Tulane University Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

For international students aspiring to study in the USA, Tulane University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to make their academic dreams a reality. Tulane provides both need-based and merit-based aid programs. All admitted students are considered for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships aim to support outstanding students from around the globe, recognizing their academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to making a difference. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarships available to international students at Tulane University.

Financial Aid Options for International Students

Financial aid for international students is limited. Tulane University recognizes the financial challenges international students may face and, therefore, provides a variety of generous need- and merit-based scholarship opportunities. Tulane offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships, most of which are renewable for your 4 years at Tulane. Many of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of both need and merit (academic, athletic, or talent) and have renewable criteria. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to those that cover our full tuition or even full cost of attendance.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Applicable to Newcomb-Tulane undergraduate international students (incoming and returning) effective for the 2025-2026 academic year, Tulane offers up to $30,000 in need-based financial aid for those who qualify and who have not already been awarded at least that amount in merit scholarships. Students must reapply for need-based aid every year. Those who wish to be considered for Tulane need-based scholarship funds should complete the online CSS Profile by the appropriate application deadlines. Returning students should submit the CSS Profile by May 1st. To apply, you must submit a CSS Profile and all necessary supporting documents. Students receiving a merit or athletic scholarship in excess of the maximum above are not eligible for additional need-based scholarships. An international student's remaining financial need must be funded by the student's family or from another resource.

Merit-Based Scholarships

In addition to Tulane's need-based financial aid for international students described above, Tulane offers merit scholarships that may cover your full tuition and fees or may even cover your full cost of attendance. All applicants are considered for a partial merit scholarship by completing the Common Application for admission. Beginning with the high school class of 2026 (students applying to Tulane in the fall of 2025), Tulane no longer requires a separate application to be considered for our full tuition merit scholarships.

Specific Scholarship Programs at Tulane University

Tulane University offers a variety of scholarship programs specifically for international students, each with its own criteria and benefits.

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Global Scholarship

Tulane's Global Scholarships are renewable for 4 years (5 years for students in the 5-year Architecture program). This is a partial or full-tuition award that is renewable for 4 years (5 years for students in the 5-year Architecture program). Recipients of this award are international students with outstanding academic records. These awards of varying amounts, up to full tuition, seek to recognize our most outstanding admitted international students.

Tulane University Leadership Award

The Tulane University Leadership Award is a full-tuition scholarship, renewable for 4 years. It is awarded to multiple full-time undergraduate students from and studying in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recipients will have strong academic and extracurricular credentials.

Latin American Scholar Award

This is a partial or full-cost award renewable for 4 years. It is awarded to one or more students from Latin America pursuing studies in the liberal arts or natural sciences. Typical recipients demonstrate strong academic and extracurricular credentials.

South Asian Scholar Award

This is a partial or full-tuition award that is renewable for 4 years (5 years for students in the 5-year Architecture program).

Stamps Scholarship

The Stamps Scholarship covers our total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, housing, and meals) and provides an enrichment fund to support endeavors such as study abroad, undergraduate research, academic or co-curricular conferences, and unpaid internships. This award is made possible by generous funding by the Stamps Scholars Program - a nationally prestigious scholarship program - and fund matching by Tulane. Semifinalists will be invited to submit supplements by January 5th. Finalists will be invited to interview in the spring. Approximately 5 Stamps Scholarships are awarded each year.

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Dean's Honor Scholarship

Unlike in previous years, students no longer need to complete a separate application for this full-tuition scholarship. Students who complete the four steps above will all be considered and may upload a supplement to their Green Wave Portal to be reviewed as part of the selection process. Winners are notified in late February. Note: Typical recipients over the last 3 years have had an ACT of 33+, an SAT score of 1500+, and/or a core, unweighted GPA of 3.7+, in addition to well-crafted applications. Test scores are not required to be considered for the Dean's Honor Scholarship.

