Financial Resources

Prior to obtaining an I-20 form or a DS-2019, students are required to demonstrate proof of financial resources to support their education at the University of Maryland. With that said, we wanted to share some ways in which students may be able to access scholarships, loans and connect them to other online resources with information that may be helpful to them.

• Key Reminders
• Where to Start
  • Contact Your College/School/Academic department
  • Campus Resources
  • External Organizations and Resources​
• What to do after identifying the scholarship?

Key reminders

• It is important to understand that no list of scholarship is comprehensive.
• At the University of Maryland there is no centralized depository of scholarship information. This is very important to understand. You should contact your department for scholarship information and deadlines. 
• As international students you may not qualify for all opportunities, be sure to check the eligibility of the scholarship/loan prior to applying. 

Where to start?

• Contact your college/school or academic department. The deadlines, requirements, and scholarship awards vary by college and sometimes are stipulated by the donors. These scholarships are specific to UMD students in your major/school. While it may feel like you are competition with many students, you are not. It is more likely that you will be awarded a scholarship from within UMD than outside. For outside organizations your pool of competitors is larger. Sign up for listservs, follow your department on social media, often opportunities are shared widely. Ask your professors if they know of anything as well. They may be aware of opportunities outside of UMD.
• Campus Resources
  
  • Bright Futures Initiative: 'Unpaid Internship' Scholarship Fund 
  • Office of Student Financial Aid resource for International Students
  • UMD Crisis Funds 
  • Division of Student Affairs Scholarships (Undergraduate Students)
  • Alumni Association Student Scholarships
• External Organization and Resources
  
  • The Foundation Center is a non-profit organization that has a listing of grants for which some individuals may qualify.
  • Institute of International Education (I.I.E.) may be able to provide information on scholarships, grants or programs for eligible international students.
  • Rowe Fund - Organization of American States (OAS) – If you are from Central or South America, OAS offers an interest free loan grant to eligible international students through the Leo Rowe Loan Fund. For more information on eligibility and application process, please contact RoweFund@oas.org.
  • College Board is a free online financial source for scholarships, grants, and loans for college-bound students, including international students wishing to study in the United States.
  • International Education Financial Aid is a free online scholarship resource for non-US citizens with disabilities.
  • Education USA is a free online searchable database of scholarships for international students.
  • International Student Loan requires a US citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder) as a co-signer.
  • FinAid is a comprehensive Internet guide to financial aid. It contains sections pertaining to foreign students coming to the United States and U.S. students going abroad.
  • International Students Organization in America maintains a useful financial aid web page.
  • Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund – World Bank Volunteer Services, The World Bank, 1818 “H” St., NW, Room G-1000, Washington, DC 20433, Telephone: 202-473-8751, Fax: 202-676-0419 (Eligibility: Women only)
  • Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University - Eligibility: Citizens of ALL countries are eligible to apply for Knight-Hennessy Scholarships. You are eligible to apply to Knight-Hennessy Scholars if you apply during your final year of study for your first/bachelor's degree or within four years of earning your first/bachelor’s degree.
  • NAFSA: Association of International Educators maintains a useful financial aid web page.
  • Online Directory of Scholarships and Grants has useful financial aid information.
  • PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund – Philanthropic and Educational Organization for Women, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312, Telephone: 515-255-3153 Eligibility: Women only; full time candidates for the MA or Ph.D. at U.S. Universities
  • The National Association of Financial Aid Administrators maintains a web page that lists financial resources for international students.
  • United Nations – Fellowships Section, Office of Technical Cooperation of Development, United Nations, New York, 10017.
  • World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program – The World Bank, 1818 H St., NW, Room G-1000, Washington, DC 20433, Telephone: 202-473-6849 Eligibility: Women only. Candidates for MA or Ph.D. in development related fields. ​

  Now that you have identified the scholarships, what do you do?

  1. Read the entire application. Do you meet the eligibility requirements? If not, do not apply.
  2. Does the application ask for a reference letter from a faculty or advisor? Be sure to reach to your professors, and give them at least two weeks to complete the recommendation letter.
  3. Does it require an essay? If yes, start early and use UMD’s resources to make it standout! (Undergraduate Writing Center ; Graduate Writing Center)
  4. Submit your application by the deadline. Somewhere on the website or on the application you should see the date in which the recipients will be notified.