A fully funded master’s scholarship in the USA covers tuition fees, health insurance, accommodation expenses, travel allowances, and an average monthly stipend between USD 5,000 and USD 10,000. These benefits support the student’s needs while pursuing a master’s. Getting a full-funded master’s programme in the USA is like a dream come true, as the experience of studying abroad becomes a breeze.
This blog will explain some of the fully funded master’s programmes and scholarships in the USA for Indian students.
List Of Universities That Offer Fully Funded Masters Programmes In USA For Indian Students
US educational institutions are world-renowned, providing top-class education to international students seeking graduate studies. They attract students from all over the world not only because of their education but also because of an assured campus lifestyle that students always dream of. Below is the list of universities offering fully funded master’s programmes in the USA for Indian students:
| Indian Students Are Eligible To Apply For The Following Scholarships | |||
| University | Scholarship Name | Amount | Eligibility |
| University of Chicago | Stamps Scholarship | $5,400 to $75,000 annually | Strong academic records, leadership potential, exceptional character, all nationalities, merit-based, course-specific criteria |
| Duke University | Robertson Scholars Leadership Programme | Full tuition, room, board, and fees | Purposeful leadership, intellectual curiosity, strength of character, collaborative spirit, open to all nationalities |
| Vanderbilt University | Ingram Scholars Programme | Full tuition, stipend for summer projects | Academic excellence, community service commitment, and financial need demonstrated for need-based scholarships |
| Boston University | Trustee Scholarship | Full tuition plus additional fees | Exceptional academic credentials, creative and intellectual adventurousness, unique achievements, online application and essay |
| Emory University | Emory Scholars Programme | Full tuition, fees, and housing | Outstanding academic performance, demonstrated leadership, community service involvement |
| University of North Carolina | Morehead-Cain Scholars | Full tuition, fees, housing, stipend | High academic achievement, leadership, moral force of character, physical fitness, extracurricular involvement, nomination required |
| Tulane University | Paul Tulane Award | Full tuition | Outstanding academic records, leadership skills, community service involvement, separate scholarship application |
| Fordham University | Presidential Scholarship | Full tuition, room, and board | Exceptional academic achievements, leadership, community involvement, strong recommendations, separate application process |
| University of Pittsburgh | Chancellor’s Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room, and board | Superior academic performance, strong leadership, community service involvement, application through Honors College |
| University of California, various campuses | Stamps Scholarship | Tuition fees | Strong academic records, leadership potential, exceptional character, all nationalities, merit-based, course-specific criteria |
University Of Chicago – Stamps Scholarship
Whether you are interested in pursuing arts, humanities, physical, social, or biological sciences, the University of Chicago offers you a community and internationally recognised faculty. UChicago has partnered with the Stamps Scholars Programme, under which it provides fully funded master’s programmes in the USA. It is one of the universities offering full scholarships to international students. This scholarship provides students with many opportunities, including –
- Supporting their experiential learning opportunities
- Internships
- Research Projects
- Entrepreneurial endeavours
Eligibility Criteria
- The Stamps Scholarship Programme is one of the fully funded masters’ programmes USA offered by UChicago and is awarded to applicants with strong academic records.
- Since the programme is directed towards leadership, applicants must demonstrate their leadership potential.
- Applicants should have an exceptional character wishing to contribute to the world, and their work ethics should be able to turn their dreams into reality.
- Applicants from all nationalities wishing to study any master’s programme can apply with no exceptions and can go for this scholarship.
- Since this is a merit-based scholarship, proof of financial need must not be submitted.
- The other eligibility criteria for this programme vary depending on the type of course selected.
Benefits:
Scholars receive an annual $5,400 to $ 75,000 with additional funds for enrichment activities such as study abroad, academic conferences, and leadership training. Several other universities offer fully funded master’s programmes in the USA via the Stamps Scholarship, and they are:
- University of California
- Washington University
- University of Notre Dame
- California Institute of Technology
- University of Virginia
- University of Michigan
Duke University – Robertson Scholars Leadership Programme
Duke University offers the Robertson Scholars Leadership Programme, which intends to invest in young and potential leaders who wish to contribute positively to society. Through this scholarship, you can study in the US without worrying about your other expenses. With the help of this scholarship, you can now check out the different fully funded master’s programmes in the USA at Duke University.
