Earning a master’s degree in the U.S. is a life-changing opportunity. Luckily, there are numerous fully funded scholarships available for international and domestic graduate students that can cover tuition, living expenses, health insurance, travel, and more. Let’s dive into the top programs you should consider—plus application tips and timelines.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
This prestigious U.S. Government-sponsored scholarship supports master’s and PhD studies abroad. It covers full tuition, a living stipend, health insurance, and round-trip airfare. Fulbright is available to students from over 155 countries based on academic excellence, leadership, and cultural engagement.
2. Knight‑Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
A highly competitive leadership program open to international students pursuing graduate studies at Stanford. Awards include full tuition, a generous stipend, travel costs, and leadership development opportunities.
3. Yale University Graduate Scholarships
Yale offers both need‑based and merit‑based aid for international master’s students. Benefits can include full tuition, living expenses, and travel coverage, depending on financial circumstances.
4. Harvard University Graduate Fellowships & Aid
Harvard’s various graduate programs—including GSAS and the Kennedy School—provide full or partial scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and living stipends. Some are automatically awarded; others require separate applications.
5. MIT Graduate Funding (Assistantships & Fellowships)
MIT supports many master’s students through teaching or research assistantships and departmental fellowships covering tuition and offering stipends. Financial need and research experience strengthen eligibility.
6. AAUW International Fellowship (Women)
Targeted at women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, this fellowship awards $20,000–$50,000 per year for graduate study in the U.S., for programs lasting up to two years.
7. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Open to students from eligible developing countries pursuing development-relevant master’s degrees. The scholarship covers tuition, monthly living allowance, travel, and health insurance.
8. Rotary Peace Fellowships
Awarded to students pursuing master’s degrees in peace, conflict resolution, and related fields. Supports tuition, living costs, and travel. Selection favored for prior work experience in peacebuilding.
Other Noteworthy Options & Emerging Initiatives
- University of Chicago, Duke (Karsh), Columbia, Princeton, Johns Hopkins (Bloomberg), University of Pennsylvania offer fully funded fellowships or scholarships for master’s students across various disciplines—often with merit or leadership-focused criteria.
- Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans—not strictly international-focused but support immigrant or first-generation U.S. residents pursuing graduate degrees, offering up to $90,000 over two years.
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Rales STEM initiative (starting 2024) offers full tuition, stipends, mentoring, and support for underrepresented groups in STEM fields (U.S. citizens/residents only).
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Choose your university and program. Research departments and check for international and graduate funding pages.
- Prepare your documents: academic transcripts, CV, letters of recommendation, test scores (GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS if applicable), and a compelling statement of purpose.
- Apply for admission and scholarships as required: some universities automatically consider admitted students, but others require separate scholarship applications.
- Submit funding applications early: many scholarships operate on a first-come-first-serve basis and have application windows from October through February depending on the program.
- Track deadlines carefully. For instance, Knight‑Hennessy is due in October, Harvard and Yale programs typically in December or January, and AAUW around early November.
Quick Comparison Table
| Scholarship Program | Covers | Eligibility | Deadline Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Tuition, stipend, travel, insurance | International students | Varies by country (Feb–Oct) |
| Knight‑Hennessy Scholars (Stanford) | Full tuition, stipend, travel | Open to all nationalities | October |
| Yale Graduate Scholarships | Tuition, living, health, travel | International students (need/merit-based) | Varies by program (mostly Dec–Jan) |
| Harvard Graduate Aid & Fellowships | Tuition, research/teaching stipends | Admitted master’s students | Departmental deadlines (Dec–Jan) |
| MIT Assistantships & Fellowships | Tuition waiver, stipend | STEM/business/social sciences | Varies per department |
| AAUW International Fellowship | $20K–$50K/year | Non‑US women only | November 15 |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship | Tuition, living, airfare, insurance | Developing country nationals with relevant work experience | Feb–May |
| Rotary Peace Fellowship | Tuition, living costs, travel | International with peace/conflict background | Varies (often first half-year) |
💡 Tips to Maximize Your Chances
- Apply early and use spreadsheets or reminders for different deadlines.
- Seek assistantships or departmental funding—many programs fund students through research or teaching roles.
- Apply to multiple scholarships and include institutional fellowships along with national/international ones.
- Tailor each essay or statement of purpose to reflect the values of the scholarship (leadership for Knight‑Hennessy, service and exchange for Fulbright, women empowerment for AAUW, etc.).
- Avoid overusing loans. Leverage scholarships, grants, and assistantships first—loans should be a last resort.
✅ Final Takeaways
There are dozens of fully funded master’s scholarships in the U.S. for international students—for those with strong academic records, leadership potential, or professional experience in specific fields like development or public health. Programs like Fulbright, Knight‑Hennessy, and AAUW stand out for their generous support and prestige. To move forward:
- Identify your ideal target programs.
- Research their funding options early.
- Prepare strong, tailored applications.
- Stay organized, meet deadlines.
