Many students dream of continuing their studies in the USA, but this dream often seems financially unattainable.
A recurring concern when researching such a move is – how will I pay for it? This is especially apt when looking to study in a country where university fees can cost over 50 000 USD/year.
However, there are ways that allow you to still seriously consider studying on the other side of the Atlantic. Scholarships specifically curated for international students allow us to reduce, somewhat drastically, these fees. Despite what we may believe, these scholarships are not solely for the students with the best grades, the student athletes or even those in a more precarious financial situation.
These scholarship packages are available to young adults, through dedicated programmes, regardless of whether they have just graduated from high school or have already begun their higher education journey.
So, do you dream of studying in the USA? This article uncovers more about how university scholarships can help make this project a reality. This step-by-step guide aims to help you understand how scholarships work and to simplify the next steps for you. All of this allows you to make the most of the opportunities available.
What is a scholarship given to international students in the USA?
In some countries, the use of the words ‘scholarship’ and ‘grant’ in this context can be confusing. These terms are often used in conjunction with the idea that a scholarship or a grant is only available to a student of a particular socio-economic background.
The model used for granting scholarships at higher education institutions in the USA is quite different: these scholarships are granted directly by the universities to the students regardless of their background. These are a great help for international students and open up many more opportunities for them.
Why do American universities give scholarships to international students?
A scholarship is not given just because the school is feeling generous. There is some strategic thinking behind it that some would say is linked with their model of self-management and autonomy.
Contrary to more centralised education systems where schools receive directives on what resources to spend their budgets on, each American university oversees its own budget and expenditure. This is why they can set money aside to fund scholarships for international students. These students are therefore eligible to receive a scholarship thanks to their status as a non-American student.
These scholarships meet two different objectives, one educational, and one cultural.
For American universities, diversity is not just something they preach, but also something they practice. It is seen as an asset to academia.
Students from all corners of the world create an enriching environment on campus, where they bring their different perspectives and varied experiences to the table. Thus, contributing to the creation of an intellectually stimulating environment for all.
Amongst other things, these scholarships allow universities to extend their reach abroad. Welcoming students from diverse backgrounds reinforces their world-renowned reputation and makes them more attractive to international and domestic students alike.
This is a particularly important strategy for those schools trying to ‘compete’ against already well-known universities. Furthermore, in order to obtain certain accreditations, a minimum number of international students on campus can be imposed by the accrediting bodies, further encouraging universities to offer scholarships.
Finally, these scholarships are part of the broader scope linked to investment. By attracting promising students, even at a discounted rate, universities are optimising their resources. Often, successful students will give back to the school by becoming a student ambassador, amplifying their influence and their standing far beyond any geographical border.
“Financial Aid”: what are the characteristics of American scholarships?
In the USA, the tuition, room and board are combined in the overall yearly cost, unlike in some European countries. This means that the student is aware of what their total yearly expenses are, which can help them budget more effectively.
The scholarships, often referred to as such or as ‘Financial Aid’, can generally reduce costs by 40% to 55%.
Another characteristic of the US scholarship system is how they are attributed. Universities do not focus solely on academics. Evidently, there are minimum grade requirements in order to join the university but the decision to give a scholarship doesn’t end there. Other factors include student motivation; ability to integrate into campus life through extra-curricular activities etc. Students with a background in the charity sector, who have been involved in cultural projects or have even volunteered, are often seen highly by schools. All these experiences demonstrate to the universities that you will be able to contribute to life on campus.
Another distinguishing feature of American scholarships is their transparency. Universities share with students the exact amount of scholarship they will receive and how much will be left to pay once the scholarship has been deducted, removing any confusion. Thus, allowing students to create a realistic budget.
As an international student, how am I eligible for a scholarship in the USA?
In the USA scholarships are an integral part of the admissions systems, whereby enrolment and scholarship attribution go hand in hand.
Plainly speaking, receiving a scholarship is only possible if you are accepted by a higher education institution that offers a scholarship programme. Therefore, the biggest obstacles faced by students is how they can be accepted into the school, as the application process is often very complex.
In order to study in the USA, it is recommended that students prepare a comprehensive application for each school you apply to. Fortunately for you, Go Campus simplifies these steps for you.
Go Campus: How to effectively apply for a university place and a scholarship in one go!
Securing a university scholarship in the USA can be a real challenge, especially when we consider the different entry requirements of each school. When applying without support from an external organisation, students must:
- Submit several different applications (one for each school), modified each time to fit the school-specific requirements.
- Have an exhaustive grasp of the English language so as not to make any language errors or forget any important elements of the application.
- Manage all the delays and demands from the schools alone.
- Be prepared to be very competitive when applying for a scholarship.
With Go Campus you can easily overcome these obstacles as we require one single application, verified by our team, which we will send to all the schools. These partner schools have a long history of collaboration with Go Campus, and therefore trust the single application sent on your behalf. Thus, simplifying the entire process.
With Go Campus, your application is magnified. Through our personalised support, Go Campus ensures that your application follows all the rules and requirements necessary, whilst also highlighting your best bits in a clear and precise manner.
With Go Campus, the scholarship is guaranteed. There is an automatic scholarship offer attached to each Go Campus student just because you are an international student.
