Fully Funded Scholarship in USA

Scholarships in the USA cover tuition fees and living expenses and may also include travel costs and health insurance. Students can get a fully funded scholarship in USA through government programmes, prestigious university fellowships and need-based financial aid offered by universities. 

These scholarships are available for students who want to study after Class 12, complete a master's degree, or pursue a PhD. Some popular options include the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship, Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Berea College Scholarships, and university funding at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.

This article explains the top fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA, including their benefits, eligibility, application deadlines, required documents, and the application process.

 

Fully Funded Scholarships in USA After 12th

Students who pass their Class 12 exams are eligible to apply for undergraduate scholarships at US universities. Some universities offer free education, covering tuition charges, lodging costs, and various living expenses.

However, not all USA scholarships pay for all costs. Students should check whether the award covers only tuition or the full cost of studying and living in the country.

The following table includes some options for students looking for fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA after Class 12:

Scholarship name	Eligibility criteria	Coverage offered
Berea College Scholarships	Applied for undergraduate courses. Must submit an application and a 2-5-page essay.	Covers 100% tuition, housing, food, and college fees. Includes a work programme. A USD 2,200 (INR 2.09 lakh) deposit is required, with extra aid available if needed.
Harvard University Financial Aid	Admission is need-blind at Harvard University	Covers 100% of demonstrated financial need through financial aid.
Yale University Financial Aid	Undergraduate applicants at Yale University who submit financial aid and family income documents.	Covers 100% of demonstrated financial need through scholarships, without requiring student loans.
Princeton University Financial Aid	Undergraduate applicants at Princeton University who submit the financial aid application and family income documents.	Covers 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants.
Stanford University Financial Aid	Undergraduate students who request financial aid at Stanford University during admission and submit financial documents.	Covers financial need through need-based aid.

Also Read: Bachelors Scholarships for Studying in USA

Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for Masters Programs

Students who have completed their after completion of their bachelors degree will be eligible for many scholarships to pursue graduate study in USA. 

The Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowship and Knight-Hennessy Scholars are noteworthy scholarships for Indian students looking for a fully funded scholarship in USA.

Some awards are open to students from all countries, while others are specially designed for Indian students. Here is a list of popular fully funded masters scholarships in USA:

Scholarship name	Eligibility criteria	Coverage offered
Fulbright Scholarship	At least 55% in a bachelor's degree, 3 years of full-time work experience, leadership skills, and community service experience.	Covers tuition, living costs, return airfare, support for a J-1 visa for USA, and accident and sickness insurance. Dependants are not covered.
Knight-Hennessy Scholarship	Eligible full-time graduate programme at Stanford University. Selection is based on leadership, independent thinking and civic mindset.	Covers tuition, living and academic expenses, annual return airfare and a one-time relocation allowance for up to 3 years.
Rotary Peace Fellowships	A bachelors degree, leadership skills, and experience in peace and development.	Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, travel, internships and field-study costs.
AAUW International Fellowships for Women	Women with a bachelors degree equivalent to US degree, with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.	Receive USD 20,000 (approximately ₹18.98 lakh).

Have a look at some more scholarships for MS in USA 

Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for Doctoral Programs

University fellowships, research funds, and graduate assistantships are available for students interested in the PhD program. Many US universities provide funding to admitted PhD students in the form of tuition fee waivers, monthly stipends, and health insurance.

The following table includes some of the best options for students looking for fully funded PhD scholarships in USA:

Scholarship / University funding	Eligibility criteria	Coverage offered
Harvard PhD Funding	Eligible for the Harvard University Griffin GSAS PhD programmes; must be enrolled in a programme and be progressing well.	Funds tuition, health insurance, and living expenses via grants, stipends, research assistantships, and teaching fellowships.
Yale University PhD Funding	Yale University GSAS PhD programmes for students who stay academically up to date.	Full tuition (USD 52,400 or ₹49.76 lakh), average transportation (USD 52,046 or ₹49.40 lakh), a minimum stipend for 12 months, and health insurance for at least 5 years.
Princeton University PhD Funding	Princeton University PhD programmes that are eligible for the Princeton program during the typical enrolment cycle.	Includes meeting all tuition expenses, student health insurance, and complete living allowance in the form of fellowships, teaching and/or research assistantships and external awards.
MIT Graduate Fellowships	Students are accepted into an eligible doctoral program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).	Provides full tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend or salary via fellowships or research and teaching assignments.
Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars	PhDs and other full-time graduate programmes at Stanford and attend separately from Knight-Hennessy.	Provides tuition, ancillary fees, living and academic expenses and annual travel support for up to three years.

