Funding Your Future: A Guide to 35+ Master’s Degree Scholarships in the USA

Let’s address the elephant in the room: a Master’s degree in the United States is a significant investment. But for thousands of students every year, it’s an investment that is substantially—or even fully—covered by scholarships. The funding is out there; the key is knowing where to look and how to position yourself to win it.

This list is your starting point. It covers a wide range of opportunities, from prestigious government-funded fellowships to university-specific awards and private foundation grants.

Prestigious National Fellowships (The Gold Standard)

These are some of the most well-known and competitive awards. Winning one is a career-defining achievement.

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The flagship international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It provides funding for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study and conduct research in the USA.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University): Funds up to three years of study for any graduate degree at Stanford. It focuses on developing a community of future leaders who address complex challenges.
3. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: Supports outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate studies in any field in the United States.
4. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship: For international students outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
5. The Marshall Scholarship: Finances young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree at any UK university.
6. The Rhodes Scholarship: The oldest and perhaps most famous international scholarship, funding postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
7. The Schwarzman Scholars Program: Funds a one-year Master’s in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing for future leaders.
8. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): A premier fellowship for STEM students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.

University-Specific Scholarships (Your Most Likely Source)

Most scholarship money comes directly from the universities themselves. Here are examples from various institutions.

9. Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: Offers full tuition and a living stipend for PhD students, which often encompasses the Master’s portion of the program.
10. Yale University Fellowships: Most PhD and many Master’s students at Yale receive a fellowship that covers full tuition, a living stipend, and health insurance.
11. MIT Fellowships and Assistantships: The Institute offers generous funding packages for graduate students, often through research or teaching assistantships.
12. University of Chicago Merit Scholarships: Many of its graduate divisions, like the Harris School of Public Policy, offer substantial merit-based scholarships.
13. Columbia University Financial Aid: Schools within Columbia, like the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), offer merit-based scholarships to incoming Master’s students.
14. University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School Fellowships: Offers a variety of funding opportunities for incoming and current graduate students.
15. University of California, Berkeley Fellowships: Campuses across the UC system provide numerous fellowships for graduate students.
16. Duke University Graduate School Fellowships: Offers a range of funding, including the James B. Duke Fellowship for its most outstanding PhD applicants.
17. University of Texas at Austin Graduate Fellowships: Provides various scholarships and fellowships for incoming graduate students.
18. New York University (NYU) Wagner Dean’s Scholarship: Awards substantial scholarships to top applicants at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
19. University of Southern California (USC) Fellowships: Many of its schools, like the Viterbi School of Engineering, offer merit-based funding.
20. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Fellowships: Offers a variety of awards for Master’s and PhD students.
21. Georgetown University Graduate Fellowships: Schools like the McCourt School of Public Policy offer significant merit-based scholarships.
22. University of Washington Graduate School Fellowships: Provides numerous funding opportunities for its graduate student population.
23. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Royster Society of Fellows: A five-year fellowship program for doctoral students providing a generous stipend and tuition.
24. Boston University Trustee Scholarship: A prestigious, full-tuition scholarship for incoming graduate students.
25. University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School Fellowships: Offers a wide array of funding packages.
26. University of Virginia Jefferson Scholars Foundation Graduate Fellowship: A fully-funded fellowship for exceptional students.
27. Georgia Tech Institute Fellowships: Provides generous funding packages for its graduate students, particularly in engineering and sciences.
28. University of Rochester Sproull Fellowship: A prestigious, fully-funded package for PhD students in the humanities and social sciences.
29. University of Minnesota Doctoral Fellowship: A multi-year funding package for outstanding PhD students.
30. University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor’s Fellowship: A one-year award for outstanding incoming graduate students.

Targeted and Specialized Scholarships

These programs support students from specific backgrounds or in specific fields of study.

31. The AAUW International Fellowships: For women who are not U.S. citizens to pursue full-time graduate study in the States.
32. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: Provides scholarships for outstanding students from select developing countries with no other means of financing their studies.
33. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program: Partnered with several US universities to provide comprehensive support to academically talented young Africans.
34. The Rotary Peace Fellowship: Funds dedicated leaders to earn a master’s degree in fields related to peace and conflict resolution at one of their partner universities.
35. The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship: For women from other countries to pursue graduate study in the U.S. and Canada.

Your Action Plan for Success

Finding the scholarships is one thing; winning them is another. Here’s how to get started.

Start Your Search Early: Begin researching at least 12-18 months before you intend to start your program. Deadlines come quickly.

Build a Compelling Profile: Beyond a strong GPA, focus on your research experience, relevant work or internship history, and a clear sense of your academic and career goals.

Craft a Powerful Narrative: Your statement of purpose is your most important tool. It should tell a cohesive story about your past experiences, your present motivations, and your future ambitions. Be specific and authentic.

Secure Strong Recommendations: Choose professors or supervisors who know your work well and can speak to your potential for success in a rigorous graduate program.

The path to a funded Master’s degree requires dedication and a strategic approach, but the reward is an education that can propel your career forward without a mountain of debt. Use this list as your launchpad, and take that first step today.

Your Pathway to a Funded Future

The journey to a funded Master’s degree in the USA is undoubtedly demanding, but this list proves a vital point: the opportunities are abundant and diverse. From prestigious national fellowships to generous university-specific awards, the financial resources exist for dedicated and strategic students. The key is to recognize that securing funding is a proactive process, not a passive hope.

Your success will hinge on a compelling application that tells a cohesive story of your academic journey, your research passions, and your future ambitions. By starting your search early, tailoring your materials to each specific opportunity, and presenting an authentic and driven version of yourself, you transform from a hopeful applicant into a competitive candidate. Let this list be the foundation you build upon. With meticulous preparation and unwavering determination, a fully or partially funded Master’s degree in the United States is an ambitious goal well within your reach.

Your Master’s Scholarship Questions, Answered

What’s the difference between a fellowship and a scholarship?
In practical terms, they are often used interchangeably to mean “free money for your education.” However, a fellowship often implies a more prestigious award that may include a larger stipend for living expenses and is frequently given for research or academic merit without a work requirement. A scholarship is a broader term for any financial award, and an assistantship requires you to work, either teaching (Teaching Assistant) or assisting with research (Research Assistant), in exchange for tuition and a stipend.

I’m an international student. Are these scholarships open to me?
Yes, a significant number of them are. Programs like the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Knight-Hennessy Scholars are specifically designed for international students. Furthermore, most university-specific scholarships and fellowships are open to applicants from all nationalities. Always check the specific eligibility criteria, but do not assume you are disqualified.

Do I need to have a perfect GPA to be considered?
While a strong academic record is crucial, a perfect 4.0 is not always a strict requirement. These programs look for well-rounded candidates. A compelling research proposal, relevant professional experience, strong letters of recommendation, and a powerful personal statement can often compensate for a GPA that is very good, but not perfect. Your entire profile tells the story.

How can I find scholarships for a specific field, like Engineering or Public Policy?
The best strategy is a two-pronged approach. First, use the university-specific method: go to the website of the top graduate schools in your field (e.g., MIT for Engineering, Harvard Kennedy School for Public Policy) and dive into their “Financial Aid” or “Funding” pages. Second, search for professional associations in your field (e.g., the American Society of Civil Engineers), as they often offer specialized scholarships.

What is the most common mistake applicants make?
The biggest mistake is submitting a generic application. Committees can spot a copy-pasted statement of purpose from a mile away. Your application must be tailored to each specific scholarship and university. You need to clearly articulate why that program is the perfect fit for your specific goals and how you will contribute to their academic community. Authenticity and specificity are your greatest assets.