Applying for a student visa is a critical step in studying in the United States. For international students, the F1 visa is required to attend a U.S. academic institution. However, the costs associated with this visa can be high.
In 2025, the F1 visa process includes the following fees:
- SEVIS I-901 fee: 350 USD
- Visa application fee (DS-160): 185 USD
- Additional costs for documentation, travel, and interviews
These expenses can create challenges for students from low-income backgrounds. Fortunately, some scholarships include visa-related costs in their benefits. Below are the top scholarships that help cover these expenses.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Program is funded by the U.S. government and supports international students pursuing graduate studies.
It includes:
- Full tuition
- Monthly living stipend
- Health insurance
- Travel to and from the United States
- F1 visa and SEVIS fees
Applicants must have a strong academic background, leadership potential, and proficiency in English. Each country has its own Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy application process.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This scholarship is available to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. It partners with universities in the United States and Canada.
It covers:
- Full tuition
- Living expenses
- Flights and relocation costs
- Visa application and SEVIS fees
Partner universities include Arizona State University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
This program supports students from developing countries who are studying subjects related to economic development.
It offers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend for living costs
- Travel allowance
- F1 visa and SEVIS fee coverage
Applicants must be admitted to a participating master’s program before applying for the scholarship.
AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women provides fellowships to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
It provides:
- Awards of up to 30,000 USD
- Funding for tuition, living expenses, research, and visa fees
The program supports both graduate and postdoctoral study.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
This scholarship supports graduate students at Stanford University.
It includes:
- Full tuition
- Stipend for living and academic expenses
- Travel and relocation support
- F1 visa and SEVIS fee reimbursement
It is available to all international students who are accepted to a full-time Stanford graduate program.
The cost of an F1 visa should not prevent qualified students from studying in the United States. These scholarships provide full financial support, including visa and travel fees.
Applicants should start preparing early, gather the required documents, and apply to multiple programs to increase their chances of receiving funding.
If you need help identifying the best scholarship based on your academic goals, feel free to ask
