Top USA Scholarships For Nigerian Undergraduates And Postgraduate

Many Nigerians dream of studying in the United States because of how good their education system is. The USA Scholarships are best for you because they have some of the best universities in the world, like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and many others. But studying there can be very expensive.

The good news is that there are many scholarships that help Nigerian students study in the US for free or at least reduce the cost of their studies. These scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to achieve their dreams without worrying too much about money.

This post will show you some of the best USA scholarships for Nigerian students, both for undergraduates and postgraduates, what each scholarship covers and how to apply.

Let’s get started.

Important Of Scholarships For Nigerian Students

The cost of education in the United States is one of the biggest reasons why many students give up on their dream of studying abroad. The tuition fees, accommodation, and other expenses can be too much. That’s why scholarships are so important. They help students who are brilliant and hardworking but may not have enough money to study abroad.

Scholarships don’t just cover school fees; some also cover living expenses, travel costs, and even insurance. This makes life easier for international students who would otherwise struggle. So, if you’re a Nigerian student who wants to study in the US, applying for scholarships should be one of your top priorities.

Top USA Scholarships For Nigerian Undergraduates And Postgraduate

Below are some of the best scholarships you can apply for.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Program is one of the most popular and respected scholarships in the world. It is funded by the United States government and is open to students from over 160 countries, including Nigeria.

This scholarship gives Nigerian students the chance to study for a Master’s or PhD degree in any field at top universities in the US. The Fulbright program is fully funded, which means it pays for everything including tuition, airfare, books, living expenses, and health insurance.

The good thing about Fulbright is that it focuses not just on your academic record but also on your leadership skills and your plan to contribute to your home country after your studies. So, when applying, make sure you show how your education will help Nigeria grow in one way or another.

Eligibility for the Fulbright program

• You must have completed your undergraduate degree
• You must have good academic performance
• You must show leadership qualities and a strong commitment to improving your community
• You must have a clear study plan and reason for choosing your course

To apply, visit the official Fulbright website for Nigeria, read the guidelines, and fill out the application form online.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation offers one of the best scholarships for African students, including Nigerians. The program partners with top universities in the United States such as the University of California, Arizona State University, and Stanford University.

This scholarship focuses on helping talented but financially disadvantaged African students get quality education. It is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition, accommodation, travel, books, and even monthly allowances.

It is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The foundation also provides mentorship and leadership training to help students give back to their communities after graduation.

Eligibility requirements include:

• You must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country like Nigeria
• You must show financial need
• You must have excellent academic results
• You must be committed to giving back to your community

Applications are done through partner universities, so you must first apply to one of the schools that work with the Mastercard Foundation.

AAUW International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers scholarships for women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. This means Nigerian women can apply. The AAUW International Fellowship supports both Master’s and PhD studies in the US.

The scholarship covers tuition, living costs, travel, and other educational expenses. The goal is to help women from around the world continue their education and make a difference in their communities.

Eligibility for AAUW:

• You must be a woman from another country (not a US citizen)
• You must have a degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s
• You must have applied to a US university before applying for the fellowship
• You must plan to return to your home country after your studies

Applications are usually online through the AAUW official website.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Stanford University runs the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, one of the most competitive scholarships in the United States. It gives full funding to students from any country, including Nigeria, who want to study for a graduate degree at Stanford.

The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, living allowance, and travel costs. Apart from funding, students get access to leadership training, networking events, and mentorship from top professionals in different fields.

What makes this program special is that it is open to all fields of study. Whether you are going for business, law, medicine, or engineering, you can apply.

Eligibility for Knight-Hennessy:

• You must have completed your undergraduate degree no earlier than six years ago
• You must have applied and been accepted to a graduate program at Stanford
• You must show leadership skills and a desire to make positive change

Application is online through the official Stanford Knight-Hennessy website.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship is another great opportunity for Nigerian professionals who want to study in the United States. It is not a degree program but a fellowship that allows professionals to spend a year in the US for academic study and professional experience.

