Top Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA 2024: Know Eligibility and Scholarship Details

There are multiple benefits of pursuing higher education in the USA for Indian students besides the high education standards. However, students have to plan their finances well, and the costs of studying abroad include tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, air ticket fees, and more. Luckily, applying for top scholarships for Indian students in the USA will offer financial relief to offset some or even most of the costs.

This blog takes a look at the best US scholarships for Indian students. It also covers eligibility criteria, important notes, and how to get scholarships in the USA for Indian students.

Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA

Studying abroad provides Indian students with an exciting opportunity to look forward to. However, sometimes, the financial requirements of studying abroad can be intimidating.

Indian students don’t have to worry about it too much as financial help is available through scholarships. Here is a look at some of the best Indian scholarships for students to study abroad and make overseas education more accessible.

Do you want to know all the Scholarship options available?

Check out the Top 15 Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad

1. Tata Cornell Scholarship for Indian Students in USA

The Tata Education and Development Trust initiated this scholarship program. This is one of the top scholarships for Indian students looking to study at Cornell University in the USA.

This scholarship is set aside for 20 students each year. The financial aid is provided yearly and will cover up to 8 semesters. It is available to Indian students pursuing undergraduate courses at Cornell University.

Eligibility Criteria for the Tata Cornell Scholarship

• Students must be an Indian citizen and have attended secondary school in India
• Must be admitted to Cornell University as an undergraduate student
• Qualify for need-based financial aid

Important Notes

This scholarship program gives first preference to students admitted to the following programs:

• College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
• College of Engineering
• Applied Economics & Management Major from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business 
• Other Majors across colleges in Biological sciences, Physical sciences, and other sciences, including Social sciences

How to Apply

1. Complete the Cornell University admission application  
2. Apply for financial aid through the website application

2. Inlaks Scholarships

This scholarship is available to Indian students studying a Master’s or PhD program in the USA. This scholarship is able to cover tuition fees, living expenses, or even the one-way air ticket fee.

The Inlaks scholarship is one of the most popular Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA. The number of students who receive this scholarship varies but the financial commitment per student is 83 Lakh per student.

Eligibility Criteria for the Inlaks Scholarships

• Students need to be an Indian passport holder and Indian resident at the time of applying.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university is mandatory 
• Students who have studied Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Law, and Architecture require a score of 65% or 6.8 CGPA
• Students who have studied Sciences, Mathematics, and Environment require a score of 70% or 7.2 CGPA

Important Notes

• This is one of the best international scholarships for Indian students, so students completing their undergraduate degree internationally are not eligible 
• Scholarships won’t be awarded to the following disciplines: Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Fashion Design, Medicine, Public Health, Music and Film Animation.

How to Apply

1. Applying for this scholarship includes two stages: a preliminary round and, if applicable, a final round.
2. Documents necessary are Letters of Recommendation, resume, and extra-curricular activity certificates.
3. An external application form is required.
4. Evidence of admission to a university and course, along with the financial requirements for the course.

3. Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships

The Rotary is an international network who are committed to taking up sustainable projects to tackle global issues. The organisation operates in many countries, including India. This makes it one of the best international scholarships for Indian students to study abroad.

The scholarships can last anywhere between 1 year and 4 years.

Eligibility Criteria for the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship

• Candidate must be a citizen of one of the countries the Rotary operates in. 
• It is necessary to have work experience in any of the following: Government, Diplomacy, Policymaking, NGO, Economic Development, Research and Development, Advocacy and Activism, Leadership, Media and Arts, Law Enforcement/Military, or Public Health.  
• Students must be planning to study a field that connects with the Rotary’s goals. This includes promoting peace, fighting disease, promoting education, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. 
• At least 2 years of college or the equivalent is mandatory.
• Candidates have to submit their applications through a Rotary club.

Important Notes

• Active and former Rotary members and employees are not eligible for the scholarship.

