Admissions and Financial Aid

External Funding Sources for International Applicants

The Heller School does not award any of the below scholarships or grants. This list is presented for informational purposes—it is the responsibility of each applicant to investigate and apply to each funding source.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program

Eligibility: International students from select developing countries
Focus: Civil society, health, rural development, economic development, humanitarian assistance
Award: Grants/loans based upon needs of student
Dates: Call for applications opens in January; March deadline
Website

American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships

Eligibility: Women/international students
Award: $18,000
Dates: December deadline
Website

The American-Scandinavian Foundation

Eligibility: Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden
Focus: Postgraduate study in the United States
Award: The number and size of awards varies widely by country
Website

Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA)

Eligibility: Citizens from select countries
Focus: Civil society, development, public health
Award: Fully funded awards, including living expenses, travel, and health insurance
Dates: July deadline
Website

College Women's Association of Japan Graduate Scholarship

Eligibility: Japanese Women
Award: ¥3 Million
Dates: November deadline
Website

COLFUTURO

Eligibility: Citizens of Colombia
Focus: Postgraduate study in the United States and abroad
Award: Scholarships/loans up to $25,000 per year (maximum of two years)
Website

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Eligibility: International students; program eligibility and selection procedures vary widely by country
Focus: Postgraduate study in the United States
Award: Varies widely
Website

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

Eligibility: International students from developing countries; Japanese Nationals
Focus: Economic and social development
Award: Fully funded scholarships
Dates: Call for applications opens in February
Website

Latin American and Caribbean Social Leadership Scholarship Program

Eligibility: Citizens of Mexico and Haiti
Focus: Community development related fields
Award: Fully funded scholarships
Dates: September deadline
Website

Margaret McNamara Education Grants

Eligibility: Women from select countries
Focus: Development; Women and youth empowerment
Dates: Call for applications opens in September; January deadline
Website

OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarships

Eligibility: International students from developing countries
Focus: Development
Award: One year, fully funded scholarships
Dates: Call for applications opens in January
Website

Open Society Foundations

Eligibility: Students worldwide
Award: Variety of grants, scholarships and fellowships available
Website

Organization of American States (OAS) Regular Program for Academic Scholarships

Eligibility: Students from North and South America
Focus: Social development; sustainable development and the environment
Award: Up to $30,000 per year
Dates: Varies by country
Website

Organization of American States (OAS) Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund

Eligibility: Citizens from Latin American and Caribbean OAS Member States 
Award: Interest-free loan up to $15,000
Dates: No deadline
Website

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund

Eligibility: Women/international students
Award: Up to $10,000
Dates: March-April deadline
Website

Russell E. Train Fellowships

Eligibility: International students from select countries; varies by fellowship
Focus: Conservation
Award: Up to $30,000
Dates: March deadline
Website

Funding for U.S. Study Database

Funding for U.S. Study Online is an extensive database of external scholarships, fellowships and grants organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Loans for International Students

International students are eligible for private loans. Private educational loans depend upon applications sent directly to the lending organizations. Each private lending organization has its own policies governing when the approval can be made, so the best way to check this out would be on the organizations' individual websites. If you are considering loans to finance your studies, you will need to show that you have secured the amount indicated on your VIDOF form minus any scholarships you may have received from the Heller School. As the loan process can be lengthy, you should begin the process as soon as possible. There are U.S. based private loan options, but international students need to have a U.S. or naturalized citizen to co-sign the loan. You can research these loan options at the Federal Student Aid web site. Please note that you would NOT be eligible for the federal loan options, only the private lenders. You may also want to conduct a search for educational loans for international students on the web. Two options are International Student Loan and Global Student Loan Corporation.