Scholarships for South African students to study in the USA

Planning on pursuing higher studies in the States? We’ve got just the right resources for you! Many scholarships are available in top universities of USA for international students and include both partially and fully funded scholarships that provide monthly stipend along with tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance and travel allowance. In this article we will explain in detail about the scholarships offered in top universities in the USA, their benefits and provide an overview of the application process.

We also guide you on managing your money with Wise, a bank alternative that helps you send money from the USA to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate.

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Scholarships available for South African students looking to study in the USA

Studying in the U.S. as an international student can be expensive without scholarships, grants, or fellowships to help you pay for school. The average cost of college tuition at a four-year school was $27,457 per year for international students, but when you factor in all the other living expenses it comes to $38,270 per year⁵. Tuition costs greatly vary between public and private universities.

Undergraduate scholarships for South African students in the USA

There are many scholarships available for international undergraduate students. One great way to find out about scholarship opportunities is to search the internet or talk to your guidance counsellor. Let’s take a look at some popular ones below:

• Clark Global Scholarship Program

It is offered at Clark University these scholarships are merit based and students applying to courses in the university are automatically considered for it. There is also the Presidential scholarship which requires you to fill out a separate application form. 5 exceptional individuals receive this award that covers their entire tuition fee as well as accommodation for all the 4 years of study⁶.

• Emory University Scholar Program

The university has several partial and full scholarships available as part of their Scholar’s Program. You can look at the opportunities available here. The application process is pretty straightforward, needing you to submit all documents relevant to your application by the set deadline. You also need to select ‘Yes’ to the question asking if you want to be considered for a merit scholarship⁷.

• Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships

The University offers several scholarships for international students aspiring to study there. These are mostly merit-based and are approximately $24,000 per year which can be renewed for up to 4 years⁸. You can check these out here.

• Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships

The scholarships offered at this university are for students with exceptional academic performance and those that can demonstrate the financial need for it. The President’s scholarships give two international students a complete tuition fee waiver⁹. Read more about these here.

Postgraduate scholarships for South African students in the USA

More than 1500 fully funded masters’ scholarships 2025-2026 are available at USA’s top universities for international students. Some of these scholarships not only cover tuition but also provide for accommodation, airfare, and a stipend for other expenses, so you don’t have to worry about money at all.

Master’s scholarships for South African students in the USA

We have listed some of the most prestigious ones below:

• Fulbright Scholarships

One of the most prestigious scholarships in the country for international students, the Fulbright covers tuition, accommodation, airfare, insurance, as well as a living stipend! It is a merit-based award that covers up to 2-5 years of funding for postgraduate and PhD programs¹⁰. It is available for students from 155 countries including South Africa. You need to check course eligibility as well as check if you meet entry requirements based on South Africa. The application process is quite long, and you will need to write two essays and get at least 3 letters of recommendation for the scholarship. There is also an interview that will be conducted. Read more about the scholarship here.

• Knight Hennessy Scholarship

Knight Hennessy scholarship gives you the opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world – Stanford. 100 of these scholarships are available to students from all around the world¹¹. It is a full-ride scholarship covering university fees, accommodation, basic living expenses, airfare, and health insurance. Graduate (PhD) degrees in arts, engineering, education, humanities, or social sciences to professional degrees in business, law, or medicine are eligible for the scholarship. The application process is similar to that of Fulbright.

• Yale Scholarships

Fulfil your dream of studying at an Ivy League with this fully funded Yale scholarship. It is available for international students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs at the university. It is designed to cover the costs of students demonstrating financial need¹². Your parent’s income, assets, and finances are taken into account while determining the scholarship amount. You need to meet a set of prerequisites to be eligible, read more about them here.

Apart from these there are several other scholarships available for postgraduate international students that you can look for based on the courses and universities you’re applying to.

PhD scholarships for South African students in the USA

Unlike the UK, you won’t necessarily need a master’s to apply for a PhD in the USA¹³. A US graduate programme takes longer than a UK PhD, but this can also help you find your feet as a PhD student. The taught elements mean you have more time to develop a more detailed understanding of your subject as the basis for your own research. There are several scholarships available to fund your studies that you can look for here. The Fulbright Program detailed above is also a popular choice for South African students looking to fund their research in the USA.

MBA scholarships for South African students in the USA

An MBA in the USA is an excellent option for international students considering pursuing higher studies abroad. Renowned Universities and high-quality education make the United States one of the best places for an MBA program. The average cost per year is $56,850 but it can be much higher at premier universities like Stanford, Harvard, etc¹⁴.

