Scholarships and Funding for Saudi Students in the USA
By Muntasir • Published Jul 09, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026
Saudi students fund US study through government scholarships administered by SACM, employer sponsorship from state companies, US university merit aid, graduate assistantships, and private international student loans.
🎓 SACM administers Saudi government scholarships and stays in contact with sponsored students throughout their US program.
💵 Large Saudi employers sometimes sponsor staff or their children for a US degree tied to a return-to-work agreement.
🏠 US universities award merit scholarships to international applicants without requiring US citizenship.
📩 Graduate students apply for teaching or research assistantships that cover tuition and pay a stipend.
💵 Private lenders built for international students, like MPOWER Financing and Prodigy Finance, are an option when scholarships do not cover the full cost.
Saudi government scholarships through SACM
The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) administers Saudi government scholarship programs for students studying in the US, in the lineage of the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. SACM supports sponsored students academically and financially so they can focus on their studies, and runs orientation programs, student clubs, and health insurance enrollment for its students, according to sacm.org .
Eligibility, covered majors, and required university rankings change over time, so confirm current criteria directly with SACM or the Saudi Ministry of Education before you plan your budget around a government scholarship. Apply for a place at a US university at the same time as your scholarship application, since most programs need proof of admission before they release funding.
Employer sponsorship
Large Saudi employers, including state energy and petrochemical companies, sometimes sponsor employees or employees' children for a US degree in a field the company needs, often in exchange for a return-to-work commitment after graduation. If you or a parent works for a company with an education benefits program, ask the human resources department what US study support exists and what the service agreement requires.
US university merit and need-based aid
US universities do not require US citizenship for merit scholarships. Many undergraduate and graduate programs award scholarships based on academic record, test scores, or a specific talent, open to international applicants including Saudi students. Search each university's international student aid page directly, since award amounts and criteria are set by the school, not by a national program.
Need-based financial aid is more limited for international students. A small number of US universities meet full demonstrated need for international applicants, but most do not, so check a school's policy on international aid before you count on it.
Graduate assistantships
Master's and PhD applicants apply for teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA) positions through the department they are admitted to. An assistantship commonly covers tuition and pays a monthly stipend in exchange for teaching or research work, and it is one of the main ways graduate students in the US fund a degree without a personal or family scholarship. Ask your target department directly about assistantship availability during your application, since not every program guarantees one.
Private student loans for international students
When scholarships and family funding do not cover the full cost, some international students use lenders built specifically for students without a US credit history or US cosigner, such as MPOWER Financing and Prodigy Finance. Compare loan terms carefully. Interest rates, fees, and eligible schools vary and change, so check each lender's current terms directly before you apply.
Comparing your funding options at a glance
| Source | Who it fits | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| SACM or government scholarship | Students who qualify for a Saudi Ministry of Education-sponsored place | Current eligibility, covered majors, and required university ranking |
| Employer sponsorship | Employees or dependents of a sponsoring company | The return-to-work commitment and what happens if you change majors |
| University merit scholarship | Strong applicants at schools that fund international students | Whether the award renews each year and what GPA keeps it |
| Graduate assistantship | Master's and PhD applicants | Whether the department guarantees funding for your full program length |
| Private student loan | Students with a funding gap after other sources | Interest rate, repayment terms, and which schools the lender covers |
Questions to ask before you accept a scholarship
Does it cover tuition only, or also housing, insurance, and a return flight?
Is the award renewable each year, and what GPA or credit load do you need to keep it?
Does it require a specific major, university ranking, or a return-to-Saudi-Arabia work commitment after graduation?
Who do you contact if your program changes or you need to pause your studies?
Does the sponsor pay the university directly, or reimburse you, and how does that affect your visa financial documentation?
How your funding affects your visa paperwork
Whatever combination of funding you use, your I-20 needs to show your school what covers the full estimated cost of attendance for your first year: tuition, fees, housing, and living costs. If a scholarship, employer, or family member is paying, your school usually asks for a signed sponsor letter and a recent bank statement in the sponsor's name. Update your school's international office if your funding mix changes after your I-20 is issued, since a large gap between your I-20 and your actual funding creates problems at your visa interview or later immigration steps.
Where to start your search
Begin with your accepted university's international student aid or scholarship office, since school-specific awards are often the largest and most reliable source. Ask SACM about current government scholarship rounds if you have not already applied. Search each graduate department's assistantship listings directly rather than relying on general scholarship databases, since assistantships are awarded departmentally. Treat private loans as a last resort to cover a funding gap, not a first plan.
Build your funding plan early
Combine sources rather than counting on one. A typical funded Saudi student might layer a partial university scholarship with family contribution and, for graduate students, an assistantship. Apply to your funding sources on the same timeline as your university applications, since scholarship and assistantship deadlines often fall before or alongside admission deadlines.