Scholarships for MS in USA for Indian Students

 Are you looking for a scholarship for MS in USA? The USA is a popular study destination for Indian students to pursue their higher education abroad. However, pursuing higher education in the US is an expensive affair. Indian students need not worry as a number of scholarships are available for various courses in the United States.

If you are someone who is willing to study MS in the USA, this article is for you! After reading this article, you will be in a position to find a scholarship for MS in USA and reduce your financial burden of studying abroad. Learn about the different scholarships, their eligibility criteria, and benefits. Additionally, we have provided some useful tips to increase your chances of receiving one of these scholarships.

Top Scholarships for MS in USA

A wide range of scholarships is available for Indian students who wish to study MS in the United States. These scholarships can be merit-based, government, private, or college-specific. Given below is a list of common scholarships that can be availed by international aspirants for studying MS in the USA:

• Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
• Generation Google Scholarship 
• AAUW International Fellowships
• Global Study Awards
• Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship

Scholarships are offered by the Aga Khan Foundation to students who intend to pursue postgraduate programs, like an MS. Applicants must be from developing countries who are unable to obtain funds for their studies abroad. This scholarship is awarded through a competitive application process and offered on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis. The repayment period of the loan amount is five years. Fees and living expenses are covered by the scholarship. The amount of the scholarship is determined by the needs of the student. 

The eligibility criteria for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship is given below: 

• The applicant should be a resident of an eligible country.
• Students must reside in a country where Aga Khan Services (AKES), Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB), or Local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) exist.
• Students under the age of 30 are given more preference.
• A strong academic record is required.
• Click here to know more about the application details.

Generation Google Scholarship

It is an award given by Google to help aspiring computer scientists excel in the field of technology. Students willing to study in the US or Canada can apply for this scholarship. This scholarship is worth 10,000 USD.

Applicants are eligible to apply for Generation Google Scholarship if they meet the following requirements:

• Have completed high school or an equivalent education.
• Plans to study full-time at an accredited university in the United States or Canada for a Bachelor's, Master's, or a Ph.D. program.
• Intends to enroll in programs related to computer science, computer engineering, or any other technical field.
• Have an outstanding academic record.
• Demonstrates leadership skills and has a passion for improving the representation of disadvantaged groups in the IT field.
• Click here to get detailed information about the Generation Google Scholarship.

AAUW International Fellowships

The scholarship is offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) - only to women - to promote equitability and educational opportunities for women. Female non-US citizens or non-permanent residents applying for full-time study or research can apply for this program. During the past few years, more than 3,600 women from 150 different countries have received this scholarship. This could be one of the best options for Indian women applying to MS programs in the US. 

The scholarship is worth US$ 18,000. Expenses for tuition, living expenses, and dependent child care can be covered with this amount. For the second year, up to five fellowships will be renewed for Master's/First Professional Degrees. 

The eligibility criteria for AAUW International Fellowships are given below:

• Any citizen of a country other than the USA is eligible to apply.
• An academic degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in the United States.
• You plan to return to your home country to begin a professional careers.
• Have English proficiency and academic transcripts to prove that you have completed a UG degree/diploma from an English-speaking university. Otherwise, you will need to submit an IELTS/TOEFL score.
• Should be studying for a full year. A partial year of study or research is not supported by the organization.
• Have applied to a US institution that is accredited.
• To get complete application details, check out the official website.

Global Study Awards

The British Council launched this scholarship program in 2015. This award is given to students who have done exceptionally well in their IELTS test and are highly motivated to advance their careers. It is open to nationals of all countries enrolled in UG, PG, and doctoral programs in any country worldwide.

Applicants will receive a scholarship worth £10,000 to cover tuition fees. If the tuition fee is less than the scholarship fund, the remaining amount will be used to cover living expenses for a maximum duration of 52 weeks. 

Eligibility criteria for the Global Study Awards:

• You must be above 18 years of age.
• You plan to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree abroad.
• Have an acceptance letter from a recognized institution.

