Purdue University Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Purdue University, a globally recognized public research institution in West Lafayette, Indiana, is renowned for its excellence in engineering, technology, business, and the sciences. Founded in 1869, Purdue has become a top destination for international students, boasting a diverse student population from over 120 countries. The university is placed =129 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. This article provides a comprehensive guide to scholarships and financial aid options available to international students at Purdue University.

Understanding Purdue University

Purdue University's main campus is situated in the vibrant college town of West Lafayette, offering students a blend of academic rigor and a lively social environment. The university is a public land-grant research institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,101 (fall 2021) and a campus area of 2,468 acres. Purdue's West Lafayette campus is the primary campus of the Purdue University system, which includes four additional campuses around the state.

Around 20% of students are involved in Greek life, and Purdue provides a diverse choice of activities and organizations. The "All American" Marching Band, six jazz bands, and two symphony orchestras are among the performing ensembles. Purdue's sports teams participate in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well-known for their powerful men's and women's basketball programs. Purdue's official mascot, the Boilermaker Special, is a railway locomotive that the student-run Purdue Reamer Club cares for and maintains. Purdue is made up of 13 schools and colleges, several of which provide both undergraduate and graduate programs. Professional and graduate programs include the well-regarded College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education, and College of Pharmacy. One popular university custom is for students to run through one of Purdue's five campus fountains at the start and conclusion of their semester.

Types of Scholarships Available

Purdue University offers various financial aid options for international students, primarily merit-based scholarships. While need-based aid is less common for international students due to citizenship requirements, several opportunities exist to acquire financial assistance. Purdue University Scholarships for International Students are available based on your selected course.

Merit-Based Scholarships

The majority of Purdue University's overseas scholarships are merit-based. These scholarships recognize and reward students with outstanding academic achievements and potential. Examples include the Trustees Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Marquis Scholarship.

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Trustees Scholarship: This scholarship ranges from $10,000 to $16,000 per year, depending on the academic profile. Eligibility requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a strong academic coursework. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
Presidential Scholarship: This scholarship awards up to $10,000 per year, with similar academic requirements to the Trustees Scholarship.
Marquis Scholarship: This scholarship provides $4,000 per year and is awarded to a select number of non-resident students paying the international tuition rate.
Indian Emerging Grant: This highly competitive merit-based grant provides partial support of up to $3,000 each academic year. The grant is given to deserving first-year students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This fund, founded in 2016 by Purdue alumni Venu Srinivasan, was intended to encourage high-potential and academically talented Indian students to Purdue for undergraduate studies.
2026 EXPO Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate a significant commitment to their education and community. It is open to all undergraduate engineering students at Purdue, and students can receive up to $2,000! The judges for the EXPO Scholarship are Purdue engineering professors with experience in various fields, and they will evaluate all applications based on academic merit, volunteer work, and overall quality. The EXPO Scholarship is open to all undergraduate engineering students graduating after Fall 2025.

Need-Based Scholarships

The university also provides need-based Purdue University Scholarships to overseas students from low-income families. However, because of citizenship requirements, overseas students sometimes do not qualify for a huge number of scholarships or grant possibilities.

Course-Specific Scholarships

Purdue University Scholarships for International Students are given specifically for your selected course. Many departments at Purdue give scholarships to students.

External Scholarships and Grants

In addition to Purdue University's internal scholarships, international students can explore external scholarships and grants from various organizations and institutions. These may include government scholarships, organizational grants, and scholarships offered by private foundations.

The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA): offers internship and scholarship opportunities to college engineering students. The program provides scholarships to college students that have interned with die casting companies/companies that are suppliers to the die casting industry. Students can find more information at Die Casting Internships.
MTI Educational Foundation Scholarship Program: The MTI Educational Foundation Scholarship Program is open to students who are interested in a career in metallurgy, materials, engineering, industrial, mechanical sciences. Applicants must be currently enrolled, or recently accepted, as a full or part-time student in a nationally accredited college/technical school in the areas of materials science, metallurgy or engineering/technician certificate with focus in mechanical, electrical or industrial sciences. Annual scholarships are awarded directly to the students.
Discrete Automation Scholarship: Every year the merit-based award recognizes two ambitious problem solvers with a $5,000 scholarship each, eligibility for an Emerson internship and $1,000 research grants to enhance their schools’ engineering programs. Applicants may apply through July 31,2024.

Eligibility and Requirements

The normal prerequisites for Purdue University scholarships for overseas students are as follows. If you apply for a need-based scholarship, you may be requested for evidence of funding.

Before applying for a scholarship or grant, students should carefully review the citizenship criteria.

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General Requirements

Academic transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose
English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
Financial documentation (if applying for need-based aid)

Application Deadlines

To be considered for merit-based scholarships like the Trustees, Presidential, and Marquis Scholarships, international students must submit their admissions application by November 1, which is the Early Action (non-binding) deadline. There is no separate application for these scholarships; all applicants are automatically considered based on their admissions applications.

How to Apply

Apply for Admission: The first step is to apply for admission to Purdue University through the standard application process.
Complete the Application: Ensure all sections of the application are filled out accurately and completely.
Submit Required Documents: Submit all required documents, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency test scores.
Meet the Deadline: Submit the application by the Early Action deadline of November 1 to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
Explore Departmental Scholarships: Contact the intended department to inquire about departmental scholarships and their specific requirements.

Additional Financial Aid Information

Loans

Purdue University provides several financial aid options for international students, including loans.

