How to Study in the USA for free in 2025?

The US is an amazing study destination that is known for its extraordinary academic infrastructure, reputed universities, flexibility in choosing program structure, research, innovation, etc. Every year, a huge chunk of international students apply to many US universities and colleges. Interestingly, the number is increasing, as the US also wants to accept as many talented minds as possible. For Indian students, the USA has also become a hot study destination for science, IT, engineering, and medicine-related programs. As per the latest data shared by the US Embassy, more than 140,000 fresh Indian students got visa approval for the year 2023.

Gone were the days when only rich Indian families could suggest their sons and daughters pursue further education in the USA. The Indian economy is booming and is in the fifth rank in world GDP and third by purchasing power parity. Now, even middle-class families guide their sons and daughters to opt for the USA. There are multiple reasons, as mentioned above, such as the Indian economy booming and people taking education seriously, but another big reason behind these increasing numbers is the USA is also giving full support and opportunity to the needy and smart minds. There are multiple ways by which Indian students can get a fully funded scholarship or fellowship to study in the USA. Let’s break the ice and understand some of the popular fellowships

Study in the USA for free

• Fulbright-Nehru Master Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
• Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
• AAUW International Fellowships
• Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
• Karsh International Scholar Program
  

1) Fulbright-Nehru Master Fellowships:

This unique fellowship allows Indian students to pursue master’s degrees at US colleges and universities without any tuition fees. It is designed in such a way as to support motivated individuals who have at least three years of professional work experience, have completed a bachelor’s degree in India, which is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree, and show outstanding leadership qualities, etc. This fellowship can be awarded up to two years to pursue a master’s degree at US colleges and universities. This fellowship covers the given fields of study 

• Public health
• Education 
• Arts
• Social Sciences
• Environmental Studies
• Sciences 
• Economics 
• Urban and regional planning 
• Women’s studies
  

Eligibility criteria

• The candidate must be from India
• Having three years of full-time work experience 
• Should have demonstrated experience in leadership and community service
• Should have proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Should have a bachelor’s degree equivalent to US bachelor’s degree

Benefits Under Fulbright-Nehru Master Fellowships

• There is no tuition fee students need to pay; it is a fully sponsored fellowship for a master’s program
• Travel expenses, such as round trips, also students don’t need to pay
• A monthly stipend can be provided to cover the living expenses in the US
• Full health coverage would be provided under the fellowship period.

To know more about the fellowship, check the link given: https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Fellowships.aspx

2) Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

This amazing doctoral research fellowship allows Indian students who are registered for a Ph.D. program at an Indian university to conduct research and would like to take it further in the USA for six to nine months.  No dependants’ allowance is provided under this fellowship. The given field of study comes under it 

Field of study

Since the list is long, I am sharing the main fields of study 

• History 
• Bioengineering
• Agricultural Science
• Material Science
• Public Policy 
• Public Health
• Political Science

The full field of study can be checked from this link: https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Doctoral-Research-Fellowships.aspx

Eligibility criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Candidate must have registered for a PhD program at a recognized Indian institution and have completed the required coursework
• A clear research proposal that describes the study’s goals, methods, and applicability, especially in relation to India and the United States.
• The practicality of the proposed research in the United States is usually confirmed by a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s doctoral-level advisor or committee at their home institution.
  

Benefits Under Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowships

• Funding for research-related costs, including materials, travel within the United States, and other project-related expenses.
• Health insurance coverage throughout the fellowship.
• Stipends each month to help with living costs while conducting the research.
• Round-trip airfare to and from the U.S.

To learn more about the doctor fellowship, click the link – https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Doctoral-Research-Fellowships.aspx

3) Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship

It is also a fellowship for doctoral research students promoting research and collaboration on climate change and related environmental issues. It is named in honour of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, or the missile man. This fellowship is a component of the larger Fulbright Program, which promotes

Field of study 

• Climate and Health
• Disaster resilience 
• Green Mobility
• Renewable Energy 
• Sustainability
• Green Building and Construction

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen
• The candidate must have registered for a PhD program at a recognized Indian institution and have completed the required coursework
• A clear research proposal that describes the study’s goals, methods, and applicability, especially in relation to India and the United States.
• The practicality of the proposed research in the United States is usually confirmed by a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s doctoral-level advisor or committee at their home institution.
  

