Succeeding in a graduate degree program at a U.S. college or university is tough, but it can be so much tougher if you’re an immigrant, refugee, or asylum-seeker. Immigrants have the additional challenges of dealing with a new culture, learning environment, and language. Graduate school is also expensive, especially for immigrants without the funding connections and resources commonly available to U.S. citizens.
The news isn’t all bad for immigrant grad students, however — there are an estimated 18 million-plus first- and second-generation and international students enrolled in higher education in the U.S. today. That’s a lot of college students in need of financial help. And U.S. schools are slowly starting to develop programs to aid immigrant students in finding the funding help they need; in fact, more college campuses are recognizing the benefits of a diverse student population.
If you’re an immigrant, refugee, or asylum-seeker dreaming of earning your master’s in the U.S. but not sure if you can afford it, we’re here to help with this guide to scholarships and resources just for you. Keep reading for information on some of the best scholarships and fellowships available today, valuable tips for applying for and landing those scholarships, and additional resources to support your academic journey.
10 Scholarships for Immigrants, Refugees & Asylum-seekers
Since scholarships specifically for immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking master’s students are limited, the list below contains 10 scholarships that are available to students regardless of their citizenship status. While some are exclusive to immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, others are open to a wider demographic.
Based on your country of origin, you might also find this guide to scholarships for minority graduate students valuable. With that said, keep reading to learn about your options for funding your master’s degree in the U.S.
National Scholarships
MPower Global Citizen Scholarship
This scholarships is open to international students allowed to legally study in the U.S. and Canada (including permanent residents/green card holders) who are enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at one of the over 400 MPower-supported colleges and universities.
Awards are made solely on the applicant’s essay submission (200-500 words) on the subject of how their international education will empower their “positive impact on the world, whether locally or globally.”
Scholarship amount: $2,000 to $10,000
Upcoming application deadline: Jan. 31, 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Application essay.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
This prestigious fellowship program provides substantial funding support to the most promising of new U.S. immigrants and the children of immigrants seeking to make a “significant contribution to U.S. society, culture, or their academic field.”
This scholarship is open to students in professional and graduate programs of all types. Applicants must be 30 years of age or younger and enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, a graduate or professional degree program. Non-U.S. citizen applicants must possess a valid green card, have been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S., or have graduated from both high school and college in the U.S.
Scholarship amount: Up to $90,000 (over two years)
Upcoming application deadline: TBA for 2024
Application requirements:
- Eligibility confirmation and higher-education history.
- Three to five recommendations.
- Current resume.
- Two essays.
- Standardized test scores, if they are required for admission into the applicant’s graduate program.
Byron Hanke Fellowship
Sponsored through the Foundation for Community Association Research, the Byron Hanke Fellowship provides financial support to graduate and law students in the preparation of a research project concerning community associations or common-interest communities in one of several specific topics (see fellowship website for current topic list). The fellowship is open to applicants from all disciplines. Awards are based strictly on merit with no regard given to gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, or disabilities.
Scholarship amount: $3,000 to $5,000
Upcoming application deadline: May 1, 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Research paper proposal.
- Three references.
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides need-based grants to students who are “actively working toward liberation, justice and social change in their communities.” Awards are available to students in accredited post-secondary education programs on all levels, including master’s and doctorate programs. Non-U.S. citizen applicants must have participated in required activities in the United States, and preference is given to applicants planning on remaining in the U.S.
Scholarship amount: Up to $15,000 ($7,500 average)
Upcoming application deadline: April 1,2024
Application requirements:
- Personal statement.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Demonstrated financial need.
iVein Health & Wellness Scholarship
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students — regardless of immigration status — with an average GPA of 3.7 or higher who are currently enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university. Selections are made solely on the evaluation of the applicant’s written essay (800 to 1,000 words) on the subject of “promoting a practical approach to healthy lifestyle during college years and how these habits can be sustained over a lifetime.”
Scholarship amount: $2,500
Upcoming application deadline: Aug. 31, 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed essay.
- Documentation of full-time enrollment in degree program.
Overcoming Adversity Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded based on a 500- to 1,000-word essay, in which the applicant is asked to describe how they overcame adversity by detailing a specific roadblock through which they “fought and emerged victorious.” Immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers who entered the U.S. due to adverse circumstances may find that their journey to the states provides the perfect essay topic.
