International students planning to study in the United States in 2027 can already explore scholarship opportunities offered by selected universities. Some awards reduce undergraduate tuition, while others provide financial support to eligible graduate students.
For the 2027–28 academic year, three universities with published scholarship information include Portland State University, the University of Missouri and Wright State University. Their awards have different eligibility rules, application procedures and deadlines, so it is important to choose an opportunity that matches your intended level of study.
Important: These are university scholarships, not full-cost funding packages. The awards described below contribute towards tuition; students should budget separately for accommodation, food, insurance, travel and other expenses.
1. Portland State University International Achievement Scholarship 2027–28
Portland State University in Oregon offers the International Achievement Scholarship to new international undergraduate students with strong academic records.
The award ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 per academic year. Eligible students are automatically considered during the admission process, so no separate application is required for this particular scholarship.
Eligibility
Applicants should note the following conditions:
- The scholarship is for new incoming international undergraduate students.
- Students typically need an entering equivalent GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Recipients must be classified as non-residents for tuition purposes.
- Students must maintain enrolment in at least 12 academic credits each quarter.
- Students sponsored by government bodies or outside organizations may be ineligible, depending on the applicable arrangements.
The award can be offered for up to 12 terms for first-year students and up to six terms for transfer students, subject to the university’s conditions. It is applied to tuition for academic classes and cannot be used for summer term.
How to apply
Apply for undergraduate admission to Portland State University. Eligible new international applicants are automatically reviewed for the International Achievement Scholarship at admission.
The university’s general scholarship application portal also opens for the 2027–28 award cycle on November 2, 2026. Other scholarships in that portal may require separate applications, and their deadlines vary.
Official information:
- Portland State University – International Student Scholarships
- Portland State University – Scholarship Application Timeline
2. University of Missouri International Student Scholarships 2027–28
The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, offers merit-based scholarships to eligible international undergraduate students. The published 2027–28 awards include opportunities for both incoming freshmen and transfer students.
International freshman scholarships
International students applying for their first undergraduate degree may be considered for:
| Scholarship | Annual award |
|---|---|
| International Honors Scholarship | $20,000 |
| International Merit Scholarship | $10,000 |
Applicants are assessed through a holistic review of their admission materials and English proficiency. SAT or ACT scores are preferred but are not compulsory.
To qualify, applicants must be international, degree-seeking students admitted for on-campus study. The awards are applied to the non-resident portion of tuition and are generally not combinable with other scholarships unless the university states otherwise.
Deadline: Fall 2027 applicants must submit their admission application and all required materials by December 1, 2026 to be considered for these freshman scholarships. Mizzou says fall scholarship offers will be sent by late January.
International transfer scholarships
Students transferring from another college or university may qualify for the following awards:
| Scholarship | Annual award | Minimum academic requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident Transfer Scholarship – Level 1 | $20,000 | 3.90 GPA and at least 24 transferable credit hours |
| Nonresident Transfer Scholarship – Level 2 | $10,000 | 3.00 GPA and at least 24 transferable credit hours |
Applicants must be working towards their first bachelor’s degree. Students who transfer with 120 or more credit hours are not eligible for the automatic transfer scholarships.
Eligible transfer applicants are automatically considered after applying and being admitted. The awards apply to the non-resident portion of tuition and are subject to the university’s renewal and other conditions.
Transfer deadline: The scholarship deadline for Fall 2027 continuing and transfer students is February 1, 2027, not December 1, 2026.
How to apply
Submit an application for admission to Mizzou and provide the required academic and English-proficiency documents. The university assesses eligible students for the applicable automatic international scholarship.
Official information:
3. Wright State University UCIE Graduate Merit Scholarship 2027–28
Wright State University in Ohio offers the University Center for International Education (UCIE) Graduate Merit Scholarship to academically qualified international students beginning graduate study in the 2027–28 academic year.
The annual award depends on the applicant’s undergraduate GPA:
| Undergraduate GPA | Annual scholarship |
|---|---|
| 2.7–2.9 | $3,000 |
| 3.0 or higher | $6,000 |
The scholarship may be awarded for up to four semesters of full-time graduate study, provided the student continues to meet the university’s conditions.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be international, degree-seeking students on an F-1 or J-1 visa.
- Be charged the non-resident tuition surcharge.
- Meet the relevant undergraduate GPA requirement.
- Enroll full-time in a graduate program.
- Meet the university’s continuing eligibility conditions.
The award is restricted to graduate non-resident tuition. It is not a payment for accommodation, food or other living expenses. Students may receive only one qualifying merit scholarship or tuition discount, subject to the university’s stated exceptions.
How to apply
Apply for admission to an eligible graduate program at Wright State University. The university states that applicants are automatically considered for the UCIE Graduate Merit Scholarship upon admission, so a separate scholarship application is not required.
Funding is offered as available, so applicants should apply for graduate admission early.
Official information:
Documents International Students May Need
The documents required depend on the university, degree level and scholarship. Before applying, prepare the following where applicable:
- Academic transcripts and certificates from previous schools or universities.
- A valid passport.
