List of Available USA Scholarship Opportunities 2025

Securing a fully funded education in the United States as an international student is a dream for many, and it’s more attainable than you might think. While the competition is high, numerous universities offer generous scholarships and assistantships to help cover tuition and living expenses. This article provides a detailed guide to 11 US universities with high acceptance rates that are known for their financial support for international students.

Understanding US University Funding

Before diving into the list, it’s crucial to understand the different types of financial aid available.

• Undergraduate Scholarships: These are typically “free money” awarded to students based on merit, need, or other criteria. They can range from a few thousand dollars to a full tuition waiver.
• Graduate Assistantships: For Master’s and PhD students, “free money” is rare. Instead, many universities offer graduate assistantships. This involves working for the university for a set number of hours per week (usually up to 20) in a teaching, research, or administrative capacity. In return, the university waives your tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend to cover living expenses like rent and food. This is often the most common path to a fully funded graduate degree in the US.

The universities on this list offer a mix of these scholarships and assistantships, making them excellent choices for international students seeking financial support. The list is organized from the lowest to the highest undergraduate acceptance rates.

1. University of Vermont

• Location: Burlington, Vermont
• Acceptance Rate: 59.8%
• Scholarship Offerings: The university offers up to a $25,000 scholarship for undergraduate students. For graduate students, there are great assistantship opportunities that can lead to a fully funded experience.
• Application Deadlines: Fall semester: June 24th; Spring semester: November 8th.
• Application Fee: $65
• English Language Proficiency: A major advantage for Nigerian and Ghanaian students is that the University of Vermont often waives the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for applicants from these countries.

2. Florida International University (FIU)

• Location: Miami, Florida
• Acceptance Rate: 63.9%
• Scholarship Offerings: FIU provides 100% tuition scholarships for undergraduate students and has excellent assistantship opportunities for graduate students.
• Application Deadlines: Fall semester: February 15th; Spring semester: August 1st.
• Application Fee: $30, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
• English Language Proficiency: Like the University of Vermont, FIU also waives the English test requirement for Nigerian and Ghanaian students.

3. Mississippi State University

• Location: Mississippi State, Mississippi
• Acceptance Rate: 75.2%
• Scholarship Offerings: Undergraduate students can receive up to a $25,000 scholarship, while graduate students can secure excellent assistantships. It is important to note that many US universities allocate more scholarship funds for the Fall semester, as this is when the academic year and departmental budgets typically begin.
• Application Deadlines: Fall semester: May 1st; Spring semester: October 1st.
• Application Fee: $80
• English Language Proficiency: This university also waives the English test for Nigerians and Ghanaians.

4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

• Location: Baltimore, Maryland
• Acceptance Rate: 80.6%
• Scholarship Offerings: UMBC offers a 50% tuition scholarship for undergraduate students and has strong graduate assistantship programs. While not a full scholarship for undergraduates, the assistantship opportunities for graduate students are highly competitive and can lead to a fully funded experience.
• Application Deadlines: Application deadlines for both fall and spring semesters are program-specific, so it’s essential to check with the department you are applying to.
• Application Fee: $50
• English Language Proficiency: This university waives the English test requirement.

5. University of Nevada, Reno

• Location: Reno, Nevada
• Acceptance Rate: 85.6%
• Scholarship Offerings: While there are no full scholarships for undergraduates, the university provides graduate assistantships for Master’s and PhD students.
• Application Deadlines: Application deadlines are program-dependent for both fall and spring semesters.
• Application Fee: $95, the highest on this list.
• English Language Proficiency: The university waives the English test requirement.

6. University of Findlay

• Location: Findlay, Ohio
• Acceptance Rate: 86%
• Scholarship Offerings: The university offers up to a $24,000 scholarship for undergraduates and graduate assistantships.
• Application Deadlines: Fall semester: June 20th; Spring semester: November 10th.
• Application Fee: $75
• English Language Proficiency: The English test is waived for Ghanaians but not for Nigerians. However, Nigerian students can submit a proof of English proficiency from their previous university to fulfill the requirement.

7. University of Arizona

• Location: Tucson, Arizona
• Acceptance Rate: 86.8%
• Scholarship Offerings: This university offers a “Global Wildcat Award” that can provide up to $23,000 in scholarship funds for undergraduates. They also have full-time graduate assistantships.
• Application Deadlines: Undergraduate deadlines for fall are from August 1st to June 30th, and for spring, from May 6th to November 1st. Graduate deadlines are likely program-dependent.
• Application Fees: $85 for undergraduates, $90 for graduate students.
• English Language Proficiency: English tests are waived.

8. Miami University

• Location: Oxford, Ohio
• Acceptance Rate: 87.9%
• Scholarship Offerings: Miami University provides a $12,000 scholarship for undergraduates and graduate assistantships.
• Application Deadlines: All deadlines are program-dependent, so it is important to check with the specific department.
• Application Fee: $50
• English Language Proficiency: English tests are waived.

9. Kent State University

• Location: Kent, Ohio
• Acceptance Rate: 88%
• Scholarship Offerings: The university offers a $17,000 scholarship for undergraduates and has graduate assistantships.
• Application Deadlines: Deadlines for both semesters are program-specific.
• Application Fee: $70
• English Language Proficiency: English tests are waived for Nigerians and Ghanaians.

10. Missouri State University

• Location: Springfield, Missouri
• Acceptance Rate: 92.6%
• Scholarship Offerings: Undergraduate scholarships range from $5,500 to $10,000. Graduate assistantships are also available.
• Application Deadlines: Fall semester: May 1st; Spring semester: October 1st.
• Application Fees: $50 for undergraduates, with graduate fees varying by program.
• English Language Proficiency: English tests are waived.

11. Western Kentucky University (Bonus University)

• Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Acceptance Rate: 96.9%
• Scholarship Offerings: The university has a “Freshman Scholarship” of $7,500 per year and a “TOP” scholarship of $9,500. They also offer graduate assistantships.
• Application Deadlines: Deadlines are program-dependent for both fall and spring semesters.
• Application Fee: $95
• English Language Proficiency: English tests are waived.

Final Advice for Your Application

To maximize your chances of success, it is highly recommended that you apply to at least five of these universities. This not only increases your odds of admission but also demonstrates to a visa officer that you are a serious and committed student. The application fees for these schools can add up, but many universities offer application fee waivers. There are several ways to get your application fees waived, and it is a topic worth researching to save money during your application process.