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships

Started by Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria in 2002, these scholarships help the brightest students of India pursue their postgraduate studies from India and abroad. It is in the form of an interest-free scholarship loan that students need to pay back as per the schedule specified by the organization. The maximum scholarship amount is INR 20 lakhs.

Eligibility criteria for Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships:

• You must be an Indian resident.
• Must be under 30 years of age. 
• Applicants must be graduates of an accredited Indian university. Final year applicants are also eligible.
• Click here to learn more about the application details of Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships.

College-Specific Scholarships for MS in the USA

Several universities in the United States provide scholarships to Indian students for pursuing various undergraduate and graduate programs. Following are some of the college-specific scholarships available for Indian students intending to pursue an MS degree in the US:

• Illinois State University Scholarships
• University of Oregon Scholarships
• New York University Wagner Scholarships

Illinois State University Scholarships

International students enrolled in UG and PG courses at the Illinois State University are eligible for merit-based partial tuition waivers through this scholarship. The waiver is only applied to tuition, not to the entire fee. The amount of the scholarship is US$ 5,000 per semester.

Illinois State University Scholarships do not have set eligibility criteria. However, outstanding students who continue to study at the university are rewarded with this prize. Click here to explore various scholarships offered by the Illinois State University and know about their application details.

University of Oregon Scholarships

The University of Oregon offers many scholarships. While some scholarships are based on application, others are automatically awarded based on students' GPAs and qualifying test scores, including SAT and ACT. Below is an example of a merit-based scholarship offered by the university:

• Sushil Jajodia Indian Student Scholarship: Founded by Sushil Jajodia and offered by the University of Oregon, this scholarship is only available to Indian students.
• Amount: An award of US$ 3,000 may be given each year. Total three scholarships are awarded.
• Eligibility: You must be an Indian resident to qualify for the scholarship.
• Find complete application details here.

New York University Wagner Scholarships

New York University offers scholarships based on merit. To apply for the scholarship, students will need to submit their admission applications online. Candidates are selected based on two factors: whether they meet the requirements of the scholarship program, as well as the strength of their application. Examples of these scholarships include: 

• Dean’s Scholarship: This full-tuition scholarship is awarded solely based on merit and the strength of a student's application. Under this scholarship, the degree program or area of interest is not taken into consideration. 
• Public Service Scholarship: Students receive partial or half-tuition scholarships based on merit and application strength. It is available for all fields of study, including master's degree programs in the US. 

To learn more about the application details of New York University Wagner Scholarships, click here.

How to Get a Scholarship for MS in USA?

It can be a challenging task for Indian students to obtain a scholarship for MS in the US. Due to a highly competitive environment, one must do meticulous planning before applying for a scholarship. There is no uniform pattern of getting a scholarship for MS in the country. These scholarships can be fully or partially funded or in the form of an interest-free loan, partial loan, partial grant, etc.

In order to qualify for a scholarship for MS in USA, you must meet the following requirements:

• A letter of acceptance from a recognized institution
• Bachelor's degree in STEM from a recognized university
• An exceptional academic record
• Extracurricular achievements 
• Relevant work experience. Tenure may vary depending on the university policy
• Candidate must possess leadership skills and social awareness
• Affidavit stating the need for scholarship in case of poor economic condition
• A good IELTS/TOEFL and GRE score

Tips to Increase your Chances of Getting a US Scholarship 

Students must be careful while applying for scholarships for MS in the US as there is intense competition among the applicants. Therefore, it is very important to write the scholarship application according to the requirements of the institution/organization. These tips will help you enhance your scholarship application and increase your chances of obtaining a scholarship for MS in USA: 

• To increase their chances of receiving a scholarship, students should apply for as many scholarships as possible. Ensure that you apply within the deadlines for each scholarship.
• Make sure the information is presented professionally and that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. 
• Provide references/referees to strengthen your application. 
• It is always a good idea to get your scholarship essay reviewed by an expert before submitting it.