Graduate student applicants must be currently enrolled in college and demonstrate good academic standing through a 3.0 or higher GPA. Open to all otherwise qualifying applicants regardless of immigration status.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Upcoming application deadline: TBA for 2024
Application requirements:
- Essay.
- Unofficial transcript.
- Resume outlining the applicant’s academic and professional experience.
Field-Specific Scholarships
ASSP Foundation Academic Scholarships (Occupational Safety and Health)
The ASSP Foundation sponsors dozens of scholarships and grants each year to support prospective occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in achieving their educational goals. While citizenship is not a requirement for any ASSP Foundation scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a U.S.-based undergraduate or graduate degree program that is either directly related to the OSH field or that supports the student in their career as an OSH professional.
Scholarship amount: Varies
Upcoming application deadline: Feb. 15, 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Academic transcripts for every level of education.
- One letter of recommendation.
Chester Burger Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations (Public Relations)
Offered through the PRSA Foundation — a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting diversity among public relations companies and professionals — this scholarship was created to encourage graduate students in the public relations field to pursue careers in corporate public relations.
The Chester Burger Scholarship is available to all students, regardless of immigration status, enrolled in a graduate degree program in public relations or related field at a U.S. college or university. Applicants must possess an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Upcoming application deadline: TBA for 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Essay.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Current resume.
LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli (Landscape Architecture)
Sponsored by the Landscape Architecture Foundation, this award is available to landscape architecture students currently attending an LAAC- or LAAB-accredited master’s degree program at a university in the United States or Canada.
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of leadership, character/integrity, design ability, and service to others. Financial need is also considered. This scholarship is open to all qualifying applicants, regardless of immigration status.
Scholarship amount: $5,000 to $20,000
Upcoming application deadline: February 1, 2024
Application requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Biography and photo for LAF website.
- Financial aid form.
- Resume.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Essay.
- Work samples.
PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program (Education)
The PDK Educational Foundation offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities to PDK International members pursuing a degree/career in education. Eligibility requirements vary by specific scholarship; however, they are all open to students who meet their application requirements, regardless of citizenship/immigration status. Applicants submit a single application and are considered for all scholarship opportunities for which they qualify.
Scholarship amount: $500 to $4,000
Upcoming application deadline: April 2, 2024
Application requirements:
- Pursuing a postsecondary education and career in education.
- Be a member in good standing of one of three PDK International membership programs: Educators Rising Collegiate, Pi Lambda Theta, and/or the PDK Association.
Expert Tips for Landing a Graduate Scholarship Without Citizenship
Finding scholarships that you’re interested in and eligible for is only the first step in funding your graduate degree. Next comes the application process, and it’s almost impossible to understate the importance of getting this process right. Remember that most scholarship programs are competitive. That means your goal is to submit an application that not only meets all application requirements, but also causes the selection committee to stand up and take notice. To help you accomplish this goal, here are five valuable tips for putting together an exceptional graduate scholarship application.
Tip 1: Research Available Resources
The fact is that there simply aren’t a lot of scholarship, grant, or fellowship programs out there exclusively (or even specifically) for immigrant, refugee, and/or asylum-seeking graduate students. However, there are numerous non-exclusive programs that are open to these students and others. So, start early and put the necessary time into your search. And be sure to make use of any and all resources available to help in your search (like this List of Scholarships and Fellowships from Immigrants Rising) and, most importantly, your school’s financial aid office.
Tip 2: Start Working on Your Applications ASAP
Another great reason to start your scholarship/grant/fellowship search early is that you’re going to need a lot of time to complete all application requirements and submit them on time. Applications typically require a lot of information and supplemental documentation, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays and personal statements, and more. And every individual program has its own unique application requirements. All of this adds up to a real time commitment from you, particularly if you’ll need to obtain any documentation from your native country or will require additional help in completing written materials in English. So get to work on those applications as soon as possible.
Tip 3: Follow Each Scholarship’s Application Requirements Exactly
Every scholarship program has its own unique set of eligibility and application requirements, and it’s critical that you understand and meet each and every one of them fully and specifically. As a non-native English speaker, if you aren’t completely certain you understand the specifics of a scholarship’s application, seek out someone who will help make sure you do. Finally, don’t be shy about having someone review your application form and submittals before you send them in. Mistakes on your application can lead to disqualification, so ensure you don’t make them.
