Scholarships for Lebanese Students at US Universities

Fulbright funds graduate study, not undergraduate

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the main scholarship built for Lebanese citizens who want a US degree. It funds graduate level study, usually a master's or a research year, at a US university you choose from an approved list. AMIDEAST Lebanon runs the Lebanon competition, including the application process, test prep guidance, and interview practice.

A Fulbright award covers tuition, a living stipend, health insurance, and travel to the United States. The program takes a small group of students each cycle and competition is heavy. Check the current call for applications and the deadline on the Fulbright Foreign Student Program site and through AMIDEAST.

Start with free advising, not a paid agent

EducationUSA Beirut, delivered through AMIDEAST Lebanon , gives official, free advising on US universities, applications, and funding. An adviser helps you build a college list that fits your budget and points you toward scholarships that match your field and degree level. This step costs nothing and gives you a wider, more honest list than an agent who earns a commission from a narrow set of partner schools.

Ask about need-based and merit aid at the university itself

A small number of US universities meet the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students, regardless of citizenship. This matters more for your budget than any single named scholarship, since a full-need award covers most or all of tuition and living costs. These policies differ by school and change from year to year, so read the international financial aid page of each university you apply to rather than relying on a school's general reputation for generosity.

Merit scholarships are more common and realistic for most applicants. Many mid-size private universities, and some public ones, award automatic or competitive merit money to strong international applicants. Amounts range from a few thousand dollars a year to a full tuition waiver. These awards usually come from the admissions office as part of your application, not a separate scholarship office, so ask about them directly when you apply and confirm the deadline, since merit scholarship deadlines often fall earlier than the general admission deadline.

Assistantships pay for most master's and PhD study

For graduate school, a teaching or research assistantship is the standard way international students afford a US degree, especially in engineering, computer science, and other research fields. An assistantship pays tuition plus a monthly stipend in exchange for teaching sections or working in a lab, and PhD programs in these fields fund nearly every student they admit this way. Contact the graduate department directly and ask about assistantship funding before you apply, since many programs decide funding alongside the admission decision itself.

Funding sources at a glance

Look for field-specific outside scholarships

Beyond Fulbright and university aid, look for outside scholarships tied to your intended major, professional association, or future employer. These exist across many fields and stay open to international applicants more often than country-specific general awards do. A university international student office or academic department can point you to field scholarships relevant to your major. Confirm eligibility for non-US citizens before you spend time on an application, since many outside awards restrict eligibility to US citizens or permanent residents.

Watch for scams and guaranteed-award claims

Lebanon does not have a large national scholarship fund earmarked for US study the way some countries do. Treat any website or agent that promises a guaranteed scholarship with caution, especially if it asks for a fee before you apply. Verify a scholarship through the university's own financial aid office or through AMIDEAST before you share financial documents or pay anything.

Plan for costs a scholarship will not cover

Even a strong scholarship rarely covers everything. Budget separately for your visa application fee, the SEVIS fee, health insurance if your program requires you to buy it locally, a laptop, and your first month of housing before financial aid or a stipend arrives. Start your funding search 12 to 18 months before you plan to enroll, since named scholarships like Fulbright run on a fixed annual cycle and close months before the US academic year begins.