Here are ten scholarships relevant to students of Chinese descent or studying in China, spanning STEM and beyond. Amounts and deadlines change, so confirm the details with each program, and stick to legitimate, well-established scholarships so you spend your time where it counts.
1. China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarships
CSC Scholarships are offered by the Chinese government across academic levels, from undergraduate to doctoral.
- Eligibility: students worldwide, including Chinese citizens studying abroad and foreign students in China.
- Funding: tuition, living expenses, and research support.
- Fields: STEM, arts, and humanities.
2. Sallie Mae Scholarships
Sallie Mae offers several scholarships for students facing financial barriers:
- Bridging the Dream (high school): for under-resourced and underrepresented high school seniors heading to college.
- Completing the Dream (college): a one-time award for students on track to finish their program despite financial obstacles.
- Graduate scholarship: for graduate and professional students from underserved communities.
There’s also Scholly by Sallie, a free scholarship-matching tool.
3. Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)
The BGS supports international students at Beijing-based universities.
- Eligibility: undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students at Beijing universities who don’t already hold another scholarship.
- Amount: one year of full tuition for bachelor’s and master’s students; three years for PhD students.
4. Thz Fo Farm Scholarship
Established in 1990 to support students of Chinese descent.
- Amount: varies
- Essay required: no
- Need-based: yes (not merit-based)
5. Cynthia H. Kuo Scholarship
This fund, created in memory of Cynthia H. Kuo, supports Chinese students who are active in the Christian faith. It grew out of a fellowship program she ran for young overseas Chinese students in the Bay Area.
Eligibility:
- Chinese students who are first-generation in the U.S. or born overseas.
- Planning to enroll full-time at a four-year U.S. college.
- Active in the Christian faith or a Christian youth group for the past two years.
- Graduating seniors or current college students, minimum 3.0 GPA, with demonstrated financial need.
6. Peking University Yenching Academy
The Yenching Academy offers a fellowship for interdisciplinary study at Peking University.
- Eligibility: students with a strong academic background and an interest in interdisciplinary research.
- Provides: full tuition, accommodation, and a living stipend.
7. Zhejiang University Scholarships
Zhejiang University offers scholarships for students in STEM and other fields. Note: the Cheung Kong Scholars Program that’s often associated with the university is primarily a program for distinguished faculty and researchers, not high school students, so check Zhejiang’s student scholarship listings for what you’re actually eligible for.
8. Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute Scholarship
For students in the joint STEM programs run by Tsinghua University and UC Berkeley at the Shenzhen campus.
- Eligibility: students pursuing advanced degrees in the Tsinghua-UC Berkeley collaboration.
- Provides: full or partial tuition, research support, and international exposure.
9. Fudan University International Summer Session Scholarship
Fudan’s International Summer Session offers scholarships for students exploring STEM during an internationally focused summer program.
- Eligibility: undergraduates with a strong STEM background.
- Provides: tuition coverage, accommodation, and cultural activities.
10. Houston Chinese Professional Club Scholarship
The Houston Chinese Professional Club has awarded close to $700,000 to over 500 students since the 1950s. It’s for students of Chinese descent in the Greater Houston area starting full-time undergraduate studies in the U.S.
- Eligibility: at least 1/4 Chinese descent, enrolled at an accredited high school in the Greater Houston area, and graduating that year. Several award types are offered (General, Financial Aid, Education Award, and an Excellence in Pharmacy Award).
- Provides: awards based on academics, financial need, and career goals; amounts vary.
More on scholarships
This is a starting point. For a fuller breakdown of these scholarships, application processes, and deadlines, watch Rishab’s video guide on scholarships.
Scholarships can be hard to navigate, but they make a real difference to the cost of college, so they’re worth the effort.
About Afreen Hossain:
I’m a web developer, amateur astronomer, and mathematician with ambitions to become a computer scientist, eager to contribute to advances in technology, healthcare, transportation, and space. Learn more on LinkedIn.
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