Benefits Under Fulbright-Abdul Kalam Doctoral Fellowships

• Funding for research-related costs, including materials, travel within the United States, and other project-related expenses.
• health insurance coverage throughout the fellowship.
• Stipends each month to help with living costs while conducting the research.
• Round-trip airfare to and from the U.S.

Official link to apply https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Kalam-Climate-Fellowship.aspx

4) AAUW International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) international fellowship program is an esteemed honour given to women from abroad who are studying for graduate or postgraduate degrees in the United States. The fellowships are a component of AAUW’s global commitment to supporting education for women and girls and achieving gender equity. The main purpose of this fellowship is to provide financial support to women scholars who are not US citizens and are pursuing advanced studies in the United States.

Eligibility criteria 

• The candidate must be a woman and a citizen in a country other than the U.S.
• The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree, which is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree
• The candidate intends to return to their home country to pursue a professional career after completion of the studies
• Must have English proficiency; proof of evidence is required (depending on the country)
  

Field of study 

• STEM such as Biology, Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science
• Social sciences such as Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology
• Humanities and Arts
• Education
• Public health 

Benefits 

• Full Educational expenses
• Living cosst, dependent childcare
• Traveling costs that do not exceed 10% of the fellowship total
  

Award Amount 

• Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000 
• Doctoral: $25.000
• Postdoctoral: $50,000

Official link: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/international/

5) Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

The Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is reputed. Fully funded graduate scholarship at Stanford University. The main aim of this scholar program is to develop a new generation of world leaders dedicated to coming up with original answers for difficult global problems. It is named after the names of John Hennessy, the previous president of Stanford University, and Phil Knight, a Stanford alumnus and co-founder of Nike, Inc. The scholarship is applicable to all seven schools of Stanford, which are 

1. Graduate School of Business
2. Graduate School of Education
3. School of Engineering
4. School of Humanities and Sciences
5. School of Law
6. School of Medicine
7. Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability 

The candidate can opt for the various fields of study under the seven schools of Stanford.

Eligibility criteria

The candidate applying for this scholarship program must apply to and be accepted into a graduate program at Stanford University in addition to applying for the Knight-Hennessy program. Any of Stanford’s seven schools—business, law, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, and medicine—may provide a master’s or doctoral program in this field.

• Applicant must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in their home country 
• The scholarship is open to all nationalities. 
• The applicant must demonstrate leadership potential by way of prior successes, projects, or positions of authority.
  

Benefits Under the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

• Fully funded tuition fee scholarship for the duration of the study program
• A comprehensive, personalized leadership development program is offered to scholars in addition to their academic coursework. This includes mentorship, workshops, lectures, and practical projects.
• Scholars are invited to enroll in classes at other Stanford schools, where they frequently collaborate with peers in different fields of study to address global issues.
• Stipends each month to help with living costs and other expenses

For more knowledge about the scholarship, check the link below – https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/program-overview/funding

6) Karsh International Scholar Program 

The Karsh International Scholar Program is provided at Duke University. It is a merit-based scholarship that provides full assistance to exceptional overseas students who show promise for leadership, academic success, and a desire to make a positive impact on the world community. There is no separate application needed; to apply for the Karsh International Scholar program, you must apply at Duke University. It was founded in 2010 because of Martha L. and Bruce A. Karsh’s kind donation. To be eligible for this award, international applicants must have proven their need for financial assistance. 

The main aim of this scholar is to ensure that smart international students have access to a Duke education, regardless of their financial situation. 

Eligibility criteria

• This program is open to all candidates other than the USA 
• Candidates must be deeply committed to solving global issues or making a positive impact in their home country.
• Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
• Students with a track record of leadership and the ability to have a significant influence on the world through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or other endeavors are looked after by the program.
  

Benefits

• Fully funded tuition fee scholarship for the duration of the study program
• Scholars also receive additional funding to support research projects, internships, conferences, and workshops
• Duke faculty and alumni mentor scholars and offer leadership development opportunities such as seminars, workshops, and other learning opportunities.
• Karsh Scholars get to know a supportive community of multicultural fellow foreign students and are urged to participate in cross-cultural cooperation and exchanges. They can also access a worldwide network of alumni and maintain connections with the larger Duke University community.

Check more on how to apply for the scholarship: https://ousf.duke.edu/merit-scholarships/karsh-international-scholars-program/

There are so many other ways also by which international and Indian students can study in the USA without any tuition fees. Keep tuned for more updates 🙂