Scholarships for International Students in the USA with Monthly Stipends and Full Tuition.
A Definitive Guide to Securing Full Tuition Coverage, Living Allowances, and Your F-1 Visa for Graduate and Undergraduate Study.
The United States offers the most prestigious and resource-rich academic environment globally, but the cost of education for international students can be prohibitive. However, the world’s leading universities and government bodies offer a select number of fully funded scholarships that cover not only full tuition fees but also provide a generous monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel allowances.
These high-value awards, often valued well over $80,000 USD per year, represent the true American Dream for scholars—allowing you to focus entirely on your academic and research excellence. Securing one requires strategic planning, a flawless academic record, and a deep understanding of the competitive landscape.
Studying in the United States is a dream for many international students — and with good reason. The U.S. is home to world-class universities, innovative research centres, and endless career opportunities. But let’s be honest, the cost of studying in the U.S. can be overwhelming. That’s where fully funded scholarships come into play — especially those that offer both full tuition coverage and monthly stipends to help with living expenses.
This guide highlights the top scholarships for international students in the USA that offer full financial support, including living allowances, health insurance, and other benefits. Whether you’re pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral studies, these opportunities could be your gateway to a world-class education — for free.
Why Choose Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA?
Fully funded scholarships don’t just waive tuition fees — they provide a complete funding package, typically including:
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Full Tuition Coverage
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Monthly Stipend for Living Expenses
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Health Insurance Coverage
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Research Grants or Travel Allowances (in some cases) ✈️
This makes studying in the USA accessible, even for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Top Scholarships in the USA for International Students (Full Tuition + Monthly Stipends)
Below are some of the most prestigious and supportive scholarships available to international students in the U.S.:
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
One of the most recognized U.S. government-funded scholarships, the Fulbright Program offers:
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Full tuition coverage
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Monthly living stipend
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Round-trip airfare
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Health insurance
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees.
Application: Through U.S. embassies or Fulbright Commissions in your home country.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
This prestigious scholarship supports graduate students from all over the world.
Benefits:
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Full tuition and associated fees
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Living and academic stipends
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Travel expenses
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Leadership development opportunities
Eligible Fields: Medicine, Law, Business, Engineering, and more.
3. Harvard University Scholarships
Harvard offers fully funded scholarships for international students based on financial need.
Covers:
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100% tuition
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Housing and living costs
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Additional stipends for materials and travel (in some cases)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate international students.
4. Yale University Scholarships (Yale Need-Based Aid)
Yale ensures that financial need is never a barrier.
Includes:
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Full tuition
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Housing allowance
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Stipend for personal expenses
International students may also qualify for the Yale University Fellowship, providing extra financial support.
5. AAUW International Fellowships
Awarded by the American Association of University Women for international women pursuing full-time graduate or postgraduate studies.
Benefits:
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$18,000 to $30,000 annual stipend
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Educational expenses covered
Eligibility: International women except U.S. citizens.
6. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
For students from developing countries who want to study development-related fields at top U.S. universities.
Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Monthly living stipend
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Round-trip airfare
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Health insurance
7. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
A fully funded fellowship for mid-career professionals to study for 10 months in the U.S.
Includes:
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Tuition fees
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Living allowances
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Travel costs
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Professional enrichment activities
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The Research Pathway: Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships.
For Master’s by Research and PhD Funding in the USA, the primary source of the monthly stipend and tuition coverage is not a single scholarship, but rather a contractual agreement with the university department.
A. Graduate Research Assistantships (RA)
- Mechanism: The student works under a professor on a specific research project, typically 10–20 hours per week.
- Value: In exchange for the work, the student receives a Tuition Waiver (full tuition coverage) and a Monthly Stipend (Tax-Free or Taxable) to cover living costs.
- Strategic Tip: RA positions are secured by direct communication with potential PhD supervisors. Mention specific faculty research that aligns with your expertise in your Statement of Purpose.
B. Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA)
- Mechanism: The student works for the department, assisting faculty with undergraduate labs, grading, or teaching introductory courses.
- Value: Similar to an RA, this typically includes a full tuition waiver and a competitive monthly stipend.
- Prestige Note: Programs in high-demand fields like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and business often provide a guaranteed full funding package (RA/TA) to all admitted PhD students, making them excellent targets.
C. Departmental and Presidential Fellowships
Many top-tier universities offer internal, merit-based Fellowships that provide the highest level of funding.
- Value: These fellowships are often “service-free,” meaning they offer the monthly stipend and full tuition without the need to work as a TA or RA for the first year.
- Example: University-wide presidential fellowships, specific college fellowships (e.g., College of Engineering Fellowships), and competitive school-specific grants.
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Strategic Application for Full Funding and F-1 Visa Success
The competition for fully funded spots is fierce. Your application must be exceptional and flawlessly executed.
- Academic Excellence is Non-Negotiable: A GPA equivalent to First Class Honours (or a 4.0/4.0 scale) and competitive standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS) are the minimum entry point.
- Supervisor Engagement (Graduate): For research-based funding (RA/RTP), proactive communication with potential faculty before applying is essential. A supervisor’s support is often the deciding factor in securing a departmental monthly stipend and tuition waiver.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Your SOP must demonstrate a clear alignment between your research interests, the professor’s work, and your future career goals. It must show why your skill set is worth the university’s substantial financial investment.
- The F-1 Visa Confirmation: Once you secure full tuition and a monthly stipend (the I-20 document), the visa application becomes significantly smoother. The I-20 officially lists your funding source, meeting the financial assurance requirement of the F-1 Student Visa with minimal personal documentation needed.
How to Apply for These Scholarships
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Prepare Required Documents
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Academic transcripts
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IELTS/TOEFL scores
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Personal Statement
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Letters of Recommendation
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Meet Academic and Language Requirements
Some scholarships require a high GPA and excellent English proficiency scores. -
Apply Early
Most full scholarships are highly competitive. Applying well in advance increases your chances. -
Highlight Leadership & Community Service
Many scholarship programs look for individuals who can create impact in their home countries.
Extra Tips to Boost Your Chances
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Apply to multiple scholarships — increase your chances.
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Network with past scholars through LinkedIn or forums.
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Attach a well-crafted personal statement — share your goals clearly and authentically.
Final Thoughts
Studying in the U.S. doesn’t need to be a financial burden. With these full scholarships that offer monthly stipends, you can focus on your education and personal growth without worrying about finances. These scholarships invest in your potential, education, and future — all while giving you the chance to experience life in one of the most diverse and innovative nations on Earth.
By focusing on these prestigious government and institutional awards, and understanding that graduate funding often relies on securing an RA/TA position, you position yourself on the fastest and most secure route to a fully funded academic career in the United States.