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Guide on Scholarship for PhD in USA 2024
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Guide on Scholarship for PhD in USA 2024

Guide on Scholarship for PhD in USA 2024

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Find PhD scholarships in the USA with GyanDhan. Find key tips to pursue PhD in USA for Indian students with scholarships.

GyanDhan
Anam Shams
Updated on:  02 Mar 2024  | Reviewed By:  Aman  | 1.12K | 22  min read

Planning to pursue PhD in USA but puzzled about your finances? Then scholarships are the ideal choice for you to reduce your financial burden. A PhD in USA requires a great deal of financial commitment and costs about 30,000 USD-60,000 USD per year. With options like education loans, scholars have to be worried about repayment and interest obligations. This is where scholarship for PhD students in USA comes into play to help alleviate the financial burden of pursuing a PhD.

In the following blog, you will find detailed information on top PhD scholarship in USA for Indian students with the application process, deadlines, amount offered, and more.

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Types of PhD Scholarships in USA for Indian Students

Various scholarships are awarded to Indian students for pursuing PhD in USA including merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, program-specific scholarships, and more. 

  1. list items Merit-based scholarships: The most popular among students are merit-based scholarships that are awarded based on excellence in academics, research, extracurricular participation, etc. These scholarships may be awarded at the time of entry or as a full scholarship for PhD in USA.
  2. list items Need-based scholarships: Although limited universities provide students with scholarships based on the financial need demonstrated in the application process.
  3. list items Diversity scholarships: Various universities promote diversity by awarding PhD scholarships in USA for developing countries. These include country-specific scholarships that are awarded by the government to attract researchers in various fields from around the world.

Apart from the types of scholarships mentioned above, students may also consider program-specific or subject-specific scholarships that are usually awarded based on academic and professional achievements in their respective fields.

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Top Scholarships for PhD Programs in USA

Now that we have discussed the types of scholarships, let’s take a look at some popular scholarships for Indian PhD students in USA:

  • list items Fulbright Foreign Student Program
  • list items AAUW International Fellowship
  • list items IBM PhD Fellowship Award Program
  • list items Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
  • list items National Overseas Scholarship

Let us take a look at some key details to apply for PhD scholarship in USA:

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the most renowned scholarship program globally that offers opportunities to international students to pursue graduate programs or undertake research.

  • list items The scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. government and is open to students from more than 160 countries.
  • list items Around 4,000 scholarships are awarded to international students to study in the U.S.
  • list items Students applying to any course and demonstrating strong academic records, leadership potential, and English proficiency are eligible for this award.
  • list items The scholarship provides full funding covering all expenses related to tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and travel allowance among other benefits.
  • list items To apply for the scholarship, the applicant must pass the GMAT or GRE.
  • list items After completing the program, the student must return to their home country for a minimum period of 2 years.
  • list items AAUW International Fellowship

The AAUW International Fellowship is awarded by the American Association of University Women to support women in pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the U.S.

  • list items The scholarship aims to promote gender equity and help women realize their full potential and contribute to their home country.
  • list items The fellowship offers partial funding ranging between 25,000 USD to 50,000 USD to cover tuition fees, living, health, and travel expenses.
  • list items Recipients for the award are selected from over 140 countries based on academic excellence and potential for leadership.
  • list items The fellowship can be availed at any of the U.S. institutions.
  • list items The application period for the fellowship is between August 1 to November 15 every year.

IBM PhD Fellowship Award Program

The IBM PhD fellowship award aims to attract PhD candidates from around the world in the fields of engineering, technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, and related fields.

  • list items The value of the fellowship is 40,000 USD for universities in the U.S. and ranges between 6,000 USD to 25,000 USD for universities in other countries.
  • list items To become a recipient of the award, the student must be nominated by a doctoral faculty.
  • list items The recipients will be chosen based on academic merit, publication record, research excellence, and nomination by the faculty.

Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani scholarships to Indian students pursuing master's, PhD, and post-doctoral programs at U.S., UK, and European institutions. The applicants for the scholarship should be citizens of a country other than the U.S.

