October 10, 2026

Studying in the United States can be expensive. Tuition, fees and living costs can add up quickly. Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and other financial aid may help reduce these costs. However, funding options vary by institution and programme. This guide explains the main types of funding available at each degree level and how to apply. It also covers eligibility, required documents and ways to strengthen your application. Keep three points in mind from the start. Most international students in the United States are not eligible for federal student aid. Federal aid generally requires U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status. International students may qualify for financial aid from their university. Some institutions use the CSS Profile or their own financial-aid forms. Funding may also come from governments and private organisations. Funding varies widely. Some awards cover only part of tuition or education costs. Others may provide substantial or full financial support. Eligibility and coverage depend on the scholarship, institution and programme. Scholarship and university deadlines can be months before the programme starts. Start planning early. Types of Scholarships in the USA Government-funded scholarships The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It is for eligible non-U.S. citizens. For Bangladesh, applicants should follow the current U.S. Embassy Dhaka competition announcement. Degree levels, eligibility requirements and application procedures can vary by country and application cycle. For the 2027–2028 Bangladesh competition, applicants should check the U.S. Embassy Dhaka announcement for the applicable eligibility requirements and deadline. Future competitions may have different requirements and dates. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State. It is a non-degree professional development programme for mid-career professionals. Programme duration and eligibility for applicants from Bangladesh can vary. Check the current call for the latest requirements. Many U.S. government-sponsored exchange programmes use the J-1 visa. Some J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e). Whether it applies depends on factors such as government funding, the applicable Exchange Visitor Skills List, or graduate medical education or training. University-specific scholarships Universities are an important source of funding for international students. Other sources include governments, foundations and organisations. University funding generally falls into two main types. Need-based aid depends on your family’s financial situation. A limited number of U.S. universities offer need-blind admission or meet full demonstrated financial need for some international undergraduate applicants. These policies are institution-specific. Check each university’s current international admission and financial-aid policy. At many other universities, an applicant’s financial need may be considered during the admission process. Merit-based awards may consider academic performance, achievements, talent, leadership or other criteria. Some awards cover only part of the cost. Application procedures vary by university and scholarship. Private Foundations and Organisations Non-profit foundations and donors fund some scholarships and other awards. Two examples are:Knight-Hennessy Scholars provides funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford, depending on the degree programme. Applicants must also apply separately to an eligible Stanford graduate degree programme. For the 2027 cohort, the KHS application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.Rotary Peace Fellowships support master’s-level study and professional development through Rotary Peace Centers. The master’s pathway has work-experience and other eligibility requirements. Applicants should check the current eligibility rules for the relevant cycle. The fellowship covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship or field-study expenses. The 2028–29 application is scheduled to open in February 2027. Graduate Assistantships A graduate assistantship is a university-funded position. It may involve teaching, research or other academic or administrative work. Depending on the institution and programme, it may provide a stipend, tuition support or both. Availability and funding terms vary by department.Assistantship application procedures vary by university and department. Some departments consider students automatically, while others require a separate application. For research-based programmes, follow the department’s instructions. Contact potential supervisors if the programme encourages it.Eligible F-1 students may generally work up to 20 hours per week in qualifying on-campus employment while school is in session. They may work full-time during permitted breaks. Assistantship duties must follow applicable F-1 employment rules. Scholarships for Bachelor’s Programmes For Bangladeshi students seeking undergraduate study in the United States, funding may come from several sources. These include universities, governments, foundations and other organisations. University-based aid is an important source to investigate. Need-based aid: Need-based institutional aid may require the CSS Profile or another university-specific financial-aid form. Financial documents may also be required. Merit awards: Check each university’s international scholarship page. Some awards have earlier deadlines than the admission deadline. Test scores: Policies differ by university and admission cycle. Check each university’s current SAT and ACT policy before applying. Cost of living: Living costs vary by location. Compare the total cost of attendance, not just tuition, when evaluating universities. Undergraduate deadlines vary by university and application round. Check each institution’s current deadline. Academic qualifications, including HSC or A-level results, may be considered during admission. Extracurricular activities may also be considered. Scholarship for Master’s Programme Fulbright is a major U.S. government-sponsored opportunity for eligible Bangladeshi applicants seeking master’s study. For the 2027–2028 Bangladesh competition, applicants should follow the U.S. Embassy Dhaka announcement. It provides the applicable degree, academic, professional experience, English-language, citizenship and residency requirements. These requirements are specific to the competition. They may change in future cycles.Eligibility for previous U.S. or foreign degrees depends on the Bangladesh-specific call for the relevant competition. Applicants must follow the current official eligibility rules. Funding for master’s programmes varies by university and department. It may include fellowships, tuition awards or assistantships. Some programmes provide little or no funding. Check the department’s current funding policy before applying. Scholarship for Doctorate Programme Some U.S. research-based PhD programmes provide funding packages. These may include tuition support and a stipend. Funding can come through fellowships, assistantships or institutional support. Availability, duration and coverage vary by university and department. Recent data from the Association of American Universities (AAU) show changes in doctoral admissions. Data from 55 participating institutions show