This 1:1 support allows you to save time in the whole process and will optimise your chances of studying in the USA for a fraction of the usual costs.
How to secure a scholarship in the USA as an international student
As part of their partnership with Go Campus, the universities have adopted a specific approach to evaluating applications. Each application is comprehensibly reviewed.
This review process consists of three key elements: academics, motivation and extra-curricular activities. A further interview with Go Campus also develops upon these criteria.
Academic performance is calculated based on the GPA system (Grade Point Average). Eligibility to the programme is dependent on a minimum overall GPA of 2.0. Our partner universities also consider academic progress to be important, and also look for applications highlighting grade improvement, showing that the student has the ability to succeed in a demanding environment. A student that is already in possession of their High School Diploma, would typically have the required GPA.
Your cover letter is your opportunity to shine and show yourself off. Each school is looking for a student that can bring something to their campus, so use your letter to explain what you wish to achieve, what you can bring to the school, and why you have chosen this area of study.
Community engagement is also important for universities. In the USA, schools want to know how you can benefit their community and what you bring to the table. The sorts of engagements that are looked for include volunteering, cultural programmes, or sporting activities (playing or coaching). Further reinforcing you as a dynamic and involved student.
The interview is pivotal, and allows each student to develop on their application. Each interview is personalised to suit the student and is a useful evaluation tool for universities and Go Campus alike to show just how serious you are. It’s not just a formality, but rather a way to further demonstrate your capabilities.
These elements, and the help provided by Go Campus, allow students to maximise their chances of being admitted onto a programme with a scholarship.
Good to Know: Further reinforce your credibility with reference letters from professors, employers or coaches. These testimonies can really highlight your potential to future academic institutions.
Studying in the USA and financial aid: why should you apply for a scholarship?
University scholarships are one of the more accessible ways to finance studies in further education and remain the preferred way to do so. Athletic scholarships or those based solely on academics, are by comparison, considerably more difficult to obtain.
An athletic scholarship usually calls for an exceptionally high level in the sport, often far from the level most students have. Academic scholarships, such as those offered by Fulbright, are mostly destined for master’s or PhD students. The scholarships offered by private institutions are often very interesting financially speaking but also incredibly challenging to obtain as the selection process is very competitive. Scholarships granted by Go Campus partner universities tend to be much more accessible for the average student. Once you have your High School Diploma, you are, essentially, ready to begin classes.
How much does university in the USA cost when you have a scholarship?
Tuition fees in the USA represent an important financial challenge, especially with schools where it can cost 50 000 USD or more per year. Usually this covers not just tuition fees but also room & board, as well as access to sports and academic facilities. This overall model is pretty specific to the USA (and some other English-speaking countries), and offers the full package to students.
Thanks to the scholarships negotiated by Go Campus – where costs in some cases halved – these overall costs become much more affordable for students. If we were to compare costs, a year in a Go Campus school after the scholarship has been deducted corresponds roughly to the cost of a business school in Europe, or a year of tuition, room & board for a domestic student in the UK.
But what does the scholarship actually cover?
Generally, the costs provided by universities in the United States cover what you need to live: tuition, room and board. Contrary to some countries where only the tuition is covered, here is a list of expenses:
- Tuition: classes, library access, lab etc.
- Room and Board: on-campus accommodation with half-board or full-board meal options
- Student Services: sports facilities, volunteering, extra-curriculars etc.
With the Go Campus scholarship, these costs are significantly reduced. A scholarship covering 50%, can change the price of a school from 40 000 USD to 20 000 USD, all included.
Once the scholarship has been deducted, the remaining costs cover personal expenses, travel and insurance. Go Campus tries to be as transparent as possible with students, to see a list of additional costs, please check out the FAQ.
Pro tip: To make your money go further, find an on-campus job.
Students on the traditional programme can apply for an on-campus job and work to subsidise some of the costs.
How does my budget differ if I study in the USA or at home?
When looking at the costs for a university in the USA, it may seem at first prohibitively expensive, but when we do a deep dive, it will become more apparent that in some cases, studying in the USA is more economical than staying at home. For this, we are using the UK (resident vs non-resident) as the comparison.
A student studying in London will have the following expenses:
- Average costs for shared accommodation in London run at around 700-750 GBP/month, which averages at around 8 500 – 9 000 a year, just for the room not including bills.
- Average costs for food would be around 2 500 GBP/year.
- Average costs for public transport for a year at around 2 100 GBP/year (annual Oyster Card after student discount)
- All this not including university fees at 9 535 GBP/year for domestic students, and 21 200 GBP/year for overseas students (E.G. Goldsmiths University, London)
In comparison, in one single fee, students have their tuition, room and board from 13 500 USD/year. The average costs for a year in the USA on scholarship are the following:
- Average of 9 000 USD for tuition (once the scholarship has been deducted)
- Average of 5 000 USD for room and board
- Personal costs of around 2 000 USD
Overall, an average year at a school in the USA comes to roughly 20 000 USD (16 410 GBP as of 16/07/25), not including transport and insurance. Compared to 22 000 GBP (29 500 USD as of 16/07/25) for domestic students and 35 000 GBP for internationals.
These reduced costs open doors to a bigger group of students allowing you to make the most of the experiences offered by the North American university system.
