- The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship still requires a bachelor's degree with at least 55 percent marks and three years of full-time work experience, and funds up to two years of master's study
- The Cornell Tata Scholarship draws on a 25 million US dollar endowment supporting around 20 to 25 Indian scholars at a time
- AAUW International Fellowships now pay 20,000 US dollars for master's study and 25,000 for doctoral study.
A scholarship for an MS in the USA can dramatically reduce the cost of studying abroad for Indian students. Awards may be need-based or merit-based, full or partial, and are funded by universities, foundations, and government-backed programmes. Competition is intense, so understanding your options and applying early is essential.
How Do You Get a Scholarship for MS in the USA?
Getting a scholarship for an MS in the USA is competitive and needs early, meticulous planning. Most awards require an admission offer from a recognised university, a strong academic record, good GRE and TOEFL or IELTS scores, relevant work experience, and clear leadership or community involvement. Both need-based and merit-based options exist for Indian students.
A scholarship can be full or partial depending on the institution, the course, and the organisation offering it. Many awards are need-based, but universities and foundations also offer purely merit-based scholarships that do not consider financial background.
The main requisites for earning a scholarship for an MS in the USA are as follows:
- A letter of admission from a recognised university
- A bachelor's degree, often in a STEM field, from a recognised university
- An exceptional academic record
- Strong extra-curricular achievements, for example in sports or the arts
- Relevant work experience, where the programme requires it
- Demonstrated leadership skills and social awareness
- Proof of financial need, where the scholarship is need-based
- Good GRE and TOEFL or IELTS scores
Which Scholarships Are Available for MS in the USA for Indian Students?
Indian students can choose from several well-established scholarships for an MS in the USA. Prominent options include the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship, the Tata Scholarship at Cornell University, the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, and the AAUW International Fellowships. These cover tuition and living costs to varying degrees, and each has its own eligibility rules and deadlines.
The scholarships below are among the best known routes for Indian students, funded by binational commissions, corporate trusts, and professional foundations.
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship
The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship, administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), supports Indian citizens pursuing a master's degree in the USA for up to two years. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university with at least 55 percent marks and at least three years of full-time professional work experience relevant to their field. The grant provides J-1 visa support, round-trip economy airfare, tuition and fees, living costs, and accident and sickness cover. Employees of the Government of India are not eligible.
Tata Scholarship at Cornell University
The Tata Scholarship, funded by a 25 million US dollar endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust, helps Indian undergraduate students study at Cornell University. It is need-based and can support around 20 to 25 scholars at any one time, with roughly six to ten new awards each year. To be considered you must be from India, have attended secondary school in India, gain admission to Cornell, and apply for financial aid by completing the CSS Profile.
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship supports up to five Indian nationals each year in the two-year MBA programme at Stanford Graduate School of Business. It provides full tuition support and targets candidates committed to India's development. Fellows must be Indian citizens and agree to return to and work in India within two years of completing the programme. Selection is based on merit, leadership potential, and financial need.
AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships fund women who are not US citizens or permanent residents for full-time master's or doctoral study in the USA. The award is 20,000 US dollars for a master's degree and 25,000 US dollars for a doctorate, and eligible expenses include tuition, fees, living costs, and dependent care such as childcare. Applicants need a degree equivalent to a US bachelor's with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Scholarships for Indian Students in CanadaRead →What Are the Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students?
Fully funded scholarships cover most or all of your costs, including tuition, living expenses, airfare, and insurance. For Indian MS aspirants the strongest fully funded routes are the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship and the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, while the AAUW International Fellowships fund women pursuing master's study, covering tuition, fees, living costs, and even dependent childcare.
Fully funded programmes are rare and highly selective. The clearest examples for Indian students pursuing a master's in the USA are:
- Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship, covering tuition, living costs, airfare, and insurance for up to two years
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, covering full tuition for the two-year MBA
- AAUW International Fellowships for women, covering tuition, fees, living costs, and dependent childcare
How Much Funding Can You Get and What Does It Cover?
There is no uniform pattern. Awards range from partial tuition grants and interest-free loans to full funding that covers tuition, living costs, airfare, health insurance, and dependent care. The AAUW International Fellowships, for example, pay 20,000 US dollars for master's study, while the Fulbright-Nehru and Reliance Dhirubhai fellowships aim to cover the full cost of attendance.
The table below summarises what the leading scholarships cover for Indian students in 2026. Always confirm the current figures and deadlines on each programme's official page before applying.
| Scholarship 2026 | Award and Coverage |
|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship | Tuition, fees, living costs, airfare, insurance for up to two years |
| Tata Scholarship, Cornell | Full need-based support (undergraduate study) |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship | Full tuition for the two-year MBA |
| AAUW International Fellowships | USD 20,000 for master's, USD 25,000 for doctoral study |
What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Scholarship?
Requirements vary by programme, but most scholarship committees ask for your undergraduate transcripts or GPA, valid GRE and TOEFL or IELTS scores, one or more letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and proof of admission. Evidence of professional experience, financial need, and any published research strengthens a competitive MS scholarship application.
The required documents differ between programmes, but the following are commonly requested:
- Undergraduate transcripts showing GPA, CGPA, percentage, or percentile
- GRE or GMAT scores that meet the programme's threshold
- Letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose and details of professional experience
- Any published research papers, which strengthen your profile
Getting a scholarship should be a top priority for any student heading to the USA for an MS. Read each programme's guidelines, rules, and eligibility criteria carefully, apply to as many suitable awards as you can, and start early to give yourself the best chance.