  • list items The scholarship provides full funding including tuition fees, living expenses, and one-way airfare.
  • list items The application deadline for the Inlaks Shivdasani scholarship is March 22, 2024.
  • list items Selected students will be eligible to receive a total of 100,000 USD.
  • list items The selection process has three stages starting from the application review followed by an online preliminary interview and a final in-person interview.

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is one of the scholarships for Indian PhD students in USA. The scholarship is awarded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Indian government to support students from marginalized communities in India to pursue master’s and PhD courses abroad.

  • list items The scholarship covers tuition fees, maintenance, and other expenses.
  • list items Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic merit to be selected for the award.
  • list items About 30% of the scholarships are reserved for female candidates.
  • list items To apply for the scholarship, the student must secure at least 55% in the master’s level examination and be below 35 years of age.
  • list items Students who have already secured admission to an international university will be given preference in the selection process.
  • list items The application deadline for the scholarship is usually March 31 every year.

University-specific Scholarship for PhD Students in USA

Several top US universities offer highly competitive, fully funded PhD to international students. Take a look at the brief overview of university-specific PhD scholarships in the USA for international students.

University/ Scholarship Name Benefits Duration

Stanford Knight-Hennessy Fellowship

Tuition support and stipend for living and academic expenses along with a travel stipend for one annual trip.

Awarded to incoming doctoral students for up to 3 years.

Princeton Fellowships

Full tuition and additional stipend.

The fellowship is offered for the entire enrollment duration.

Yale University Scholarships

Covers the full amount of tuition, along with a 12-month stipend of $40,530 and health insurance.

The fellowship is awarded for a minimum of 5 years.

Harvard University Scholarships

Tuition, health fees, and living expenses.

Awarded for a minimum duration of 5 years.

MIT Scholarships

Covers full tuition plus a monthly fellowship stipend of 4,497 USD.

Awarded for 5 years.

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Requirements to Apply for PhD Scholarship in USA

The requirements to apply for PhD in USA for Indian students with scholarship can vary depending on the university, program, area of study and scholarship availed. However, the basic criteria that applicants are typically required to fulfill are mentioned below:

  • list items Academic requirements: Applicants must hold a master’s degree in the relevant discipline to apply for PhD in USA. The academic transcripts must demonstrate strong academic performance to be eligible for a full scholarship for PhD in USA. Standardized test scores: Most U.S. universities require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores. English language proficiency: International students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by taking tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Research experience: Demonstrated research experience is an important criterion to apply for PhD programs. Research experience may include publications, presentations at conferences as well as letters of recommendation.
  • list items Academic requirements: Applicants must hold a master’s degree in the relevant discipline to apply for PhD in USA. The academic transcripts must demonstrate strong academic performance to be eligible for a full scholarship for PhD in USA.
  • list items Standardized test scores: Most U.S. universities require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.
  • list items English language proficiency: International students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by taking tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
  • list items Research experience: Demonstrated research experience is an important criterion to apply for PhD programs. Research experience may include publications, presentations at conferences as well as letters of recommendation.
  • list items Research proposal: All applicants for PhD programs are required to submit a research proposal outlining their research interests, goals, and reasons supporting the choice to pursue PhD in the given field.
  • list items Letter of recommendation: LORs from professors, research supervisors, or other professionals who can provide detailed and positive assessments of your academic abilities and potential to conduct research add value to the application.

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How to Secure PhD Scholarship in USA for Indian Students?

