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Costs & scholarships

Plan your finances with clarity

Costs vary enormously between universities. Use official Cost of Attendance figures and treat every scholarship as possible, not promised.

What makes up the cost of attendance

Universities publish an annual estimate that combines direct charges and living expenses.

  • Tuition & fees

    Varies widely by institution; public universities charge international students non-resident rates.

  • Housing

    On-campus residence halls or off-campus rentals.

  • Food / meal plan

    Often bundled with on-campus housing in year one.

  • Health insurance

    Many universities require a student health plan.

  • Books & supplies

    Course materials, laptop, and lab fees.

  • Travel & personal

    Flights home, local transport, and daily expenses.

Showing funds for your Form I-20

Types of scholarships

International undergraduate funding is limited. Read every eligibility condition carefully.

  • Merit scholarships

    Awarded for academic or extracurricular achievement. Often partial and highly competitive.

  • Need-based aid

    Based on family finances. Availability for international students is limited at many universities.

  • Departmental awards

    Offered by specific programs, sometimes after the first year of study.

  • External scholarships

    From foundations, trusts, and organisations in India or abroad.

How to research aid, step by step

  1. 1

    Find the official Cost of Attendance

    Search the university’s financial aid or international admissions site for the current-year international Cost of Attendance.

  2. 2

    Check international aid policies

    Confirm whether merit and need-based aid are open to international applicants and whether applying for aid affects admission review.

  3. 3

    Note scholarship deadlines and forms

    Some awards need a separate application or forms such as the CSS Profile. Others are automatic with admission.

  4. 4

    Plan for all four years

    Ask whether scholarships are renewable and what GPA is needed to keep them. Budget for annual cost increases.

  5. 5

    Look beyond the university

    Research trusts, foundations, and organisations in India that support students going abroad.

Important: UGinUS does not offer, award, or guarantee scholarships. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed scholarships in exchange for a fee.