USA Fully Funded Scholarships 2025 – Mega Guide (With Deadlines & Official Links)
Updated for the 2025 intake. This guide highlights fully funded or near fully funded options in the USA for international students (Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD) and adds quick-hit lists for the UK and Canada. Always verify deadlines on official pages before applying.
How to Use This Guide
Pick Your Level
Filter programs by UG / Master’s / PhD and shortlist 5–7 that match your goals.
Mind the Deadlines
Most USA deadlines fall between August–January (for the next academic year). Some fellowships have country‑specific timelines.
Strong Documents Win
Prepare a compelling SOP, LORs, a crisp CV, and proof of English (MOI/Duolingo/TOEFL, if required).
Apply Early
Early applications get priority for funding and housing. Keep scanned PDFs ready in a cloud folder (Drive/Dropbox).
USA – Fully Funded & Flagship Scholarships (2025)
Deadlines below are typical windows based on recent cycles. Always confirm the current cycle on the official link.
| Scholarship / Program | Level | Coverage (Typical) | Typical Deadline Window (2025 Intake) | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Master’s / PhD | Tuition, stipend, airfare, insurance | Country‑specific; often Feb–June | foreign.fulbrightonline.org |
| Knight‑Hennessy Scholars (Stanford) | Master’s / PhD / Professional | Tuition + stipend + living + travel | Main KHS deadline usually Oct | knight-hennessy.stanford.edu |
| AAUW International Fellowships (Women) | Master’s / PhD / Postdoc | Tuition + stipend (amount varies) | Applications often open Aug–Nov | aauw.org |
| Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship | Non‑degree (mid‑career) | Tuition, fees, stipend, travel, insurance | Country‑specific; often May–Sept | humphreyfellowship.org |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships (USA centers incl. Duke/UNC) | Master’s / Professional | Tuition, fees, room & board, travel | Applications typically due May–July | rotary.org |
| American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL) | Undergraduate | Full tuition (non‑billable costs not covered) | Pre‑screen forms often Oct–Dec | american.edu |
| Clark University Global Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Up to full tuition (merit + need) | Usually Jan | clarku.edu |
| Berea College International Promise | Undergraduate | 100% tuition for first year + on‑campus work | Key rounds often Oct/Jan | berea.edu |
| Illinois Wesleyan University – International President’s | Undergraduate | Up to full tuition (limited awards) | Commonly Jan–Feb | iwu.edu |
| Yale University – Full‑Need Financial Aid | Undergraduate | Meets 100% of demonstrated need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | yale.edu |
| Princeton University – Need‑Based Aid (No‑Loan) | Undergraduate | Meets full need; often no loans | Early Nov / Regular Jan | princeton.edu |
| Harvard College – International Financial Aid | Undergraduate | Meets 100% demonstrated need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | harvard.edu |
| MIT – Undergraduate Financial Aid (International) | Undergraduate | Need‑based; can cover full need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | mit.edu |
| Stanford University – International Aid (UG) | Undergraduate | Need‑based; up to full need | Restrictive Early Nov / Regular Jan | stanford.edu |
| Columbia University – International Undergrad Aid | Undergraduate | Meets full demonstrated need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | columbia.edu |
| Cornell University – International Financial Aid | Undergraduate | Need‑based; up to full need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | cornell.edu |
| University of Chicago – International Aid | Undergraduate | Meets full need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | uchicago.edu |
| Google PhD Fellowship (North America) | PhD | Tuition/fees + stipend (varies) | Calls typically open spring/summer | research.google |
| Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship | PhD | Tuition + stipend (region‑specific) | Often June–Aug | microsoft.com |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) (US host programs) | Master’s | Tuition, living stipend, travel | Typically Feb–May | worldbank.org |
| Amherst/NYU/Swarthmore/Williams – Need‑based Aid (UG) | Undergraduate | Many meet 100% of demonstrated need | Early Nov / Regular Jan | amherst.edu · nyu.edu · swarthmore.edu · williams.edu |
| University Fellowships (Sample: Michigan Rackham, UC Berkeley, UW, UT Austin) | Master’s / PhD | Tuition + stipend/assistantship (dept‑based) | Departmental; mostly Dec–Jan | umich.edu · berkeley.edu · washington.edu · utexas.edu |
IELTS waivers: Several universities accept alternatives like Duolingo English Test, TOEFL iBT, or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter. Always confirm on the program page.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply (and Win)
- Shortlist 5–7 programs that fit your level and field. Create a tracker (sheet) with deadlines and links.
- Prepare documents: Passport, transcripts, degree certificates, test scores (if any), CV, SOP, LORs. Keep notarized scans ready.
- Write a sharp SOP: 3 parts — your story, your impact, your fit with the program/professors.
- Contact potential advisors (for research degrees): Send a 6–8 line interest email with a 1‑page research pitch.
- Apply early and submit clean PDFs. Filename tip: SOP_Name_Program_2025.pdf
- Scholarship essays: Show outcomes (numbers), leadership, and community work. Avoid generic claims.
- After submission: Watch your email daily, join webinars, and respond quickly to any document requests.
Free Checklist (Copy & Use)
- ✅ Shortlist sheet with 10 targets
- ✅ SOP (final), 2–3 LORs, resume (1 page)
- ✅ MOI/English proof (if needed)
- ✅ Portfolio or writing samples (if applicable)
- ✅ Proof of achievements (certificates, links)
Pro tip: Convert your tables and lists into a one‑page PDF and attach it to applications where optional uploads are allowed.
FAQs
Is IELTS mandatory for USA scholarships?
No. Many universities accept alternatives like Duolingo or TOEFL; some accept an MOI letter. Always check the program page.
Can I work while studying on a fully funded scholarship?
Yes, most programs allow limited on‑campus work (e.g., 20 hours/week) within visa rules. But funding usually covers basic living costs.
What’s the most important part of my application?
Strong academics and a well‑argued SOP. For research degrees, alignment with a supervisor matters a lot.
How many programs should I apply to?
At least 5–7 balanced by reach, match, and safe options.
Bonus: UK Fully Funded Scholarships (Quick List)
| Scholarship | Level | Typical Deadline | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | Master’s | Aug–Nov | chevening.org |
| Commonwealth Master’s/PhD | Master’s / PhD | Sept–Dec | cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk |
| Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford) | Master’s / PhD | June–Oct (by constituency) | rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk |
| Gates Cambridge | Master’s / PhD | Oct–Dec (varies by course) | gatescambridge.org |
| Clarendon (Oxford) | Master’s / DPhil | Dec–Jan | ox.ac.uk |
Bonus: Canada Fully Funded Scholarships (Quick List)
| Scholarship | Level | Typical Deadline | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | PhD | Oct–Nov (via university) | vanier.gc.ca |
| Lester B. Pearson (University of Toronto) | Undergraduate | Nov–Jan | utoronto.ca |
| UBC International Scholars | Undergraduate | Nov–Jan | ubc.ca |
| Schulich Leader (STEM) | Undergraduate | Jan–Feb (nomination) | schulichleaders.com |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation | PhD | Dec–Feb | trudeaufoundation.ca |
Final Notes & CTA
Bookmark this page and set calendar reminders for your shortlisted programs. If you found this useful, join our free monthly email where we send a one‑page PDF of upcoming deadlines and new fully funded openings.
Disclaimer: Program rules, coverage, and deadlines change every cycle. Always rely on the official website before applying.