top of page
Search

Scholarships for Undergrad Degree in the US

  • Shubhi Joshi
  • Apr 5
  • 5 min read


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.


EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization that works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, and other top global universities. Our experts have mentored thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, test prep, and admissions essays.


 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page