Full Rides for International Students: Eastern US
Full list of full ride and free tuition scholarships for international students on the East Coast!
Here is our full list of scholarships for full ride and free tuition international students on the West Coast!
Here is our full list of full ride and free tuition scholarships for international students in the Midwest!
Scholarships for International Students: East
If you’re an international student considering studying abroad in the U.S., oftentimes the biggest obstacle is the price tag. U.S. colleges and universities are definitely not known for their affordability.
However, many people are unaware of the numerous scholarship opportunities available to international applicants that can lift this burden - they’re definitely not easy to find, either. Here, we’ve done ALL the research for you! Find over 50 full ride and free tuition scholarships available to international students in the East U.S., updated as of May 2021!
Full list of all scholarships
Agnes Scott College (Decatur, Georgia)
Marvin B. Perry Presidential Scholarships: Offers full tuition and room and board to one international student each year. Selections are based on academics, leadership, character, and personal achievement. There is no residency requirement for this scholarship. Applications are by invitation to the top first-year applicants.
Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia)
Emory Scholars Program: Offers partial to full merit based scholarships. Applications must be submitted by November 1 for Early Decision I applicants and by November 15 for Early Decision II or Regular Decision applicants. Only international students who apply for and receive financial aid for their first year during the admission process are eligible to receive financial aid in the following years.
Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts)
Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program: Offers full tuition and summer programs to all freshmen applicants including international students. Students with outstanding academic records and leadership in their school and community are selected. Students who apply through early decision and regular decision by the November 1 priority deadline are considered, and no separate application is required.
Boston University (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trustee Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees to first-years including international students and is renewable for four years. Trustee Scholars excel academically, and are intellectually and creatively adventurous. Freshman applicants must submit the Common or Coalition Application and complete the Trustee Scholarship to be considered.
Davidson College (Davidson, North Carolina)
International applicants, with the exception of international transfer applicants, are eligible for all merit scholarships. Please note if a separate application is required for a specific scholarship.
John M. Belk Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, and two $3,000 special opportunity stipends to up to eight students each year. Selections are based on exceptional achievement and promise in academics, character, leadership, and service. Students must be nominated by a guidance counselor, principal, or the admission staff.
Lowell L. Bryan Scholarship: Offers full tuition and fees to a scholar-athlete freshman of each gender. Students must be nominated by the head of school, counselor, coach, or a Davidson coach.
Charles Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, an allowance for travel and personal expenses, a laptop, and a special study opportunity fund to three freshmen each year. This scholarship is available to graduates of Chicago public high schools, particularly students of color, with strong academic records and personal accomplishment with financial need. Students must be nominated by guidance counselors, principals, a college preparatory program representative, or the admission and financial aid staff.
Norris Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and room and board to one student athlete with integrity, a strong work ethic, and leadership skills. Students are nominated by their school or the Davidson coach of their sport. This scholarship is next available in the class of 2026.
William Holt Terry Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and a $3,000 special opportunity stipend to two incoming freshmen. Selections are based on leadership skills and personal qualities through student government, athletics, service, or other activities.
Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program: Offers eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Recipients also receive funding for three summer experiences, conferences, and two semesters of study abroad. The application, including two letters of recommendation, are due November 15th.
Fordham University (New York City, New York)
Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship: Offers tuition, room & board and fees all four years on top of a maximum of $20K to use for “academic enrichment experiences.” Cunniffe Presidential Scholars are selected from Fordham applicants (no separate application) with demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and personal characteristics. Recipients will be notified April 1.
Semifinalist Scholarship: Offers free tuition for four years. “Recipients are finalists or semifinalists in the National Merit or National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship Programs who possess a solid A average and are in the top 2–3% of all admitted students.” There is no application necessary for this scholarship - recipients will be notified with their admission letter.
Furman University (Greenville, South Carolina)
James B. Duke Scholarship: Offers full tuition and stipends of up to $5,000 for study away, summer internship, or research experiences. Selections are based on academic achievement, leadership, service, and co-curricular involvement. Select students are invited to attend an interview event that takes place in March.
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
International students can be considered for these merit scholarships if they are non US citizens who have attended a U.S. High School or American school in another country. Other guidelines can be located on this page.
Stamps Scholarship: Offers the full cost of attendance, up to $14,000 for enrichment experiences, and $1,100 one-time stipend for a laptop. Prospective freshmen with a strong record of high academic achievement, leadership, and service are nominated for consideration through the admissions process. Students must submit their Common Application by the scholarship priority deadline, December 15, to be considered.
President’s Alumni Scholars Award: Offers the full cost of attendance and a $2,000 study abroad stipend. Prospective freshmen with a strong record of high academic achievement, leadership, and service are nominated for consideration through the admissions process. Students must submit their Common Application by the scholarship priority deadline, December 15, to be considered.
Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, Georgia)
All international students are automatically evaluated for merit scholarships up to $21,000, and international first-year applicants who submit all required documentation by Nov. 15 may be eligible to compete in Oglethorpe’s annual Scholarship Weekend for up to ten full-tuition scholarships.
James Edward Oglethorpe Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend towards participation in a study-abroad course along with other benefits. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition.
OU Theatre Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend toward participation in a study-abroad course along with other benefits to two students interested in studying and performing works of theatre each year. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition.
Hammack Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend towards a study abroad course or a professional internship with one of Atlanta’s top companies, along with other benefits, to one incoming freshman each year interested in a business related field. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition.
Civic Engagement & Service Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend in support of a self-designed internship at the non profit of their choice to two students engaged in community service each year. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship fWeekend competition.
Rollins College (Winter Park, Florida)
Alfond Scholars Program: Offers 10 students with full scholarships including tuition, fees, room, and board, which is renewable annually. To be competitive, students should have SATs of 1450 or higher, ACTs of 32 or higher, and GPAs of 3.6 or higher. The application deadline is November 15.
Salem College (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Dr. John Preston Davis Art Scholarship: Offers full tuition to students interested in majoring in Studio Art, Interior Design, or Art History. The application deadline for 2021 was January 15.
St. Lawrence University (Canton, New York)
Trustee Scholarship: Awarded to the top male and female freshmen applicants, and covers full tuition for four years. The scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, character, and leadership.
Stevenson University (Stevenson, Maryland)
Presidential Fellowship: Offers full-tuition to freshman applicants, which is renewable for four years. Students must have a minimum of a 3.6 GPA and a minimum score of 1100 on the SAT/22 ACT composite score to be considered. The application is due December 1.
Tulane University (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Deans’ Honor Scholarship: Offers full tuition and is awarded to students who excelled in high school, received high scores on standardized tests, and were involved in their communities. Students must submit an application via Early Action or Early Decision, and submit the separate scholarship application, which includes a creative project, by December 5.
Paul Tulane Scholarship: Same requirements and deadlines as the Dean’s Honor Scholarship.
Stamps Scholarship: This scholarship is Tulane University’s most prestigious scholarship, and it covers full tuition and provides enrichment funding. It rewards students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, service, and innovation. Students are selected from applicants for the Deans’ Honor Scholarship or Paul Tulane Award.
Global Scholarship: Offers up to a full-tuition award. Recipients are international students with outstanding academic records. Applicants in the top 20% academically are considered for the scholarship. It is suggested to complete the Early Action (Nov. 15th) or Early Decision (Nov. 1st) application for admission.
Brandt Dixon Scholarship: Offers up to a full-cost award to one or more Latin American women pursuing studies in Liberal Arts. Recipients typically demonstrate strong academic and extracurricular credentials. No separate application is required - all eligible applicants are automatically considered.
Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Award: Offers a full-tuition scholarship to multiple full-time undergraduate students from and studying in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recipients demonstrate strong academic and extracurricular credentials. No separate application is required.
University at Buffalo (Buffalo, New York)
Millonzi Distinguished Honors Scholarship: Offers up to full tuition and fees. It is available to incoming freshmen in the creative or performing arts majors who have been accepted to University Honors College, and is renewable for up to four years. This scholarship has not been offered for the last few years, but should be available again in the upcoming year or the year after.
University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, a meal plan, University health insurance, textbooks, a laptop allowance, and access to a $12,000 enrichment fund. Applicants must Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1, and are automatically considered. Recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship: Offers full tuition for four years of undergraduate study to exceptional and academically accomplished incoming freshmen. Applicants must Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1, and are automatically considered. Recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
University of Rochester (Rochester, New York)
Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship: Offers tuition, fees, room and board, books, $5,000 in enrichment funding, mentoring, personal expenses, and transportation to one percent of each incoming class. Selections are based on academic excellence, high financial need, potential to be future leaders, and demonstrated mastery of complex challenges. All first-year applicants are automatically considered, and nominations from high school and independent counselors, teachers, and community-based organization officials are open in early September and close mid-October.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Morehead-Cain: This scholarship covers full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, and miscellaneous, along with an international gap year, summer enrichment program, discovery fund, and study abroad. Students outside of North Carolina, Canada, or the UK must attend a nominating school or affiliate program to be considered, but other students can still be nominated through the Admissions Referral Program, and all students who apply by the October 15 Early Action deadline are considered.
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program: Offers eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Recipients also receive funding for three summer experiences, conferences, and two semesters of study abroad. The application, including two letters of recommendation, are due November 15th.
