Are you dreaming about studying in the United States, but are worried about the heavy tuition fee? Fright not, for many top US universities present scholarships, in some universities specifically for Indian students. Your dreams can become reality with the right action and a brilliant application.
Contentholic, a top-tier study-abroad consulting firm, specializes in helping students get hold of scholarships and admissions to some of the most prestigious universities in the US. Our team of professional SOP writers can help you write a persuasive Statement of Purpose (SOP) to leave a lasting impression on the admission committee. In this blog, we will list down some of the top US universities that provide scholarships to Indian students and provide tips on how to secure financial aid so you enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling student life in the US without worrying about money.
Types of Scholarships in the USA
Before going into the list of universities providing scholarships, it is important to know some common types of scholarships available to students in the US:
- Merit-based scholarships: They are given based on the student’s academic accomplishments, standardized test scores, and extracurricular achievements
- Need-based scholarships: These are given to students who require financial assistance
- University-specific scholarships: Many universities in the US grant their scholarships to attract international students.
- Government scholarships: Many Indian organizations and the Indian government also provide scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education in the US.
Top US Universities Offering Scholarships for Indians
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
It is known for its academic rigor and innovation, MIT provides many scholarships such as:
(i) MIT Scholarships: This is a need-based scholarship for undergraduate students covering the entire 4 years degree period. To avail of this scholarship, you have to apply for financial aid and fill out the College Board’s College Scholarship Service (CSS) form. The average support given through this scholarship is USD 45,215 (₹37,85,335.52). A grant of USD 20,000 (₹16,74,371.57) is also provided to the first-year students to help with the extra expenses that come with transitioning to a college. Around 60% of undergraduate students receive this scholarship.
(ii) MIT Presidential Fellowship: This is a fellowship for Graduate students to fund their tuition, monthly stipend, and insurance plan for their first year with USD 2.5 million (₹20,92,96,445.81). The awardees are selected by the Deans and the Heads of Departments, therefore students cannot apply directly to this fellowship.
2. Harvard University
One of the most world-renowned universities in the world, the scholarships provided by Harvard are granted to almost 50% of its students, and they are usually need-based. Some of them are listed below:
(i) Faculty of Arts and Sciences Scholarship: This is a need-based scholarship that includes more than 2000 individual endowments and gift funds. It is for those students who are admitted to the Bachelor of Liberal Arts. It covers the tuition fee of one undergraduate course in a term. The candidates have to submit their financial aid documents along with their scholarship documents. The recipients of this scholarship are chosen based on their financial needs and academic performance, the candidate needs to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.33.
(ii) Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: This school provides funding for the first five years of all PhD students and various other funding options and fellowships to other students.
(iii) Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded once in every two years for a two-year Master’s program at Harvard Business School. It covers 75% of the financial cost, plus the traveling and lodging costs that the students have to bear during the internship. To avail of the scholarship, you have to submit a copy of your CV, a photo, your GMAT results, and your acceptance letter from the university. The maximum amount given to each student is USD 55, 080 (₹46,15,023.76).
(iv) Need-based Scholarship-Harvard Business School: The scholarship ranges from USD 2,500 – USD 76,000 (₹2,09,469.13 – ₹63,67,861.40) per year. This includes tuition assistance, financial support for summer internships, and financial assistance at graduation such as loan reduction/repayment. You do not need to file a separate application, the application and supplementary documents at the time of admission such as English proficiency test score, SOP, resume, LOR, transcripts, etc are sufficient.
(v) IGLP Residential Fellowship Program, Harvard Law School: Institute of Global Law & Policy-Harvard Law School provides full or partial doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship support to a small number of scholars who are pursuing research in areas related to IGLP. The fellows get a competitive stipend, and a shared office at the institute with a computer and printer.
3. Stanford University
Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial essence and interdisciplinary programs. So to attract the most talented students, it offers a range of scholarships. Some of them are listed below:
(i) Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF): SGF is awarded to doctoral students each year, and approximately 100 students receive this fellowship. The SGF is awarded in different departments such as natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, engineering, the basic sciences in the School of Medicine, and those social sciences, including education, which are now dependent on federal assistantship support for their doctoral students. The Fellows are selected by the Faculty Advisory Committee. It provides funding for tuition fees for two summers with 8 to 10 units of the tuition.
(ii) Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: The Knight-Hennessy scholars are Graduate students who have enrolled in a Graduate degree program. Under this, scholars have to participate in up to three years of programming which is complementary to their graduate program. They receive funding for up to three years– this includes a fellowship to cover tuition and associated fees, a stipend for living and academic expenditures, a travel stipend, and a one-time relocation stipend. To apply for this scholars program you have to submit a separate application along with the Stanford degree program application, your resume, transcripts and test scores, LOR, and short answers and essay which in a way would act as your SOP.
