Completing a master’s degree in the United States can be immensely beneficial to your career and life in general. You get to experience the top tier educational system available in the US while being exposed to lots of career and networking opportunities. Scholarships for Masters Degree in the USA can significantly alleviate the financial burden, making this invaluable experience more accessible to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
If you are searching for free scholarships for masters degree in USA, chances are you need a bit of support to pursue your dream of studying in the USA. There are plenty of scholarships that you can apply to. This article will be looking at some of these scholarships as well as ways to maximize your chances of being selected.
How Can I Get a Fully-funded Free Scholarship for a Master’s Degree in the USA?
Most of the Scholarship opportunities open to students get lots of applicants yearly making it a little difficult for average students. However, with thorough planning and preparation, you can find a scholarship that will suit your needs. Here are some tips to follow to increase your chances of being selected for a fully funded scholarship for masters degree in USA:
1. Research Your Options
It is important to explore all the opportunities open to you especially if you belong to a minority group. You can do this by surfing the websites of universities, private organizations, foundations and government bodies. Narrow your search to your specific field and degree level as this will raise your chances of being selected since the competition will be smaller.
2. Academic Excellence
If you intend to land a masters degree scholarship, you need to get good grades and graduate with a strong GPA in your undergraduate study. Students with exceptional records are always given preference over students with average results. Asides this, you must also get good scores in tests like GRE or GMAT, depending on which is requested. Research experience, internships or work experience is also a plus.
3. Build a Strong Profile
Certain scholarships prioritize candidates with demonstrated leadership abilities and interest in their local communities. Also, try to maintain a well-rounded life. Take part in extracurricular activities, volunteering, community service, and leadership. By doing so, you will improve your profile and complement your academic record.
4. Write an Impressive Personal Statement
The quality of the personal statement you submit goes a long way in determining if your application will be accepted. Write a good personal statement that shows your aspirations, achievements and how beneficial the scholarship will be to you and your career. Without reservation, ensure it reflects the passion you have for your field of study and your personal qualities that show you are a suitable candidate.
5. Get Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are necessary and you cannot do without them. You can get these from your school professors or lecturers, employer or even mentor. Ensure you request a letter only from those you are sure can speak of your abilities and qualities. Additionally, it’s best to select people that you have a rapport with as they are in the best place to describe your unique feats.
6. Research Funding Opportunities
Narrow your research when surfing for opportunities. Do not target only scholarships. They are also funding options and fellowships that may be available to your demography. And they may be best suited to your situation as these programs are designed with certain backgrounds in mind.
7. Apply Early and Thoroughly
Be an early bird. Do all the needed work on time and submit all that is required for you way before the deadline. Be careful when gathering your materials and double-check to ensure all that is being provided is accurate and free of omissions or errors. Also, ensure you tailor your application to align with the specific objectives of the program you are applying to.
Read Also: Fully Funded MBA Scholarships For International Students In USA
Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Programs in the USA for International Students
1. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
This program is managed by the U.S department of State. It is a fellowship program that aims to sponsor top performing professionals from certain countries to the USA. The fellowship lasts a year for a non-degree graduate-level study. The sponsorship covers all the expenses during the program like travel fare, living costs, health insurance and tuition fee.
2. AAUW International Fellowships
This fellowship is awarded by the American Association of University Women. Specifically, the target beneficiaries are women looking to pursue full-time graduate or postgraduate study in a field of choice in the United States. The fellowship funding covers travel costs, living expenses, tuition and health insurance.
3.Rotary Peace Fellowship
This fellowship is open to students interested in studying programs related to peace and conflict resolution. The Rotary Peace Fellowship offers fully funded masters degree programs at various leading universities in the U. S. The fellowship caters for tuition, other fees during the program, travel costs and living expenses.
4. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
This is another famous international scholarship program by the Aga Khan Foundation. Beneficiaries are students with great academic records from developing countries. Furthermore, the master’s degree program must be in a field relevant to development. The scholarship takes care of tuition, travel costs and living expenses.
5.Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
This is a scholarship program by Japan and World Bank and its open to individuals in World Bank member countries. Moreover, the master’s degree program to be undertaken must be in a field related to development. The scholarship fund is for tuition, travel fare, health insurance and monthly allowances for living expenses.
6. Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA)
The CSLA program is a fully funded master’s degree scholarship for individuals from selected countries. Scholarship is awarded based on academic and professional performance. A demonstrated commitment to promoting social change can give one an edge during the selection process. The scholarship covers living expenses, tuition, travel and other study related expenses.
7. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge scholarship is awarded to international students with exceptional education records. With this scholarship, you can pursue a master’s degree program in the U.S or the University of Cambridge in the UK if you desire. Additionally, the scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
8. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright scholarship is open to students from anywhere around the globe. It is a fully funded scholarship for international students undergoing a masters degree in the USA. It covers travel costs, health insurance, living expenses and also tuition fees.
Read Also: Cheap Universities In Canada For MBA and Masters
Conclusion on: Free Scholarships For Masters Degree In USA
Fully Funded or free scholarships for master’s degree in the USA are very competitive so you have to work on your profile and submit strong applications. Applying for many scholarships and submitting your applications early will increase your chances of getting funding.
