Scholarships for MS in USA for Indian Students 2026
Last updated: Nov 10, 2025Aspiring to pursue a master’s degree in the USA? For countless talented Indian students, this dream is thrilling. However, the daunting price tag can swiftly turn that dream into a financial nightmare. But don’t you worry, as scholarship for MS in USA got you covered. Besides, around 100,000-120,000 Indians are studying MS in the USA in 2025. The cost of international education can feel monumental, but financial aid is the game-changer. Hence, this blog will take you on a journey of finding out the list of scholarship for masters in USA for Indian students, its eligibility, documents, deadline, university or course-specific and steps of how to get scholarship for MS in USA. So let’s begin.

Table of Contents
1. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
3. Generation Google Scholarship
4. American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) International Fellowship
5. The Next Genius Foundation Scholarship
6. Amber Scholarship
7. MPOWER Financing Udaan India Scholarship
8. TATA Scholarship
1. What types of scholarships are available for MS students in the USA?
2. Can I apply for scholarships before getting admission?
3. Is the GRE required for scholarship consideration?
4. Which U.S. universities offer the best scholarships for MS students?
5. What are some popular external scholarships for an MS in the USA?
Fully Funded Scholarships for MS in USA for Indian Students
A fully funded scholarship for MS in USA is a gateway to pursue a career-oriented degree that provides an abundance of opportunities to Indian students. It covers costs like tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs to relieve the financial burden of studying abroad. So explore the below scholarship for MS in USA for Indian students that can make your dream of pursuing a US master’s degree a reality without racking up debt.
1. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship is a renowned financial aid offered to talented students from developing countries like India who can’t afford to pay the high cost of studying a master's in the USA. This scholarship for masters in USA for Indian students is a mix of grant and loan, which means half of the amount needs to be paid back, and the other half is a gift. Also, you need to have a guarantor to secure this scholarship, and it can be repaid within five years after graduation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizens of India or any developing country
- Preferably under 30 years old
- Must have a guarantor
- Should be enrolled in a master's program in the USA.
- Your country needs to have the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) or the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) operate
| Deadline | 31 March 2026 |
| Process | 1. Check the starting and deadline dates from their official scholarship portal. 2. Review eligibility and secure university admission 3. Fill the form and submit the application 4. Give the interview5. Wait for the final decision. |
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is popular for its premier government-funded scholarships for international students. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to graduates to pursue a master's degree in the USA. It was established by the US government in 1946. In addition, this MS scholarship for Indian students is completely merit-based, and the prize fund is divided between two or five years’ master's.
Edibility Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree must be equivalent to a US degree
- Proficiency in the English language, IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE scores are required
- Minimum 3 years of work experience.
- Must submit three LOR and two essays.
| Deadline | It varies per country but generally between February and October. |
| Process | 1. Meet all the eligibility criteria and country-specific requirements 2. Prepare the required documents 3. Apply, fill and submit your application 4. Wait for the evaluation and interview |
3. Generation Google Scholarship
To help you study for a master's in the USA, Google has now got your back. They are providing scholarship for studying MS in USA in the tech field. This scholarship is a global program with regional eligibility. Also, this grant supports female students to pursue computer science and other related degrees in the Asia Pacific region. It awards $2,500 USD to women for excelling in technology field courses.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only for women
- Bachelor’s degree accredited by the University of Asia Pacific region.
- Strong academic records
- Proof of fund
- Children of Google employees are not eligible for this grant.
- Pursuing computer science, computer engineering or any similar field.
| Deadline | It varies according to country specific |
| Process | 1. Fill out the application form 2. Submit all the required documents 3. Upload resume or CV 4. Review and submit your application before the deadline 5. Wait for the response |
4. American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) International Fellowship
AAUW, or the American Association of University Women’s international fellowship, is a well-known scholarship that supports non-US citizen women studying full-time master's or PhD studies in the USA. This scholarship for USA masters empowers women to rock the education world, and till now, 3600 women have benefited from this. This scholarship offers $18,000 covering tuition fees, living expenses and more.