Kenan Music Scholars Program: This scholarship offers full tuition, including fees, room and board, additional financial support for musical enrichment activities. Recipients have the opportunity to combine musical studies with coursework or a second major. All students who take part in scholarship auditions for those who want to major in music at UNC-Chapel Hill are considered for this scholarship.
Chancellor’s Science Scholarship: This scholarship covers tuition, fees, and room and board for out of state students (in state students are awarded $10,000). The scholarships are annual and renewable for four years, and students can apply for additional funding for summer research opportunities, conferences, and other academic enrichment opportunities. The scholarship is directed towards high achieving STEM students from all backgrounds.
Colonel Robinson Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for STEM applicants, and it offers full scholarship for four years. Recipients receive support for a summer science study abroad experience after their first or second year.
Pogue Scholarship Program: Covers tuition, fees, and room and board for out of state students, which is renewable for four years of undergraduate study. Students who show extraordinary talent and a commitment to diversity and are admitted through early action are considered for this scholarship, and for in-state students, a $10,000 scholarship is offered.
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship: Offers tuition, room and board, and $3400 for personal expenses every year to students who demonstrate an unusual distinction in the classroom and beyond. This scholarship requires an application and interview.
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, room, board, and fees along with a $3400 allowance for students who demonstrate leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, and innovation. There is no application, and identified finalists are invited to campus for interviews and notified by March.
University of Rochester (Rochester, New York)
Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship: Offers tuition, fees, room and board, books, $5,000 in enrichment funding, mentoring, personal expenses, and transportation to one percent of each incoming class. Selections are based on academic excellence, high financial need, potential to be future leaders, and demonstrated mastery of complex challenges. All first-year applicants are automatically considered, and nominations from high school and independent counselors, teachers, and community-based organization officials are open in early September and close mid-October.
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship: Offers tuition, room and board, and $3400 for personal expenses every year to students who demonstrate an unusual distinction in the classroom and beyond. This scholarship requires an application and interview.
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, room, board, and fees along with a $3400 allowance for students who demonstrate leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, and innovation. There is no application, and identified finalists are invited to campus for interviews and notified by March.
University of Richmond (Richmond, Virginia)
Richmond Scholars Program: Offers full tuition, room and board, priority course registration, guaranteed on-campus housing, eligibility for a $3,000 grant for a student-selected academic activity, mentorship, tickets to selected cultural events, and other benefits to 25 incoming students each year. All applicants for admission who apply by December 1 are automatically considered.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
The Jefferson Scholarship: This scholarship covers full tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and includes an enrichment program. Students are nominated by eligible schools.
Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, and an enrichment fund for four years. Selections are based on exceptional achievements in academics and leadership. All students who apply to Virginia Tech are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Washington and Lee University (Lexington, Virginia)
The Johnson Scholarship: Offers tuition, room and board, and funding up to $7,000 to support summer experiences to 10% of each year’s incoming class. Selections are based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life on campus and of the world. Applications through the Common Application and a writing supplement are due no later than December 1, and finalists will participate in an on-campus competition with all expenses paid.
Wofford College (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
The Richardson Family Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, a monthly stipend for books and miscellaneous expenses, a laptop, summer internships with one involving opportunity for overseas travel, and a January travel experience. Selections are based on character, family commitment, instincts to lead, inclination to use one’s talents, academic accomplishments, and evidence of courage, sense of duty, and selflessness. Applicants must be nominated as a Wofford Scholar by their guidance counselors.
The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC)
Archdiocesan Scholarship: Offers a full-time four year scholarship. To be considered, applicants must be at the top of their class with at least a 3.8 unweighted GPA in demanding classes. Finalists will participate in an interview, and no application is necessary.
Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, $6K in enrichment funds (to be used for study abroad, a service project, etc), and a personal mentor. No application is necessary aside from the one to Elizabethtown - ten students from the applicant pool will be selected to interview with the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, and results will be announced by March 15. All admitted students are considered.
George Washington University (Washington, D.C.)
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship: Offers tuition, room & board, books, and fees to DC residents. Applicants must have attended high school in DC. To be considered, students must apply to GW by Jan. 5 and be nominated by a high school counselor by January 11. The selection process considers academic and personal achievement as well as an essay and interview.
Presidential International Scholars: Offers a scholarship with varying value but can cover full tuition to any non-U.S. citizen or non-permanent resident. Awards are only given to first-year undergraduates and are based on strong academic credentials. Priority is given to applicants whose admission files are completed by the application deadlines, but all eligible candidates at the time of admission are considered.
University of Delaware (Newark, Delaware)
Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholars: Offers tuition, room and board, some fees, and a $2,500 enrichment fund. Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholars are part of the Distinguished Scholars community at the University of Delaware.
