Competition for U.S. scholarships is intense: only about 10 % of Bangladeshi F-1 visa holders fund studies entirely through aid. Landing the right award can shave USD 20k-70k a year off your bill—and sometimes covers everything from tuition to health insurance. Read on for programs that renew each year and remain open to Bangladeshi citizens in 2025-26.
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Bangladesh
- Funding: Full tuition, airfare, living stipend & health insurance.
- Who can apply: Master’s / PhD applicants with two years’ work experience.
- Key date: Bangladeshi call for the 2026-27 cohort opened March 2025; internal deadline usually May 31. U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh
Pro-tip: Use a Bangladesh-centric research angle—Fulbright panels love proposals that bring skills back home.
2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
- Funding: 10-month, non-degree program plus stipend & professional placement.
- Who: Mid-career professionals (5-15 yrs experience).
- Deadline: July 2025 (Bangladesh binational committee). Humphrey Fellowship Program
3. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
- Funding: One-semester tuition, housing, meals, travel & small incidentals.
- Who: 1st–3rd year undergrads (18–25 yrs).
- Next cycle: Applications for 2025-26 expected Sept 2025–Jan 2026. U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh
4. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
- Funding: 50 % grant / 50 % zero-interest loan covering tuition & living.
- Who: High-achieving students from select developing countries, incl. Bangladesh.
- Apply: January–March 2026 window. Aga Khan Development Network
5. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGL)
- Funding: Full tuition, room & board for four years (excludes ~$4 k/yr extras).
- Who: First-year undergrads with leadership/service record.
- Deadline: December 15 2025 for fall 2026 start. American University
6. Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Stanford
- Funding: Up to three years of tuition, fees, living stipend & travel.
- Who: Any discipline; must also gain admission to a Stanford graduate program.
- Deadline: Early October 2025 for the 2026 cohort. Knight-Hennessy Scholars
7. AAUW International Fellowships (for Women)
- Funding: USD 20k–50k for master’s/doctoral study.
- Who: Women who plan to return home after degree.
- Deadline: Nov 15 2025 for 2026-27 awards. AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881
8. Rotary Peace Fellowship
- Funding: Tuition, lodging, round-trip travel & internships at one of 8 U.S. / global partner universities.
- Who: Peace / development professionals with 3 yrs experience.
- Deadline: May 15 2025 for the 2026-27 class. Home | Rotary International
9. East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship (University of Hawaiʻi)
- Funding: Full tuition plus housing, partial meals & stipend for 24 months.
- Who: Master’s/PhD students committed to Asia-Pacific community building.
- Deadline: Dec 1 2025 for fall 2026 intake. Scholarships.com
10. State-University In-State Tuition Waivers
Public universities in Texas, North Dakota, Arkansas and others offer waivers that slash non-resident tuition by 40-60 % when you meet SAT/ACT or GPA cut-offs. Example: Texas A&M University–Commerce lists multiple waivers under its Cost of Attendance > Waivers & Exemptions page. East Texas A&M University, ETAMU
Tip: File your admission by the priority scholarship deadline—waivers often run out early.
11. Graduate Assistantships (GA, TA, RA)
Departments routinely offer assistantships that include full tuition remission + stipend + health insurance (e.g., NC State: USD 15k-20k stipends). The Graduate School
Start emailing potential supervisors 8-12 months before the semester—you can negotiate funding in your admission letter.
12. University Merit & Non-Resident Tuition Awards
Schools such as the University of Arkansas grant the New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award (NRTA) that covers most of the out-of-state premium for high-GPA students; final scholarship deadline Feb 1 2025. Academic Scholarship Office
Quick-Start Action Plan
- Create a 2-column tracker—deadlines vs. required docs—for all 12 awards.
- Sit TOEFL/IELTS by August 2025 so scores are ready for early deadlines.
- Craft one master CV & two statement templates (academic & leadership-focused).
- Request recommendation letters at least 6 weeks ahead—most scholarships need two.
- Practice interview answers that show clear Bangladeshi impact.
FAQs
Can I hold more than one award?
Yes—many institutional waivers can stack with external fellowships; always disclose to avoid double-dipping issues.
Do I need the SAT for scholarship #5 (AU EGL)?
It’s test-optional through 2026, but a 1300+ SAT significantly boosts merit ranking.
What if my CGPA is under 3.0?
Target scholarships valuing professional impact (Humphrey, Rotary) or apply for assistantships where research fit outweighs grades.
Conclusion
From fully-funded icons like Fulbright to tuition hacks such as state waivers, Bangladeshi applicants have a spectrum of options. Map deadlines now, tailor each application, and double-check eligibility quirks—your U.S. study dream can turn into a debt-free reality.