We are at the time of the year when students, aspiring to study in top US universities, are appearing for the final SAT/ACT attempt, polishing their essays, requesting letters of recommendation from their school, and waiting with bated breath to submit a stellar application while simultaneously juggling with their academic and extracurricular activities. In such a bedlam, financial and scholarship planning tend to take the backseat. As a result of which students (and their parents) have to make the hard choice of giving up on their dream universities. Our advice – don’t wait for an admit letter. Scholarship opportunity isn’t going to knock on your door. Devote quality time in searching right kind of scholarships, so that you will have ample time to collate the required data, gather financial/official documents, and meet all the eligibility criteria.
Through this article, we have tried to shed some light on different types of scholarships offered by US universities to Indian students planning to pursue their undergraduate studies in the US.
There are generally three types of scholarships offered by top US universities:
Merit-based scholarships are given to meritorious students with outstanding academic, extracurricular, and leadership achievements.
Scholarship Name | Description | Eligibility | Scholarship Award | Application Process |
International Freshman Academic Scholarship by the University of Southern California | · The University of Southern California proudly awards multi-year scholarships to highly meritorious students | · Applicants must have passed High School · In addition to academic criteria, candidates’ talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement, and leadership are considered | · Number of students to be awarded: Varies · Amount awarded: Varies | Same as the University Application Process |
International Scholars Award by Northeastern University | · International Scholars Award is a competitive, merit-based scholarship award provided to international undergraduate students across all majors | · Applicants must have passed High School · In addition to academic criteria, candidates’ talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement, and leadership are considered | · Awards range from $10,000–$28,000 annually but do not cover the total cost of attendance · Number of students to be awarded: Varies | Same as the University Application Process |
International Freshmen Scholarships by the University of Pittsburgh | · University Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance in high school; criteria include weighted grade point average, the strength of the curriculum, class rank (if applicable), and results of the SAT or ACT | · Activities outside of the classroom such as athletics, community service, leadership positions, etc. may also be reviewed · TOEFL/IELTS score | · Scholarships range from $2,000 to $20,000 per year · Scholarships are available for 8 semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains a 3.00 CGPA | Same as the University Application Process |
Women’s Leadership Scholarship by Babson College | · The Women’s Leadership Scholarship is offered to undergraduate students who are selected based on their academic achievement and demonstrated leadership in school and community activities. | · Candidates for the scholarship are evaluated using the information in their admission applications · finalists are invited to an interview (online/offline) for the award | · It is a four-year, quarter-tuition merit scholarship · Number of students to be awarded: Varies | Same as the University Application Process |
Need-based scholarships are reserved for students who belong to economically weaker community. To avail this scholarship, students need to submit their financial documents, bank statements, salary slip, etc. US Universities offering need-based scholarships are divided into two categories – Need-blind and Need-aware
Need-blind colleges admit students regardless of their socio-economic status and provide the required financial aid. The prominent need-blind colleges are –
Amherst College
Bowdoin College
Dartmouth College
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Minerva University
Princeton University
Yale University
Need-aware colleges do factor students’ scholarship requirements into admission decisions
Scholarship Name | Description | Eligibility | Scholarship Award | Application Process |
Yale Scholarship A need-based scholarship offered by Yale University | · Yale’s need-based financial aid awards meet the full demonstrated financial need of all students · This grant is provided to Yale undergraduates from the University’s own funds | · Applicants must have passed High school · Proof of English Proficiency Test · Good SAT/ACT Score | · The Yale Scholarship can vary from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year; the average Yale need-based scholarship is over $50,000 | In addition to the University application, students will be required to fill the CSS Profile |
Harvard Scholarship A need-based scholarship offered by Harvard University | · Harvard University offers financial aid to all incoming students—regardless of financial need. · International students are eligible for the same amount of aid as US students, and the application process is essentially the same | · Applicant must be able to demonstrate financial need while filing scholarship application | · Number of students to be awarded: Varies | In addition to the University application, students will be required to fill the CSS Profile |
Tata Scholarship A need-based scholarship offered by Cornell University | · Launched by the Tata Education and Development Trust, a $25 million endowment. | Applicants · must be a citizen of India and have attended secondary school in India · must have been admitted to Cornell · must be eligible for need-based financial aid | · The scholarship will be awarded annually to 20 students; recipients will receive the scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate studies at Cornell | In addition to the University application, students will be required to fill the CSS Profile |
While merit-based scholarships don’t need any extra documents/forms, need-based scholarships do require CSS profile. For additional information on CSS profile, please refer the College Board website.
Activity-based scholarships are offered to highly competitive students who have demonstrated exceptional performance in any sport, Olympiads, or competitions outside school.
World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Scholarship  by Illinois Tech | · WRO scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated an aptitude for Science, Technology, and other STEM subjects | Applicants · Must be in senior year · Have participated in 1 full season of WRO in junior or senior year | · Amount awarded: 25,000$ per year for a period of 4 years | In addition to the University application, students will be required answer supplemental essay describing their involvement in WRO |
First Robotics Scholarships by Harvey Mudd College | · FRC or FTC scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated an aptitude for Science, Technology, and other STEM subjects | · Applicants must have participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in high school or FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) · Top candidates will have assumed some kind of leadership role on their team. | · Amount awarded: 10,000$ per year for a period of 4 years | In addition to the University application, students will be required to fill supplemental form describing how their FRC/FTC participation has positively impacted their interest in the STEM fields |
Student Athletics Scholarships by Duke University | · Athletics Scholarship is offered to high achievers in sports like Football, Swimming, Basketball, Baseball etc. | · Applicants must submit their sports portfolio, videos, certificates and other required documents to the respective coach | · Amount awarded: Varies | Students need to contact the University Coach for the selection process |
An insider tip: For students solely dependent on scholarships must apply to US universities with campuses located in different countries. For example –
New York University – Abu Dhabi Campus
Carnegie Mellon University – Qatar Campus
Michigan State University – Dubai Campus
Quality of education, infrastructure, and resources are comparable to original campuses. Living cost is substantially low. And several students receive full or partial scholarships.
EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization which 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.
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