- English-language proficiency results, such as IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test, if required.
- SAT or ACT results, if relevant to the undergraduate application or scholarship.
- A résumé or CV, particularly for graduate applicants.
- Letters of recommendation, if requested by the program.
- A personal statement or statement of purpose, where required.
- Proof of financial support for costs not covered by the scholarship.
Some universities may request additional documents or certified translations. Follow the instructions on the official admissions portal rather than sending every document to every university.
How to Apply for These Scholarships
The three universities in Part 1 do not use exactly the same application process. Follow the relevant route for each award.
Portland State University
- Open the Portland State University admissions website.
- Choose the undergraduate program you want to study.
- Submit your admission application and the required supporting documents.
- Eligible new international undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for the International Achievement Scholarship.
- If you want to apply for other university scholarships, check the separate PSU Scholarship Universe portal and follow the deadlines for each award.
The general 2027–28 scholarship application cycle opened on November 2, 2026. The general and most departmental scholarship deadline is March 1, 2027, although individual awards may have different deadlines.
University of Missouri
- Visit the Mizzou admissions website.
- Select the appropriate undergraduate application route.
- Submit your academic records and English-language documents.
- Meet the applicable deadline for your student category.
- Eligible international freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for the published merit awards after applying and meeting the admission requirements.
For Fall 2027 freshman applicants, the university lists December 1, 2026 as the deadline for submitting the application and all required materials. The transfer scholarship deadline for Fall 2027 is February 1, 2027.
Some competitive and general scholarships require additional applications through the Mizzou scholarship portal. Read the individual award requirements instead of assuming every scholarship is automatic.
Wright State University
- Visit the Wright State University graduate admissions page.
- Select an eligible graduate program.
- Submit your application and the required academic documents.
- Meet the program’s admission and international student requirements.
- Eligible international graduate applicants are automatically considered for the UCIE Graduate Merit Scholarship upon admission.
The university says awards are subject to funding availability. Applying early is sensible, but do not treat an admission application as a guarantee of receiving the scholarship.
Read Also
- Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships for International Students in 2027
- MBA Scholarships for International Students 2027
- Data Science Scholarships for International Students 2027
- Medical School Scholarships for International Students 2027
Are These Scholarships Fully Funded?
No. The three opportunities discussed in Part 1 are tuition-related awards. They should not be advertised as fully funded scholarships.
For example:
- Portland State’s International Achievement Scholarship provides $3,000–$10,000 per academic year towards eligible tuition charges.
- Mizzou’s international freshman and transfer awards reduce the non-resident portion of tuition.
- Wright State’s UCIE Graduate Merit Scholarship applies to graduate non-resident tuition.
Students may still need to pay for accommodation, meals, books, health insurance, travel, personal expenses and any tuition balance remaining after the award.
Before accepting an offer, request an estimated cost of attendance from the university. Compare the scholarship amount with the full cost of studying and living in that location.
Can International Students Work in the USA While Studying?
International students studying in the United States on an F-1 visa may be permitted to work under specific conditions. On-campus employment is generally subject to restrictions, including limits on working hours during academic sessions.
Off-campus employment is more restricted and normally requires an eligible authorization, such as approved practical training or another permitted category. Students should not accept work simply because an employer offers it.
Read the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services guidance for students and employment and consult the designated school official at the university before taking up employment.
What to Know About the F-1 Student Visa
A university scholarship does not automatically provide a U.S. visa. Students who receive admission and meet the requirements for F-1 status generally need to complete the university’s international student process.
This commonly involves:
- Receiving admission from a school authorized to enroll F-1 international students.
- Meeting the school’s financial documentation requirements.
- Receiving the Form I-20 from the university.
- Paying the required SEVIS fee.
- Completing the DS-160 visa application.
- Scheduling and attending a visa interview, where required.
The university may require evidence that you can cover expenses not paid by your scholarship. A partial tuition award does not remove this requirement.
Use the official U.S. Department of State student visa guidance and Study in the States – F-1 Students for current instructions.
How to Avoid Scholarship and Admission Scams
Be careful when dealing with agents or individuals who promise guaranteed admission, scholarships or U.S. visas in exchange for payment.
- Apply through the university’s official website.
- Confirm scholarship details directly with the university’s financial aid or international admissions office.
- Do not pay anyone who claims they can guarantee a scholarship.
- Never submit false academic records, test results or financial documents.
- Do not assume an admission letter guarantees a visa.
- Avoid sending passport details or financial documents to unverified contacts.
A genuine scholarship should have published eligibility conditions, award information and application instructions that you can confirm independently.
Conclusion
International students planning to study in the USA in 2027 should compare scholarship value with the actual cost of their chosen university. Portland State, the University of Missouri and Wright State publish different awards for eligible international students, but none of the three awards described here should be mistaken for a complete funding package.
Check the official university pages for updated conditions before applying and make sure you understand the remaining costs before accepting an admission or scholarship offer.
Disclaimer
Scholarship amounts, eligibility requirements and deadlines may change. Always confirm the latest information on the official university websites before applying. CareerOpportune does not guarantee admission, scholarship awards or visa approval.