Looking for a fully funded masters scholarship in USA as an international student? This concise and compelling guide outlines real programs that cover tuition, monthly stipend/living allowance, health insurance, and travel, along with practical steps to apply, key deadlines to watch, and expert tips to boost acceptance (and your visa success) with minimal stress.
Top fully funded options (legit + current)
Skim this list, open the Apply links, then follow the step-by-step plan below.
1) Fulbright Foreign Student Program – 160+ countries
What it covers: Fully funded for master’s or research (tuition, living stipend, health insurance, international travel).
How to apply: Through your country’s U.S. Embassy/Fulbright Commission; timelines differ by country.
Apply: Fulbright overview and country-by-country application guidance.
2) Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University) – any Stanford master’s
What it covers: Up to 3 years of funding: tuition, stipend, and more.
How to apply: Submit a KHS application + a separate application to your chosen Stanford degree.
Apply: Program + funding details.
3) Rotary Peace Fellowship – Master’s at Duke/UNC (USA)
What it covers: Fully funded (tuition & fees, room & board, round-trip travel, internship/field study).
How to apply: Annual window; you apply directly to Rotary for the fellowship.
Apply: Program + USA master’s partner info.
4) Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) – select US universities
What it covers: Full scholarship for approved development-related master’s; must be admitted to a participating program first.
How to apply: Apply to a listed program (e.g., Columbia SIPA), then submit JJ/WBGSP application during the official window.
Apply: Program policy + current participating universities (includes several in the USA).
5) Title VI FLAS Fellowships (Foreign Language & Area Studies) -language/area-studies master’s
What it covers: Tuition assistance plus stipend (AY & summer awards) administered by funded universities.
How to apply: Apply through universities that hold FLAS awards in your language/region.
Apply: U.S. Dept. of Education overview (universities list their own FLAS pages).
6) Graduate Assistantships (RA/TA) – route to “full funding” in many departments
What it covers: Paid part-time work that typically includes a monthly stipend + full/partial tuition waiver; widely used in STEM, CS, data, public policy, education, etc.
How to apply: Indicate interest in assistantships in your departmental application; email graduate coordinators/professors with your research fit.
Learn more: Example university explainer on what assistantships include.
Bonus (women only): AAUW International Fellowships offer large awards for graduate study in the US (often substantial but not always fully funded).
Apply now (official links)
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Apply (country portals + instructions).
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Funding & Eligibility (apply + Stanford degree application).
- Rotary Peace Fellowship – Master’s (coverage + partners).
- JJ/WBGSP – Program & Participating Universities (apply after university admission).
- FLAS Fellowships – U.S. Dept. of Education (apply via funded universities).
- Graduate Assistantships – What they include (example university info).
