No one would see a way to cut down costs, while getting maximum value, and not take on it! For undergraduates, winning a fully-funded scholarship is the best way to start your journey into learning your preferred course in a prestigious US University, and for post-graduates, a fully-funded scholarship will drastically cut down the total cost of acquiring the highest possible certificate(s) for your discipline.
Either way, getting a fully-funded scholarship in the US is a dream come true for many international students. But how do you get started? It’s not that easy, to be honest, but these tips shared in this article can help you a lot. Firstly, you need to understand that there are different types of scholarships offered by US institutions, and this article provides deep insights into these things. Are you ready? Let’s roll.
Types of Scholarships Available in the US
Let’s start with this first, it’d help you align your efforts in a particular way to increase your eligibility for which of these you fit into.
- Merit Based: This is the type of scholarship given to international students who did exceptionally excellent in their previous school (high school or secondary institutions) and also attained high SAT and ACT scores.
- Country-Based: Sad as it may sound, but students from specific countries may get favored over those from other countries when it comes to scholarships. Also, some institutions may shut their scholarship offer doors against students applying from specific countries/regions. You have to confirm if your country/region is eligible for US scholarship offers.
- Need-Based: This type of scholarship is awarded to students who attend an accredited college and have high SAT/ACT scores. Need-based scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s financial needs.
- Private Scholarships: Some private entities do offer scholarships to exceptionally brilliant international students, or fresh college graduates that meet specific requirements, depending on the private entity offering the scholarship.
- Institutional Scholarships: Now, this one is offered by US Universities. Literally, all US universities offer scholarship programs, both partially funded and fully funded. However, eligibility requirements vary by institution, and you may be required to be a native of some specific countries.
7 Ways To Get Fully Funded Scholarship in the US
When it comes to winning scholarships, no particular procedure is 100% guaranteed; however, by putting certain things in place and meeting university-specific requirements, your chances of getting a scholarship would be high.
1. Research Scholarship Opportunities Carefully
Your research is the main thing; how deep you can search the internet to get clues and details of the many US institutions that offer real, fully-funded scholarships matters. The US has thousands of institutions offering various types of scholarships, streamline your search by looking for scholarships that seem to specifically meet your qualifications. If you’re a STEM student, search for STEM-related scholarships.
2. You Must be Academically Sound
Especially if you’re looking out for a “merit-based” scholarship, you must have a strong academic record. Aside from aiming for fully funded merit-based scholarships in the US, having an impeccable academic record will open you up to many types of scholarships and reduce most “additional” eligibility criteria. Being academically sound includes graduating with a high GPA (Grade Point Average), participation and excellence in academic competitions like science fairs, debates, or Olympiads, and gaining high scores in SAT, ACT, or GMAT.
3. Prepare a Compelling Essay or Personal Statement
Don’t wait until you’re asked for it before you start making it up! As an international student seeking scholarships, it is essential that you craft a very professional, detailing, and compelling essay or personal statement to submit along with other requirements that may be asked by a scholarship issuing entity or university. Take your time to write this statement or essay, which is why you should get it done even before starting to apply for scholarships. Have the content reviewed by an academic genius for approval.
4. Seek Professional Guidance
A little help from here, and a little other from there could go a long way in your fully-funded scholarship pursuit. Get in touch with your teachers, professors (if you know some), educational consultants, and any quick-witted individual you could get to tell you a few things or more on how to go about scholarships. You can also leverage social platforms like LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Facebook, to seek and find professional guidance.
5. Secure Recommendation Letters
Apparently, recommendation letters are an invaluable requirement that could instantly make you eligible for a fully-funded scholarship. Try to get recommendation letters from professors or teachers who can effectively highlight your academic achievements, capabilities, and other relevant abilities, while also adding their personal notes.
6. Look for Scholarships from US Universities or known private Entities
Many US universities offer their own fully funded scholarships for international students. These can be merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both. Some universities that offer these scholarships include Harvard University, Stanford University, and Yale University. As an alternative, you may want to apply to private organization scholarships awarded by non-profit foundations, a good example is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Gates Millennium Scholars Program and the Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants.
7. Stay Calm, Stay Organized
Don’t rush up anything, stay calm, if you’re eligible, nothing is going to change that – unless you don’t meet up with the deadlines. But in between, always try to remain calm and organized, so you won’t hurriedly make mistakes that could cost you your eligibility status.
Conclusion
The tips shared here will definitely help you secure a fully funded scholarship in the US if you’re eligible. It is important to say, however, that if you do not qualify for, maybe, merit-based scholarships, you can try other scholarship types; and if a particular school doesn’t find you eligible, try another school. Don’t get disappointed easily. Good LUCK from us!