International Merit Scholarships – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes15 Dec, 2026

Iowa State University offers International Merit Scholarships to support talented international undergraduate students with outstanding academic achievements. The International Merit Scholarships provide significant financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students. First-year international students may receive scholarships worth up to $40,000 in total, while transfer students may receive up to $20,000. Furthermore, the awards are renewable if students maintain the required academic performance and enrollment status. First-year students can receive funding for up to eight semesters, while transfer students may continue receiving support for up to five semesters. The scholarship mainly covers undergraduate tuition expenses and mandatory university fees. As a result, students can focus more on academics and campus involvement with reduced financial pressure.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the International Merit Scholarships before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

GPA 3.0

Languages

DuoLingo English Test 105, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 71

Tests

ACT 25, SAT 1200

Study Levels

Bachelor's, BS, Undergraduate

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Result Date

Program Start

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award AmountUp to $40,000
Deadline15 Dec, 2026
LevelBachelor's, BS, Undergraduate
InstitutionIowa State University
CountryUnited States
ModeOnline
TypePartially funded

Apply Now

Iowa State University offers International Merit Scholarships to support talented international undergraduate students with outstanding academic achievements. The university created this scholarship program to attract high-performing students from around the world and help reduce the financial burden of studying in the United States. The scholarship is available for both first-year and transfer international students pursuing undergraduate degree programs. Moreover, the program rewards students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership abilities, community involvement, innovation, and extracurricular achievements. Through this initiative, Iowa State University encourages international diversity and academic success on campus.

Background and Purpose

Iowa State University established the International Merit Scholarships to make quality education more accessible to deserving international students. The university recognizes that many talented students face financial challenges when pursuing higher education abroad. Therefore, the scholarship helps reduce tuition expenses and motivates students to achieve academic excellence. In addition, the program strengthens the university’s global community by welcoming students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. Iowa State also aims to develop future leaders who can contribute positively to society through education, innovation, and research.

International Merit Scholarships Benefits

The International Merit Scholarships provide significant financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students. First-year international students may receive scholarships worth up to $40,000 in total, while transfer students may receive up to $20,000. Furthermore, the awards are renewable if students maintain the required academic performance and enrollment status. First-year students can receive funding for up to eight semesters, while transfer students may continue receiving support for up to five semesters. The scholarship mainly covers undergraduate tuition expenses and mandatory university fees. As a result, students can focus more on academics and campus involvement with reduced financial pressure.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be international students assessed at international tuition rates. Students must also apply for admission to an undergraduate program at Iowa State University before applying for the scholarship. In addition, the university evaluates applicants through a holistic review process that considers academic records, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, innovation, awards, and community service. Both first-year and transfer students are eligible to apply if they meet the admission and scholarship requirements.

International Merit Scholarships Application Process

Students must first secure admission to Iowa State University. After admission, applicants need to complete the OneApp scholarship application to be considered for the award. The university reviews all applications carefully and evaluates students based on their achievements and overall profile. Therefore, applicants should prepare strong academic documents and highlight their leadership and extracurricular accomplishments. Successful students receive scholarship notifications after the review process.

Opportunities for Scholars

The International Merit Scholarships provide students with valuable educational and professional opportunities. Scholars gain access to high-quality academic programs, modern research facilities, and a diverse international learning environment. Additionally, students can participate in internships, leadership programs, student organizations, and community activities. Iowa State University is especially recognized for excellence in engineering, agriculture, business, science, and technology fields. Overall, the scholarship helps international students build strong academic foundations and prepare for successful global careers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for these scholarships?

They are available to both first-year and transfer international students who are admitted to Iowa State University and meet academic eligibility requirements.

How long do these scholarships last?

They are renewable for up to 8 semesters (about 4 years) for first-year students and up to 5 semesters for transfer students, provided renewal requirements are met.