Navigating the high cost of a U.S. education can feel overwhelming, especially in competitive fields like computer science and engineering. But you don’t have to let finances stand between you and your tech dreams. In this guide, you’ll discover eight of the highest-paying, fully funded tech scholarships in the USA for African and Asian students in 2025. Each program covers tuition, living expenses, and often more—so you can focus on innovation, not invoices.
High-Paying Fully Funded STEM Scholarships for International Students
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables you to pursue a Master’s or PhD in any tech field at top U.S. universities. It covers:
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Full tuition and fees
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J-1 visa sponsorship
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Round-trip airfare & living stipend
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Health insurance & enrichment activities Fulbright Foreign Program
✔️ Actionable Tip: Contact your country’s Fulbright Commission by May 31, 2024 for a 2025–26 start.
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU
Through a partnership with Arizona State University, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program awards 160 graduate scholarships (2025–2030) that include:
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Full tuition, housing & living stipend
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Travel grants & enrichment activities
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Mentorship and career guidance After School Africa
✔️ Actionable Tip: Applications typically open in November—set a calendar reminder.
3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program selects up to 100 global leaders annually. As a scholar, you receive:
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Full tuition & fees for up to 3 years
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Annual living stipend & travel stipend
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Leadership training, mentorship & global community Knight-Hennessy Scholars
✔️ Actionable Tip: Apply online by October 8, 2024; you’ll also apply separately to your Stanford graduate program.
Fully Funded Tech Fellowships & Research Grants
4. Google PhD Fellowship Program
If you’re a PhD student in CS, AI, ML or related fields, the Google PhD Fellowship offers:
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Up to 85 000 USD/year for tuition & stipend (US/Canada)
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Travel & conference grants
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Connection with a Google Research Mentor Google ResearchOpportunity Desk
✔️ Actionable Tip: Secure a May 15, 2025 nomination from your department—applications close then.
5. Meta (Facebook) PhD Fellowship
The Meta Research PhD Fellowship (formerly Facebook Fellowship) supports you with:
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$42 000 annual stipend
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Full tuition & fees for up to 2 years
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$5 000 conference travel support
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Annual Fellowship Summit visit to Meta HQ Scholarship Roar
✔️ Actionable Tip: Watch Meta’s research site for the next application window (usually August–October).
6. Microsoft Tuition & Diversity Scholarships
Microsoft’s suite of scholarships empowers underrepresented tech students:
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Tuition Scholarship for CS/STEM undergrads: full or partial tuition support microsoft.recsolu.com
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Women at Microsoft Scholarship (WAMS): $5 000 USD for female tech-track seniors Microsoft
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Black at Microsoft & Disability Scholarships: $5 000 to $20 000 USD, plus mentorship & internship opportunities
✔️ Actionable Tip: Deadlines vary by program (Jan–Mar 2025); check Microsoft’s Diversity portal early.
7. AAUW International Fellowships
For women from outside the U.S., the AAUW International Fellowships provide:
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$20 000 for Master’s or first professional degrees
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$25 000 for Doctoral studies
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$50 000 for Postdoctoral research
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Travel to conferences & dependent care support AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881
✔️ Actionable Tip: Submit by November 15, 2024 for the 2025–26 academic year.
8. Rales Foundation STEM Scholarships at CMU
Carnegie Mellon’s partnership with the Norman & Ruth Rales Foundation funds 86 underrepresented STEM graduate students with:
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Full tuition & fees
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Generous living stipend
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Dedicated mentoring & career services AP News
✔️ Actionable Tip: Research CMU’s College of Engineering deadlines (often December).
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
Scholarship | Level | Coverage | Deadline (2025) |
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Fulbright Foreign Student Program | MS/PhD | Tuition, stipend, health insurance, travel | May 31, 2024 |
Mastercard Foundation Scholars (ASU) | MS | Tuition, living expenses, travel, enrichment | Nov 2024 |
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford) | Any Grad Degree | Tuition, stipend, travel, leadership programming | Oct 8, 2024 |
Google PhD Fellowship | PhD | $70 000–$85 000 tuition & stipend, travel | May 15, 2025 |
Meta Research PhD Fellowship | PhD | $42 000 stipend, tuition, conference travel | Fall 2025 (TBA) |
Microsoft Tuition & Diversity Scholarships | UG | Full/partial tuition, $5 000–$20 000 awards | Jan–Mar 2025 |
AAUW International Fellowships | MS/PhD/Postdoc | $20 000–$50 000 stipend, travel, dependent care | Nov 15, 2024 |
Rales Foundation STEM Scholarships (CMU) | MS/PhD | Tuition, stipend, mentoring | Dec 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I choose the right scholarship?
Consider your level (undergrad vs. grad vs. PhD), field focus, and application timeline. Match your profile to each program’s eligibility.
Q2: Can I apply to multiple programs?
Absolutely. Many students apply for 2–3 scholarships to maximize chances. Just mind each application’s requirements and deadlines.
Q3: What are reviewers looking for?
They value strong academics, clear research goals, leadership potential, and alignment with program missions. Highlight your unique story.
Q4: When should I start preparing?
Ideally 6–9 months before deadlines. Gather transcripts, draft research/goal statements, and secure recommenders early.
Q5: Do these scholarships cover visas and insurance?
Most fully funded programs include J-1 visa sponsorship and health insurance. Confirm details on each official site.
Securing a fully funded tech scholarship in the USA is hard work—but totally within your reach. Start your applications now, stay organized with deadlines, and lean on mentors for guidance. With the right preparation, you’ll transform the American dream into your reality.
Good luck—you’ve got this!