Purdue University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Yes, some Purdue-branded online programs offer scholarships (it depends on the specific program), and Purdue’s online-focused institution (Purdue University Global) also lists scholarships and outside scholarship options separately from West Lafayette programs.

Broadly, Purdue scholarships and funding opportunities exist across most subjects: STEM fields (engineering, computer science, data science, biology, statistics), agriculture, business, education, and humanities/social sciences (history, languages, communication, etc.).

From the Purdue recipient stories, you can see STEM-heavy examples: Mary Oluwatosin Kaka moved from microbiology into a “Statistical and Human Genetics” PhD track, and Adebisi Ogunbawo is a doctoral researcher in “quantitative genetics and breeding,” funded through assistantships and a research fellowship.

Purdue funding is a mix: some opportunities are open to students of any nationality (especially many graduate assistantships and department funding), while other awards are restricted (for example, U.S. federal aid/FAFSA-linked aid is generally U.S.-citizen/eligible-noncitizen based, and some external scholarships target specific countries).

The Purdue recipient stories show international students can win major funding: Mary Oluwatosin Kaka introduces herself as “from Nigeria, West Africa,” and still combined a Purdue graduate assistantship with the AAUW International Fellowship; Adebisi Ogunbawo is also “from Nigeria, West Africa,” and funded through a Purdue assistantship plus a U.S.-based research fellowship.

Often yes for international applicants, but it depends on your background and the level/program. Purdue publishes specific minimums and also lists alternatives (for example, demonstrated success in an English-speaking curriculum or qualifying transfer credit). Purdue also notes that students admitted without a formal English test may be placed into an English placement exam after enrollment.

There isn’t one single “minimum grade” that guarantees admission across all Purdue programs. Admissions are competitive and program-specific (and scholarships can be even more selective). For graduate programs, Purdue sets a baseline minimum GPA expectation, but departments may exceed it; for some professional programs, minimum GPAs can be higher.

The recipient stories give a feel for what competitive profiles can look like: Mary Oluwatosin Kaka notes she completed her bachelor’s “with a first-class honors” and says, “I graduated top of my class,” while Adebisi Ogunbawo emphasizes a strong research background and peer-reviewed work as part of what made her competitive.

For standard Purdue admissions and many mainstream scholarships, an explicit age cap is uncommon; eligibility is usually based on academic level (first-year, transfer, graduate), enrollment status, and program fit rather than age.

A strong academic background usually means solid grades in relevant coursework, clear fit with your intended major/research area, and evidence you can thrive (research, projects, publications, leadership, strong essays, and strong recommendations). Minimum eligibility depends on the scholarship type (university/department/external) and your degree level.

In the Purdue recipient stories, the “why you + why this research” theme is loud: Mary Oluwatosin Kaka says her application stood out by “showing sincerity” in her essays and refining her research proposal, while Adebisi Ogunbawo highlights that securing an advisor whose work aligned with his was “a key requirement” and that he focused on programs where he could lock in supervision and funding.

It varies by level (undergraduate vs graduate) and by program, but here’s a practical checklist that matches Purdue’s published requirements and what Purdue recipients described as “application packages.”

• Undergraduate (international) commonly includes: application + essays, Purdue-specific questions, academic records showing multiple years of coursework/grades, proof of high school graduation/diploma, and certified English translations if documents aren’t in English.
• English proficiency proof (when required): IELTS/TOEFL/DET scores or an approved alternative pathway (depending on your background).
• Standardized tests (when required/used): ACT/SAT (policies can vary by year and applicant type; follow Purdue’s current instructions).
• Graduate commonly includes: online application, transcripts/academic records, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose/academic statement, and test scores if your program requires them.
• Program-specific extras: CV/resume, writing sample, portfolio, research proposal, or faculty match/outreach (common in research degrees).

Yes. Purdue lists separate application fees by applicant type (and notes they are non-refundable). In recently published fee tables, undergraduate applicants pay $60; graduate domestic applicants pay $60; and graduate international applicants pay $75.

Fee waivers may be available in some cases (especially for undergraduate applicants who qualify), and Purdue’s graduate admissions process also notes that one application fee can cover applying to up to two campuses/majors (per the graduate application guidance).