Many universities worldwide offer scholarships and research fellowships to qualified students based on merit and financial need, but most of the institutions that offer highly generous financial aid are in the United States of America. Their reason for doing this is to give deserving students the opportunity to advance in their studies and careers.
These scholarships are offered in the form of full tuition fee coverage, while some offer partial scholarships, others are fully funded. In the case of partly funded scholarships, a percentage is provided, rather than the full amount, of the costs required to complete a degree. Full scholarships cover all costs, including tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, and in certain universities, insurance.
With a full scholarship, international students do not have to worry about the cost of higher education abroad and can focus on their studies instead of looking for part-time work to meet their financial needs. This article aims to show you the American universities with the most generous scholarships for students at the undergraduate level of study.
1. Yale University
Scholarship amount: $63,520
The value of the scholarship for about 52 percent of undergraduates at Yale University, USA is $63,520. This highly reputable higher institution is committed to meeting 100% of students’ financial needs without loans. The university’s financial aid policy includes need-based aid and need-free admission.
Yale University uses a sliding scale to determine how much a family should contribute. Families earning less than $75,000 a year are not required to contribute anything towards college costs. Families earning between $75,000 and $200,000 per year are expected to contribute 1% to 20%, with the sliding scale increasing for higher earners.
2. Dartmouth College
Scholarship amount: $62,290
Dartmouth College is a top-ranked college in New Hampshire that does not consider the need to enter the college. The value of the scholarship for about 45 percent of undergraduates at Dartmouth College University, USA is $62,290. More than half of Dartmouth’s first-year students receive financial aid.
Dartmouth’s zero-parent contribution policy provides full scholarships and no loans for families earning less than $125,000 per year and with typical assets. At the same time, the university expects students to work during the summer to cover tuition fees. The school requires a minimum contribution of $1,000 to $3,000 per year based on the student’s summer income and part-time work during the academic year.
3. Harvard University
Scholarship amount: $61,800
Harvard University is one of the most generous financial aid providers. The value of the scholarship for about 56 percent of undergraduates at Harvard University, USA is $61,800. Ivy League universities do not consider need in admissions and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Harvard University does not expect financial contributions from families earning less than $85,000 annually. Families earning between $85,000 and $150,000 are expected to contribute no more than 10% of their income.
4. Northwestern University
Scholarship amount: $61,720
Northwestern University’s financial aid package fully covers demonstrated financial need without the need for loans. This means that financial aid offers include only grants and student work. This “no loans” financial aid policy also has no income restrictions.
The value of the scholarship for about 50 percent of undergraduates at Northwestern University, USA is $61,720. Northwestern University does not consider financial need during the admissions process. Approximately 60% of students at Northwestern receive financial aid, including 97% from families with incomes under $120,000.
5. Colby College
Scholarship amount: $61,720
The value of the scholarship for about 41 percent of undergraduates at Colby College, USA is $61,720. The Colby Commitment means that students from families with annual incomes under $75,000 and typical net worth typically pay no tuition. Colby limits parent contributions to $15,000 per year for families with incomes under $150,000 and typical assets.
Colby College practices need-based admissions, so they assess potential students’ financial needs before deciding to admit them. At the same time, 95% of families with incomes below $200,000 qualify for financial aid. And nearly half of Colby’s first-year students receive financial aid.
6. Wellesley College
Scholarship amount: $61,330
Wellesley College meets 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need. The value of the scholarship for about 59 percent of undergraduates at Wellesley College, USA is $61,330. The school does not consider the need when reviewing applications. Wellesley College prohibits loans to students whose families earn less than $100,000 a year and limits family contributions to $28,000.
Other students may also have loans in their financial aid package, but for students who need financial assistance, loan amounts are limited to $3,000 the first year and $15,200 throughout all four years.
7. Columbia University
Scholarship amount: $61,060
The value of the scholarship for about 52 percent of undergraduates at Columbia University, USA, is $61,060. Columbia University conducts financial analysis to put together financial aid packages for students without resorting to loans.
The university is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of first-year and transfer students. Students with a household income of less than $66,000 are not expected to contribute to the cost of college.
8. Stanford University
Scholarship amount: $60,620
Stanford University uses a need-based eligibility assessment method to create financial aid packages. Stanford University reports that need-based aid recipients in the Class of 2026 receive, on average, institutional scholarships worth more than $68,000.
The value of the scholarship for about 59 percent of undergraduates at Stanford University, USA, is $60,620. The university says that more than 95% of families earning less than $225,000 receive scholarships from Stanford. Families earning less than $75,000 receive an average of more than $86,000 in scholarships and grants.
9. Wesleyan University
Scholarship amount: $59,830
The value of the scholarship for about 44 percent of undergraduates at Wesleyan University, USA, is $59,830. Wesleyan University eliminated loans from its financial aid packages starting in the fall of 2024. The school meets the demonstrated financial need of all students through grants and work-study.
Wesleyan offers need-based admission, which means a student’s financial need is taken into account when deciding on admission. Approximately half of first-year students at Wesleyan University receive financial aid.
The minimum contribution for first-year students at Wesleyan is $2,000, which increases slightly the following year. For students with parent contributions of $10,000 or less, the minimum contribution is reduced to $1,200.
10. Princeton University
Scholarship amount: $59,790
The value of the scholarship for about 61 percent of undergraduates at Princeton University, USA, is $59,790. Students with a household income of less than $180,000 are eligible for aid that covers at least 95% of tuition fees.
Princeton University does not consider financial need in admissions and offers need-based financial aid. On average, families earning less than $65,000 receive scholarships large enough to cover tuition, and room and board.
