Scholarships to Study in the USA for Nepali Students 2026
The most reliable funding sources for Nepali students in the US are PhD TA/RA positions (full tuition + USD 20–35K stipend), university merit scholarships for MS students (10–25% tuition reduction), and the Fulbright scholarship (fully funded, competitive). Most US undergraduate scholarships don't extend to international students except at need-blind elite universities.
Browse all scholarships open to Nepali students
Searchable list of government, university, and merit-based scholarships — filter by country and degree level.
Browse USA scholarshipsFulbright Scholarship — Most Prestigious for Nepali Students
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the most prestigious US government scholarship for international students. It covers: full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend (approximately USD 2,500–3,500/month), health insurance, and book allowance. Fulbright Nepal awards approximately 8–12 scholarships per year for Nepali students to pursue a master's or PhD in the US.
Eligibility: Nepali citizen, bachelor's degree completed, IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 95+, demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. The application process takes 12–18 months. Apply through the Bindeswori Devi Educational Foundation (BDEF) / US Embassy Kathmandu. Deadline is typically March–April each year. Preference is given to applicants who plan to return to Nepal and contribute to national development.
PhD Funding — Teaching and Research Assistantships
Fully funded PhD programs are the single largest source of financial support for Nepali students in the US. A funded PhD position includes: full tuition waiver (USD 30,000–60,000/yr value), stipend (USD 20,000–40,000/yr cash), and health insurance. In exchange, you work 15–20 hours/week as a Teaching Assistant (TA) grading papers, leading discussion sections, or as a Research Assistant (RA) in a lab.
Top PhD stipends 2026–2027: MIT USD 42,500/yr, Stanford USD 44,000/yr, CMU USD 38,500/yr, Princeton USD 40,000/yr, Berkeley USD 38,000/yr, Harvard USD 40,000/yr, UIUC USD 26,000/yr, Georgia Tech USD 25,000/yr. Even a mid-tier state university PhD is typically self-sustaining — stipends match or exceed living costs in university towns.
University Merit Scholarships for MS Students
Several US universities offer merit scholarships to international MS students: Northeastern University Dean's Scholarship (up to USD 20,000/yr), Purdue University Graduate College Excellence Award, Arizona State University Graduate College Merit Fellowship, Georgia Tech Presidential Fellowship (for top PhD applicants, not MS), Cornell University Graduate Fellowships.
Merit scholarships for MS are competitive and typically awarded to students in the top 5–10% of admitted cohorts. They rarely cover full tuition but reduce the net cost by 10–25%. Apply within early decision deadlines and write a strong personal statement emphasizing research experience.
External Scholarships for Nepali Students
The AAUW (American Association of University Women) International Fellowship supports women pursuing graduate study in the US — USD 18,000–30,000/yr. Open to Nepali women who are not US citizens. Application deadline: November.
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program covers master's study at US partner universities for students from developing countries including Nepal. Aga Khan Foundation scholarship is available for graduate study for Nepali students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Rotary Peace Fellowship covers master's study focused on peace and conflict resolution.
Work-Study and Graduate Assistantships — For All Degree Levels
Federal Work-Study is a US government program providing part-time employment for students with financial need — but international students on F-1 visas are not eligible for federal work-study. University-funded graduate assistantships are available regardless of immigration status.
The most practical approach for Nepali MS students: apply to departments that have strong RA budgets (labs with active NSF/DARPA grants), reach out to professors before submitting your application, and include a research statement that specifically addresses how you could contribute to the lab's current projects. A well-targeted RA application letter can turn a self-funded MS into a partially or fully-funded position.
Popular fields of study in USA
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Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for the Fulbright scholarship from Nepal?
Contact the Bindeswori Devi Educational Foundation (BDEF) or the Public Affairs Section at the US Embassy Kathmandu for current application guidelines. The application opens around January–March each year. You need to secure a US university admission offer, IELTS 7.0+, and a detailed study/research proposal demonstrating community impact.
Are there scholarships specifically for Nepali students in the USA?
The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) USA offers some limited scholarships for Nepali students. The Association of Nepali in the Americas (ANA) offers small grants. Most funding for Nepali students comes from university-level merit awards, PhD fellowships, and the Fulbright program rather than Nepal-specific scholarships.
How competitive are PhD Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA)?
Competitiveness varies significantly by field and school. In CS, electrical engineering, and applied sciences at top programs (CMU, MIT, Stanford), TA/RA positions are competitive — admissions rates are 3–8% and funding is allocated to the strongest admits. At mid-tier state universities (University of Arizona, TTU, WSU), most admitted PhD students receive TA/RA funding since the pool is smaller. The key: your admission IS the funding offer — if a US PhD program accepts you without offering funding, that is unusual and worth questioning. Always negotiate before declining; many programs have discretionary funding for strong applicants.
Can MS students get Teaching Assistantships (TA) or Research Assistantships (RA)?
Yes, but it is harder and less common than for PhD students. Some departments offer TA positions to MS students — particularly if they are a PhD-feeder program or if the department has large undergraduate courses needing TAs. RA positions for MS students depend on whether a faculty member has grant funding and wants a master's-level researcher. Best strategy: apply for TA/RA positions in your first semester by emailing department administrators and professors. UTD, ASU, and large state universities tend to have more MS TA openings than private schools. Even a partial TA (USD 5,000–10,000/semester + tuition waiver for some credits) meaningfully reduces your cost burden.
What external scholarships are available specifically for Nepali students going to the USA?
Beyond Fulbright (most prestigious), the key options: AAUW International Fellowships (for women pursuing graduate study in the US — USD 18,000–30,000); Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships (for South Asian students, covering top US universities); Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship (for exceptional students from developing countries); Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships; and USAID-funded programs through the American Councils for International Education. The Nepal Education Foundation and Tewa (for women) sometimes offer Nepal-specific grants. Most of these are for graduate students, highly competitive, and require strong academic records (3.5+ GPA equivalent) and a compelling development-oriented purpose statement.
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