Without need based scholarships, many bright students may not be financially capable of pursuing their academic aspirations. These scholarships cover the cost of a college degree, professional certificate programs, and research visits.
International students often seek these invaluable opportunities to access quality education worldwide. However, only individuals with demonstrable financial need can be awarded these scholarships.
Host organizations may require information about your personal or family income to determine eligibility. This post provides a list of scholarships that consider financially challenged students.
Types of need based scholarships
Federal scholarship and grants
The U.S. Department of Education partners with other federal bodies to fund this scholarship. Minus the need-based option, this grant also caters to merit students and individuals from minority groups.
Unlike federal loans, students in this program can study debt-free without repayment.
State scholarship grants
The state administers scholarships to students in dire need of financial assistance. A good example is the New York State Tuition Assistance Program, which is open to New York Residents.
For this program, students must complete the FAFSA and state-specific application. Other requirements may vary depending on the state specification.
Teacher education assistance for college and higher education grant
Applicants for the TEACH grant must be enrolled in a teaching certification program. They have to sign a contract to work at a low-income school for four years after graduation.
Eligibility depends on academic record and agreement to the contract. However, failure to fulfill your end of the deal will result in repayment interest.
List of Need-based Scholarships for international students
The Humphrey Fellowship program
Founded in 1978, the Humphrey Fellowship Program is an initiative funded by the US Department of State. It is designed to sponsor mid-career professionals taking a non-degree program at a U.S. university.
The ideal candidate must be passionate about public service and possess evident leadership skills. Sponsorship for this program lasts for 10 months.
The Aga Khan Foundation international scholarship
Foreign students interested in postgraduate studies can get funding through the Aga Khan Foundation. This annual award supports students with excellent academic records and are enrolled in a postgraduate program.
For this scholarship, the foundation prefers applicants below 30 years of age. Lastly, this is not fully funded as it only covers 50 percent of the tuition.
World Bank graduate scholarship program
The World Bank graduate scholarship is for master’s students from developing countries. Aside from the United States, they offer funding to 24 universities across Europe, Oceania, and Japan.
Professional experience and academic excellence are core eligibility requirements for this program. Additionally, applicants should be pursuing programs focusing on infrastructure management, development, economic policy management, and tax policy.
The University of Oxford Need based scholarships
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholarship program is one of the numerous funding opportunities provided by the University of Oxford. It is a fully-funded opportunity, particularly for professionals from emerging countries. The essence of this program is to develop future leaders pursuing graduate programs.
Whitworth University
The Whitworth University is a private university located in Washington. Students from developing countries are eligible for the need based scholarships in the university.
There is no special application for this award. Instead, incoming students with excellent grades will be automatically offered this scholarship.
The Yale University Need based scholarships
Yale University’s support for undergraduates is often referred to as gift aid because there’s no need for repayment. The value of this award ranges from $50,000 – $70,000 depending on the program.
All admitted students are eligible to receive this scholarship. This includes students from developing countries.
Also Read: Top 6 Fully funded scholarships in Canada
Havard College
Courtesy of the Griffin Financial Aid Office. It offers scholarships to attract the best students to Havard College. The award is open to both American and foreign students.
All you have to do is gain admission into the college and apply for financial aid. Recipients gain the advantage of studying in an Ivy League school at no cost.
How to apply for the Need based Scholarships
Complete the FAFSA application and provide accurate information on your personal and family’s annual income. For this step, you will be required to provide the following documents:
- Social security number
- Driver’s license and valid ID
- Bank statement
- Contact details for parents or dependents
- Tax information
- W-2 forms
It is important to note that all applications must be sent through your chosen university. This means applicants must apply for financial aid from an accredited college or partner university. Students who qualify for these scholarships can reapply if they need additional funding.
