The Sanford School of Public Policy and Duke University recognize the unique challenges international students face in pursuing a US degree in higher education. We strive to provide you with world-class assistance and resources.
All admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, are considered for fellowships and scholarships.
External Scholarships, Loans & Payments
While most student loans available to international students require a co-signer who is a US citizen or eligible noncitizen, we do have options that are available to students without a US co-signer.
- Loan reference list for non US citizens with a US cosigner
- Loan reference list for non US citizens without a US cosigner
Another option for international students at Sanford is to borrow student loans from their home country. Please investigate those loan avenues as well through sponsoring organizations and governments in your home country.
We recommend exploring these external resources. These are organizations who have previously funded study for Sanford international students.
| Name | Eligibility |
|---|---|
AAUW International Scholarship | Women from all countries except the U.S. pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the U.S. |
African Development Bank Fellowship | Young professionals from AfDB member countries with a master's degree or equivalent in a development-related field |
Albanian MIP Scholarship | Albanian students pursuing a master's degree in international programs |
Becas Chile Government Scholarship | Chilean students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad |
Bhutanese Government Scholarship | Bhutanese students pursuing undergraduate studies |
Bolashak Scholarship | Kazakh students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad |
Brunei Exchange Student Program | International students participating in exchange programs at Universiti Brunei Darussalam |
Central Bank of Brazil | International students participating in the GCUB International Mobility Program |
China Medical Board Fellowship | Medical researchers from Asia pursuing postdoctoral research |
China Scholarship Council | International students pursuing undergraduate, master's, or doctoral studies in China |
COLFUTURO Loan-Scholarship | Colombian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad |
Colombian Government Scholarship | International students pursuing postgraduate studies in Colombia |
Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship | Returned Peace Corps Volunteers pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
Dexter Fellowship | Graduate students in various fields |
Ford International Fellows Program | International students pursuing graduate studies in various fields |
Fulbright Scholarship | International students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
Georgian Government Scholarship | Georgian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Gilkison Family Foundation | Various eligibility criteria depending on the specific grant or scholarship |
GUATEFUTURO | Guatemalan students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad |
ICETEX | Colombian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Indian Government RBI Scholarship | Faculty members from Indian universities pursuing research in economics, banking, finance, or related fields |
Indian Government: RBI Jubilee Scholarship | Indian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Indonesian Government | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Indonesia |
Institute for Developing Economies Advanced School (IDEAS) Fellowship | International students pursuing training in international economics and socio-economic development |
Institute for International Public Policy | Minority students in the U.S. pursuing careers in international affairs |
Japan Bank for International Cooperation scholarship | International students pursuing graduate studies in development-related fields |
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholarship | International students pursuing master's or doctoral courses in Japan |
Joint Japan-World Bank Scholarship | International students from developing countries pursuing graduate studies in development-related fields |
JuventudEsGTO Beca | Mexican students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Kellogg Fellowship | International students pursuing research in international studies |
Korea Air Force | Korean students pursuing military training and education |
Korea Army | Korean students pursuing military training and education |
Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation | Korean students pursuing studies in finance, economics, or related fields |
Korean Government | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in South Korea |
Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) Fellowship | Kosovar students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
Kosovo Transformational Leadership Program (KTLP) | Kosovar students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
LASPAU Fellowship | Latin American and Caribbean students pursuing graduate studies |
Liberian Government Scholarship | Liberian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Liberian Government: National Oil Company of Liberia Scholarship | Liberian students pursuing studies in oil and gas-related fields |
Magdalena Yesil Fellowship | Various eligibility criteria depending on the specific grant or scholarship |
Malawi Government Scholarship | Malawian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Maryamawit, Danayit and Malden | Various eligibility criteria depending on the specific grant or scholarship |
Mongolian Government | Mongolian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Muskie Fellowship | International students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
Oliver Oldman Scholarship | Various eligibility criteria depending on the specific grant or scholarship |
Organization of American States Scholarship | Students from OAS member states pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
OSF Civil Society Leadership Award (CSLA) Fellow | International students pursuing graduate studies in leadership and civil society |
OSF Mongolian Fellowship | Mongolian students pursuing graduate studies |
Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund Fellowship | International students pursuing graduate studies in development-related fields |
PEO Scholarship | Women pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Peru Government | Peruvian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Philippines Government | Filipino students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
PRONABEC Peru Presidential Scholarship | Peruvian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad |
Ron Brown Fellowship | International students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
Rotary Peace Fellowship | International students pursuing graduate studies in peace and conflict resolution |
Seoul City Government Scholarship | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Seoul |
Shaler Fellowship | Various eligibility criteria depending on the specific grant or scholarship |
Singapore Public Administration Silver Award | Public administration students pursuing studies in Singapore |
Taiwanese Government scholarship | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Taiwan |
Tanzanian Government scholarship | Tanzanian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Thai Government scholarship | Thai students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Turkish Government scholarship | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Turkey |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) | International students pursuing graduate studies in development-related fields |
United States GI Bill (Military Veteran) | U.S. veterans pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
United States Military Officer Scholarship | U.S. military officers pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
US Government START Scholarship | International students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. |
USAID | International students pursuing graduate studies in development-related fields |
Zambian Government scholarship | Zambian students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies |
Student Employment
The Sanford School of Public Policy offers numerous assistantship opportunities for graduate students both in fall and spring semesters, in a combination of teaching assistantships, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships. Beginning Fall 2025, Sanford assistantships are paid an hourly rate, at a minimum of $16.50 an hour. Sanford students may also apply for assistantships and part-time employment available across Duke University. Under U.S. federal law, students may not work more than 19.9 hours a week on campus and still be considered full-time students. The average number of hours students work per week will depend on the assistantship.
International students must obtain a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or International Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to receive assistantship or other employment compensation. Duke University’s Visa Services Office and the Duke International Student Center (DISC) will assist you in obtaining the required documentation after you arrive.
International students are not eligible for the Federal Work Study program but may pursue Duke Temporary Employment opportunities. The Sanford Office of Financial Aid does not have any jurisdiction over who is eligible to apply and be hired.
International students receiving any kind of stipend or salary from the Sanford School of Public Policy or Duke University (including salary from a Sanford assistantship) should review the information from the Duke International Student Center regarding the applicability of taxes and/or obtaining a taxpayer ID.
External Funding
Sanford students often secure external fellowship or grant support toward their cost of attendance. We recommend that you investigate resources available both in the United States for international students as well as funding from your country. If you receive an award from any external source, please notify the Office of Financial Aid.