International Students Scholarship Resources

Scholarships are free aid that can help you pay for your degree, especially if you have a strong academic background.

If you’re interested in pursuing international student scholarships offered at Kent State, our Office of Global Education is here to help. Apply to KSU and find the financial aid you need.

As an international student, you’re qualified for many of the Kent State scholarships:

Global Scholarship

The Global Scholarship

For the international student who has a dream of studying in the United States, the Global Scholarship makes a Kent State education "A Whole Lot Closer Than You Think!"

Kent State established the Global Scholarship because it values diversity among its student population and as a result, seeks to attract a greater number of high quality international students to its campuses. The Global Scholarship is available to all incoming international undergraduate degree-seeking students who have been admitted to Kent State.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY (BEGINS FALL 2023)

You ARE eligible if you are...

  • An incoming UNDERGRADUATE international student attending the Kent campus.
  • An F1 visa holder.
  • A first-year or transfer student.
  • Please note: ESL-only students and visiting students will receive $4,300/year provided they are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours.

You are NOT eligible if you are... 

  • A graduate student.
  • A current student.
  • An in-state resident student.
  • Receiving special tuition rates as part of a partnership agreement.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Students will be automatically considered for the scholarship upon admission to Kent State university. Don't wait - apply now!

APPLICATION DEADLINES

To be eligible for the GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP, you must be ADMITTED BY the following dates:

  • July 1st for Fall semester (August) *
  • November 1st for Spring semester (January) *
  • March 1st for Summer semester (May)

* To be considered for the HONORS SCHOLARSHIP (for new freshman only), you must be invited to apply to the Honors College and submit your application to Honors by: 

  • December 1st for Spring semester
  • January 15th for Fall semester                                                                                                                 

High school or college GPA 

(Out of 4.0, U.S. GPA)

Annual Scholarship (Renewable)

Admitted to Honors College

$15,000 + Honors Scholarship ($2000) *

3.70+

$12,000

3.6 - 3.69

$10,000

3.5 - 3.59

$7,000

3.49 and below

$4,300

 

Note: ESL only students and visiting students will receive $4,300/year provided they are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours.

First-year students may receive the Global Scholarship for a total of eight semesters. Transfer students may receive the Global Scholarship for up to eight semesters depending on the number of credits transferred to Kent State.

For the Global Scholarship to automatically renew each year, awarded students simply need to maintain continuous in-person full-time enrollment at Kent State’s Kent campus and good academic standing as defined in the university catalog.

 

Polatajko Family Scholarship

The Polatajko Family Scholarship program is available to students with family ancestry from Hungary, Poland or Ukraine with first preference given to students of Ukrainian descent.  Applicants may also include international students from these countries. Kent State University has the final selection authority for this scholarship.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY

  • Fall start
  • Undergraduate or graduate
  • Minimum cumulative Secondary school GPA 2.75 on US 4.0 scale
  • Unconditional Admission to Kent State University 

APPLICATION PROCESS

APPLICATION DEADLINE

  • Application deadline for Fall semester - August 1st

AMOUNT

  • $1000 non-renewable award 
International Student Graduate Assistance

Graduate Assistance

Many graduate programs offer fellowships or one of three types of graduate assistantships:  administrative, teaching or research.  Students should first inquire about the availability of assistantships through their academic program.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY

Financial assistance at the graduate level is available in three forms. The first and most available is a graduate assistantship. In return for up to 20 hours of work per week during the academic year, the student will receive a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. The second, a teaching or research fellowship, offers a full tuition waiver and monthly stipend and allows students to focus exclusively on teaching or research rather than departmental duties. The third form is a scholarship that may require external funding or may involve university or departmental competition. 

Most assistantships are awarded to doctoral students and some programs fund 100% of their graduate students while others do not.  It is important to contact the program directly to see how they structure their assistantships. 

Sources of financial assistance providing partial support for international graduate students include both service and non-service appointments. Students wishing to apply for any of these should contact either the chair or the graduate coordinator of their major department. The application for a graduate appointment is included as part of your application packet for admission to Kent State.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A general application is available at Financial Aid/Graduate Assistantships Page

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Deadlines will vary, please check with graduate department

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Here you can find more information about graduate awards and fellowships

SCHOLARSHIPS

Here you will find more information about scholarship searches

Work Opportunities

Other available assistantships, along with other campus jobs, are posted through Career Services

International students are allowed to work a maximum 20 hours/week on campus.

International students are not allowed to work off-campus without prior approval.  Students should meet with an ISSS advisor in the Office of Global Education if they are interested doing this.

Discover How We Support Sponsored Students

International sponsored students are partially or entirely supported during ‎their academic programs for the cost of their tuition, fees, living expenses and other amenities by ‎governments (U.S. or foreign), international organizations, public or private companies, and other third parties.

Learn about the support we provide to funded students and the governments and organisations that sponsor them.

Scholarship Search Checklist

Search for scholarship opportunities by each Kent State college or campus location, and follow our tips to find financial support in your own community.

View the Checklist

Other Resources

Other Resources

There are also special scholarships for international students attending college in the United States. Explore a few of these resources below:

  • EducationUSA offers a multitude of programs for international students, including funding support.
  • The International Education Financial Aid website allows you to search for scholarships based on what you’re studying, where you’re studying, and where you’re from. Fill in your intended major and home country, with Ohio as your place of study, to find scholarships that can go toward your Kent State degree.
  • Your home country’s government likely offers scholarships for students attending college abroad. Be sure to visit your government’s website or contact a government office for information on how to apply for the available aid.
  • The Organization of American States (OAS) lists Scholarships for Latin American and Caribbean students on their website.
  • Women pursuing higher education can apply for scholarships for the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
  • Students who are seeking an undergraduate degree in one of the following categories: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business/entrepreneurship might be eligible for Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program.
  • Computer Science major students can apply for computer science scholarships through a compelled list from ComputerScience.org

Additional Resources from Kent State

Kent State offers other scholarship opportunities, however please read the eligibility criteria carefully as some are for U.S. citizens only.
Our Scholarship Search Checklist for International Students offers a comprehensive list by college and campus, and provides tips to help increase your chances of receiving aid.

 

Questions?

Schedule an appointment with an Admissions Advisor or the Financial Aid Office to discuss your personal financial situation.
Contact us by emailing intladm@kent.edu.

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