Study in the USA – Scholarship Overview
The United States (USA) is one of the most desired study destinations for Bangladeshi students because of its world-ranked universities, research opportunities, and career prospects. The USA offers a large number of scholarships, but most are merit-based and highly competitive. Fully funded scholarships are mainly available for outstanding students, research programs, or specific universities, while many students receive partial tuition waivers or assistantships.
Types of Scholarships in the USA
1. Fulbright Scholarship (Fully Funded)
The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships for international students. This scholarship is mainly for Master’s and PhD students and is funded by the US Government.
Coverage:
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly living stipend: approx. 1,500 – 2,500 USD/month
- Health insurance
- Airfare support
Eligible Majors: Engineering, Public Policy, Social Science, IT, Education, Health, Arts
Apply here: Fulbright Official Website
2. University Scholarships (Partial / Merit-Based)
Most US universities offer scholarships for international students based on academic results, extracurricular activities, or leadership. These are the most common scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
Coverage:
- Tuition fee waiver:
- 20%
- 30%
- 50%
- 80%
- 100% (limited cases)
- Some universities provide:
- 5,000 – 30,000 USD/year scholarship
**Usually students still need to manage living expenses. Apply through university website.
Eligible Majors: Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Health, Arts (almost all majors)
3. Graduate Assistantship (GA) / Teaching Assistantship (TA)
Many US universities provide assistantships for graduate students. Students work part-time with professors or departments in exchange for funding.
Coverage:
- Full or partial tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend: approx. 800 – 2,500 USD/month
Eligible Majors: Engineering, Computer Science, Science, Research-based programs
Apply through university department or professor
4. Need-Based Scholarships
Some US universities provide scholarships based on financial need. These are more common in highly ranked private universities.
Coverage:
- Partial to full tuition support
- Sometimes housing and food support
Eligible Majors: Almost all majors (depends on university)
Apply through university financial aid system
Who Can Apply (Eligibility & Qualification)
US scholarships mainly depend on academic excellence, extracurricular profile, leadership, and English proficiency. Students first apply to universities and then apply for scholarships or assistantships. Some scholarships are automatic, while others require separate applications. Academic performance, standardized test scores, SOP, recommendation letters, and communication with professors are very important for funding opportunities.
Eligibility & Qualification:
- Must be an international student
- Strong academic result (75–90%+)
- SAT/ACT may be required for Bachelor’s
- GRE/GMAT may be required for some graduate programs
- IELTS / TOEFL required
- Strong SOP and extracurricular profile preferred
Required Documents (University + Scholarship)
Documents:
- Academic certificates & transcripts
- Passport copy
- IELTS / TOEFL
- SAT/GRE/GMAT (if required)
- CV / Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Recommendation letters
- Financial documents (for visa and some universities)
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps:
- Choose university and program
- Prepare IELTS/SAT/GRE (if required)
- Apply online through university portal
- Apply for scholarship/assistantship
- Upload required documents
- Receive admission offer
- Accept offer and prepare visa documents
Visa Required Documents (F-1 Student Visa)
Visa Documents:
- Valid passport
- I-20 form
- Financial proof
- IELTS/TOEFL result
- DS-160 confirmation
- Visa appointment confirmation
- SEVIS fee payment receipt
Visa Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps:
- Receive I-20 from university
- Pay SEVIS fee
- Fill DS-160 form
- Book visa interview
- Attend embassy interview
- Receive visa and prepare for travel
Cost Overview 2026
The USA is one of the most expensive study destinations, but scholarships and assistantships can reduce costs significantly.
Total Estimated Cost (First Year):
- Tuition: 20,000 – 60,000 USD/year
- Living: 12,000 – 25,000 USD/year
- Other costs: 3,000 – 7,000 USD
Total: approx. 35,000 – 90,000 USD/year
With Partial Scholarship
- Tuition fees reduce significantly
- Living expenses usually student responsibility
With Assistantship / Full Scholarship
- Tuition mostly or fully covered
- Monthly stipend supports living expenses