Scholarships are generally provided in the form of non-service scholarships, including Fellowships, Scholarships, and Tuition Waivers. Another type is service-based financial aid, which is earned through labor, such as Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships. These are obtained by assisting professors with research or teaching duties and are more common for graduate students.
For undergraduate students, scholarships are generally categorized into two types: merit-based awards, which include recognition for outstanding academic performance, special talents in sports or performing arts, or community service and leadership; and need-based financial aid, which requires documentation of family income, assets, and other factors to verify financial need, and is generally intended for domestic students. For international students, there are six main types of financial aid available:
Fellowship
A fellowship is a non-service financial aid with the highest monetary value and the most intense competition. Generally, receiving a fellowship is equivalent to a full scholarship, covering tuition, fees, room and board, insurance, and living expenses, while also providing a stipend for personal expenses. Fellowships are typically awarded to students with exceptional academic and overall performance. Another advantage of a fellowship is that it is tax-exempt.
Scholarship
Scholarships can be awarded as a fixed monetary amount or as a waiver of tuition and fees. The probability of receiving a scholarship is higher than that of a fellowship, but the amount is usually smaller; it is considered an honorary award.
Tuition-Waiver
U.S. university tuition is divided into in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, and international student tuition. Generally, for outstanding international students, the university may charge tuition at the in-state rate, effectively waiving the difference.
Research Assistantship & Teaching Assistantship
These are generally service-based stipends; students receiving this aid must perform specific research or teaching assistant duties to qualify.
On or Off-Campus Housing Credit or Saving
On-campus housing credit refers to the university providing free or subsidized accommodation; off-campus housing savings refer to cost savings achieved through university-arranged, more affordable off-campus housing.
On-Campus Job
This is also a form of service-based compensation, where students earn income through jobs provided by the university. U.S. immigration regulations allow international students to work legally on campus, with a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. On-campus jobs include working in university dining halls, bookstores, libraries, health clubs, or assisting in administrative offices.