Seeking out higher learning in America can be an incredibly fulfilling undertaking for pupils from India. However, the steep tuition and cost of living could make it appear unattainable. Thankfully, certain scholarships exist expressly for Indian scholars with aspirations to enroll in US institutions. With proper monetary help, matriculating in the States becomes a viable objective.

Types of Scholarships in USA for Indian Students

There are many different types of scholarships available for Indian students looking to study in the USA. Here are some of the main categories:

  1. Merit-based scholarships – These are awarded based on a student’s academic achievements, test scores, extracurricular activities, and other talents or skills. Merit scholarships can come from U.S. universities themselves, the Indian government, or private organizations.
  2. Need-based scholarships – Needs-based scholarships are provided to students who demonstrate financial need. This aid is given to help make up the difference between what a student can afford to pay and the actual cost of attendance. 
  3. Diversity scholarships – These scholarships encourage traditionally underrepresented groups like women, minorities, etc. to pursue higher education in the USA. There are many diversity scholarships specifically for Indian students.
  4. Fellowships are bestowed upon learners chasing postgraduate qualifications resembling Master’s and Doctorate curriculums. Establishments, investigation groups, etcetera recurrently financially back these.
  5. Athletic endowments – Academics boasting phenomenal talents in sporting pursuits resembling tennis, football, basketball, etcetera can meet the requirements for athletic aid at American colleges. 
  6. Subject-explicit scholarships – There are monetary grants accessible for Indian scholars in precise domains resembling technology, healthcare, arts, etcetera.

Undergraduate Scholarships to Study in the USA for Indian Students

  1. Vannevar Bush Fellowship – This highly selective scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board for undergraduate study at leading science and engineering colleges in the US.
  2. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship – This fellowship is awarded to deserving Indian students for undergraduate study at Stanford University. It covers full tuition and living expenses.
  3. The Inlaks Scholarships – Awarded annually to Indian students for undergraduate and graduate study in the US and UK. Covers tuition, accommodation, airfare, and stipend.
  4. PEO International Peace Scholarship – Provides scholarships for international women students to pursue undergraduate study in the US and Canada.
  5. AAUW International Fellowships – Supports graduate study in the US for women from India and other selected countries with full and partial funding. 
  6. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Scholarships – These scholarships are provided to Indian students for undergraduate study in accredited US colleges in fields like engineering, pharmacy, architecture, etc.

MBA Scholarships in USA for Indian Students

The major MBA scholarship programs in the USA for Indian students include:

  1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships – A prestigious fellowship for Indian students to pursue an MBA or Master’s at US universities in management, entrepreneurship, etc. 
  2. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship – Offers full funding for deserving Indian students to pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
  3. Harvard Institution Endowment – Harvard purveys monetary assistance and scholarships to exceptional Indian MBA hopefuls grounded on merit and necessity.
  4. University of Michigan Ross Academy of Commerce Scholarships – Ross proffers MBA scholarships explicitly for Indian pupils with prominent scholastic backdrops. 
  5. Wharton Academy Zellner Scholarships – These scholarships are conferred to promising Indian academics for MBA study at the Wharton Academy, University of Pennsylvania.
  6. UC Davis Emerging Markets Scholarship – Tenders financial accolades for Indian students pursuing the MBA curriculum at the UC Davis Graduate Academy of Management.
  7. AICTE Scholarships – The AICTE likewise extends scholarships for MBA study at sanctioned universities in the US for eligible Indian candidates.

With scrupulous inquiry and preparation, Indian scholars can spot and apply for appropriate scholarships to make supremacy higher erudition in the USA affordable and accessible.

Here are some tips on how Indian students can apply for scholarships in the USA:

  1. Start your scholarship search early – At least 12-18 months before you plan to enroll. This gives you ample time to find and apply for relevant scholarships.
  2. Thoroughly research scholarship options – Identify scholarships offered by US universities, the Indian government, US foundations, etc. Consult databases like Scholar, Scholly, FastWeb, etc.
  3. Contact university financial aid offices – Discuss what scholarships you may be eligible for as an international student.
  4. Prepare a strong application – Follow all instructions carefully. Provide details of academic achievements, extracurriculars, financial needs, etc. as required.
  5. Get excellent letters of recommendation – Ask professors, employers, or mentors who know you well to write compelling recommendation letters.  
  6. Write strong scholarship essays – Share your background, interests, and aspirations and show why you deserve the scholarship. Focus on uniqueness.
  7. Maintain high grades and test scores – This will boost chances for academic/merit-based scholarships. Take tests like the SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. 
  8. Apply to several scholarship programs – Don’t restrict yourself to just one or two. Apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for.
  9. Manage deadlines efficiently – Note down and track all scholarship deadlines to avoid missing them.
  10. Follow-up post application – Be proactive in contacting organizations for application status updates. Respond to queries promptly.

Some of the most popular and prestigious scholarships available for Indian students to study in the USA:

  1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships – Fully funded fellowships for Master’s and PhD study in the US across fields. Highly competitive.
  2. Rhodes Scholarship – Covers all expenses to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the UK. Very prestigious.
  3. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship – Covers full tuition and living costs at Stanford University for undergraduate and graduate study.  
  4. Harvard University Scholarships – Needs-based and merit-based aid offered by Harvard to exceptional Indian students. Covers partial or full tuition.
  5. University of Michigan Maxey Scholarships – Merit scholarships for undergraduate study at the University of Michigan. Covers full tuition fees.
  6. UC Berkeley Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship – Prestigious scholarships for undergrad study at UC Berkeley. Covers full in-state tuition and fees.
  7. Purdue University Scholarships – Merit-based undergraduate scholarships covering full tuition fees and living expenses.
  8. New York University Scholarships – NYU offers generous merit and need-based scholarships to Indian students. 
  9. MIT Scholarships – MIT has several scholarships specifically for international students based on need and merit.
  10. Cornell University TATA Scholarship – Covers tuition, room, and board completely for Indian undergraduates at Cornell University.