(iii) Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program: This is a need-based scholarship offered by Reliance Industries to those Indian students who are going to pursue their MBA from Stanford University. The total amount granted is USD 150,000 (₹1,25,68,147.50) which would cover the tuition fee, living expenses, and health insurance. To be eligible for this fellowship, you need to have a graduate degree and pass the English proficiency test as well as the minimum cutoff for the GRE/GMAT, must work for at least 2 years in India after completion of the degree, and have strong academic merit. It provides financial support to up to 5 Indian students who are committed to returning to India post their MBA. To apply, you have to submit your academic transcripts, awards/recognitions, employment history (if any), financial documents, three LORs, resume/CV, and SOP.
4. Cornell University
It is a private university and comes under the Ivy League universities group. Cornell also provides a variety of scholarships to its students few of which are listed below:
(i) Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars: This program supports only a select group of undergraduate students across colleges and disciplines by providing resources for research. Each year approximately 200 students are supported through this program. The amount granted to each scholar is USD 8,000 (₹6,70,301.20) to freshmen, USD 5,000 (₹4,18,938.25) to juniors, and annual need-based loan replacement of up to USD 4,000 (₹3,35,150.60). The freshmen are selected during the admission process to Cornell based on their academic excellence as well as their expressed interest in research and academic inquiry. However, for upper-class admission, i.e., for Cornell sophomores, they must have at least one semester of research; have a minimum 3.5 GPA; have a LOR from a faculty; statement of interest (SOP), and a research proposal.
(ii) Tata Scholarship for Students from India: It is a funding of USD 25 million for undergraduate students from India. It supports 20 Indian students every year and the recipients receive the scholarship fund throughout their undergraduate years. The eligibility for this scholarship is that the student is a citizen of India with a secondary school education from India, must have been admitted to Cornell as an undergrad student, and needs financial aid. The selection process gives preference to students admitted to programs of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, College of Engineering, Applied Economics and Management major in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, and majors across colleges in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and other sciences, as well as the social sciences.
5. Yale University
Yale University has a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and provides a variety of scholarships for its students, some of those scholarships are:
(i) Global Leaders from India MBA Scholarship Program: This program grants scholarships to 5 meritorious students from India who have been admitted to the Yale School of Management MBA program. It covers half of their tuition fee. This is a merit-based scholarship, therefore, provided to only those who have the strongest academic and professional achievements and leadership capability. The amount granted ranges between USD 75,000 to USD 150,000 (₹62,84,073.75 – ₹87,97,703.25) over two years. All the Indian students applying for an MBA from Yale would be eligible and no additional step is required.
(ii) Yale Scholarship: It is a need-based financial aid for undergraduate, graduate students, and PhD scholars that does not need to be repaid. It can vary between a few hundred dollars to 70,000 dollars (₹58,65,135.50), on average it has gone up to USD 50,000 (₹41,89,382.50). It can cover up to 100% of your education and other costs depending on your family’s income. Students whose family income is less than USD 65,000 (₹54,46,197.25), do not have to pay for anything, including tuition, room, and boarding. You can automatically apply for this scholarship when applying to Yale for admissions and no separate application is required. The required documents would be the same as you would give at the time of admission, i.e., two LOR, transcripts, standardized test scores, and an English proficiency exam.
Word of Advice for Increasing Your Chance of Getting a Scholarship
- You have to maintain a strong academic performance, especially if you want to secure a merit-based scholarship as they look at high grades and standardized test scores.
- Build a strong profile about yourself by engaging in extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
- Write irresistible SOP and LOR. Our professional SOP writing services at Contentholic can help you create a convincing SOP, demonstrating your distinctive qualities.
- There are various types of scholarships, make sure you have seen the websites of various US universities for their scholarship database to find a suitable opportunity.
- If you are going to apply for a need-based scholarship, make sure you have all the financial documents ready that would support your financial situation.
Conclusion
US Universities provide scholarships to only those who they think deserve it the most, therefore, securing a scholarship can be quite competitive. But under the right guidance and preparation, anything can be achieved. That’s why we at Contentholic will be with you at every step of the process, from writing a compelling SOP to giving expert advice to securing an appropriate scholarship and its application process.
By exploring all the US universities providing scholarships to Indian students and following the advice outlined in this blog, you can increase your chances of fulfilling your dream to study in the USA without it costing too much. Remember, with the right research, tenacity, and well-suited application, you can unlock the door of your dream.
