11 More Universities with Full Scholarships for Master's Degrees for International Students — Part 2 (2026)
11 more U.S. universities with 100% scholarships for international master's students — Georgetown, NYU, Iowa Writers' Workshop, Vanderbilt, Curtis, Juilliard, and more.
Here are 11 more U.S. universities that offer full funding for international master's students. These cover public policy, fine arts, creative writing, music, and select fellowship programs.
For the first 10 schools, see Part 1.
For the step-by-step guide: How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your Master's Degree in the USA
1. Georgetown University — McCourt School of Public Policy#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Program | Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the McCourt School of Public Policy |
| Funding | Merit-based scholarships — partial to full |
Georgetown's McCourt School provides significant merit-based scholarships to public policy students. Located in Washington, D.C. — the center of American government and global policy — Georgetown offers unmatched access to internships, networking, and career opportunities in policy and government.
The McCourt School is one of the top public policy programs in the country. D.C. is the ideal place to study policy, with Congress, the World Bank, IMF, and countless think tanks all within reach.
Important caveat: Only a portion of admitted students receive full funding — most awards are partial. International students are eligible but compete in the same pool.
2. New York University — Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Urban Planning (MUP)#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Program | MPA or MUP at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service |
| Funding | Merit-based scholarships — typically tuition only |
NYU Wagner offers competitive merit-based scholarships for international students in its MPA and MUP programs. The school focuses on public service, nonprofit management, and urban policy.
Studying public administration or urban planning in New York City — one of the most complex and dynamic cities in the world — provides a living laboratory for everything you'll learn in the classroom.
Important caveat: Scholarships are awarded to a minority of admitted students, and the awards typically cover tuition only — no stipend.
3. University of Iowa — Master of Fine Arts in Fiction or Poetry#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Iowa City, Iowa |
| Program | MFA at the Iowa Writers' Workshop |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend for all admitted students |
| Duration | 2 years |
The Iowa Writers' Workshop is the most famous creative writing program in the world. It was the first MFA program ever created, and its alumni include 17 Pulitzer Prize winners. Every admitted student receives full funding — tuition waiver plus a living stipend.
Iowa City is designated a UNESCO City of Literature. The cost of living is low, so your stipend goes a long way.
4. Indiana University Bloomington — Master of Fine Arts in Fiction or Poetry#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Program | MFA in Creative Writing |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend for all admitted students |
| Duration | 2–3 years |
Indiana University's MFA program fully funds all admitted students through a combination of tuition waivers and teaching assistantships. The program has a strong reputation in fiction and poetry, and Bloomington's low cost of living makes the stipend very comfortable.
5. Northwestern University — Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Evanston, Illinois (near Chicago) |
| Program | MFA in Documentary Media at the School of Communication |
| Funding | Funding packages available (limited slots) |
| Duration | 2 years |
Northwestern's MFA in Documentary Media offers funding packages that can include full tuition coverage and stipends for filmmakers and media artists focused on nonfiction storytelling. Northwestern is a top-10 university with exceptional resources in journalism, media, and communication.
Important caveat: Funding is not guaranteed for every admit — slots are limited and some students enter unfunded.
6. University of Texas at Austin — Harrington Graduate Fellows Program#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Austin, Texas |
| Program | Various master's and doctoral programs |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend + enrichment funding |
The Harrington Fellowship is one of the most generous master's fellowships in the country. It provides full tuition, a living stipend, and additional enrichment funding for travel, research, and professional development.
Important caveat: Competitive nomination-only — about 20 awarded per year across all of UT Austin. Departments nominate top applicants; you cannot apply directly.
7. Ohio State University — University Fellowship#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Program | Various master's and doctoral programs |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend + health insurance |
Ohio State's University Fellowship is the most prestigious graduate award at OSU. It provides full tuition, a generous stipend, and health insurance. Columbus is a large, affordable city with a growing economy and strong job market.
Important caveat: Competitive nomination-only — departments nominate top incoming applicants. Most graduate students at Ohio State do not receive this fellowship.
8. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Graduate College Fellowships for Equity and Inclusion#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Urbana-Champaign, Illinois |
| Program | Various master's and doctoral programs |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend |
UIUC offers Graduate College Fellowships specifically aimed at increasing diversity in graduate education. These provide full tuition and a living stipend. UIUC is a top-tier research university with particularly strong programs in engineering, computer science, and the sciences. The cost of living in Urbana-Champaign is very low, making the stipend extremely comfortable.
Important caveat: Demographic-restricted — eligibility is limited to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Check the specific eligibility rules carefully before applying.
9. Vanderbilt University — MFA in Creative Writing#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Program | MFA in Creative Writing |
| Funding | Full tuition + stipend for all admitted students |
| Duration | 2–3 years |
Vanderbilt's MFA program in Creative Writing fully funds all admitted students. The funding includes tuition waivers and living stipends through teaching assistantships. Nashville is one of America's fastest-growing cities, with a thriving arts scene, booming economy, and affordable cost of living.
10. Curtis Institute of Music — Master of Music#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Program | Master of Music |
| Funding | Full tuition for every admitted student (no stipend) |
The Curtis Institute of Music provides a full-tuition scholarship to every admitted student — no financial aid application needed. This is one of the most selective music schools in the world (acceptance rate under 5%), but if you get in, tuition is completely free.
Curtis trains the world's finest musicians. Located in Philadelphia, students have access to the Philadelphia Orchestra, opera companies, and a rich classical music tradition.
Important caveat: Curtis covers tuition only — no living stipend. You will need to plan for housing, food, and personal expenses separately.
11. The Juilliard School — Master of Music#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Program | Master of Music |
| Funding | Need-based scholarships |
Juilliard is the most famous performing arts school in the world. Located at Lincoln Center in New York City, it offers scholarships that can cover the full cost of tuition for master's students.
Juilliard's music program produces world-class performers, conductors, and composers. The school's location in the heart of NYC's arts scene provides unmatched performance and career opportunities.
Important caveat: Awards are need-based and vary widely — Juilliard does not guarantee full tuition for every admitted graduate student.
Summary Table#
| # | University | Program | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown | MPP (McCourt) | Merit-based, partial to full |
| 2 | NYU | MPA or MUP (Wagner) | Merit-based, tuition only |
| 3 | Iowa | MFA Fiction/Poetry (Writers' Workshop) | Full tuition + stipend (all admits) |
| 4 | Indiana | MFA Creative Writing | Full tuition + stipend (all admits) |
| 5 | Northwestern | MFA Documentary Media | Full tuition + stipend (limited slots) |
| 6 | UT Austin | Harrington Graduate Fellows Program | Competitive nomination — ~20/year |
| 7 | Ohio State | University Fellowship | Competitive nomination |
| 8 | UIUC | Graduate College Fellowships for Equity | Demographic-restricted |
| 9 | Vanderbilt | MFA Creative Writing | Full tuition + stipend (all admits) |
| 10 | Curtis Institute | Master of Music | Full tuition (no stipend) |
| 11 | Juilliard | Master of Music | Need-based, not full for all |
All 21 Schools at a Glance#
Between Part 1 and this list, here are the fields covered:
- Public Policy / Global Affairs: Princeton, Georgetown, Notre Dame, NYU
- Creative Writing / Fine Arts: Michigan (Helen Zell), Brown, UT Austin (Michener), Iowa (Writers' Workshop), Indiana, Northwestern, Vanderbilt
- Music: Curtis, Juilliard
- Any Graduate Program (competitive): Stanford (Knight-Hennessy), UT Austin (Harrington), Ohio State Fellowship
- For Students from Sub-Saharan Africa: UC Berkeley, ASU (Mastercard Foundation)
- Various Programs: WashU (McDonnell, partner-only), UIUC (Equity, demographic-restricted)
Related Resources#
- Part 1: 10 Universities with Full Scholarships for Master's Degrees — Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and more
- How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your Master's Degree — the step-by-step guide
- Full Scholarships in Canada for Your Master's Degree — Canadian options
- USA Travel Ban 2026 — check if your country is affected
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