16 Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA for Bangladeshi Students (2025-2026)

The United States remains a top destination for higher education due to its world-renowned universities, high-quality teaching, and globally recognized degrees. Each year, thousands of students from Bangladesh and other countries pursue studies in the U.S., often through fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, travel, accommodation, health insurance, and living expenses. These opportunities make world-class education accessible to talented students, including those facing financial constraints. Below is a detailed guide to 16 fully funded scholarships available for Bangladeshi students for the 2025-2026 academic year, covering undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs, as well as exchange and leadership programs.

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship for graduate students and young professionals pursuing master’s or PhD degrees. Benefits include full tuition, airfare, a living stipend, health insurance, visa fees, and academic expenses like textbooks. Approximately 4,000 students from over 160 countries receive this scholarship annually. Applications are processed through U.S. Embassies or Fulbright Commissions in Bangladesh.

Details: Visit the Fulbright Program website for eligibility and application guidelines.

2. Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship supports over 300 international and minority students annually for undergraduate studies. It covers full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and other costs. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and financial need. The program targets students pursuing degrees in any field at accredited U.S. institutions.

Details: Visit the Gates Millennium Scholars website for more information.

3. Boston University Scholarships

Boston University offers two fully funded scholarships: the Trustee Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship. The Trustee Scholarship covers full tuition for undergraduate, master’s, or PhD students, while the Presidential Scholarship provides $25,000 annually. Both are merit-based and open to international students with outstanding academic records.

Details: Visit the Boston University Scholarships page for application details.

4. Harvard University MBA Scholarship

Harvard University’s MBA Scholarship is a highly competitive, partially funded scholarship covering up to 75% of tuition fees for its two-year MBA program. It also includes travel and accommodation allowances. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need.

Details: Visit the Harvard Business School website for further information.

5. Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Scholar Program is a one-year scholarship for international graduate students, researchers, and professionals pursuing master’s, PhD, or non-degree research. Benefits include airfare, research allowances, a monthly stipend, visa fees, and health insurance. This program is ideal for those seeking short-term academic or professional enrichment in the U.S.

Details: Visit the Fulbright Scholar Program website for application guidelines.

6. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Launched in 1978 to honor U.S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, this one-year fellowship targets mid-career professionals in public or private sectors. It covers full tuition, pre-academic English training (if needed), a living stipend, a one-time settling allowance, health insurance, book expenses, computer subsidies, airfare, and professional development costs (e.g., field trips, conferences). The program is hosted by designated U.S. universities.

Details: Visit the Humphrey Fellowship website for more information.

7. Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program offers 100 fully funded scholarships for master’s and PhD students across all disciplines. Benefits include tuition, airfare, travel allowances, and a monthly living stipend. The program emphasizes leadership and global impact, making it ideal for students with strong academic and extracurricular records.

Details: Visit the Knight-Hennessy Scholars website for application details.

8. Yale University Scholarship

Yale University offers need-based scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, covering tuition, airfare, accommodation, meals, and health insurance. The average Yale need-based scholarship exceeds $50,000 per year, with additional one-time grants of $2,000 for first-year students. Applicants must submit financial aid forms to qualify.

Details: Visit the Yale Financial Aid website for eligibility and application processes.

9. University of New Haven Scholarship

The University of New Haven offers fully funded scholarships for master’s students, covering tuition, experiential learning opportunities, and an hourly wage for work-study programs. This scholarship is merit-based and open to international students with strong academic backgrounds.

Details: Visit the University of New Haven Scholarships page for more information.

10. AAUW International Fellowship

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers fully funded fellowships for women pursuing master’s ($20,000), doctoral ($25,000), or postdoctoral ($50,000) studies. This scholarship supports women from all countries, including Bangladesh, and covers tuition and related expenses. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to advancing women’s issues.

Details: Visit the AAUW website for application details.

11. United People Global (UPG) Leadership Program

The UPG Leadership Program selects 60 students from 30 countries for a fully funded leadership-focused scholarship. It covers tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for short-term programs or exchanges, fostering global leadership and sustainability.

Details: Visit the UPG website for more information.

12. Community Solutions Exchange Program

This four-month fellowship, with a one-year duration, targets community leaders and offers visa support, airfare, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. No IELTS/TOEFL score is required, making it accessible for Bangladeshi applicants with strong leadership profiles.

Details: Visit the Community Solutions Program website for application guidelines.

13. Google Scholarships

Google offers scholarships for international students in STEM fields, with significant funding announced in 2022 for up to 100,000 students globally. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and project funding for undergraduate, master’s, or PhD studies at U.S. institutions.

Details: Visit the Google Scholarships page for eligibility and application details.

14. Georgia State University Scholarship

Georgia State University in Atlanta provides fully funded scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. Benefits include tuition, accommodation, and living stipends, with a focus on academic merit and research potential.

Details: Visit the Georgia State University Scholarships page for more information.

15. SUSI Student Leadership Program

The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) Student Leadership Program is a six-month, fully funded program for undergraduate students. It covers tuition, visa fees, airfare, a $1,500 monthly stipend, accommodation, meals, and communication expenses. No IELTS/TOEFL is required. By 2020, 66 Bangladeshi students had received this scholarship for studies at various U.S. colleges.

Details: Visit the SUSI Program website for application details.

16. Hansen Leadership Institute Program

This three-week exchange program offers fully funded opportunities for international students, covering accommodation, health insurance, transportation, program materials, meals, visa fees, and airfare. It focuses on leadership development and cross-cultural exchange, hosted at the University of San Diego.

Details: Visit the Hansen Leadership Institute website for more information.

Application Tips for Bangladeshi Students

• Research Early: Visit official scholarship websites for eligibility criteria, deadlines, and required documents. Most applications open between October and March for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Prepare Documents: Common requirements include academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a CV, a statement of purpose, and proof of admission. Some programs may require IELTS/TOEFL scores, but alternatives like English-medium education certificates are often accepted.
• Financial Need: For need-based scholarships (e.g., Yale, Gates Millennium), submit detailed financial aid forms to demonstrate need.
• Leadership and Extracurriculars: Highlight leadership roles, community service, or research experience, as many scholarships prioritize well-rounded candidates.
• Deadlines: Most deadlines fall between November 2025 and March 2026. Check specific program websites for exact dates (e.g., Fulbright: October 31, 2025; Yale: varies by program).

Why Choose the USA?

The U.S. hosts over 5,000 fully funded scholarships annually, offering Bangladeshi students access to world-class education in fields like film, literature, sociology, business, and science. With comprehensive support for tuition, living costs, and travel, these scholarships remove financial barriers, enabling students to focus on academic and professional growth. Universities like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Boston maintain global prestige, ensuring graduates are highly competitive in the job market.

For further details, visit the official websites of each scholarship program or contact the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka for guidance on application processes. Start preparing now to secure your place in these transformative opportunities.