The fellowship covers tuition, living allowance, travel, and health insurance. It focuses on areas like public health, education, public administration, and environmental management.

Eligibility for Humphrey Fellowship:

• You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher
• You must have at least five years of professional experience
• You must show leadership qualities and a record of public service
• You must have good English communication skills

Applications are usually done through the US embassy or the official Fulbright website in Nigeria.

Yale Young African Scholars Program

For younger students, the Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) program is a great opportunity. It is not a full scholarship but a pre-university program that helps talented secondary school students from Africa prepare for higher education abroad.

YYAS offers mentorship, online training, and leadership sessions. Students who complete the program are guided on how to apply for scholarships and universities abroad. Some even receive support when applying to US universities later.

Eligibility for YYAS:

• You must be a secondary school student living in Africa
• You must show good academic results
• You must have leadership potential

This program is perfect for Nigerian students in SS2 or SS3 who dream of studying abroad one day.

Stanford University Scholarships

Stanford University offers several scholarships for international students. Apart from the Knight-Hennessy program, Stanford gives financial aid based on need. That means if you can’t afford the school fees, you can apply for financial support.

This scholarship is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. It can cover tuition fees, accommodation, and other expenses depending on your financial situation.

To apply, you must first apply for admission to Stanford and then fill out the financial aid forms. Nigerian students have to show documents that prove their family’s income and savings.

Harvard University Scholarships

Harvard is known for helping bright students from around the world through its financial aid program. The Harvard scholarships are based on need, not merit, meaning they help students who cannot afford tuition.

Harvard covers up to 100% of tuition and living costs for international students, including Nigerians. If your family income is low, you can study at Harvard for free.

Eligibility for Harvard scholarships:

• You must have excellent academic results
• You must show financial need
• You must be admitted to Harvard

Applications are done together with the admission process on Harvard’s website.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a program that supports professionals who want to study peace and conflict resolution. It offers Master’s degree programs at selected universities in the US and other countries.

The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, living costs, and transportation. It is open to professionals with experience in peace, development, or related areas.

Eligibility:

• You must have a bachelor’s degree
• You must have at least three years of work experience
• You must show commitment to peace and community development

Nigerian applicants can apply online through the Rotary Foundation website.

Obama Foundation Scholars Program

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is offered by Columbia University in New York. It supports young leaders from around the world who want to make a difference in their countries.

This program is for postgraduate students and includes full tuition, housing, and living allowances. It also provides leadership training and global networking opportunities.

Eligibility for Obama Foundation Scholars Program:

• You must have completed your undergraduate degree
• You must have a track record of leadership and community service
• You must be committed to returning to your home country to make an impact

How To Apply For USA Scholarships As A Nigerian Student

Many Nigerian students make mistakes when applying for scholarships because they don’t plan early or follow instructions. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

• Start early. Don’t wait till the deadline before applying. Some scholarships take months to process.
• Research well. Visit the official websites of the scholarships and read the full details. Don’t rely on social media posts.
• Prepare your documents. You will need your academic transcripts, certificates, recommendation letters, personal statement, and passport.
• Write a strong personal statement. This is your chance to tell your story, your goals, and why you deserve the scholarship. Make it real and emotional, not just formal.
• Check your email often. Many scholarships contact successful applicants through email.
• Apply for more than one scholarship. Don’t put all your hope on one program.

Documents You May Need For Scholarship Applications

Most USA scholarships for Nigerian students will ask for the following documents:

• International passport
• Degree certificate or school transcript
• Recommendation letters
• Proof of English proficiency (like TOEFL or IELTS)
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé

FAQs

Conclusion

Studying in the United States is a big dream for many Nigerian students, but it doesn’t have to remain just a dream. With the right scholarship, you can study in some of the best universities in the world without paying huge fees.

From the Fulbright Program to the Mastercard Foundation, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars, and the Obama Foundation Scholars, there are many opportunities waiting for you. The key is to start early, research well, and apply carefully.