Is the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) need-blind for international students?

No, UPenn is need-aware for international students, meaning your ability to pay may be considered during the admission process. However, if you are admitted, they guarantee to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need .

24 Best Scholarships in Pennsylvania for International Students

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Securing scholarships in Pennsylvania USA for international students places you at the heart of American history and academic prestige. Home to an Ivy League giant and world-leading research hubs, Pennsylvania offers a unique landscape of financial aid. For the 2026/2027 academic year, institutions like the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Drexel University, and Temple University are providing some of the most competitive funding packages in the country. Whether you’re eyeing a full-tuition “Global Scholar” award in Philadelphia or a STEM fellowship at Carnegie Mellon, the “Keystone State” provides robust pathways for international scholars.

Navigating financial aid for international students in Pennsylvania is distinctive because it features a rare mix of 100% need-based aid (where the university covers every penny you can’t afford) and automatic merit-based tuition waivers. By targeting specialized awards like the Drexel Global Scholar or Temple’s Merit Stipends, global students can turn a high-cost Ivy-standard education into an affordable reality.

Top Tier: University-Specific Scholarships

1. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn): Need-Based Financial Aid

UPenn is one of the few elite universities that meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international students.

Value: Up to Full Cost of Attendance (Tuition + Room + Board).
Condition: You must apply for aid at the same time you apply for admission.
Official URL: https://srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/international

2. Drexel University: Global Scholar Program

A premier program for high-achieving international freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to global leadership.

Value: Full Tuition Coverage.
Requirement: Separate application and a 500-word essay required.
Official URL: https://drexel.edu/drexelcentral/finaid/grants/undergraduate-scholarships/

3. Temple University: International Merit Scholarships

Temple automatically considers all international applicants for merit-based aid.

Value: $2,000 – $20,000 per year (Up to Full Tuition for top candidates).
Deadline: November 1 (Priority).
Official URL: https://admissions.temple.edu/cost-aid/scholarships

4. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): Departmental Fellowships

While CMU does not offer general undergraduate aid to international students, their graduate departments are heavily funded.

Value: Full Tuition + Stipend (Varies by PhD/Masters program).
Official URL: https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/financial-assistance/

5. Lehigh University: Dean’s Scholars & Merit Awards

Lehigh offers substantial merit awards to international undergraduates who rank at the top of their class.

Value: $10,000 – $25,000 per year.
Official URL: https://www1.lehigh.edu/financialaid/international

6. Pennsylvania State University (Penn State): Provost’s Award

Available to high-achieving international students at various campuses.

Value: Up to $5,000 per year.
Official URL: https://global.psu.edu/category/international-student-scholarships

7. Villanova University: Presidential Scholarship

A highly competitive full-ride scholarship open to international students.

Value: Full Tuition, Room, and Board.
Official URL: https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/admission/scholarships.html

8. Susquehanna University: International Student Scholarship

Offers automatic merit scholarships to international students to promote campus diversity.

Value: Up to $32,000 per year.
Official URL: https://www.susqu.edu/admission-and-aid/

9. Dickinson College: International Scholarships

Dickinson provides both merit and need-based aid for international students.

Value: Up to $35,000+ per year.
Official URL: https://www.dickinson.edu/info/20262/financial_aid

10. University of Pittsburgh: International Freshman Scholarships

Based on SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA.

Value: Up to $10,000 per year.
Official URL: https://admissions.pitt.edu/international/scholarships/

Specialized & STEM Scholarships

11. Michael’s Way College Scholarship

For students in the Philadelphia area (including international) who have been affected by cancer.

Value: Full-Tuition.
Deadline: May 31
Official URL: https://michaelsway.org/

12. Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity

For students attending any PA college who solve problems in creative ways.

Value: Up to $20,000.
Deadline: May 15
Official URL: https://mfscholarship.org/

13. Society of Women Engineers (SWE) – Lehigh Valley Section

For international women pursuing engineering in eastern Pennsylvania.

Value: Up to $3,500.
Deadline: February 1
Official URL: https://lv.swe.org/scholarships.html

14. Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

For international researchers conducting biomedical research at PA institutions (e.g., UPenn or Pitt).

Value: 3 years of full research funding.
Official URL: https://hhwf.org/

15. Allegheny County Medical Society Scholarship

For international medical students enrolled in a Pittsburgh-area medical school.

Value: $4,000.
Deadline: September 30
Official URL: https://www.acms.org/

Foundation & Community Awards

16. Philadelphia Foundation Scholarships

Manages various funds open to students attending universities in the Philadelphia region.

Value: Up to $20,000.
Official URL: https://www.philafound.org/scholarships/

17. Education Future International Scholarship

Specifically for Indian nationals studying at any Pennsylvania university.

Value: INR 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs.
Deadline: May 31
Official URL: https://www.education-future.org/

18. Jonathan Lax Scholarship Fund for Gay Men

Supports gay men (including international) attending school in the Philadelphia area.

Value: Up to $10,000.
Deadline: December 1
Official URL: https://www.breadrosesfund.org/lax-scholarship/

19. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (PA Chapters)

Supports international women pursuing graduate studies in Pennsylvania.

Value: Up to $12,500.
Official URL: https://www.peointernational.org/

20. Roothbert Fund Scholarships

Open to students in PA who are motivated by spiritual values (regardless of religion).

Value: $7,000.
Deadline: February 1
Official URL: https://www.roothbertfund.org/

21. Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships

For international students working at PA-based Chick-fil-A locations.

Value: Up to $25,000.
Deadline: October 28
Official URL: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/scholarships

22. Hagan Scholarship Foundation

Available to high-achieving international students from rural backgrounds attending PA schools.

Value: Up to $60,000 total.
Deadline: December 1
Official URL: https://haganscholarships.org/

23. Ida Foreman Fleisher Scholarship

Supports women (including international) residing or studying in the Tri-State area (PA/NJ/DE).

Value: $8,000.
Deadline: May 14
Official URL: https://www.philafound.org/

24. Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent

For international medical students of Indian descent studying in Pennsylvania.

Value: $5,000.
Deadline: September 30
Official URL: https://www.foundationpms.org/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How competitive is the Drexel Global Scholar Program?

Extremely. It is one of the few full-tuition awards for international students in the US. Success depends heavily on a strong academic record and a compelling essay demonstrating leadership in your home community.

Are there scholarships for Indian medical students in Pennsylvania?

Q3: Are there scholarships for Indian medical students in Pennsylvania? Yes. The Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent ($5,000) and the Allegheny County Medical Society ($4,000) specifically support international students in the medical field.

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24 Best Scholarships in Pennsylvania USA for International Students 2026: The Ultimate Guide