Choosing to study MBA in the USA helps you get good academic experience and helps students find professional opportunities. But how can you do so without burning a hole in your pocket? The Knight Hennessy scholarship offered at Stanford (discussed above) is the most coveted postgraduate scholarship available to MBA students. But there are several others available, we list some of the most popular scholarships below:

• Harvard Business School MBA Scholarships

Consistently considered one of the top universities in the world, Harvard offers a 2-year MBA program. It costs approximately $76,000 per year. However, the university offers scholarships to help alleviate some of the financial burden. The average scholarship is approximately $46,000 per year, or $92,000 total¹⁵. Students with the greatest financial need receive full-tuition scholarships. Read more about the requirements and costs here.

• Columbia Business School MBA Scholarships

Another Ivy league, Columbia offers both one- and 2-year MBA programs. The university provides scholarships based on both financial need and merit to prospective international students. The amount covered is typically between $10,000-$30,000¹⁶. A number of factors such as financial need, debt, income, academic performance etc are considered before an offer is made. You can learn more about scholarships at Columbia here.

• Tuck School of Business MBA Scholarships

A 2-year program offered at one of leading business schools in the USA, the Tuck MBA opens a world of opportunities for international students. The fee is approximately $77,000 but the school offers scholarships that range from $10,000 per year to full tuition. $35,000 is the average value of scholarships awarded¹⁷. Eligibility like its counterparts is based on merit and financial need. You can read more about covering costs here.

Manage money in the USA and make international payments to South Africa using Wise!

If you’re a South African studying in the USA or looking to study in the USA, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.

Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!

The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:

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Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!

With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from the USA to South Africa.

Join Wise!

Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.

FAQs about scholarships for South African students

• Where can South African students’ study for free?

The USA does not offer free education. International students typically pay a higher fee than citizens at public universities. However, the fees at private universities like the Ivy Leagues is the same for both. Getting awarded the prestigious Fulbright or Knight Hennessy scholarships can make your study costs zero as they cover all your expenses!

• What is the USA scholarship for South African students?

Universities in the USA as well as private organisations offer several scholarships to give the brightest minds from South Africa an opportunity to study in the country. The most prominent ones include the Fulbright and Knight Hennessy scholarships.

• How to get a scholarship to study abroad from South Africa?

If you wish to study in the USA on a scholarship, you will need to thoroughly research the options available, gain an acceptance from an eligible course, and follow the steps outlined to apply. There are typically two rounds of screening (written application followed by an interview) after which you will be notified of the outcome.

How can South African students apply for scholarships in the USA?

Attending a university in a country with lots of international students is appealing, however, it does mean that it is incredibly competitive – especially when you are applying for a scholarship. In most cases, to be awarded a scholarship you must prove to be an exceptional candidate.  

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as requirements will vary depending on the academic institution and your chosen course.

General requirements for scholarships for South African students?

The eligibility requirements to secure a scholarship in the USA vary depending on the amount and institution providing the scholarship. Generally, most scholarships require candidates to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) or academic achievement in a subject area. Applicants will also need to demonstrate their proficiency in English through standardised English tests.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must first be accepted into a US institution. Applicants may need to provide letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or other professionals. Some scholarships also require students to submit essays or personal statements outlining their academic goals and achievements.

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All in all, if you’re looking to pursue higher studies in the US but are worried about costs – you can explore the multitude of opportunities available. Be sure to optimise your profile, take all the necessary tests, collate all your transcripts, and even speak to your referees before you start applying. This will save you a lot of time and help manage it all better. You can learn more about all that entails moving to the USA in this article curated specifically for you.

To get an upper hand in matters related to money management be sure to explore Wise. A bank alternative that will help you easily send the dollars you earn in the US back home to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate. So, are you ready to take the first step to living your American dream?

Join Wise!

Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.

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Sources:

1. Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
2. Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
3. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
4. Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
5. Average Undergraduate Tuition Fee
6. Clark Global Scholarship Program
7. Emory University Scholar Program
8. Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships
9. Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships
10. Fulbright Scholarships.)
11. Knight Hennessy Scholarship
12. Yale Scholarships
13. PhD in the USA
14. Average MBA Tuition
15. Harvard Business School MBA Scholarships
16. Columbia Business School MBA Scholarships
17. Tuck School of Business MBA Scholarships