These U.S. Colleges Gave Scholarships to Indian Students — Here’s Why

The Truth is that U.S. Colleges Do give $$$ to Indian Applicants in the form of Financial Aid.  “I’m going to break down the profiles of 3 students who received aid - where they applied, what their SAT scores were, and why some colleges offered money while others didn’t. This could literally shape your entire college list — so let’s get into it.”

The 2-Part Strategy to Maximize Scholarships as an Indian Student

If financial assistance is an important criterion for you, there is a 2 part strategy to keep in mind as you decide where to apply.

1.     First apply to colleges with a history of offering financial awards to Indian students and for which your grades and scores are above the average for the college.

2.     Second, check out the track record of the institution.  Financial awards tend to follow trends for a few years at a time, reflecting institutional priorities – a college may be trying to increase its diversity from India. Or it may be trying to attract strong engineering students to improve its engineering programme.

Assume your financial aid will be awarded in an institution at which you exceed the requirements.  In every case of the colleges listed, the student who was offered aid had scores that far exceeded the college’s averages. That is to say, the student could have attended a better college without aid. 

Colleges do this to attract students who otherwise would not attend.  This helps them increase the overall profile of their student body.  Think of money as a way to lure students in.

So here we go – through the 3 applicants who received scholarships

Student A

SAT: 1550

Financial award was required, otherwise could not attend

Applied: Georgetown, University of Richmond, Tulane, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Lehigh University

Offered financial award at both University of Richmond and Tulane University;

accepted University of Richmond’s larger award

Check out the SAT scores of University of Richmond & Tulane University.  Student A SAT score of 1550 well exceeds the 75%.

Case Study 2: SAT 1480 — Aid Offer from UMass Amherst

Student B

SAT: 1480

Financial Aid was not a consideration in application

Applied to Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon among others

Offered financial award at University of Massachusetts, Amherst;

declined financial aid offer and enrolled at UC Berkeley instead

Check out the SAT scores of Amherst.  Student B’s SAT score of 1480 which exceeds the 75%.

Case Study 3: SAT 1560 — Scholarship from Washington University in St. Louis

Student C

SAT: 1560

Applied to Vassar, Boston University, Washington University in St Louis and Wesleyan among others

Offered financial award at Boston University and later at Washington University in St. Louis;

accepted admission and aid offer from Washington University

Check out the SAT scores of Boston University.  Student C’s SAT score of 1560 exceeds the 75%.

Key Takeaway: Financial Aid Is a Strategy, Not a Bonus

So here’s the key takeaway: if financial aid matters to you, don’t just chase rankings. Look for colleges where your profile is above average, and where there’s a history of offering aid to Indian students. That’s how you create leverage.  Aid is a strategy. And if you get that right, studying in the U.S. becomes a lot more affordable.”

You can check out this video to understand how international applicants are evaluated differently.

I’ve helped students build college lists that maximize both chances and aid — if you want help with that, check out the free consultation. Book a call here. Or if you are still feeling unsure, take a look at my courses for a clear, step-by-step guide, and get immediate access to downloadable frameworks and checklists.

I’ve linked a free guide below that explains how global and international admissions systems actually work. Global Admissions Guide

Common Questions About Scholarships for Indian Students

Do U.S. colleges give scholarships to Indian students?

Yes, but selectively. Aid is usually offered to students whose academic profiles exceed the college’s typical admitted range.

Is financial aid harder to get as an Indian applicant?

Yes. Many U.S. colleges are need-aware for international students, which means financial need can affect admissions decisions.  Less than 1% of international students get aid and that too from a very select set of universities.

Do higher SAT scores increase chances of scholarships?

Often, yes. In most aid cases, the student’s SAT score was well above the college’s 75th percentile.

Should I apply only to top-ranked colleges if I need aid?

No. Aid is more commonly offered by colleges where your profile strengthens their incoming class, not necessarily the most prestigious ones.