Where can I find scholarships and fellowships for international students?
Candid does not give grants/donations, suggest specific funders, or approach them on your behalf. More about Candid’s mission. Please refer to the tips and websites in this article.
If you have not already done so, we suggest that you start your search with a visit to your college or university's financial aid office, as it may be able to connect you with resources that specifically target non-U.S. residents.
Also, ask about scholarships from other organizations in your personal and professional networks, for example:
- Government agencies (education, arts and culture, health, etc.) in your country that award scholarships
- Department office for your academic program
- Local or regional alumni clubs
- Community or civic organizations, such as Rotary International
- Religious organizations
- Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or your spouse
Most U.S. foundation scholarships go to U.S. citizens and residents and not to international students. However, Grants to Individuals, our searchable database of grantmakers that give to individuals, lists more than 100 funders who give grants to foreign applicants for a variety of purposes.
If you use this database, try this setup:
- Geographic Focus = names of your country or continent
- Type of Support = Scholarships or Awards OR Undergraduate OR... (view the index to discover new characters)
- Field of Interest = words/phrases that describe yourself and your personal, study, and career interests
To search from your own device/location, subscribe at our website. You (or friends who can help with your research) also can use it for free our Candid partner locations.
You can also explore scholarship sites and directories, like The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024, which you can borrow for free from our Overdrive eBook collection. If the 2024 edition is unavailable, we also have previous editions of The Ultimate Scholarship Book to borrow.
To start learning now about getting foundation grants, watch our free recorded webinar, Finding Foundation Support for Your Education.
Worksheets to help students prepare applications and essays are at the Individual Grantseekers area of our website.
The Institute of International Education provides information about international education and training programs, including Fulbright scholarships.
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See spanish versionExplore resources curated by our staff for this topic:
Staff-recommended websites
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Staff pick
Institute of International Education
Fulbright Program For Foreign Students
Awards grants to international students for Master's or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. Programs are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Fulbright Commissions in the applicants' home countries.
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Staff pick
Institute of International Education
Funding For US Study: International Scholarships
Database of scholarships, fellowships and grants for all levels of post-secondary study, across the full range of academic areas. Search by region, area of study, name of program, or location in the U.S.
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GoAbroad.com
Search for scholarships by country, academic level, field of study, or type of award. Site also has tools to find programs for study, volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.
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Institute of International Education
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This program places mid-career professionals at select U.S. universities for professional enrichment and training. This page lists eligible countries and fields, application procedures, and selection criteria. Administered by the Institute of Internationa
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Staff pick
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)
This online directory lists college scholarship and grant information for U.S. and international students wishing to study abroad.
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International Scholarships
Has a searchable database of grants, scholarships, and loans for students wishing to study abroad. It can be searched by field of study, location of study, award type, and keywords.
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Staff pick
International Scholarships for Developing Countries
Searchable by level of study, target group, subject, place of study, and keyword.
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Affordable Colleges Online
International Student Resources
This guide will inform students about how to best utilize on-campus resources to help maximize their time in America, and includes information such as financial aid options.
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Study in the USA
International Students
Study in the USA provides international students with information about hundreds of colleges, universities and English-language programs in the United States.
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Mobility International USA (MIUSA)
MIUSA is a cross-disability service organization that provides information on international exchange and international development programs. It runs the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange.
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NAFSA: Association of International Educators
NAFSA promotes the exchange of students and scholars to and from the United States. The web site includes information on grants and scholarships and links to other informational sites.
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Institute of International Education
Scholar Rescue Fund
Provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. One-year fellowships support temporary academic positions at universities, colleges and other higher learning institutions in safe locations anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work. If safe return is not possible, the scholar may use the fellowship period to identify a longer-term opportunity.
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Staff pick
Social Science Research Council
Supports fellowships and grant programs in the social sciences. The Fellowship and Prizes section of the web site provides access to information on current funding opportunities and online applications.
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Spain Exchange
Get all the key information you need to get financing for your studies abroad with this extensive list of scholarship programs.
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Staff pick
Institute of International Education
Study Abroad Funding
From IIE Passport, this resource allows searching by country and subject to find study abroad funding information, including scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
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eduPASS
The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA
Provides a wide range of information, from admissions to financial aid to passports and visas, for international students planning to study in the U.S. Financial aid information is provided through FastWeb, a scholarship search engine.
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Peterson's
US College Search for International Students
This scholarship search tool provided by the publishers of the Peterson's Guides includes International Scholarship Search and International Graduate Scholarship Search.
Staff-recommended books
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2023: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook