🎓 Full Ride Scholarships 2025 for International Students (Undergraduate)
Last updated: August 18, 2025 • Editor: Chgr Team
Looking for undergraduate full rides in 2025? This guide lists full cost of attendance (COA) awards, full‑tuition scholarships, and need‑based full‑need colleges that can effectively cover everything for international students. Always check each program’s latest rules (eligibility, tests, essays, and deadlines) before you apply.
Note: “Full ride” usually means tuition, fees, housing, and meals (sometimes travel/insurance). “Full tuition” covers tuition only; living costs may need additional aid.
Quick Comparison Table (2025)
<| Program | Country/University | Coverage | Type | Deadline Window | Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL) | USA — American University | Full tuition + room & board (select costs excluded) | Merit + leadership | Nov–Dec | american.edu |
| University of Miami Stamps Scholarship | USA — UMiami | Full COA + enrichment funds | Merit | Nov–Dec | miami.edu |
| Duke Karsh International Scholars | USA — Duke | Full COA + enrichment | Merit (international) | Nov–Jan | duke.edu |
| Boston University Trustee Scholarship | USA — BU | Full tuition (4 years) | Merit | By Dec 1 | bu.edu |
| Vanderbilt Merit (Cornelius/Chancellor’s/Ingram) | USA — Vanderbilt | Full tuition (some with stipends) | Merit | Round‑based | vanderbilt.edu |
| Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars | USA — Wesleyan | Full tuition & fees; need‑based covers living | Merit + need (Asia) | Nov–Jan | wesleyan.edu |
| Berea College No‑Tuition Promise | USA — Berea | 100% tuition; work‑study aids living | Institutional grant | Oct–Jan | berea.edu |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Canada — University of Toronto | Tuition + books + fees + residence (4 yrs) | Merit + need | School nomination + Jan–Feb | utoronto.ca |
| UBC International Scholars Program | Canada — UBC | Meets demonstrated financial need | Merit + need | Nov–Jan | you.ubc.ca |
| UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship | UK — UCL | Full fees + maintenance (select awards) | Merit + need | Jan–May | ucl.ac.uk |
| Reach Oxford Scholarship | UK — University of Oxford | Course fees + living stipend + one return flight/yr | Merit + need (eligible countries) | Oct–Feb | ox.ac.uk |
| Türkiye Bursları — Undergraduate | Turkey — Government | Tuition + housing + stipend + insurance | Government scholarship | Jan–Feb | turkiyeburslari.gov.tr |
| MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship | Japan — Government | Tuition + monthly stipend + airfare | Government scholarship | Embassy track: spring–summer | studyinjapan.go.jp |
| Qatar University International Scholarships (UG) | Qatar — QU | Full/partial tuition, housing (varies) | Merit/competitive | Per intake | qu.edu.qa |
| KAU Undergraduate Scholarships | KSA — King Abdulaziz University | Tuition + stipend + housing (varies) | University scholarship | Calls periodically | international.kau.edu.sa |
USA — Full Rides & Full‑Need Colleges
American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL)
Covers: Full tuition and room & board (some incidental costs excluded). Who it’s for: High‑achieving internationals with leadership and community impact. Deadline: Typically Nov–Dec.
Official: american.edu — EGL
University of Miami Stamps Scholarship
Covers: Full cost of attendance plus enrichment funds (research/study abroad). Who it’s for: Top academic and leadership profiles. Deadline: Nov–Dec.
Official: miami.edu — Scholarships
Duke Karsh International Scholars
Covers: Full COA + enrichment. Who it’s for: Exceptional international students with academic excellence and global engagement.
Official: duke.edu — Karsh Scholars
Boston University Trustee Scholarship
Covers: Full tuition (4 years). Who it’s for: Outstanding academics, essays, and recommendations. Deadline: Around Dec 1.
Official: bu.edu — Trustee
Vanderbilt Merit (Cornelius/Chancellor’s/Ingram)
Covers: Full tuition (some include stipends). Who it’s for: Top academic/leadership profiles. Deadline: Round‑based.