Eligibility Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree equivalent to a USA undergraduate degree
- High scores in English language proficiency
- Intend to return to the home country after completing studies
- Non-USA citizen women
- Should be admitted to a recognised US university
| Deadline | November 15 2025 |
| Process | 1. Register and create an account 2. Complete the online application 3. Gather the required documents and upload 4. Submit the application 5. Pay the fees 6. Now wait for the final decision |
5. The Next Genius Foundation Scholarship
The Next Genius Foundation Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for South Asian students, mainly from India. It provides full or partial tuition fee reduction for undergraduate studies in the USA. Additionally, it covers tuition fees for up to four years. But note that it doesn’t cover living expenses such as accommodation, health insurance and travel.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grade 12 student of India, Bangladesh and Nepal
- Need to pay basic registration fees of INR 700 to apply for this grant
- Students need to provide proof of paying basic living expenses and travel fare in the USA.
| Deadline | January 1 2026 |
| Process | 1. Register and pay the fees 2. Give the online assessment 3. Fill out the profiling form and select colleges and courses 4. Submit a college application 5. Attend the interview and get results. |
6. Amber Scholarship
Another MS scholarship for Indian students is the Amber Scholarship, which is offered to students of all nationalities who dream of pursuing higher education in the USA, UK, Ireland and Canada. Moreover, this scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, communication, creativity, purpose and financial needs. This scholarship offers three amounts: 1st –USD7000 2ND USD 5000, and 3rd USD 3000.
Eligibility Criteria.
- You must have an acceptance letter from a US-based university
- Must have a bachelor’s degree.
- Submit a Statement of Purpose that articulates why you want this grant.
| Deadline | Likely be in August 2026 |
| Process | 1. Register on the Amber Scholarship website to create an account 2. Log in and apply to get access to the application form. 3. Check eligibility and selection criteria 4. Prepare your documents, such as SOP, academic transcript 5. Fill the form and submit your application |
7. MPOWER Financing Udaan India Scholarship
The MPOWER Financing Udaan India Scholarship is only for Indian students who want to study a STEM-focused masters in USA with scholarship. It is intended to lessen financial barriers for high-performing and good academic score students in critical fields like technology and innovation. It covers partial tuition fees up to $5000 (INR 4L).
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen
- Must have taken admission to an eligible STEM MS program in the USA.
| Deadline | 31 January 2026 |
| Process | 1. Check eligibility criteria 2. Meet visa requirements 3. Complete the online application 4. Submit the required documents 5. Write a compelling essay 6. Submit the form and wait for the response |
8. TATA Scholarship
The Tata scholarship for MS in USA is best for Indian students who want to pursue a master's. It is given by TATA Trusts for Indian students, and a specific scholarship is available for postgraduate programs at certain universities. The most prominent one is the TATA Scholarship at Cornell University. This supports a master’s degree and covers full tuition fees and living expenses for academically strong Indian students. In addition, this MS scholarship for Indian students awards INR one lakh to 10 Lakhs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Be admitted to Cornell University for an undergraduate program.
- Demonstrate financial need proof.
| Deadline | January 2 2026 |
| Process | 1. Apply to Cornell University 2. Apply for financial aid 3. Check the eligibility criteria of the scholarship 4. Show evidence of financial need 5. Meet language requirement 6. Fill the form and apply for the scholarship. |
These are some of the best scholarship for MS in USA, if you are in confusion which one to choose. You can use our Scholarship Finder tool, which provides suggestions according to your preferences and needs
Scholarships Offered by Top Universities MS in USA
Securing an MS degree from top-tier USA universities is no doubt a transformative shift, yet the associated financial burden often seems a formidable barrier. But the good news is that top universities offer a wide range of prestigious scholarship for MS in USA. These can be merit-based or need-based, designed to attract the bright Indian minds to pursue a masters here. This covers living expenses and full tuition fees. Below is the table of top universities offering scholarship for USA masters. So, have a look.
| University | Program | Amount |
| Cornell University | TATA Scholarship | 100% of the tuition fee |
| Stanford University | Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program | Full tuition, a living stipend, and travel allowances |
| Harvard College | Various programs, including the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Scholarship, the Federal Pell Grant, and the Gilbert Grant | Need-based scholarships, mostly cover 100% tuition or remaining need if any external grant covers a certain amount. |
| Yale University | Yale University Scholarships | average amount is around USD 50,000 and can go upto USD 70,000. It usually covers the full tuition. |
| Illinois State University | Merit-based scholarships | Up to $5,000 per semester |
| Oregon State University | International Graduate Research Assistantships | Up to $3,000 per year |
| University of Rochester | Simon Graduate School of Business Fellowships | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
| University of California | Berkeley International Graduate Fellowship | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
| University of Michigan | International Graduate Fellowship | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
| University of Southern California | Graduate Merit Fellowships | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
| University of Texas at Austin | Graduate School of Business Merit Scholarships | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
| University of Washington | Distinguished Graduate Fellowships | Up to full tuition and a living stipend |
How Do I Apply for Scholarships for Master's in the USA?