Tip 4: Write Your Own Essays and Personal Statements
If you’re not completely confident in your English skills, you might be tempted to have someone ghost-write – or worse – plagiarize your application essays and personal statements. Absolutely do not do this! Plagiarization is an obvious huge no-no for anyone in any situation. As for having someone else write your essays and statements, remember that it’s through those writings that scholarship committees best get to know you for who you really are.
To be safe, you’ll want to review and edit your writing (probably several times) and use spellcheck or even a writing assistant app like Grammarly before submitting your essays and statements. And you’re strongly encouraged to have an English major or instructor go over them, too. But expressing your personality and honesty is what scholarship essays and personal statements are all about, and that may not come across if yours are written by someone else.
Tip 5: Meet Your Deadlines
It’s very simple: Missing a deadline for submitting your scholarship application or supplemental documentation will totally kill any chance you have of winning that scholarship. And pleading your case won’t save you — as an immigrant, you’re held to the same standards as all other students, so language issues, delays in obtaining documents from your home country, etc., will not be seen as a valid excuse. So again, start your application process early, keep a calendar with all application-related due dates highlighted on it, and do whatever else you need to do to ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines.
Resources for Refugees, immigrants, and Asylum-Seeking Master’s Students
To go along with the 15 scholarships listed above, you’ll find below 15 valuable resources aimed at helping immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking students succeed in their graduate degree programs and beyond. Before you begin browsing the list, access this guide for graduate student success. Then to connect with even more quality resources, be sure to check out OMD’s resource guides for ESL/ELL, Undocumented, and International master’s students.
- College Information for Immigrant Students
This New York City Department of Education website offers tons of great information and resources to aid immigrant students in getting into and succeeding in college in New York. - EducationUSA – 5 Steps to U.S. Study for Graduate Students
This federal government website offers a five-step plan with resources for international students (the plan works for immigrant students as well) on planning, applying for, and financing your graduate studies at a U.S. college or university. - Higher Ed Immigration Portal
The Higher Ed Immigration Portal offers a platform providing “data, policy analysis, and resources to support DACA and undocumented, refugee, other immigrant, and international students.” Included is The Response Campaign which provides sponsorship resources specifically for refugee students. - Immigrants Rising
Headquartered in San Francisco and geared primarily for individuals in California, Immigrants Rising offers an impressive number of legal and financial resources useful to immigrant college students, regardless of where they’re located. - Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
This nonprofit organization has a mission to “work with and educate immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to continue to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.” Site visitors can access an array of resources associated with ILRC’s mission, including the Higher Education Technical Assistance Project. - NASFAA Resources for Students and Parents
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators offers this resource that includes an interactive map for information on state financial aid programs and this tip sheet for helping financial aid administrators working with refugee and asylee students. - NILC Access to Postsecondary Education Toolkit
This website from the National Immigration Law Center offers links to a full range of useful resources for immigrant college students, including resources on financial aid, scholarships, and student advocacy groups. - NNiRR Mental Health for Migrant & Refugee Communities
This website from the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights provides a list of links to resources that immigrants and refugees can tap into to access mental health services. - Undocu-Grad School Guide
Designed primarily for undocumented graduate students, this guide provides tons of useful information for immigrants of all types on financing and pursuing a graduate degree program — especially for students in California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State. - United We Dream
Here you’ll find a website for the self-described “largest immigrant youth-led network in the country.” Although a lot of focus here is on undocumented persons, immigrants of all kinds will find plenty of valuable information and advice on successfully navigating U.S. culture and its higher education system. - USA.gov – English Language Learning Resources
Check out this U.S. government website that features advice and links to resources where students can access free or low-cost ESL lessons (like USALearns.org) and other resources (like ShareAmerica.gov) for learning English. - USAHello
USAHello is a non-profit organization whose online platform serves as a “hub” for educational and other informational resources for immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, as well as their welcoming communities. - U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
This non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and addressing the needs of refugees. Its website offers a wealth of resources including a nationwide directory of agencies providing refugees with education, health, and legal services. - U.S. Department of Education – Educational Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, Asylees and other New Americans
Use this DOE website to access a clearinghouse for information and links to resources for immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking students and their families. - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office of Refugee Resettlement
In collaboration with federal and state agencies, the ORR provides several useful resources designed to assist refugees in becoming integrated members of American society.