Carnegie Mellon University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Yes, some CMU online programs offer limited scholarship support. For example, CMU’s Online Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning & Data Science Foundations says applicants who submit by the priority deadline “will receive a partial scholarship,” and CMU alumni can be eligible for an additional scholarship worth up to 20% of tuition.

Scholarships and funded opportunities can appear across many subjects at CMU, but they’re often tied to the specific school/department and the type of study (undergraduate vs. graduate vs. external awards). From the recipient side, Fraz Ahmed pursued a Master’s in Public Policy and Management (with a Data Analytics/AI focus) as a funded Fulbright Scholar, showing that policy + data/AI pathways can be scholarship-supported through external programs.

In general, students pursue scholarships/funding in engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical & computer), business, STEM fields (computer science, AI, data science, robotics, etc.), and humanities/social sciences.

It depends heavily on the funding type. Many major scholarships used by CMU students are external and nationality-based (for example, Fulbright varies by country). Fraz Ahmed, who is from Pakistan, attended CMU on Fulbright funding—an example of a nationality-linked route to study at CMU with full funding.

For CMU-provided funding, eligibility can vary by campus/program and by whether you’re undergraduate or graduate. Many graduate departments offer assistantships/fellowships that can be open to international students, while undergraduate institutional aid for international students can be very limited (and in some areas may not be offered), so international applicants commonly plan around external scholarships, sponsorships, or other funding.

Often yes for non-native English speakers, but the exact rule depends on the program. Many CMU departments list TOEFL/IELTS (and sometimes Duolingo) as accepted tests, and some publish minimum scores and waiver rules (for example, certain programs note waivers if you completed an in-residence degree in the U.S./Canada).

There isn’t one universal minimum GPA across the entire university; many departments describe holistic review and/or state they have no hard GPA “cut-offs.” However, some programs do publish a minimum or a recommended GPA (commonly around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) for competitiveness.

CMU scholarships and departmental funding typically don’t advertise a single university-wide age limit; eligibility is more commonly based on academic status (incoming student, current student, etc.) and merit/need criteria.

For external scholarships frequently used by CMU students (like Fulbright), eligibility rules are set by the sponsor and can vary by country and program track, so always check the sponsor requirements for your nationality and pathway.

A strong academic background usually means sustained performance in relevant coursework, plus evidence you can thrive in CMU’s rigor (projects, research, internships, leadership, impact). Many funded graduate opportunities also look for alignment with faculty/department strengths.

Fraz Ahmed described building a cohesive profile across academics and impact, bridging computational training with real-world public-sector work, and emphasized clarity: “Be clear about your vision from the start.” In practice, “minimum eligibility” is often a baseline (degree prerequisites + sometimes a minimum/recommended GPA + required tests), but scholarships are typically awarded to applicants who go well beyond the minimum.

Documents vary by program, but common requirements include transcripts, degree certificates (if applicable), a resume/CV, essays (statement of purpose/personal statement), letters of recommendation, and (when required) English proficiency scores. Some programs also require a writing sample, portfolio, or video/short-answer responses.

• Academic records: transcripts (and grading scale/explanations if needed)
• Personal materials: resume/CV + essays (SOP/PS) tailored to your program
• Recommendations: letters from academic/professional referees
• Tests (if required): TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo and sometimes SAT/ACT (undergraduate programs) GRE/GMAT (graduate programs) depending on program
• Program-specific items: portfolio (design/architecture/innovation), writing sample (some humanities/social science programs), or other prompts
• Scholarship-specific items: extra essays, leadership/service evidence, and timelines (external awards often require earlier prep)

Yes, most CMU applications have a fee, but the amount can vary by school/department and by degree level. Many graduate programs list fees around $75, while some programs list lower fees (for example, $50) depending on the specific application.

The safest approach is to confirm the exact fee on your program’s application page before submitting, and check whether your program offers fee waivers (some do, under certain conditions).