Outside scholarships for international graduate students do exist, but they're few and competitive, and most come with conditions tied to your nationality, field or career stage. For most international master's and PhD students, the largest source of money is the university itself. This guide covers where graduate funding really comes from, then lists named programs whose official pages we checked on October 22, 2026.
First: federal aid isn't an option
Students in the U.S. on an F-1 or M-1 student visa, or a J-1 exchange visitor visa, aren't eligible for U.S. federal student aid, so there are no federal loans or grants to fall back on (Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for non-U.S. citizens). Your funding plan has to come from the university, outside sponsors, your home country and your own resources.
Where most graduate funding comes from
- Assistantships. Teaching and research assistantships are jobs in your department, often paired with a tuition waiver and a stipend. They're especially common in PhD programs.
- University and departmental fellowships. These are awarded through admission, often with no separate application.
- Outside fellowships and scholarships, like the ones below. Many are tied to a specific country or field.
Terms vary widely by school and program, so ask each department directly what a typical funding package looks like for international students. Our graduate funding guide explains each type, and the research and internships page lists paid research roles. Note that many U.S. government research programs there are open only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Each listing shows who can apply.
Named programs checked today
Every program below is listed on Scholastic Leaders, and we read its official page on October 22, 2026. Cycles open and close every year, so confirm the current dates on the official page before you plan around one.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Run by the U.S. Department of State and administered by IIE, it lets graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad study and do research in the United States. It operates in more than 160 countries, and about 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. You apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country, and deadlines are set country by country (Fulbright Foreign Student Program).
AAUW International Fellowships
These are for women who aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who are pursuing a first master's or doctoral degree full time in a STEM field at an accredited U.S. institution. A minimum 3.5 GPA is required. The stipend is $20,000 for a master's and $25,000 for a doctorate. The 2027–28 cycle closed on September 17, 2026 (AAUW International Fellowships). AAUW notes the stipend is taxable, with 14% withheld for F and J visa holders unless a tax treaty sets a different rate.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)
This program is open to applicants to any full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and you apply to both the program and Knight-Hennessy separately. For up to three years, scholars receive a fellowship applied to tuition and fees, a living stipend, and a travel stipend for one annual trip (Knight-Hennessy Scholars: Funding). The deadline for the current cycle was October 6, 2026 (Application deadlines), so use the next cycle if you're planning ahead.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This is a non-degree year in the U.S. for mid-career professionals, funded by the U.S. Department of State. Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country, hold a bachelor's degree, have at least five years of full-time professional experience, and have English ability. You apply through the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your country, and deadlines vary by country (Humphrey Fellowship: Eligibility).
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
The World Bank offers this program for nationals of eligible developing countries, plus a separate track for Japanese nationals. It's for development-related master's programs on the program's participating list. The 2027 application windows have been announced on the official page (World Bank scholarships). Check the participating programs list to see whether any U.S. program you're considering is on it.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
This program is for postgraduate students from selected countries who show genuine financial need and are entering the first year of a postgraduate program. Awards are half grant and half loan, and a guarantor must co-sign the award agreement. The 2026–27 cycle is closed, and the next opens in early 2027 (Aga Khan Foundation ISP).
Kosciuszko Foundation Exchange Program to the US
This program is for Polish citizens, including PhD students, who want to do research in the U.S. It funds research stays, not a full degree. Applications for 2027/2028 are accepted until November 30, 2026 (Kosciuszko Foundation).
How to build a realistic plan
- Ask about department funding first. When you apply, ask each program whether international students get assistantships or fellowships, and on what terms.
- Search by your country. Many outside awards are national, so check your country's Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy, and your own government's scholarship schemes.
- Count the full cost. Use the school's cost of attendance, not tuition alone. Add health insurance and travel. Our cost of attendance page and each school's page show the federal IPEDS figures.
- Plan for proof of funds. Your school will ask you to document how you'll pay before it can issue visa paperwork, so line up funding early.
Once offers arrive, compare them with our guide on how to read a financial aid offer. For every other option, see Ways to pay.
Program details come from each program's official page and from Federal Student Aid, checked October 22, 2026. We left out programs whose official pages we couldn't confirm today. Always confirm eligibility and dates with the sponsor.