Securing a PhD scholarship in USA for Indian students can be highly competitive, but several steps can increase your chances of success. Some of these steps are:

  • list items Research scholarship opportunities: The first step to secure a scholarship for PhD students in USA is to start by researching scholarship opportunities specifically tailored for international students. Look into government-funded scholarships, university scholarships, private foundations, and organizations that offer funding to pursue PhD in USA for Indian students with scholarship.
  • list items Prepare application materials: It is best to prepare all required application materials, including academic transcripts, standardized test scores, language proficiency test scores, SOP, LORs, and any other supporting documents specified by the scholarship program after carefully reviewing the eligibility criteria for the scholarship program you are interested in.
  • list items Highlight academic and research achievements: To strengthen your scholarship application, work hard on your academic achievements, research background, publications, and other relevant accomplishments that are considered in the selection process. It is best to clearly articulate your goals and interests in research interests and highlight how they align with the objectives of the scholarship program.
  • list items Tailor your research proposal: Your research proposal should clearly state your objectives, why you're interested in pursuing a PhD in your chosen field, and how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. You are required to craft a compelling and well-written essay in support of your research proposal.
  • list items Meet important deadlines: It is advisable to pay close attention to application deadlines and ensure timely submissions of all required materials. Late or incomplete submissions lead to the rejection of the application.
  • list items Adherence to instructions: You need to ensure that you follow the application instructions provided by the scholarship program meticulously. To save yourself from delays or rejection, double-check that you have furnished all required information correctly and provided all necessary documentation.

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With this, we conclude the discussion on PhD in USA for Indian students with scholarship. There are various factors to consider before enrolling for a PhD in USA such as the availability of programs, research facilities, ranking, fees, scholarships, and other funding options among others. You have to prove your worth with your academic records, leadership, research skills, and experience to secure a full scholarship for PhD in USA. By diligently researching available scholarship options, preparing a strong application, and meeting all requirements, you can boost your chances of securing a scholarship for your PhD studies in the USA.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Ques. How to get scholarship for PhD in USA?
 

Ans. To get a scholarship for PhD in USA, candidates should research available funding offered by the government, universities, and private organizations. Further, it is important to check the eligibility criteria, benefits, and requirements for each award and apply within the deadline.

Ques. How to apply for PhD in USA with scholarship?
 

Ans. To apply for PhD in USA with scholarship, interested applicants must follow the procedure specified by the university, government, or organization providing the funding. Generally, applicants are required to demonstrate a strong academic background, research experience, and English language proficiency and submit supporting documents such as transcripts, statement of purpose or research proposal, letter of recommendation, standardized test scores, etc.

Ques. How to get full scholarship for PhD in USA?
 

Ans. Applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic records and strong research potential have better chances of securing a full scholarship for PhD in USA. To get a full scholarship for PhD in USA, it is important to highlight your contributions in the chosen field, show leadership potential, and express how the scholarship’s objectives align with your goals through your application. Fulbright Foreign Student Program, IBM PhD Fellowship Award Program, MIT scholarships, Harvard scholarships, and Yale scholarships are some examples of full scholarships for PhD in USA.

Ques. How much scholarship can I get for PhD in USA?
 

Ans. There is no fixed amount of scholarship that a student can get for PhD in USA. The amount awarded varies depending on the type of scholarship program and the university or the government. Students are eligible to receive full funding covering the entire tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and a part of the travel expenses.

Ques. How to get scholarship for PhD in USA from India?
 

Ans. A scholarship for PhD in USA from India can be secured by exploring various funding opportunities offered by the government, US universities, and private organizations. Before applying, you must carefully review the eligibility criteria, deadlines, documents required, award amount, etc.

Ques. What will be the scholarship for PhD in USA?
 

Ans. The scholarship for PhD in USA varies depending on the source of funding and the policies of the university offering the program. Most US universities offer a full-ride scholarship for PhD students in USA. The amount of scholarship covers the complete tuition expenses and also provides a living stipend, research allowance, health insurance, and travel benefits. The PhD stipend varies between 25,000 USD to 60,000 USD per year.

Ques: Why should one pursue PhD in US?
 

The USA, hosting over 1 million international students annually, is renowned for its world-class universities featuring advanced research facilities and a diverse academic community. Pursuing a PhD here offers interdisciplinary study options across numerous fields, leading to global recognition and extensive professional networking opportunities. This environment not only fosters innovation but also opens doors to a variety of career paths, making a PhD from the USA highly valuable.

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