International scholarships and funding

The University of Nevada, Reno provides a high-quality education at a competitive price with various funding opportunities. Approximately 80 percent of international graduate students receive graduate assistantships from academic departments. Refer to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more financial aid information.

OISS awards and scholarships

OISS offers scholarships to new undergraduate students and continuing undergraduate and graduate students in amounts ranging from $300 - $5,000 per year. Nominations are made based on donor criteria and GPA.

International student scholarship eligibility

• Any continuing or new F-1 or J-1 student enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the University.
• Continuing students who have completed the Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship Application in MyNEVADA between November 1 and February 1 annually.
• Students that meet the University Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
• Undergraduate students with a total cumulative University GPA of at least 2.75 and graduate students with a total cumulative University GPA of at least a 3.0 in graduate level courses.
• During the semester(s) of the award, undergraduate students must be enrolled in 15 University credits. Graduate students must be enrolled in 9 University credits or 6 with graduate assistantship).
• Last semester students may enroll in at least 6 credits and must have applied for graduation to receive their semester award. Students may be enrolled less than full-time with a Disability Resource Center approved reduced course load.
• Students may have other scholarships and awards.

Application process

New and continuing students: To be eligible for any scholarships/awards, you must complete the Graduate & Undergraduate Scholarship (GUS) Application in your MyNEVADA account between October 1 and February 1 annually by going to Student Center, Supplemental Forms, Scholarship Application.

The GUS application is available until May 31, but scholarship application preference is given to those that complete it by February 1. The GUS application is required to be eligible for scholarships/awards offered by the Office of International Students and Scholars and many other University departments.

Scholarship award notifications and funding disbursement

• Recipients are notified through email by the Financial Aid Office if they receive an award.
• The International Student Award will be credited directly to the student's account through the Financial Aid Office as long as all the criteria are met.
• Disbursements typically begin 1 week prior to the 1st day of class. Students may verify if any funds have been disbursed by checking Financial Aid Disbursements through their MyNEVADA account.
  • If you receive an award and the funds have not been disbursed by the semester fee due date, pay your tuition and you will be reimbursed, if necessary, when the funds are disbursed.

  Institutional methodology for non-FAFSA eligible students

  International students are not eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. Due to this, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has created the Institutional Methodology for Non-FAFSA Eligible Students.

  International students must complete and submit this form to be considered for need-based scholarships and grants.

  For priority consideration, complete and submit the application to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The priority deadline for consideration is February 1 annually.

  Funding for international graduate students

  International students completing a graduate education at the University of Nevada, Reno have a variety of funding opportunities available to them.

  Graduate assistantships. Assistantships are awarded to graduate students. Academic departments make decisions on awarding the graduate assistantships and students should contact the intended academic department directly.

  Graduate Dean awards and fellowships. These are awarded to incoming and returning international graduate students. These awards are determined and awarded by the Graduate School and not by OISS.

  Graduate Student Association awards and programs. The Graduate Student Association offers a variety of awards and support programs for graduate students, including spring awards, travel awards, need-based services (e.g., childcare) and more.

  Related links to funding for international graduate students

  • Graduate assistantships
  • Graduate Dean awards and fellowships
  • GSA travel awards
  • GSA travel awards
  • GSA needs-based services program

  External scholarship resources

  Education USA: Provides information about financing your education in the United States.

  EduPass: EduPass provides information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States. It also contains material of interest to international students who are already in the United States.

  FastWeb: FastWeb claims to be the largest and most accurate scholarship search database.

  Institute of International Education: Study America is a service for qualified students wishing to study in the US at the undergraduate or graduate level who are unable to afford such study without financial assistance. Through Study America, students gain the help needed to locate and gain admission into the program of study most suited to their academic and professional goals as well as their financial reality. Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education is America's most experienced educational exchange agency. IIE maintains offices in many overseas locations and works closely with Fulbright Commissions, educational advising centers and educational foundations worldwide.

  International Peace Scholarship: The International Peace Scholarship Fund, established in 1949, provides scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States.

  International Student: Allows students to search for scholarships based on the country they are from and/or what they will be studying.

  Sallie Mae: Spend less time searching – get matched to scholarships based on your skills and interests.