UN Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Attending university is a significant financial undertaking, but it's an investment that typically yields substantial returns over a lifetime. For international students, the cost can be a major barrier, but numerous scholarships and funding opportunities exist to help make studying abroad a reality. This article provides a detailed overview of UN scholarships for international students, exploring eligibility requirements, application processes, and various programs available.

Understanding the Financial Commitment of Higher Education

The cost of higher education is a real concern for many, but it's important to recognize the long-term value. For international students, this cost can be even greater, requiring careful planning and exploration of financial aid options.

University-Specific Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships specifically for international students. These awards are often based on academic merit, leadership potential, or financial need. Here are some examples:

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Scholarships

UNI offers several scholarships for international students, including:

International Scholars Award: This award provides $5,000 annually to international students applying directly from high school or transferring to UNI. It's based on academic achievement, requiring a 3.0 GPA or higher (SAT or ACT scores can also be considered). No separate application is needed. Qualifications: $5,000 - 3.0 GPA or 1020 or higher (SAT)Completed application fileFall 2026 Intake.
Transfer Scholar Award: A one-time $1,000 scholarship for international transfer students with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. No separate application is needed.
International Excel Award: This scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 per year for up to four years and is available to new incoming degree-seeking students with strong academic backgrounds. Admitted students can apply through the UNI Scholarship Application or a separate online application. Qualifications:Proof of English proficiencyExamples of leadership and serviceCompleted application fileUNI Scholarship Application submission.
Presidential Scholar Award: Awarded each year by the University Honors Program to high school seniors with a history of outstanding academic performance. Students must maintain a 3.000 cumulative GPA and complete 24 credit hours each academic year (fall/spring).

To apply for the International Excel Award and other scholarships, students must complete the UNI Scholarship Application. The application typically opens July 1, with a priority deadline of February 1. Students must be admitted to UNI to complete the application.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Scholarships

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a popular choice for international students. International students are automatically considered for scholarships up to US$15,000 per year when admitted to Nebraska.

University of New Mexico (UNM) Scholarships

UNM offers competitive scholarships for high-achieving international students. One of their most prestigious scholarships is the International Amigo Scholarship, which grants international students (non-immigrant visa holders) the resident, in-state tuition rate, a value of over $16,000 per year!

International Amigo Scholarship: Requires a 3.5 GPA on a US scale in upper secondary/ high school coursework OR 3.0 GPA on a US scale AND either an ACT score of 26 OR SAT score of 1240 OR 3.25 GPA of with at least 30 credits of university-level transferable coursework.
Leadership Scholarship (Undergraduate only): Requires a 3.0 GPA on a US scale in upper secondary/high school coursework.Requirements: 1) First semester 1 credit GEO "Academic Success" course.
Beca Mexico: 2.5 GPA on a US Scale * Open only to citizens of Mexico **Students are automatically considered for the highest value scholarship they are eligible for. Scholarships cannot be stacked, in other words, students will only be offered one scholarship and can’t combine aforementioned awards with any other UNM scholarship. Priority Application deadline for Scholarship ConsiderationFall Admission: February 15thSpring Admission: September 15thFor best consideration, all materials such as transcripts and English language scores must be received by the above dates. Students will still be considered after the deadline depending on availability.

All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships - no additional application paperwork is needed!

To maintain the International Amigo Scholarship, students must maintain enrollment in 15 new credit hours (no repeated courses) and achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester.

The following is the average cost of attendance for the 2026 - 2027 semester. If you are offered admission and receiving either an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will be responsible for showing the full cost of attendance, at one time, for the entire year in order to have your immigration documents issued.

Estimated Cost: Full-Time (12 hours+) per year

	Attendance with Amigo Scholarship	Attendance with Leadership Scholarship	Attendance without scholarship
Tuition & Fees	$12,025	$23,148	$35,173
Room & board	$11,500
Books & Supplies	$975
Transportation	$1,500
Miscellaneous and Health Insurance	$2750
TOTAL	$28,750	$39,873	$51,898

International Masters and Doctoral Students Cost of AttendanceThe following is the average cost of attendance for the 2026 - 2027 semester. While your actual cost may vary from these numbers, if you are offered admission and receiving either an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will be responsible for showing available funding for the full cost of attendance, at one time, for the entire year.

Estimated Cost: Full-Time (9 hours+) per year

	International Student with Amigo Scholarship	International Student
Tuition & Fees	$10,949	$25,241
Room & Board	$11,500
Books & Supplies	$975
Transportation	$1,500
Miscellaneous and Health Insurance	$2,750
TOTAL	$27,474	$41,966

International Masters and PhD Students may also be considered for assistantships through their department during the application process. An assistantship is a type of financial and work opportunity available to graduate students. There are 4 types of assistantships at UNM: Teaching, Research, Graduate and Project assistantships. Assistantships pay an hourly wage or monthly stipend to the student. Students receiving assistantships may teach, help grade class assignments, do research or other academic work. If the assistantship is more than half the semester in duration, the award will also provide health insurance. If the assistantship is more than half the semester in duration and the student works at least 10 hours per week, the assistantship entitles the student to pay the in-state tuition rate. Some assistantships also pay all or some of the tuition and fees for the student. Assistantships are extremely competitive.

