Studying abroad can be an enriching and life-changing experience. However, the costs associated with international education often deter prospective students. Tuition fees for international undergraduates are usually two to three times higher than domestic fees in most popular study destinations like the US, UK, Canada and Australia. On top of tuition, students have to account for living expenses, travel, health insurance and other ancillary costs.
Fortunately, some universities provide generous scholarships and financial aid options that cover the full cost of an undergraduate degree for international students. These full scholarships typically include tuition, accommodation, health insurance and even a monthly stipend. By eliminating the financial barrier, these scholarships allow academically gifted students from all over the world to access an outstanding education and gain invaluable global exposure.
1. Harvard University
With an endowment of over $50 billion, Harvard offers tremendous financial aid options, including full scholarships for international students. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including full tuition, room and board. To be eligible, international students must apply for financial aid at the time of submitting their application for admission. Aid is awarded on the basis of exceptional academic ability as well as financial need.
2. Yale University
Yale is another Ivy League institution offering generous financial aid, granting over $180 million annually to its students. Under Yale’s needs-based financial aid system, accepted international students receive the same grants and pay the same tuition as American students. Over 20% of Yale undergraduates are international students. The application process is highly competitive, but those admitted can potentially graduate debt-free.
3. Princeton University
Princeton meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international undergraduates. In recent years, Princeton replaced all student loans with scholarships and grants. Under their no-loan policy, students with financial need graduate with less debt. Princeton also provides full funding for accepted students through partnership programs like the Robertson Scholarship Program which covers the full cost of undergraduate study at Princeton and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
4. Stanford University
Stanford provides need-blind admission and meets the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted undergraduate students, including internationals. Over 20% of undergraduates at Stanford are international students. The financial aid includes the full cost of tuition, room and board. Successful applicants typically have outstanding academic credentials.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
At MIT, over 11% of undergraduates are international students receiving financial aid. MIT practices need-blind admission and meets the full demonstrated financial need through grants, scholarships, and on-campus job opportunities. MIT offers the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), which provides full scholarships and paid internships abroad to students with financial aid.
6. Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University offers the Johnson Opportunity Scholarship, covering the full cost of tuition for international students. Recipients are selected based on outstanding academic achievement, character, financial need and potential for leadership. It is a merit-based renewable scholarship for up to 4 years of undergraduate study.
7. Franklin and Marshall College
Franklin and Marshall College awards numerous full-tuition scholarships to international students each year, including the Hackman Scholars Program. Recipients are chosen based on academic excellence, extracurricular involvement and leadership potential. The scholarship is renewable annually and covers the full cost of tuition and on-campus housing.
8. Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College meets 100% of international undergraduate financial need, including full tuition scholarships worth over $55,000 per year. Applicants are selected based on intellectual curiosity, willingness to challenge convention and desire to make an impact. Aid is awarded solely on the basis of need through grants and scholarships.
10. Davidson College
Davidson College offers the prestigious John Montgomery Belk Scholarship, which covers the full cost of attendance for outstanding international undergraduate applicants. This highly competitive full ride scholarship includes comprehensive tuition, room and board, books and miscellaneous fees. Students are selected based on academic excellence, personal character, leadership and service to others.
11. Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music offers free tuition to all enrolled undergraduate students through a full scholarship. This conservatory of music selects exceptionally gifted music students from all over the world. All students receive full-tuition scholarships, valuing over $48,000 annually. Room and board and additional costs are covered through other grants and scholarships.
The road to securing full financial aid as an international student can be arduous. But for the brightest and most driven students, these outstanding universities provide life-changing fully funded opportunities.
The application timelines and eligibility criteria vary among universities, so prospective applicants should thoroughly review each institution’s international admissions and financial aid policies for details. While these scholarships are highly selective, they empower deserving students, regardless of financial circumstances, to access an esteemed undergraduate education abroad and achieve their academic dreams.