To apply for the fully funded masters programs scholarship in the USA, you must follow some basic guidelines. Below we have enlisted all the steps to apply for scholarship for MS in USA. Have a glimpse at that.
- Research Well– Search for the scholarship that aligns with your academic profile, financial needs and field of study.
- Start Early- Sometimes scholarship deadlines can be after the university application process or maybe before, so plan your timeline according to that.
- Explore University and Governments funds- Governments and universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships.
- Maintain Academic Excellence- Strong undergraduate grades, solid GPA and relevant coursework are vital. Also, take part in activities and projects to show leadership skills.
- Proficiency Scores- Achieve scores in English language test (IELTS and PTE) and standardised scores (GRE and GMAT)
- Follow the Eligibility Guideline and Gather Documents- Carefully check the criteria such as age, nationality, academic achievement and work experience. Also, gathering documents like qualification certificates, bachelor's degrees, SOP, LOR and more.
- Visit the Website or Official Site- Provide complete and accurate information, ensure all transcripts, documents, and forms are correct and submitted before the deadline.
- Craft a Winning Personal Essay– Highlight your leadership skills, academic strengths, achievements, future goals and the reason why a scholarship will help you to contribute to your studies.
- Submit your application – Set the timeline, fill the forms, attach all the documents and wait for the response.
Documents Required for Scholarships for Master's in the USA?
When applying for the scholarship for MS in USA for Indian students you must gather some essential documents. It helps to verify your academic and financial needs. Here is the list of documents required for a scholarship for studying MS in USA for students.
- Academic transcript
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university, must have 7.9-9.0 CGPA or 60% marks.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Standardised test GRE scores (310+)
- English language scores IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+ and PTE 65+
- Work experience of at least 2 years
- Financial documents are required for need-based awards
Conclusion
Here we have come to the end after exploring scholarship for MS in USA for Indian students. These scholarships are financial support, acting like a helping hand, reducing the burden of paying hefty tuition fees. Universities, government and NGOs offer numerous scholarships to pursue a master's degree in this country. Also, there are many benefits of studying MS, such as a high employability rate, a wide range of courses, quality education and much more. Thus, if you need any help in this journey, go nowhere as Gradding.com is here, our study abroad consultants will guide you to get best scholarships for Indian students to study in the US.
FAQ’s: -
1. What types of scholarships are available for MS students in the USA?
MS students in the USA can find scholarships in many categories, such as merit-based for good academic performance or having high scores. Need-based scholarship for students with financial need. Others are subject-specific or student-specific scholarships based on the specific programs or field of study, or grants for background like international status, gender, etc.
2. Can I apply for scholarships before getting admission?
Yes, you can apply for scholarships before getting admission, and many scholarships are even given before the admission deadlines. However, it is important to do prior research to check the specific requirements, as some may allow you to apply for the grant alongside the admission process. Conversely, others have an early deadline and require you to apply weakly before your university application begins.
3. Is the GRE required for scholarship consideration?
No, the GRE is not always the major consideration for the scholarship to pursue an MS in the USA. It depends on the university and the specific scholarship opted for by the candidate. However, many top universities still prefer a strong GRE score, and it can increase the chances of acquiring a merit-based scholarship.
4. Which U.S. universities offer the best scholarships for MS students?
Universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Harvard, and more are often mentioned for offering the best scholarships for MS students. It can be fully funded or provide substantial financial support. Although the specific details and availability can vary by student profile and the program they opt for.
5. What are some popular external scholarships for an MS in the USA?
Numerous and popular options are available for popular external scholarships for MS in the USA. Here is the list of scholarship for MS in USA.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- AAUW International Fellowship for women
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
- Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars
- Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
- Generation Google Scholarship
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