Community Service Fellowship

This award comes with an offering to join a cohort of active and engaged Community Service Fellows on campus who: attend monthly group meetings; complete an average of 100 service & leadership hours per year; learn to be dynamic leaders, community advocates, and service ambassadors; and regularly access resources and guidance from the Center for Public Service. Select Community Service fellows will be considered for full-tuition scholarships such as the Sotomayor Public Service Scholarship. The supplements for the Community Service Fellowship and a place to upload an optional service resume will be available on a student’s Green Wave Portal.

FIRST Scholarship

In support of the FIRST mission, Tulane offers a merit-based scholarship ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, dependent upon academic background, to a high school senior who has participated on a FIRST team during their junior or senior year. This scholarship may be utilized for any undergraduate course of study in the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane.

Louisiana Resident Scholarships

As part of our Louisiana Promise, we strive to make Tulane affordable to every admitted student from Louisiana. While students will be considered for need-based scholarships that may cover up to full tuition through your submission of the Common Application and our financial aid applications (the FAFSA and CSS Profile), we also offer merit scholarships that require additional steps.

Louisiana Excellence Award

Students who currently reside in Louisiana and will graduate from a high school in Louisiana will be considered for this four-year full tuition award if they complete the 4 steps for scholarship consideration outlined above.

Creative and Performing Arts Awards

Artistic materials are reviewed by our faculty members and recommendations are provided to the admission committee.

Architecture Portfolio Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio and complete an interview upon invitation.
Creative and Performing Arts Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Musicianship Scholarship: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Studio Art Portfolio Award: To be considered, you must submit a portfolio.
Marching Band Scholarship: To be considered, you must audition. Contact Tulane Bands

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to Tulane's internal scholarships, international students can explore external funding options to support their studies.

International Student Loan

Provides access to loans for non-US Citizens from anywhere in the world who are planning to study at approved schools throughout the USA.

Leo S. Rowe Pan American American Fund

The Leo S. Rowe Fund, a student loan program of the Organization of American States (OAS), helps citizens from Latin America and the Caribbean OAS Member countries finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the United States.

Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund Grant

Provides financial assistance to women from developing countries who are committed to improving the lives of women and children in their home countries. This external scholarship is administered by a third party, independent of Tulane University.

Region-Specific External Scholarships

Boren Awards: Eligibility: Students must be planning to study abroad in a country OUTSIDE OF Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Award Amount: varies, $8,000-$25,000 depending on program length. Students applying for Boren Awards are encouraged to book an appointment with the Office of Fellowship Advising, as this is a nationally competitive scholarship. View a full list of eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and award amount.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Tulane University encourages students to broaden their horizons through study abroad programs and offers several scholarships to support these experiences.

OSA Scholarships

OSA scholarships are available for the following: Students studying in or about Africa and global African diaspora, Students studying outside of western Europe, Students studying in a foreign language, Need-based funds, as determined by the Tulane Office of Financial Aid, First generation college students. Additional funding may be available through study abroad program providers, Tulane academic departments, and other external sources. OSA Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the following: Ann and John Rossi Award, Clara B. Michaels Junior Year Abroad Scholarship, Conroy Endowed Fund, Corasaniti Study Abroad Award, Darden Study Abroad Award, Dr. Joseph Bavaria Study Abroad Grant, Israel Study Abroad Award, Jacquelyn Robinson Award, Judith Ward-Steinman Campbell Award, Kristen Leigh Waller N'87 Memorial Scholarship, Margaret L. Groben Scholarship, Paula Jean McKenzie Scholarship, Robert I. Grossman Award, Sanders Memorial Fund, Steve Moffit Study Abroad Award, Weakland Family Study Abroad Grant, CIEE Study Abroad.

