Here are 5 top American scholarships currently ongoing or opening soon (for 2025-2026 applications). These are highly-recognized opportunities for U.S. citizens and many that international students can apply for too — with full or substantial funding: (Scholarships360)
1. Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship
A broadly accessible scholarship for high school, undergraduate, or graduate students — no essay required.
- Award: Up to $25,000
- Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Open to U.S. and international applicants studying in the U.S. (Scholarships360)
2. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Sponsored through Scholarship America, this supports students entering computer science or related tech fields.
- Award: Up to $40,000
- Deadline: Mid-January 2026 (past recent application, but may reopen annually around similar dates)
- Merit- and leadership-based, strong consideration for tech-focused students (UScholarships)
3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University)
Highly competitive graduate-level scholarship with full funding for tuition, living stipend, and support for impactful leadership projects.
- Full funding (often ~$90,000+ per year for up to 3 years)
- Generally opens mid-year; last known deadline was October 8, 2025 (check annual cycle for 2026-27)
- Open to applicants worldwide for graduate study at Stanford (Lerasign.com)
4. AAUW International Fellowships
For women who are not U.S. citizens/permanent residents to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States.
- Awards typically $20,000–$25,000
- Seasonally recurring (generally late fall/early winter cycle for 2026 awards)
- Strong women-leadership and academic record favored (OYA Opportunities)
5. Stamps Scholarship & Major University Presidential Scholarships
While specific deadlines vary by institution, several top U.S. universities offer full-ride merit scholarships (like the Stamps Scholarship or Presidential Scholarships at the University of Alabama, Miami University, etc.) for high-achieving incoming undergraduates, many of which accept applications into early 2026 or have rolling deadlines.
- Full tuition + room/board + enrichment funds
- Varies by school (often Dec 2025 – Mar 2026)
- Merit-based, often requiring separate essays or nominations (Scholarship Region)
Tips for Applying
- Check official sites: Deadlines and eligibility are frequently updated annually.
- Prepare materials early: Most require transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and standardized scores (if applicable).
- International students: Some scholarships are exclusively for U.S. citizens, but many (e.g., Be Bold, Knight-Hennessy, Stamps) welcome all nationalities applying to U.S. colleges. (Scholarships360)
If you want, I can tailor a list specifically by degree level (e.g., undergraduate vs. graduate) or by eligibility for international students. Just let me know.