Who Is Eligible?
This programme doesn’t differentiate students based on nationality, race, caste, colour, or gender. Students from all over the world are open to apply for this programme provided they exhibit the following traits:
- Purposeful Leadership
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Strength of Character and
- Collaborative Spirit
Benefits
This scholarship provides eight semesters of full tuition, room, board, and other mandatory fees. Students also have access to funding for three summer experiences and academic conferences throughout the year.
Vanderbilt University – Ingram Scholars Programme
The Vanderbilt University Board Of Trust offers fully funded master’s programmes in the USA via the Ingram Scholarship Programme for students wishing to study for a master’s or pursue a PhD in the US from Vanderbilt University. The programme supports students who are willing and able to combine a successful business or professional career with a lifelong commitment to solving critical problems of today’s modern society.
Ingram Scholars are expected to devote approximately twenty hours each month during the academic year and at least one of their summers to relevant community outreach and service projects.
Benefits
- Full tuition support will be provided for the remainder of the course.
- Stipend towards summer projects.
- Need-based Ingram scholarships are available to those who demonstrate financial need.
- Scholarships are renewable annually only if the applicant has secured a minimum of 3.0 GPA and continues to do so during their study.
Boston University – Trustee Scholarship
Image Source: Boston University Student Blog
Boston University attracts over 20 outstanding students yearly via the Trustee scholarship programme. Under this scholarship, students can study from various fully funded masters’ programmes USA provided they secure and maintain good grade points. Only those scholars can apply if they:
- Demonstrate exceptional academic credentials
- They are intellectually and creatively adventurous
- Demonstrate viewpoints, experiences, and achievements beyond the usual
- Submit the online application for admission to one of their programmes
- Submit the Trustee Scholarship essay
This scholarship covers total tuition fees plus additional fees.
Emory University – Emory Scholars Programme
Image Source: Emory University Facebook Page
The Emory Scholars Programme is a prestigious merit-based scholarship initiative offering full or partial tuition scholarships to outstanding incoming first-year students at Emory University. The programme includes the Robert W. Woodruff, Woodruff-Martin Luther King, and George W. Jenkins Scholarships.
Scholars are chosen based on their academic achievements, leadership skills, creativity, intellectual and personal vitality, and dedication to positively impacting society. Besides the scholarship, Emory Scholars benefit from specialised programming, mentoring, advising, organised activities, and connections with alumni and faculty.
Emory Scholars Programme Comprises Three Sub-programmes
- Emory College Woodruff Scholars: Provided by the Emory College of Arts and Sciences, offering full tuition, fees, room, and board scholarships.
- Oxford College Woodruff Scholars: Provided by Oxford College, offering full tuition and fees scholarships.
- Goizueta Scholars Programme: Provided by the Goizueta Business School, which guarantees admission to the business school, priority access to business classes, and personalised advising.
To be considered for the Emory Scholars Program, applicants must apply by November 15 yearly (November 1 for Early Decision I) and indicate their interest in merit scholarships on their application. Finalists are invited to an on-campus Scholars Finalists Visit in the spring, with final selections announced in early April.
Benefits:
- Full tuition coverage
- Fees and housing costs
- Additional enrichment funds for research, study abroad, and unpaid internships
Eligibility:
- Outstanding academic performance
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
- Strong involvement in community service
- Application through Emory’s regular admission process with additional scholarship application materials
University of North Carolina – Morehead-Cain Scholars
Image Source: University of North Carolina Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers the Morehead-Cain Scholars Programme. This prestigious merit-based scholarship programme covers almost every aspect of life at UNC, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, and four summer experiences. It is designed to identify and support exceptional students who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, and character.
Eligibility And Selection Process
To be eligible for the Morehead-Cain Scholars Programme, students must be high-performing students in North Carolina, and the selection process involves an extensive application review and participation in a Final Selection Experience assessed by members of the Morehead-Cain Central Selection Committee. The programme is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 3%.