How to Apply

1. Students must check their eligibility first
2. Submit the application to a club.
3. Candidates must then create a Rotary Account and complete a profile in the Grant Center.
4. Provide proof of admission while applying.

4. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

This scholarship program is a partnership between the Reliance Group and Stanford Graduate School of Business. This is one of the top scholarships for Indian students in the USA that is awarded to 5 students a year for students looking to study a two-year program in Business.

The financial commitment is approximately $140,000 per fellow for both years of education.

Eligibility Criteria for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

• Students with good academic records but no financial support 
• This scholarship is only available for Indian students looking to study MBA (a 2-year program)
• The students must apply to Stanford University for the MBA program

Wondering why the USA is a top destination for MBA students? Here are the benefits of studying MBA in the USA for Indian students.

Important Notes

• Students must commit to return to India after completion of their MBA program.

How to Apply

1. Students will have to submit an application along with the required documents.
2. Students should expect an interview as well.

5. Fulbright – Nehru Fellowships

The Fulbright – Nehru Fellowship is a scholarship awarded to bright Indian students with great leadership and are highly motivated. This is one of the top scholarships for Indian students in the USA as it covers air tickets, tuition, living expenses, and accident/health coverage.

Eligibility Criteria for the Fulbright – Nehru Fellowship

• Must possess an academic degree equivalent to a US Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university with a minimum of 55%
• Three years of full-time work experience relevant to the field of study is mandatory. 
• Students must have leadership qualities and have had community service experience.
• Scholarships can be provided for the following fields: Economics, Environmental Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, International Legal Studies, Journalism and Mass Communications, Public Administration, Public Health, Urban and Regional Planning, and Women’s/Gender Studies.

Important Notes

• Students holding a US degree are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to Apply

1. Application must be submitted online along with all the required documents.
2. Short-listed applicants will be interviewed.

6. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

This particular scholarship opportunity is available to Indian students looking to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. program in the USA. It offers students an opportunity to study in the USA and develop skills to address pressing issues around the world.

This is one of the US scholarships for Indian students, covering important costs such as tuition fees and living expenses.

Eligibility Criteria for the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

• The student should be a citizen of India.
• A bachelor’s degree is mandatory.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional and full-time work experience is required.
• Experience in leadership roles or community service is a must.

Important Notes

• Candidates must be English proficient.
• Students must be able to show their 5 years of work experience.

How to Apply

• Students must submit their application to the US Embassy.
• Along with the filled application, students must also submit two letters of recommendation, one being from their current employer. Original Transcripts in English also need to be submitted with the application.

Best International Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA

A variety of universities in the USA offer scholarships or financial aid to international students. Indian students can look to these universities to experience a quality education while also receiving cost savings.

Choosing The WorldGrad can offer students the following Scholarships.

1. State University Of New York Plattsburgh – Annual scholarship ($10,000 for all 3 years)
2. University Of Missouri – Annual scholarship ($17,256 for all 3 years)
3. Indiana Institute Of Technology – Annual scholarship ($1,000 for all 3 years)
4. Concordia University Chicago – Annual scholarship ($6,000 for all 3 years)
5. Tiffin University – UG courses ($14,000 for all 3 years), PG courses ($4,000 off on-campus tuition fees)
6. University Of The Incarnate Word – Annual scholarship ($17.447 for all 3 years)
7. Mckendree University – Annual scholarship ($15,510 for all 3 years)
8. Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles – Annual scholarship ($19,000 for all 3 years)
9. Fisher College – Annual scholarship ($21,500 for all 3 years)
10. University Of Lynchburg – Annual scholarship ($27,000 for all 3 years)
11. Lander University – Annual scholarship ($12,000 for all 3 years)

Have you picked a US university from the list above but don’t know what course to study? This will help: Best Courses to Study in USA – Check the Complete List.

How to Get Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students?

Scholarships are a great boost for students who are under financial pressure. Even if they do not cover the full course they can cut down the tuition costs. Alternatively, they can help manage the living expenses of studying abroad.

