The United States is home to some of the most prestigious and generous scholarships in the world. These fully funded scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and often travel costs—opening the doors for deserving international and domestic students alike.
Here are ten standout U.S. scholarships for 2025 that offer comprehensive support and exceptional opportunities.
10 Fully Funded U.S. Scholarships You Can Apply for This Year
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports international graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study and conduct research in the United States. It includes tuition, airfare, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Deadline: Varies by country, typically between March and September 2025.
Eligibility: Citizens of participating countries (160+).
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent before grant start.
Strong academic record and leadership potential.
Application Criteria:
1. Submit application through your country’s Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy.
2. Include academic transcripts, personal and study/research statements, and (where required) standardized test scores (GRE/TOEFL/IELTS).
3. Provide two or more recommendation letters.
4. Some candidates may be interviewed by the Commission.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University)
Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program provides full funding—including tuition, stipend, and travel—to graduate students across all disciplines.
Deadline: Typically mid‑October 2025 (e.g., October 15).
Eligibility:
Applying or admitted to a graduate degree at Stanford.
Exceptional academic achievement and leadership promise.
Application Criteria:
1. Submit application via the Knight-Hennessy portal (distinct from Stanford admissions).
2. Provide Stanford application, essays, recommendation letters, and optional test scores.
3. Participate in assessment interviews, panels, and group activities.
3. Berea College Full-Tuition Scholarship
Berea College offers full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students—including international applicants—with additional support for room and board via college-paid work programs.
Deadline: Varies; typically align with Berea’s admission cycle (e.g., early 2025).
Eligibility:
Exceptional academic performance.
Demonstrated financial need (bottom 40% of U.S. household incomes, or equivalent for internationals).
Admission is highly competitive and limited—often one student per country.
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Application Criteria:
1. Apply to Berea College using their standard undergraduate application.
2. Complete financial aid forms (e.g., FAFSA or equivalent).
3. Submit academic transcripts, test scores, and personal essay.
4. If accepted, the scholarship is automatically granted.
4. Jefferson Scholarship (University of Virginia)
The Jefferson Scholarship is a fully funded merit-based scholarship covering tuition, room & board, summer enrichment, research, and travel. Up to ~30 scholars are selected each year.
Deadline: School nominations usually occur in October; nominations lead to invitations for final application in late fall.
Eligibility:
U.S. high school seniors (domestic students).
Outstanding academic excellence and leadership.
Must be nominated by a participating high school.
Application Criteria:
1. High school nominates you to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.
2. Invitational application includes essays, recommendations, and interviews.
3. Finalists visit UVA and are selected as scholars.
5. Stamps Scholarship (Multiple U.S. Universities
Stamps Scholars receive merit-based scholarships (ranging ~$21,600–$300,000 over four years) including funds for enrichment opportunities like research and international travel.
Deadline: Early fall (varies by partner university, typically Oct–Nov).
Eligibility:
High school seniors applying to participating U.S. colleges.
Exceptional academic records and leadership.
Application Criteria:
1. Submit application to a Stamps-affiliated institution.
2. Students are identified as strong candidates; invited to complete scholarship-specific essays and interviews.
3. Selection occurs by partnership committee.
6. Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this program supports up to 1,000 minority undergraduates per year with full funding and leadership development.
Deadline: January 6, 2025 (approximate).
Eligibility:
U.S. minority high school seniors (African American, Hispanic, Native American, AAPI).
Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.3, Pell-Grant eligible.
Demonstrable leadership.
Application Criteria:
1. Submit online Gates Millennium application by early January.
2. Provide transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendation letters.
3. Finalists undergo interviews and are selected in spring/summer.
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7. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship
Sponsored by GE and the Reagan Foundation, this $40,000 scholarship rewards high school seniors demonstrating leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.
Deadline: January 5, 2025.
Eligibility:
U.S. high school seniors who demonstrate leadership and academic achievement.
Application Criteria:
1. Apply online with academic transcripts, resume, and essays.
2. Semi-finalists are invited to regional interviews.
3. Finalists progress to national selection weekend.
8. Ron Brown Scholar Program
Offers $40,000 over four years to African American high school seniors who exhibit academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
Deadline: Early January 2026.
Eligibility:
African American seniors with GPA ≥ 3.0 and strong leadership credentials.
Application Criteria:
1. Online application with essays/personal reflections.
2. Provide high school transcripts and recommendation letters.
3. Finalists interviewed via phone or in person.
9. MAJOR Hidden Scholarship: Presidential Fellows Program (Miami University)
Offers full tuition, housing, meals, and a one‑time $5,000 enrichment stipend to 15 exceptional students.
Deadline: December 1, 2025 (for the 2025 intake).
Eligibility:
High-achieving high school students with outstanding leadership and service portfolios.
Application Criteria:
1. Apply to Miami University.
2. Submit Presidential Fellows application with essays and leadership experiences.
3. Candidates participate in interview and decision announced early 2027.
10. University of Iowa IDEA Award
Offers $2,000–$15,000 per year in automatic scholarships to international undergraduates based on merit.
Deadline: Rolling, though early applications are recommended.
Eligibility:
International freshmen admitted to University of Iowa.
Academic merit-based selection.
Application Criteria:
No separate application: students are considered upon admission
Final Advice
1. Start early: Most fall scholarships require applications in early 2026.
2. Know your timeline: Keep track of both school and scholarship deadlines.
3. Highlight leadership & service: Many scholarships target community involvement.
4. Polish essays and references: Quality, specific letters and writing make a big difference.
5. Prepare for interviews: Scholarship finalists often go through interviews.
6. Apply widely: Although competitive, applying to multiple awards increases success chances.
Conclusion
From government-run Fulbright and private institutions.
like Berea to merit-driven awards such as Gates Millennium and Jefferson, these 10 fully funded scholarships offer transformative opportunities—and are open now for 2025. Whether you’re an international grad student aiming for research in the U.S. or a high-achieving U.S. applicant, there’s a scholarship here for you.