Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in USA

Want to study in USA with a fully funded scholarship? Check out the list of fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA, how to apply and tips to be eligible to get them in this article.

If you are planning to study in USA soon you need to understand that it can be costly. But if you are serious and wish to study at a US university then you can look for fully funded scholarships. Fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA are limited but are available through the government, US universities or third party sources.

Fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA cover all major expenses. They either cover the costs for the first year or all years of study. These scholarships can be merit or need-based. Scholarships in US can be applied for during admission application or through FAFSA application if you have a social security number. 

There are various benefits of studying with a scholarship in US which is entirely funded. Even when getting a scholarship in US for studying is hard to get. We have discussed everything about fully funded scholarships in US here for Indian students. 

What are Fully Funded Scholarships in USA?

Fully funded scholarships in USA are financial aid which covers all costs from studying to living. These are usually not supposed to be paid back. Fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA are available at universities.

What is Covered in Fully Funded Scholarships in USA?

These expenses are covered if you get fully funded scholarship in USA:

• Cost of tuition
• Cost of living
• Stipend
• Airfare or travel insurance

It may also cover:

• One way or two way airfare a year (may vary)
• Cost of books
• Laptop
• Health insurance

Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in US

Some of the most prestigious scholarships that are fully funded in US for Indian are:

1. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)
2. Need-Based Scholarships at Harvard University
3. Yale Universty Need Blind Scholarship
4. Need Blind Scholarship at MIT
5. AAUW Fellowship
6. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

All these scholarships are divided into different types and categories. Their eligibility and application process will also vary.

Types of Fully Funded Scholarships in USA

Different types of fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA are as follows:

Types of Fully Funded Scholarships in USA	Description
Government-Funded Programs	Funded by the US government to foster educational exchange and leadership potential. These are merit-based and highly prestigious.
Need-Based Aid	Offered by select universities (e.g., Ivy League) to cover 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need, regardless of nationality.
Private/Organisational Fellowships	Provided by non-profit organisations and foundations, sometimes with specific criteria such as gender, field of study, or country of origin.

Let us discuss them in detail below.

US Government Offered Fully Funded Scholarships

Check out some of the government funded scholarships (fully) in US:

1. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)

The Fulbright Scholarship in USA is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs for Indian students. It is fully funded, covering tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, health insurance, and accident coverage to support American education.

How to Apply	Apply online through United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) website
Application Fee	Free
Eligibility - Academic	Bachelor's degree (Master's programs) or Master's degree (Doctoral programs) with excellent academic record Must have applied to or received admission from US universities Minimum 3 years of work experience for some programs (Master's Fellowship) Strong academic background with good grades
Eligibility - Citizenship	Indian citizens residing in India at the time of application
Program Duration	Master's programs: Up to 2 years | Doctoral research: 6-9 months
Number of Awards	200+ fellowships granted annually

This is the most popular fully funded scholarship in US for US citizens and international students.

Fully Funded Scholarships from Universities Meeting Full Need

Many US universities offer financial aids that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students. 

1. Harvard University: 

If you are applying at Harvard University and you have a need for funding then you may be awarded one. Harvard offers 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, international included, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How to Apply	Submit all required financial aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile, IDOC Packet) after gaining admission to Harvard University.
Application Fee	A fee is associated with the CSS Profile application, but Harvard provides waivers in certain circumstances. The FAFSA is free to file.
Eligibility - Academic	Must meet Harvard's standard academic requirements for admission to your chosen program (undergraduate or graduate).
Eligibility - Citizenship	Need-blind admissions and full financial aid coverage apply to all students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students).
Program Duration	Varies by program (e.g., 4 years for undergraduate bachelor's degree; duration varies for graduate programs). Full funding covers the entire enrolled period.
Type of Award	Need-based grants and scholarships (not loans) that cover 100% of demonstrated need.
Number of Awards	No specific number.

If you are academically brilliant and you need scholarship to fund your education, Harvard will give it you if your profile is competitive enough.

2. Yale University: 

Yale University has a need-blind admissions policy for all applicants, including international students, and commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. This means that if a student is admitted, Yale ensures all their financial need is met through a combination of grants (which do not need to be repaid) and a small student effort (from a summer job or on-campus work-study), effectively providing a fully funded opportunity for those who qualify.

Offers significant need-based aid, covering tuition, housing, and other fees.