Here are the steps Indian students can take to inch closer to scholarships for Indian students in the USA.

1. Research
Research is essential to understand if a scholarship is available for your course and university choice. Also, this phase will enable students to get not just any but the best Indian scholarships for students to study abroad. Start this process a lot in advance to ensure you know the deadlines and the application window.

2. Ensure Eligibility and Collect Documents
Students must carefully check all the other details besides the deadline and application submission dates. This includes all eligibility and ineligibility points and the list of documents required to get the top scholarships for Indian students. Some requirements will even require students to write additional exams like IELTS, SAT, or GMAT.

3. Start the Application Process
Students can start the application process once all the documents are on hand. This includes filling up forms accurately. Students should spend extra time on this and other requirements that require honest responses.

4. Wait for a Reply
After applying to the top scholarships for Indian students, check the status if possible. If not possible, they should be patient and wait for a response.

Students may receive a response detailing the next phase of the application. This could be for a physical interview or another requirement.

Need a detailed idea about how to obtain a scholarship?
Download our Guide to Securing a Scholarship to Study in the USA.

The WorldGrad’s US Scholarships for Indian Students

The WorldGrad makes studying in the USA accessible for all students using these two Scholarship programs. Each of these Scholarships is unique and has different eligibility criteria. Each one offers students benefits and offers an opportunity for immense cost savings.

1. SmartGrad Scholarship
This Scholarship covers 20% of tuition fees and is an exclusive scholarship awarded to 22 students upon admission to All American Undergraduate Program and All American Graduate Program.

• Students pursuing Undergraduate courses require 75% (or above) for Class 12 or 80% for State Boards.
• Students pursuing Graduate courses require 75% (or above) in their undergraduate course without backlogs.

2. Director’s Merit Scholarship
The WorldGrad students who have ranked at the top of their Smart Program have a chance of availing the Director’s Merit Scholarship. This scholarship is valued at Rs 50,000 and is given to 22 students.

• All American Graduate Program students require a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above for all subjects.

The WorldGrad students get multiple other additional benefits, these include:

• Gain access to top Scholarships for Indian students for cost-savings.
• Benefit from 6 intakes (January, March, May, July, August, and October), allowing students to pick as per preference and start their education without delays.
• Accelerated learning as students can earn up to 9 credits in just 2-3 months.
• Our students experience a 2X higher visa success rate.

After looking at the Scholarship options, do you know the benefits of studying Master’s in the USA for Indian students?

Conclusion

The opportunity to study abroad in the USA can change an Indian student’s life forever. However, the opportunity is not considered for many students due to financial difficulties. This doesn’t have to be the case anymore due to the availability of scholarships for Indian students in the USA.

A range of costs such as tuition, living costs, healthcare, and air ticket costs can be covered through top scholarships for Indian students in the USA. Students should research, submit the form and documents, and ensure deadlines are met to obtain a scholarship and start studying in the USA.

FAQs

Q.1 What are the top scholarships for Indian students?
A.1 The best US scholarships for Indian students are the Tata Cornell Scholarship, Inlaks Scholarships, Rotary International Scholarships, Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, and the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship.

Q.2 How much percentage is required for a scholarship in the USA?
A.2 Scholarships for Indian students in the USA will have different score requirements. These could range from 60% to above 90% based on many factors.

Q.3 Does the USA provide scholarships to Indian students?
A.3 Yes, there are some scholarships granted by universities to Indian students studying in the USA. Some of the best international scholarships for Indian students are available to well-performing students who are not financially capable.

Q.4 What types of scholarships does The WorldGrad provide?
A.4 The WorldGrad offers 3 types of scholarships: SmartGrad Scholarship, Director’s Merit Award, and Overseas University Scholarship.

Q.5 Can top scholarships for Indian students cover living expenses?
A.5 Yes, certain scholarships can cover a range of expenses. This can include living expenses, air ticket costs, and even healthcare. Students will have to clarify scholarship coverage on the official website of the scholarship program.