Suggested Read: Fully Funded PhD Programs in USA

Application Deadlines for Fully Funded Scholarships in USA

Scholarship deadlines in USA vary based on the university, course, scholarship provider, and academic intake. Some scholarships may require applications before the course begins.

Students planning their applications for the academic year 2027-28 should begin the process of going through official scholarship websites. Some important dates and application timelines are included in the following table: 

Fully Funded Scholarship in USA	Application deadline for 2027-28
Berea College Scholarships	30 November 2026
Harvard University Financial Aid	1 February 2027
Yale University Financial Aid	1 December 2026 (Early Action); 15 February 2027 (Regular Decision)
Princeton University Financial Aid	1 February 2027
Stanford University Financial Aid	15 November 2026 (Restrictive Early Action)

If you want to know about institutions to study in USA, then check out:

• Universities in USA
• Best Universities for Masters in USA for Indian students
• Most Affordable Universities in US with Low Tuition Fees

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in USA?

The application process is smoother when students know what needs to be done and prepare their applications in good time. If you are interested in getting a fully funded scholarship in USA, here are the steps:

Step 1: Choose your course and university

First of all, choose a course which is identical to your earlier academic background, interests and career goals. Review the universities where the course is offered and select universities that have a good funding recommendation.

Step 2: Find suitable scholarships

Search for scholarships provided by universities, government, and private sources. Do check if the scholarship is provided for Indian students.

Step 3: Double-check the eligibility conditions

Please read and adhere to the scholarship rules published on the scholarship page. Look at academic history, previous experience, English language proficiency, financial criteria, and other factors.

Step 4: Secure your documents

Gather college transcripts, degrees, letters of recommendation, CV, and SOP. A research proposal might also be a requirement for PhD applicants.

Step 5: Apply to university admission

Fill out the university application and submit required paperwork by the application deadline. Certain scholarships require that admission offers be received before receiving your scholarship.

Step 6: Application for scholarship is submitted

Fill out the scholarship application form on the official website. There are some universities that automatically accept students for a scholarship.

Step 7: To attend interviews/selection rounds

A few scholarship providers have personal interviews, tests, or other selection processes. Be ready to express your academic accomplishments and career goals, and the decisions you made in selecting the course.

Step 8: Take up the scholarship and enrol

Once you receive an offer for a scholarship, carefully read the offer. Review the amount, payment structure, and funding terms. Accept the offer and go through the university registration and process of student visa for USA. 

Understand how you can study in USA for free

Documents Required for Fully Funded Scholarships in USA

The documents required for a scholarship depend on the university, course, and scholarship provider. Documentation needs may differ for undergraduate, masters, and PhD students.

For some scholarships, financial need is important, and for other scholarships, it's more about academic performance/work done/research interests.

Common documents required include:

• Valid passport
• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates (for undergraduate applicants)
• Bachelor's degree mark sheets and certificates (for master's applicants)
• Bachelor's and master's degree transcripts and certificates (for PhD applicants)
• English language test scores, such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, if required
• SAT or ACT scores, if required by the university
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or personal essay (read SOP format for detailed guidance)
• Letters of Recommendation (check out the correct LOR format)
• Updated CV or academic resume
• Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
• Work experience certificates, if required
• Proof of family income and financial documents, if required
• Academic publications or research papers, if applicable
• Portfolio, if required for the selected course
• University admission letter, if required
• Certified English translations of documents, if needed

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Fully Funded Scholarship in USA

Securing a scholarship to attend college is challenging because it's highly competitive process. However, good preparation can help students submit a stronger application.

If a student is thinking about applying for a scholarship in USA, here are some things they need to remember:

• Examples of leadership: What you did, who you helped, what changed because of your work.
• Ask about assistantships: Check with the department whether there are research/teaching assistantships available for masters students to work for a salary.
• Choose good referees: Ask teachers from your college, professors, or employers to know you and what you're good at.
• Show your success: Let them see what academic rewards they have earned, the internships they've had, their work and leadership experience, their research presentation, and their community involvement.
• Study for English exams: If your university or scholarship requires it, you can choose to study in an IELTS exam, TOEFL or any other exam that is accepted. 

Conclusion

To study at the best institutes in the USA you may avail yourself of a fully funded scholarship in USA. Scholarship amounts may range from monetary grants to pay tuition, cost of living, health insurance, accommodation, travel and the costs of living.

Students can explore different options after Class 12, after completing a bachelors degree, or before starting a PhD. Undergraduate students can check financial aid at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, while master's students can explore the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship and Knight-Hennessy Scholars. Students planning a PhD can also check funding opportunities at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT.

With respect to Indian students' application and eligibility norms, it is essential to evaluate students' eligibility, available funds, date of application, and other conditions in advance.  

If you need help comparing universities, finding suitable scholarships or planning your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts today!