How to Apply	Financial aid application forms must be submitted along with your admission application forms. This includes the CSS Profile and, for U.S. citizens/permanent residents, the FAFSA.
Application Fee	A fee is required for the CSS Profile, but low-income families can apply for a waiver. The FAFSA is free.
Eligibility - Academic	Must meet Yale's rigorous academic standards for admission to your chosen undergraduate or graduate program. No specific GPA is required for the need-based aid itself.
Eligibility - Citizenship	Open to all students (domestic and international). Yale's policy is need-blind for all applicants, so citizenship does not impact the decision.
Program Duration	Funding is typically available for the entire program duration (e.g., four years for an undergraduate degree), provided the student continues to demonstrate need and makes satisfactory academic progress.
Type of Award	Primarily need-based grants (gift aid that does not require repayment). No loans are included in the standard aid package.
Number of Awards	Unlimited
Income Threshold	Families with an annual income below $75,000 (with typical assets) generally have a median net cost of $0 and pay nothing for tuition, room, and board.

This is another top US university offering need blind scholarships for international students. Though there is tough competition for Yale admissions, there is an equally greater competition for getting scholarship.

3. MIT:

Need blind scholarships are offered at MIT. Those who meet the criteria get 100% of the financial need. It is applicable for all admitted undergraduate students, including international applicants at MIT. This is done through grants and scholarships that do not require repayment, effectively providing a fully funded opportunity for eligible students. It is among some of the top need blind universities in USA.

How to Apply	Apply for financial aid by submitting the CSS Profile (for all students) and the FAFSA (for U.S. citizens/permanent residents).
Application Fee	A fee is associated with the CSS Profile, but FAFSA is free.
Eligibility - Academic	Must be admitted to an undergraduate program at MIT. Aid is based on need, not academic merit.
Eligibility - Citizenship	Open to all student types, with need-blind admissions for all applicants.
Program Duration	Funding is available for the entire undergraduate program (typically 4 years), provided the student reapplies each year and maintains satisfactory academic progress.
Type of Award	Need-based MIT Scholarships (grants) and other grants. MIT has a "no-loan" policy for most students and aims to have graduates be debt-free.
Number of Awards	No cap
Income Threshold	For the 2025-2026 academic year, families with total incomes below $100,000 (with typical assets) are expected to have a $0 parent contribution. Students from families with incomes up to $200,000 attend tuition-free.

Apart from these universities, there are other Ivy League schools like Dartmouth, Princeton and Brown University that offer need based scholarships. There are also scholarships like Duke Krash Scholars Program Scholarship are also fully funded offered at Duke University.

Externally Offered Fully Funded Scholarships in US

Apart from these, there are also externally but completely funded scholarships in USA. 

1. AAUW International Fellowships

These are merit based fully funded scholarships in USA for women applying for admission to US universities. AAUW Fellowship is for graduate applicants applying for admission with a promise that they will return to their home country after graduating. Get more details below:  

How to Apply	AAUW Fellowships & Grants Application Portal
Application Fee	The application may require a fee, as specified in the application portal; waivers are not explicitly mentioned as a general policy.
Eligibility - Academic	Must hold an academic degree equivalent to a US bachelor's degree by the application deadline. Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale Must be enrolled in, or admitted to, a full-time master's, doctoral, or postdoctoral program at an accredited U.S. institution. TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5
Eligibility - Citizenship	Must be a woman who is not a US citizen or permanent resident, and intends to return to her home country upon completion of the degree to pursue a professional career.
Program Duration	The fellowship is awarded for one full academic year (typically July 1 to June 30). A limited number of master's fellowships are renewable for a second year.
Number of Awards	Varies annually based on funding. A limited number of awards are available, generally around 5 renewable master's awards, with total numbers depending on funding.

2. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree fellowship for experienced professionals from designated countries, including India, who seek to enhance their leadership skills through a year of academic study and professional development in the United States. It is fully funded, covering all tuition and fees, a monthly maintenance allowance for living expenses, health insurance, round-trip international air travel, and allowances for books and professional activities.

How to Apply	Through USIEF website
Application Fee	Free
Eligibility - Academic	Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong academic background TOEFL / IELTS scores may be needed
Eligibility - Citizenship	Indian citizens residing in India at the time of application
Program Duration	10 months (non-degree program) Typically runs from August/September to June
Number of Awards	Approximately 15-20 fellowships awarded to Indian professionals annually

These were some of the most popular fully funded scholarships for Indian students in USA. You can research for more on Education USA website before you begin your admission applications.

Tips to Get Fully Funded Scholarships in USA from India

If you want to cut down your cost of studying in USA also to an extent your cost of living in USA too you should plan ahead. Before applying for a fully funded scholarship you should:

• Check if you are eligible for admission and then if you can apply for the scholarship.
• Shortlist universities in US offering financial aid first and then look for those offering fully funded scholarships.
• You must submit applications before the last deadline dates. Keep buffer for changes or submission of extra documents if requested.
• Understand that you should begin shortlisting those colleges in advance so that you do not miss any opportunity.
• Keep a checklist and apply for those fully funded scholarships where you feel your application is competitive enough.

While there may be a plethora of options for various types of scholarships, choose only those that will be beneficial for you in the long run. Adhere to all terms and conditions. Avoid giving any misinformation.