On-Campus Employment

International students may also explore on-campus employment opportunities to help finance their education. These positions can provide valuable work experience and help offset living expenses.

Resources and Support

The National & International Scholarships Office (NISO): located at the Honours College, helps all students find financing possibilities. NISO assists students in completing applications to their maximum ability and can aid with proofreading or the completion of a scholarship application.
Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR): Undergraduate Research and Professional Development Grant Up to $500; applications are open year-round; reviewed March 1 and October 1. Funds for undergraduate students or student organizations conducting, presenting or planning a group event related to research.
Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (EURO): Undergraduate Travel Grant $500; applications are open year-round. Individual: $100-$500 Teams: up to $1500; early bird submission Jan. 30, deadline Feb. 28
Office of Experiential Education (ExEd): has a scholarship available for students participating in experiential education. Student must be participating in an ExEd opportunity offered by Purdue University.
Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC): hosts Industrial Roundtable, which is one of the largest student-run career fairs in the nation. One way that PESC enhances the job fair experience for students is by offering the Industrial Scholarship, which is sponsored by companies participating in the fair.

Federal Loan Updates

Major federal loan changes are coming with the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Below are the changes in which we are aware beginning July 1, 2026. These items are tentative pending finals rules from the Department of Education, which are expected in early 2026.

Grad PLUS Loans

Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated for new borrowers.

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Legacy provision: If you are currently in a graduate program and have had an Unsubsidized or GRAD PLUS loan certified, you may continue borrowing Grad PLUS loans at the current terms and limits, however you may only borrow up to three additional years or until you complete your program, whichever comes first. This only applies to your current program. If you begin in a new program, you will not be eligible for the Grad PLUS loan.

Parent PLUS Loans

Parent PLUS loans will have new caps and rules for new borrowers.

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents will only be able to borrow a maximum of $20,000 per academic year, per student, and will have a lifetime limit of $65,500 per student. Parent PLUS loan, along with other federal loans, will be prorated if the student is enrolled less than full time. Full time for undergraduate students is 12 credit hours or more.
Legacy provision: Parents who borrowed a PLUS loan before July 1, 2026 or if a dependent student borrowed a federal subsidized or unsubsidized loan prior to July 1, 2026, will be grandfathered. Such students and their parents will be eligible to borrow under the current rules for three more academic years or until the student completes their program, whichever comes first. For Parent PLUS legacy eligibility only, a student who changes majors within the same degree or certificate will be considered to be enrolled in the same program of study. The student must remain in their current program to remain grandfathered.

Aggregate Lifetime Limits

Aggregate lifetime limits will be adjusting beginning July 1, 2026

Undergraduate loans will remain at their current limits, however if you move on to a graduate degree or a professional degree at another school, you will now have separate aggregate limits for each program. The new limits are as follows:
- Undergraduate loans: $31,000 for dependent students; $57,500 for independent students
- Graduate degree loans: $100,000 (does not include undergraduate loans)
- Professional degree loans: $200,000 (includes other graduate loans)
- Lifetime caps on all federal loans: $257,500
If you are a current graduate student using unsubsidized loans, you will remain at the current aggregate lifetime limits ($138,500, including undergraduate loans) for an additional three years or until you complete your program, whichever comes first. However, if you change your major or withdraw (or otherwise cease attendance), any new loans will be held to the new lifetime limits. This means any prior loans will retroactively count towards the new limits.
- Example: If you are pursuing an Applied Physics MS and continue taking out unsubsidized loans until you complete your program, you will be held to the old rules. Let’s say you currently have $20,000 in undergraduate loans and $25,000 in graduate level loans. Your combined aggregate loans are $45,000. Under the old rules, you still have $93,500 before reaching the $138,500 lifetime limit.
- If you change your major to Secondary Education MSEd and take out an unsubsidized loan, you will be held to the new rules. Your lifetime limit will now be $100,000 for your graduate level loans, so you will now only have $75,000 before reaching your new graduate loan limit ($100,000 limit - 25,000 graduate loans already borrowed).
All federal loans (undergraduate, graduate and Parent PLUS loans) will be prorated if you are enrolled less than full time. Full time enrollment for undergraduate students is 12 or more credit hours. Full time for graduate students is 8 or more credit hours. Loan amounts could be affected for Spring semester if a student withdraws from a class or classes during the Fall semester. Loan proration is based on 24 credit hours being completed in an academic year (Fall/Spring). If a student does not make up the hours in Spring to bring them to 24 credits being completed, the Spring loan amount will be prorated.

New Student Loan Repayment Plans

The income-contingent repayment plans (ICR, PAYE, SAVE) will be retired July 1, 2028. There will be 2 new repayment plans: the tiered Standard repayment plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).

Borrowers with any new loan disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 will only have the option of the tiered Standard and RAP. Current borrowers with no new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 can continue to enroll in and switch between the current 10-year Standard, Graduated, Extended, Income Contingent (ICR, PAYE, or REPAYE), and Income Based Repayment (IBR) plans until June 30, 2028. They can also remain in the 10-year Standard, Graduated, Extended, or IBR plan until their loans are paid in full. However, if they are enrolled in ICR, PAYE, or SAVE as of June 30, 2028, they will need to switch to either the tiered Standard, RAP, or IBR plan. Borrowers who fail to make a selection will be automatically enrolled in the RAP. Current borrowers in repayment can also opt in to the RAP at any point after July 1, 2026.

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