Benefits and Opportunities
As a Morehead-Cain Scholar, students gain access to a network of peers and mentors, summer enrichment programming, advising, the Lovelace Fund for Discovery, funded study abroad, and a living stipend. The programme aims to empower scholars to set their potential free and shape their future through global experiences, research projects, and impactful internships.
History and Prestige
The Morehead-Cain Scholars Programme is one of the most prestigious merit scholarship programmes in the United States, founded in 1945 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is also the first public university in the country. The programme has been a model for countless other merit scholarships across the United States, including programmes at Duke University and Emory University.
Tulane University – Paul Tulane Award
Image Source: Tulane University Website
The Paul Tulane Award is a prestigious full-tuition scholarship offered by Tulane University to incoming first-time freshman applicants. It is one of Tulane’s signature merit-based scholarships, recognising the university’s most outstanding students across all academic areas.
Eligibility and Selection
To be eligible for the Paul Tulane Award, applicants must submit their admission application, supporting documents, and a scholarship application by the specified deadlines. Typical recipients rank in the top 5% of their class, have a rigorous academic programme with honours and AP courses, an outstanding record of extracurricular activities, and score near the top of the range in college admission tests.
The selection process is highly competitive. The Office of Undergraduate Admission selects recipients based on superior high school performance, extremely competitive test scores, and class rank. Finalists are notified in late February.
Benefits and Renewal
The Paul Tulane Award covers full tuition and is renewable for four years (five years for students pursuing a five-year professional programme in Architecture), provided the student maintains at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA and continuous primary undergraduate enrollment in a Newcomb-Tulane College school.
Students may not receive the Paul Tulane Award in combination with any other Tulane merit scholarship, ROTC scholarship, Faculty-Staff Tuition Waiver, or Tuition Exchange Scholarship. Still, they can combine it with a partial athletic scholarship. Recipients may also qualify for need-based aid.
The Paul Tulane Award is one of Tulane’s most prestigious scholarships. It recognises the university’s top applicants and provides them with the opportunity to pursue their academic goals at Tulane University.
Fordham University – Presidential Scholarship
Image Source: Britannica Website
The Presidential Scholarship at Fordham University is a highly esteemed merit-based scholarship given to incoming freshmen who rank in the top 1% of their class and have minimum SAT scores of 700 in both the verbal and math sections. This renewable scholarship covers full tuition and is awarded to outstanding students based on their academic accomplishments, test scores, and personal qualities. Recipients of the Presidential Scholarship are among the most gifted students at Fordham University, exemplifying the university’s dedication to fostering academic excellence and leadership.
Benefits:
- Full tuition coverage
- Room and board costs
- Additional funds for academic and extracurricular pursuits
Eligibility:
- Exceptional academic achievements
- Evidence of leadership and community involvement
- Strong letters of recommendation
- Separate application process in addition to the general university application
University of Pittsburgh – Chancellor’s Scholarship
Image Source: University of Pittsburgh Website
The University of Pittsburgh offers the Chancellor’s Scholarship, a prestigious merit-based award for incoming first-year students admitted to the Frederick Honors College. This highly competitive scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and average room and board for four years of undergraduate study.
Eligibility and Selection Process
To be eligible for the Chancellor’s Scholarship, students must:
- Meet the December 1 Frederick Honors College application deadline
- Be admitted to Frederick Honors College
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be an incoming first-year student
- Maintain full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus
The selection process involves an on-campus interview with the Chancellor’s director of advising and academic advisors. The interview pool is designed to fairly represent the incoming class in terms of educational background, residency, gender, and ethnic diversity. Approximately 15 students from the incoming class are selected as Chancellor’s Scholars each year.
Benefits and Renewal
The Chancellor’s Scholarship covers:
- Full tuition
- Mandatory fees
- Average room and board plan
- Guaranteed Frederick Honors College housing
To renew the scholarship annually, recipients must:
- Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Mode of Application For Fully Funded Masters Programmes In USA For Indian Students
The scholarship application process varies depending on the scholarship programme and the institution. However, many scholarships require applicants to apply online through the university or organisation’s scholarship portal or website.