Official: vanderbilt.edu — Scholarships
Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars
Covers: Full tuition & fees; need‑based aid often covers room & board. Eligible: Citizens of select Asian countries.
Official: wesleyan.edu — Freeman
Berea College No‑Tuition Promise
Covers: 100% tuition for all admitted students; work‑study and aid help with living expenses. Note: Competitive and requires financial documentation.
Official: berea.edu — International
Need‑Blind/Full‑Need Colleges (International)
Several U.S. colleges meet 100% of demonstrated need for international students (e.g., Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst, Dartmouth). These are need‑based packages, not named “scholarships,” but can function as full rides depending on your family income/assets.
Canada — Full‑Ride & Full‑Need Scholarships
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)
Covers: Tuition, books, fees, and full residence support for four years. Process: School nomination required.
Official: utoronto.ca — Pearson
UBC International Scholars Program
Covers: Meets demonstrated need (tuition + living) for exceptional internationals via awards such as Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow.
Official: you.ubc.ca — International awards
UK/Europe — Full‑Ride Opportunities
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
Covers: Full fees + maintenance (for select award tiers). Focus: Low‑income international applicants.
Official: ucl.ac.uk — Global UG
Reach Oxford Scholarship (University of Oxford)
Covers: Course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return air fare per year for students from low‑income countries.
Official: ox.ac.uk — Reach Oxford
Asia/MENA — Government & University Full Rides
Türkiye Bursları — Undergraduate
Covers: Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance, and Turkish‑language prep if needed.
Official: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship (Japan)
Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, and airfare; foundation year/language prep may be included.
Official: studyinjapan.go.jp — Undergraduate
Qatar University International Scholarships (UG)
Covers: Full or partial tuition; certain awards include housing/allowances. Eligibility: Competitive GPA and program‑specific criteria.
Official: qu.edu.qa — UG Scholarships
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) — Undergraduate Scholarships
Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and health (details vary by call and college).
Official: international.kau.edu.sa
Application Strategy (Essays, Tests, Aid Forms)
- Know the type: Merit full rides prioritize top academics/leadership. Full‑need aid requires complete financial documents (CSS Profile, bank statements, tax forms).
- Deadlines are early: Many full rides need application by Nov–Dec. Track scholarship essays and nominations (e.g., Pearson).
- English/SAT/ACT: Policies vary. Some schools are test‑optional; others prefer SAT/ACT for merit ranking. Use acceptable English tests or waivers as allowed.
- Essays & recommendations: Show sustained impact, leadership, and context. Ask referees for specific, comparative letters.
- Back‑up funding: Combine university aid with external awards and campus jobs if not full COA.
FAQs: Full Ride Undergraduate Scholarships (2025)
Are there true full rides for internationals?
Yes—programs like Miami Stamps, Duke Karsh, Reach Oxford, UCL Global UG, Türkiye Bursları, and MEXT UG can cover COA. Many U.S. colleges also meet 100% of need for admitted internationals.
Is “full tuition” the same as a full ride?
No. Full tuition excludes living costs. Some schools add housing/meals via separate grants; otherwise you’ll need additional aid.
Do I need SAT/ACT?
Not always. Some universities are test‑optional. Others still use SAT/ACT for scholarship ranking. Always check the current policy.
Can I stack external scholarships?
Sometimes. Many universities adjust aid if you bring outside awards—read each policy carefully.
When should I start?
By September–October for a 2025 intake: shortlist schools, draft essays, request recommendations, and prepare financial documents.
International students can secure undergraduate full rides in 2025 via merit programs (e.g., Stamps, Karsh), need‑based full‑need colleges, and government scholarships (Türkiye, MEXT). Build a balanced list (USA, Canada, UK/Europe, Asia/MENA), track early deadlines, and submit compelling, well‑documented applications. Explore more in our Undergraduate and Fully Funded labels.