University scholarships

If you are going to do an undergraduate degree, the university itself is your best source for a scholarship. There are virtually no scholarships from outside organizations for undergraduate level study, so it is important to do some good research on scholarship opportunities at the universities you want to apply to. Below is more information on the different types of scholarships generally available to international students and where to find information on scholarships.

What scholarship opportunities are there?

Scholarship opportunities vary widely by university. Furthermore, not all universities offer scholarships for international students. If you need a scholarship to finance your studies, it is important to check out the scholarship opportunities for international students before you apply. If a university has no scholarships for international students and you can’t pay the cost yourself, then there is usually little point in applying to that university.

It is important to prepare a budget before you start applying, in which you can factor in the universities’ scholarship opportunities. In doing so, remember that full ride scholarships are rare. Only a few universities are need-blind, meaning that family financial circumstances are not considered when making an admission decision and you can receive a full need-based scholarship after admission: these are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University and Amherst College, and admission to these universities is highly competitive.

Most universities provide partial scholarships, where you still have to finance part of your studies yourself. The most common scholarships are tuition waivers, which waive (part of) your tuition. In that case, you still need to be able to prove that you can afford the cost of your room rent and meals, airfare, insurance, and other incidental expenses. You must prove in advance that you can afford these costs.

Tip

Because universities decide on scholarships upon admission, you never know in advance which scholarships you will receive, so it is important to apply to multiple universities to improve your chances of receiving a scholarship. Many universities publish an estimate of scholarship amounts and the criteria for awarding them on their website. With this, try to estimate the scholarship opportunities available to you. It is advisable to apply to a few universities where you are a very strong candidate academically — this will increase your chances of getting a good scholarship.

Types of scholarships

Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your achievements. These include academic scholarships based on your grades and results on admission tests, or merit-based scholarships because you have a special talent. Special activities, such as doing a lot of volunteer work, can also earn you an extra scholarship. The university’s website will tell you what conditions you must meet to qualify for a merit-based scholarship. Sometimes you are automatically awarded a merit-based scholarship and sometimes you have to apply for it separately or audition first. You can find these scholarships at private and public universities.

Need-based scholarships

Financial need-based scholarships are often found at private universities. Financial need-based scholarships, also called need-based scholarships, consider family income and other financial obligations. You submit an application using the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Keep in mind that filling it out takes time, and in many cases you will need to submit tax forms or other income information. Be sure to apply before the earliest possible deadline. Need-based scholarships are scarce and universities often operate on a limited budget, so the earlier you submit an application, the better your chances for a need-based scholarship.

To evaluate scholarship awards, the university uses the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) which is calculated from the financial information you provide. It is then determined what amount you can pay yourself and what needs to be supplemented by the university. Therefore, if you can pay the full cost, you are not eligible for a need-based scholarship.

Diversity

Most American universities consider it important to attract a diverse student population. Therefore, some universities also offer scholarships to students from certain backgrounds to increase diversity on campus. The criteria for these types of scholarships include gender, country of origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, physical disabilities or learning disabilities, and having a particular talent.

Many universities, for example, offer scholarships to international students because they increase diversity on campus. An example of such a scholarship is the You Are Welcome Here Scholarship. Another example is that some state universities offer the in-state rate to international students; this means that as an international student, you pay a lower tuition rate, which can save a lot in costs.

Tip

Universities located outside popular vacation destinations often offer higher scholarships than universities in popular regions such as California or New York.

Students with American citizenship

Are you both a US and a Dutch national? International students with US nationality are often considered domestic students when applying, even if you have never lived in the US. You then often follow the application procedure for American students. You are also eligible for scholarships and loans for US students. To apply for scholarships based on financial need, you will need to file with FAFSA. You may also qualify for federal student loans, provided you are not borrowing in the Netherlands at the same time.

How can you find scholarships?

To get a better idea of university costs and which universities offer scholarships to international students, you can use search engines to filter universities by scholarship opportunities. These search engines have many filters that allow you to build a list of specific universities. In addition to filters such as university type, subject areas, test scores, location, sports and activities, you can also search by cost and scholarship opportunities. This way you can quickly see which universities have scholarship opportunities for international students.

Tip

Many scholarships are awarded based on the university’s available budget, so apply as early as possible to be considered for a scholarship. At later deadlines, most scholarships may have already been awarded and there may be less funding or no funding available to you.

Once you have made an initial selection, you can do a more focused search for scholarship opportunities on university websites. Always check the university’s own website to make sure the information is correct. The university itself always has the most up-to-date information.

If you have a question about scholarship opportunities, you can always email the university’s admissions office with your question. They are there not only to review your application, but also to help you find information related to your application.