University of Missouri (Mizzou) Scholarships

Mizzou offers some institutional scholarships for international students. Students who transfer with 120 or more credit hours will not be eligible for the automatic transfer scholarships. Scholarships are only available for students who are working on their first bachelor’s degree. To receive any international scholarship you are selected for, you must enroll full time (a minimum of 12 credit hours) at the University of Missouri on the Columbia campus the first regular semester (fall or spring) following graduation from high school. International scholarships may be reduced to keep your total financial aid package within your Cost of Attendance for the academic year, or in situations where other sources are paying for or waiving tuition and fees for you. All Mizzou scholarships are not transferable among other campuses of the University of Missouri System unless specifically indicated. You are eligible for transfer scholarships for a total of 8 continuous fall or spring semesters, or until you earn enough credits to receive a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. These scholarships may not be utilized during the summer semester. All scholarships, grants, and financial resources you receive are subject to being reduced if the combined total reaches your maximum Cost of Attendance. If you feel that you have additional educational costs that exceed your standard Cost of Attendance (COA) then you can contact the Student Financial Aid office to see if there is an opportunity to appeal to increase your COA. All Mizzou scholarships are not transferable among other campuses of the University of Missouri System unless specifically indicated. If you are dismissed from the University for any conduct reason you will lose your Mizzou scholarship. If renewal criteria are met at the conclusion of the academic year (i.e., spring semester), you may regain eligibility in the future. If you fail to meet the minimum renewal criteria of total hours completed for the academic term and/or cumulative GPA at the end of your Spring semester, your scholarship can only be reinstated if a scholarship appeal is submitted and approved.

University of Nevada, Reno Scholarships

The University of Nevada, Reno provides a high-quality education at a competitive price with various funding opportunities. Approximately 80 percent of international graduate students receive graduate assistantships from academic departments.

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Scholarships

International students at UNO can find various opportunities to help pay for their education. All newly admitted first-time and transfer undergraduate students will automatically be considered for the International Academic Excellence Scholarship after admission.

Other scholarships available at UNO include:

The Yutaka Makino Scholarship: Awarded annually to an undergraduate student from Shizuoka City, Japan, nominated by the SHARE organization.
The Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Award: Open to students who are citizens or permanent residents of the Commonwealth countries and who are admitted to UNO.
The Tom and Janet Miller Scholarship: A $1,000 award for students experiencing financial hardship who attended IEP and are pursuing full-time undergraduate studies at UNO. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

External Scholarship Programs

In addition to university-specific scholarships, several external organizations and programs offer funding for international students:

Global Excellence Scholarships (GES): These are competitive, merit-based scholarships awarded to international freshmen or transfer students. Freshmen may receive scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each year for up to four years. Transfer students may receive $10,000 per year for up to three years when entering the University in the fall semester.
EduPass: This organization provides information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States.
Institute of International Education (IIE): Through Study America, IIE helps qualified students wishing to study in the US at the undergraduate or graduate level who are unable to afford such study without financial assistance.
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS): TWAS offers various programs for scientists from developing countries, including scholarships, fellowships, and research grants.
Organization for Women for Science for Developing World (OWSD): OWSD has a fellowship programme for female students from LDCs and a list of another 19 countries who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a Ph.D.
Education Future Foundation: An annual scholarshop program for students from India who are looking to study in the US at undergraduate or postgraduate levels. Scholarships range between $10,000-$12,000.

Scholarships and Funding for Students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Several organizations and programs specifically target students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), providing opportunities for education and research:

The IPCC Scholarship Programme: Available for young scientists from developing countries working on issues related to climate change.
The TWAS-Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award: Recognizes scientists from LDCs.
The TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences: Honours women scientists in African LDCs for achievements in biological sciences.
The TWAS-ISDB Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme: Supports early career researchers from the LDC member countries of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for LDCs: Offers postdoctoral fellowships to researchers from LDCs in natural, applied and social sciences.
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Research Professors Programme: Provides institutions and research groups located in LDCs with the opportunity to establish long-term links with TWAS members to assist in research activities and advanced training and so help develop the local scientific capacities.
PACTs (ProgrAmme of CollaboraTions with LDCs): The UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, TWAS and ICGEB offer early-career scientists from LDCs, aged 45 or under, exchange visits of up to 6-months at the ICGEB laboratories.
The International Design Education (IDE) Program: Provides scholarships for students from LDCs for a Master's degree in industrial design engineering at Zheijang University.
The University of California Berkeley Law School LDC Scholarship: Grants a waiver of half of the tuition for LL.M.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Assistantships: International Masters and PhD Students may also be considered for assistantships through their department during the application process. An assistantship is a type of financial and work opportunity available to graduate students. There are 4 types of assistantships at UNM: Teaching, Research, Graduate and Project assistantships. Assistantships pay an hourly wage or monthly stipend to the student. Students receiving assistantships may teach, help grade class assignments, do research or other academic work. If the assistantship is more than half the semester in duration, the award will also provide health insurance. If the assistantship is more than half the semester in duration and the student works at least 10 hours per week, the assistantship entitles the student to pay the in-state tuition rate. Some assistantships also pay all or some of the tuition and fees for the student. Assistantships are extremely competitive.

General Application Tips

Start Early: Begin researching and applying for scholarships well in advance of application deadlines.
Meet the Requirements: Carefully review the eligibility criteria and guidelines for each scholarship before applying.
Complete the Application: Fill out all sections of the application thoroughly and accurately.
Write a Strong Essay: The essay section is often a crucial part of the application, so take the time to write a compelling and well-written essay.
Seek Guidance: Contact the university's international student services or a scholarship advisor for assistance.

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