How much percentage is required for scholarship in USA?

Find out the percentage a student must have to earn a scholarship when a student is pursuing studies in the USA for Indian Students. Read about academic requirements, tips, and scholarships to monetarily relieve you.

Jun 30, 2025 - 16:34
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How much percentage is required for scholarship in USA?

What percentage is required for a Scholarship in the USA?

Nowadays, the dream of Study in USA for Indian students becomes more real, which is explained by the large number of widely available and offered scholarships on behalf of U.S universities, private organisations, and governmental institutions. But the question that most of the aspirants want to ask is what percentage is needed to secure a scholarship in the USA? The solution varies depending on the kind of scholarship, the institution that offers the scholarship, as well as the level of study- undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral. In this blog, we simplify the overall requirement at the academic level, the kind of scholarships that one can apply for, and advise on how to increase your chances of getting financial aid when you pursue your studies in the USA as an Indian student.

General Academic Requirements for Scholarships in the USA

Academic merit is also very critical to Indian students who want to get a scholarship to study in Indiana, USA. Although courses and universities differ in their criteria of eligibility, here is what the general idea can be:

🎓 Undergraduate Scholarships

  • An overall passing mark of 85 percent or more in the 10th and 12th board exams is usually good.

  • Your chances can be advanced by SAT scores (greater than 1300 on the 1600 scale).

  • Extra-curricular accomplishments, civic service, and management are an advantage.

🎓 Postgraduate Scholarships

  • You will require at least 70-75 percent or a grade point average (CGPA) of 7.5 or higher in your undergraduate degree.

  • Scores on competitive exams such as the GRE/GMAT are an added benefit.

  • Merit-based scholarship needs ga ood Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LOR), and working experience.

Thus, there is no exact percentage of perfection; nevertheless, there will always be a positive difference in the percentage of good performance (say above 70-85), which will enhance your chances of studying in the USA with Indian students and getting a scholarship.

Types of Scholarships Available

Study in USA has various scholarships in its sights, and they can be divided into:

  1. Merit-Based Scholarships

Given to students who have excelled in academics, arts, or sports.

  1. Need-Based Scholarships

Available to students with financial needs as manifested by such documents as family income statements or bank statements.

  1. University-Specific Scholarships

The best colleges, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and NYU, provide either partial or full scholarships, which are mainly based on merit and need.

  1. Government-Funded Scholarships

These are the Fulbright-Nehru Master Fellowships and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships. External Scholarships and Private Scholarships

Offered by such charities abroad as the Tata Scholarship (Cornell), AAUW (women), etc.

These scholarships will facilitate easy studying in the USA as an Indian student because they either sponsor the study fees or the cost of living, or a combination of both.

Tips to Improve Scholarship Eligibility

On a scale of slightly lower percentage than the required one, other areas of your profile can sometimes smarten up your probability of getting a scholarship:

  • High Standardized Test Scores: The same goes for high test scores in GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS.

  • Good SOP & LORs: Write impressive stories about your motivation, leadership, and future ambitions.

  • Community Service or Internships: The task of volunteering or industry internships also forms part of credibility.

  • Applications Early: Apply as far in advance as possible to receive first consideration.

  • Specific Scholarships- those based on research: Each university is different. Visit official university websites and see the detailed scholarship page.

Red tape and hectic schedules aside, studying in the USA for Indian students is no longer an unattainable dream. With a neat plan and an excellent test score background, the international student can avail of study in the USA as a sponsored student.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, to get a scholarship to study in the USA as an Indian, you will usually need a percentage of 70 to 90 percent in your past qualifications. Although every scholarship will have its requirements, you will have the best luck getting granted by holding high grades and balancing with high test scores that will set you out, and doing your best to highlight several aspects in your general profile. 

Call to Action

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