non-U.S. students, no interviews	Varies (up to $2,500)	August 15, 2025	Focuses on education advancement; open to international students in the U.S. Seats for scholarships: 50-100 (varies by funding)
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Awarded by: National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) & Participating U.S. Institutions Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to all nationals except U.S.	High school senior, international student, admitted to a participating U.S. college, TOEFL/IELTS recommended, no interviews	Varies (min. 50% tuition)	Varies by institution (typically spring 2025)	For international high school students to U.S. undergrad; amount varies by college. Seats for scholarships varies (depends on participating colleges)

C.  Scholarships for US Residents/Citizens

Name of Scholarship	Eligibility Criteria, Grades, etc.	Scholarship Amount	Deadline for 2025	Additional Information
Coca-Cola Scholars Program  Awarded by: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. residents only	High school seniors, min. 3.0 GPA, leadership, community service, SAT/ACT optional, interviews for finalists	$20,000	September 30, 2024	Focuses on leadership; finalists interviewed. Seats for scholarships:150
Gates Millennium Scholars Program Awarded by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. citizens/permanent residents	Min. 3.3 GPA, leadership, community service, financial need, SAT/ACT optional, no interviews	Full tuition + expenses	September 15, 2024	Need-based for U.S. minorities; no interview stage. Seats for scholarships: 300 (historically varies)
National Merit Scholarship Awarded by: National Merit Scholarship Corporation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to everyone who resides in US and attends high school in US	High PSAT/NMSQT scores, top academic performance, PSAT required, no interviews	$2,500 one-time additional	October 2025 (PSAT)	Based on PSAT/NSMQT scores; no interview process. Seats for scholarships: 7,500 (finalists awarded)
Dell Scholars Awarded by: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. residents only	U.S. high school senior, Pell-eligible, min. 2.4 GPA, SAT/ACT optional, no interviews	$20,000 + laptop/support	December 1, 2025 (estimated)	For U.S. high school seniors to college; focus on first-generation, renewable. Seats for scholarships: 500
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Awarded by: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Awarded for Biomedical, Behavioral, Social Sciences Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. citizens/nationals only	U.S. high school senior or undergrad, financial need, min. 3.3 GPA, SAT/ACT optional, no interviews	Up to $20,000/year	March 31, 2025	For U.S. students to undergrad; focus on NIH research careers, renewable. Seats for scholarships: Up to 20
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Awarded by: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to everyone who resides in US and attends high school in US	High school seniors, min. 3.5 GPA, financial need, SAT/ACT required (min. 1200/26), interviews for semifinalists	Up to $55,000/year	November 14, 2024	For high-achieving, low-income U.S. students; renewable for 4 years. Seats for scholarships: 50-60
The Cameron Impact Scholarship Awarded by: Bryan Cameron Education Foundation Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. citizens only	U.S. high school senior, min. 3.7 GPA, leadership/service, SAT/ACT optional, no interviews	Full tuition (~$50,000+/year)	May 16, 2025 (Early: Feb 14)	For U.S. high school seniors to college; full cost of attendance, renewable. Seats for scholarships: 10-15
Excelsior Scholarship Awarded by: New York State Awarded for all subjects Nationality Requirements: Open to U.S. residents (NY only)	NY residents, family income ≤$125,000, full-time enrollment, no tests required, no interviews	Up to $5,500/year	June 30, 2025	For SUNY/CUNY students; residency-based Seats for scholarships: Thousands (varies by budget)

Tips for Students Applying to Scholarships

• Start researching early: Begin looking into scholarship opportunities as soon as possible, ideally in your junior year of high school, to give yourself plenty of time to prepare and apply.

• Maintain strong academics: Focus on keeping your grades high and taking challenging courses, as many scholarships prioritize academic excellence.

• Get involved in extracurriculars: Participate in clubs, sports, or volunteer work to demonstrate leadership, commitment, and well-roundedness, which can make you stand out to scholarship committees.

• Tailor your applications: Customize your essays and materials to align with each scholarship’s specific requirements and values to show genuine interest and fit.

• Meet deadlines: Keep a calendar of all application due dates and submit everything well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

• Seek strong recommendation letters: Build relationships with teachers, counselors, or mentors who can write detailed, personalized letters highlighting your strengths.

• Highlight your unique story: Use your application to showcase what makes you different—whether it’s overcoming challenges, pursuing a passion, or contributing to your community.

• Apply to a variety of opportunities: Cast a wide net by seeking out scholarships based on academics, interests, background, or career goals to increase your chances.

• Polish your writing skills: Craft clear, compelling essays with no errors, as they’re often a key factor in the selection process.

Securing financial support for college doesn’t have to be limited to university scholarships. A wealth of opportunities exists through various external sources, including private foundations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, all tailored to diverse skills, interests, and backgrounds. By exploring these scholarship options, students can not only reduce their tuition costs but also gain access to unique programs and professional networks. The key is to research early, apply strategically, and remain persistent. With the right approach, you can unlock valuable funding opportunities that make your undergraduate education more accessible and affordable.

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