OSA Scholarship Information

Question: How do I apply for OSA Scholarships? Students must check "yes" to the question asking if they would like to be considered for scholarships within the Tulane study abroad application. In addition, students must type a paragraph about how studying abroad will support their personal and/or professional goals. There is a box to type a paragraph in the Tulane study abroad application. We encourage you to elaborate on your situation if there are factors that will affect your ability to study abroad that are not reflected in your student information or FAFSA profile.
Question: What academic terms are eligible for OSA scholarships? Answer: Students applying to study abroad during the fall/spring semester, summer, or academic year are eligible to apply.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements to be considered for an OSA Scholarship? A: Students who are studying abroad in regions that are uncommonly selected by study abroad participants or will take courses in a foreign language abroad will be prioritized to receive scholarships. Regions that are uncommonly selected by study abroad participants: Africa Latin America South and Southeast Asia, such as India, China, and Thailand The Middle East OSA is eager to support all students being able to study abroad. Meet with our office and make note in your application if you have any special considerations for your ability to study abroad.
Q: What can OSA Scholarships cover? A: OSA scholarships can be used for housing, meals, transportation abroad, airfare, visa fees, passport fees, and cost of living expenses abroad.
Q: How much will I receive if I am awarded an OSA Scholarship? A: Scholarship awards vary on a case-by-case basis, and average at $2,500. If you receive a high amount of financial aid please check in with the financial aid office, as sometimes extra awards may be taxed as income.

Gilman Scholarship

Students who are studying abroad during spring, summer, or fall semesters may apply. Award Amount: up to $5,000 or up to $8,000 for students studying a critical need language while abroad. Students applying for the Gilman Scholarship are encouraged to book an appointment with the Office of Fellowship Advising, as this is a nationally competitive scholarship.

How to Apply for Scholarships

To maximize your chances of receiving financial aid, it is crucial to understand the application process and deadlines.

Required Application Materials

To be considered for scholarships, international students typically need to submit the following:

The Common Application for admission.
The CSS Profile.
Tulane’s Declaration & Certification of Finances.
Supporting documentation when requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

For our Academic, Service and Leadership Scholarship and general merit scholarship consideration, Complete Tulane’s Declaration & Certification of Finances.

Steps for Scholarship Consideration

To ensure maximum consideration for financial aid at Tulane, students should follow these steps:

Complete the Common Application for admission.
Complete the CSS Profile by the financial aid deadlines.
Complete Tulane’s Declaration & Certification of Finances.
Submit supporting documentation when requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

Additional Tips for Scholarship Applications

Craft a compelling application: Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, and intellectual promise.
Submit optional supplements: Expand upon or enhance an aspect of your application, focusing on areas such as academics, creativity, leadership, and service. Submissions may be in any format listed on the upload screen. Video and audio submissions must not exceed 3 minutes.
Seek assistance with essay writing: Book an appointment with a writing coach at Tulane's Academic Writing Center to gain assistance with scholarship essay writing and editing.

Other Financial Resources

In addition to scholarships, international students can explore other financial resources to help fund their education.

Private Loans

Two options for additional aid are: Prodigy Finance and mPower. Please note that private loans may have higher interest rates. For more information, visit the Non-Federal Private Alternative Loan page from the Office of Financial Aid. With a creditworthy co-signer, a student can borrow up to the Cost of Attendance. Tulane determines the borrower's maximum loan eligibility based on the Cost of Attendance for the academic year associated with the loan, less any other financial aid received. The interest rates are variable. To get a private loan you need a co-signer.

Emergency Funds

In early 2018, the Office of International Students and Scholars in collaboration with the Undocumented Student Support Committee (USSC) launched the International/Undocumented Student Emergency Fund. Access to this emergency fund can help you face financial challenges.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for financial aid, international students must meet certain requirements. These awards are open to non-US citizens, who are otherwise not eligible for US Federal Financial Aid.

Citizenship and Residency

Applicants must be non-US citizens, as U.S. citizens or eligible residents should submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile to be considered for merit scholarships, up to full tuition. For our Academic, Service and Leadership Scholarship and general merit scholarship consideration citizens, Tulane's Declaration & Certification of Finances form is satisfactory.

Financial Need

Students must demonstrate financial need, which is assessed through the CSS Profile and supporting documentation.

Important Considerations

Co-signer: Some loan options may require a creditworthy co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a social security number, a satisfactory credit history, and sufficient current income to repay credit obligations.
Financial Aid Deadlines: Pay close attention to the financial aid deadlines to ensure your application is considered.

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