Top Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students: Value, Eligibility & More
May 03, 2024
The United States has always been a top choice for international students when it comes to studying abroad. It also includes many Indian students. Numerically speaking, there was a staggering increase of 35% in the number of Indian students who moved to the USA for the academic year 2022-23 and these figures are anticipated to skyrocket further.
Ever wondered why Indian students love studying in the United States? Well, it offers a higher education system like no other. With top-ranked universities, specialised course options, great research prospects and career opportunities, studying here is a transformative experience for many students.
When it comes to the financial aspect of pursuing higher education in the USA the numbers can be overwhelming and heavy on the pockets. This is where scholarships become invaluable financial assistance for Indian students.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll discuss some of the top scholarships for Indian students in USA. Each scholarship offers its own set of benefits and requirements, so without any further delay, let’s jump into the details.
Table of Content
- Popular Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA
- Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships 2025-2026
- TATA Scholarship for Cornell University
- National Overseas Scholarships
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
- Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
Popular Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships 2025-2026
Scholarship Award & Value: Fully-funded Scholarship. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and round-trip airfare to the USA.
Eligible Degrees: Masters.
Application Deadline: 15th May 2024.
Description: The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships specifically target outstanding Indian students and professionals, offering them the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the USA with a scholarship. Recipients of the fellowship become part of a prestigious alumni network and are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries upon completion of their studies.
2. TATA Scholarship for Cornell University
Scholarship Award & Value: The scholarship covers full tuition fees for up to four years of study.
Eligible Degrees: The scholarship is available for undergraduate degrees across all disciplines offered at Cornell University
Application Deadline: The application deadline for the TATA Scholarship coincides with the regular admission application deadlines for Cornell University. Check the university's website for specific dates and requirements.
Description: Established through a generous endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust, this scholarship aims to make Cornell University more accessible to bright and deserving students from India. At present, there are approximately 20 awards available for every academic intake.
3. National Overseas Scholarships
Scholarship Award & Value: It offers full funding covering the aspects and cost to study in USA like tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Eligible Degrees: The scholarship is available for Master’s and Ph.D. programs in all fields of study offered by recognized universities in the USA.
Application Deadline: The applications for 2025 intakes are expected to open shortly.
Description: The National Overseas Scholarships aim to empower students from economically weaker sections of society by providing them with access to quality education abroad including the USA. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to return to India upon completion of their studies and contribute to the nation's development.
4. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Scholarship Award & Value: Up to US$ 150,000. The fellowship covers tuition and associated fees for the two-year MBA program.
Eligible Degrees: The fellowship is available for the Stanford MBA program, a highly competitive and prestigious graduate business program.
Application Deadline: The deadline for this Fellowship aligns with the admission deadlines for the Stanford MBA program.
Description: The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to outstanding Indian students admitted to the Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA program. This scholarship is highly competitive and only 5 awards are offered in every academic year.
5. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
Scholarship Award & Value: Up to US$ 100,000. These scholarships in USA cover tuition fees, living expenses, and one-way travel expenses to the USA.
Eligible Degrees: The scholarship is open to students applying for Master’s or Ph.D. programs in various fields, including Sciences, Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Sciences, and more.
Application Deadline: The applications for 2025 intakes are expected to open shortly.
Description: Established in 1976, the Inlaks Foundation aims to identify and support exceptional talent in various fields of study for many study destinations including the USA. The Inlaks Scholarships enable Indian students to access world-class education at leading institutions in the USA.
Summing up this article, these are the top scholarship picks that you must know about if you are planning to study in the US for the upcoming academic year. As you already know that getting a scholarship can significantly ease the financial burden associated with pursuing higher education abroad. So, make the most of the scholarships highlighted in this article and thoroughly research for each scholarship program, understand the eligibility criteria and adhere to application deadlines.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, there are many university-specific scholarships available as well. So, take proactive steps and apply for suitable scholarships. We at KC Overseas Education, not only assist you in shortlisting universities, and the application process but also guide you for scholarships and student visas. So, visit any of our offices to reach out to our team of experts. We have a massive presence in 11 countries across India, South & Southeast Asia, and Africa. Regardless of your place of residence, you will find a KC office nearby in big cities as well as small towns. So, be it study in USA Consultants in Aurangabad or Amravati, we’re here to turn your dreams of studying in the USA into reality.
Connect with our team today and pave the way for a brighter future filled with endless possibilities in the USA!