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A roundup of the best sites to research international scholarships

Studying in the United States offers unparalleled opportunities to grow personally and prepare for a career after college. For aspiring international students, there are many reasons to study in the U.S. However, when it costs more than $34,000 a year on average to attend a private U.S. university, knowing where to find international scholarships can be the difference between studying abroad and staying home.

Fortunately, there are many scholarship resources available to help international students pay for college, beyond part-time job banks or work-study programs. In addition to scholarships, these resources can help you find loans, grants, financial aid and more.

Check out our list of the top 15 scholarship sites to fund your higher education at a U.S. university.

1. IIE Funding for U.S. Study

Funding for U.S. Study Online is a free database of international scholarships, fellowships and grants to help students pay for school. The site is maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The IIE aims to create more connections through international exchange. You can search the database by:

• Program name
• Sponsoring organization
• Area of study
• Region/Country of origin

2. InternationalScholarships.com

InternationalScholarships.com is a free online financial aid database for students from all over the world. On the site, you will find comprehensive lists of grants, international scholarships, loan programs and other information to help pay for your study abroad experience.

The student membership at InternationalScholarships.com offers the following:

• Free access
• Extended resources
• Personal access to award administrators

3. Scholarship Positions

Scholarship Positions provides free information on hundreds of scholarships and other ways to pay for school for international students. You can browse awards by country or subject, and you can also view their featured scholarships. Scholarships Positions makes it easy to find information on:

• Scholarship application deadlines
• Scholarship amounts
• The number of available scholarships
• Other information regarding awards for international students

4. Scholarships.com

Scholarships.com will send you emails that meet your subscription criteria. You can also research international scholarships for free from the site. Other things you can do include:

• Browse a curated collection of scholarships for international students
• Read the Study Abroad blog
• Find more information about popular international study destinations
• Talk to a counselor or receive education or career advice

5. IEFA

The International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) works to “promote international education worldwide” by publicizing scholarships and grants on their site. The IEFA site has information on over 1,500 financial aid programs for international students. You can search the database by:

• Award name
• What you are studying
• Where you are studying
• Where you are from

6. International Student Scholarships

International Student provides a free, up-to-date list of scholarships, grants and other awards that are available to international students. The site contains a Study Center resource that provides you with advice customized for popular destinations and fields of study. You can find Study Centers that cover:

• Study in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. or Australia
• Study by subject or online
• Pathway Programs for students who want to study in the U.S., but need to strengthen their English skills

7. CollegeWeekLive International Student Scholarship

CollegeWeekLive connects you with more than 200 universities and colleges from around the world. You can create a free account, giving you access to:

• Events such as digital university fairs
• Presentations from authors, education specialists and university representatives
• Chat opportunities with admissions representatives and current students
• Scholarship and other school information

8. EducationUSA

EducationUSA is sponsored by the United States Department of State. At EducationUSA, you’ll find “accurate, comprehensive and current” information about ways to pay for college and American study opportunities. You can view listings of grants and financial aid that are available for international students, or you can search for financial assistance by:

• Degree level
• U.S. state of study
• Country of origin

9. AAUW International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers fellowships and grants to women who want to study in the U.S. Funding is given to teachers,artists, scientists, policymakers and more to pursue graduate and post-graduate work. Since 1917, the AAUW has awarded fellowships to over 3,600 women from 150 different nations.

10. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Program for Foreign Students offers over 4,000 scholarships a year to graduate students, young professionals and artists from over 160 countries. Program eligibility and selection procedures vary by country.

11. Scholarship Owl

ScholarshipOwl makes it easy for you to apply for multiple scholarships at once using a unified application process. Fill out one form and ScholarshipOwl will apply to many scholarship programs for you. This service is not free, visit the website to find out more about pricing.

12. RaiseMe

RaiseMe allows high school students to earn micro-scholarships from colleges and universities around the world. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for an account
2. Follow schools of interest to you
3. List your academic achievements to your profile, from grades to sports to clubs
4. Get rewarded for your accomplishments with small scholarships, should you choose to attend one of the schools you follow

Note: Not every international school is available. Please check RaiseMe’s list of eligible non-U.S. schools before signing up.

13. International Student Loan

International Student Loan helps international students find and learn more about available loans. International Student can help you better understand the difference between loan types available for study in the U.S., including:

• International student loans
• Foreign enrolled loans
• Study abroad loans

After signing up, International Student will pair you with available loan programs that fit your criteria.

14. World Bank Scholarships Program

The World Bank Scholarships Program offers scholarships for graduate and post-graduate studies to citizens of developing countries. Visit the World Bank website to learn more about member countries, available opportunities and deadlines for application.

15. Global Student Loan Corporation

Global Student Loan Corporation (GlobalSLC) arranges loans for students to cover the many costs of studying abroad, including:

• Tuition and fees
• Books
• Room and board
• Transportation
• Computer hardware and software
• Other approved education expenses

Unlike many other similar resources, GlobalSLC does not require a co-signer from another country to be eligible for a loan.

Unsure where to start? Contact an education counselor to explore grants, financial aid and scholarships for international students, or learn more about our U.S. News Global Education Scholars Program.