- Applicants typically need to complete an application form and submit supporting documents, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and standardised test scores if applicable.
- Some scholarships may require additional materials like essays, portfolios, or interviews.
- Applicants must carefully review the specific requirements and deadlines for each scholarship they are applying for and ensure they provide all necessary information accurately and on time.
- Additionally, some scholarships may be automatically considered based on the information provided in the university application, while others may require a separate application process.
- To maximise their chances of success, students must thoroughly research each scholarship opportunity and follow the instructions provided by the scholarship provider.
Eligibility Criteria and Additional Requirements
The eligibility criteria and additional scholarship requirements vary depending on the specific scholarship programme and institution. However, standard eligibility criteria may include academic achievement, demonstrated leadership skills, involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and financial need.
- Proficiency in English demonstrated through language test scores.
- Open to applicants from all countries.
- Enrollment in or eligibility for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Programme (FRPL).
- Eligibility for or receipt of an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
- Participation in federal, state, or local programmes supporting low-income students (e.g., TRIO programmes like Upward Bound).
- Status as an orphan or ward of the state.
- Family income within the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Income Eligibility Guidelines.
- Residency in a foster home, federally subsidised public housing, or homelessness.
- Receipt of public assistance by the family.
- Submission of a supporting statement from a college access counsellor, school official, community leader, or financial aid officer.
Selection Process
Indian students willing to get a fully funded master’s programme in the USA must ensure they meet all the general eligibility criteria. The selection is, in most cases, based on a points system. The selection criteria for fully-funded master’s scholarships typically include points for:
- Proven academic achievement.
- Clear and realistic goals.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Innovative ideas for growth in the chosen field.
- Commitment to community service.
- A pledge to maintain a lifelong relationship with the sponsoring organisation or university post-graduation.
FAQs
1. Can I get a fully funded masters in the USA?
Yes, several universities in the USA offer fully funded masters programmes, such as the University of Chicago, Duke University, and Stanford University. These universities provide full tuition, living expenses, and other financial support for exceptional students.
2. How do I get a 100% scholarship for a master’s in the USA?
To get a 100% scholarship for a master’s programme in the USA, you need to apply for highly competitive merit-based scholarships like the Emory Scholars Programme, Morehead-Cain Scholars Programme, and the Paul Tulane Award. These scholarships cover full tuition and other expenses based on academic excellence and leadership.
3. Can I get funding for a master’s in the USA?
There are various funding options for master’s programmes in the USA, including full-tuition scholarships, research/teaching assistantships, and need-based financial aid, which can significantly reduce the cost of pursuing a master’s degree.
4. Can I do a masters in the USA for free?
It is possible to pursue a master’s degree in the USA for free, as some universities offer fully funded masters programmes that cover the entire cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses, such as the Chancellor’s Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh.
5. Is it easy to get a 100% scholarship in the USA?
Obtaining a 100% scholarship for a master’s programme in the USA is highly competitive. These scholarships are awarded to the most exceptional and talented students based on academic merit, leadership, and other criteria. The acceptance rates for these scholarships are typically low, making them challenging to secure.
6. What is the easiest fully funded scholarship?
No single “easiest” fully funded scholarship exists, as the competitiveness and requirements vary across different programmes. However, more accessible options may include university-specific scholarships, such as the University of Memphis Scholarship or the University of Minnesota Fellowship, which provide total funding for international students pursuing master’s degrees.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on Fully Funded Masters’ Programmes USA. If you need more assistance with studying abroad, here are some blogs that we think you will enjoy reading –
- The Key To Winning MBBS Scholarships In The USA
- MBA In The USA : All You Need To Know
- 61 Of The Most Interesting Facts About The USA
You can find many scholarships like the ones mentioned in this blog and more on the UniScholars website. Simply sign up for free today and start applying to your dream scholarships. If you need assistance with student accommodation and education loan, head over to UniAcco and UniCreds respectively, today.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further