There are three scholarships at GVSU dedicated to International Students. Two are awarded prior to beginning a degree at GVSU. They are:

• The International Merit Scholarship is awarded prior to beginning a degree program and is reserved for undergraduate students.
• The GVSU International Scholarship is also reserved for undergraduate students and is awarded prior to beginning a degree. This covers the difference of cost between resident and non-resident tuition so that all F-1 undergraduates only end up paying the resident rate. 

The International Student Scholarship is the third scholarship for GVSU iStudents and can be applied for while completing a degree. Award amounts for the International Student Scholarship range from $250.00 to $3000.00. The committee considers each applicant's academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal essay, and financial situation in determining the awards. The deadline to apply is Feb 25, 2024 before 11:59pm. Decisions are typically announced in April. Students awarded this scholarship will have the award amount applied during the next academic year (Fall 2024-Winter 2025). Questions should be directed to [email protected]. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb 25, 2024 at 11:59pm

Please complete your application HERE.

The application will require you to submit the following information:

1. Eligibility

   • You must have completed at least one full-time semester by the beginning of January 2024. This means if you are a new student this semester, you are not eligible to apply until the Winter 2025 cycle

   • You must be an F-1 visa-holder (degree-seeking)

   • You must plan to attend GVSU in the upcoming Fall 2024 semester

2. General Information
3. Personal Essay
4. Reference Contacts
5. Financial Situation
6. Electronic Signature and Submission

Tips for completing the application:

• You CAN exit an incomplete application and return to it later but you CANNOT go back through completed pages.
• We recommend you type up your essay in a word document before filling out the application and save frequently. 
  • Essay prompt: “How has being a GVSU student shaped you as an individual? What have you been able to contribute to the university and community through coursework, involvement in organizations, work, volunteering, etc? How do you see your experience at GVSU impacting your career after graduation?”
• Please keep your essay at or under 300 words/1800 characters in length.
• Make your essay personal and interesting. We weigh the applications mostly on the essay and consider financial need.

There are many opportunities pertaining to private scholarships and grants. You will find the following websites helpful when researching alternative sources of funding: 

Funding for U.S. Study is a great resource (database) that allows you to search for scholarships, fellowships, and grants, which includes all types of funding programs for all levels of post-secondary study across the full range of academic areas based on your country.

Scholarship Opportunities

Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund 

LewerMark 'Make You Mark" Scholarship 

The Princeton Review 

FastWeb 

International Peace Scholarship for Women 

International Student Scholar Award 

International Scholarships 

International Student Scholarship Opportunities 

International Student Loans

The Leo S. Rowe Pan America Fund

Asherah Foundation | Second Chance Scholarship for Women Aged 24+