Southern Illinois University Carbondale Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most scholarships at the university are for on-campus degrees.

SIUC scholarships span a wide range of subjects, and many are tied to a specific college, department, or major. You can commonly find opportunities across engineering (including computing/technology), business and analytics, STEM fields (science, environment, technology, mathematics), social sciences, humanities, arts/media, agriculture, and health-related programs. For a real graduate-level example from GlobalScholarships, Clara Mundia studied Environmental Resources and Policy.

SIUC has scholarships for both domestic and international students, but eligibility depends on each award. Many donor-funded scholarships can be available to international students through SIUC’s scholarship systems, while some forms of aid (like U.S. federal aid) are restricted. As an example of an international-focused award, Clara Mundia received the AAUW International Fellowship, which supports study in the U.S. for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Often yes for international applicants, but it varies by level and situation. For undergraduate international admission, SIUC lists minimum English test scores (for example, TOEFL iBT and IELTS) and also allows alternatives like Duolingo or a completion certificate from SIU’s English language center. For graduate admission, SIUC generally requires an approved English exam if your native/first language is not English (with published minimums such as TOEFL iBT and IELTS), though certain exemptions can apply (for example, based on prior study or an exempt country list). Some programs may require higher scores than the general minimums.

Yes. Minimum academic requirements depend on your level and applicant type. For international undergraduates, SIUC lists minimum GPA expectations, and it also has a “High Achiever” tuition rate with higher thresholds. For graduate programs, SIUC publishes minimum GPAs for master’s and doctoral admission consideration, and individual departments can be stricter. Separately, many scholarships also have their own GPA rules (often requiring you to maintain a minimum GPA once you receive the award).

Most SIUC scholarships are not built around age; they’re more commonly based on academics (like GPA), enrollment/credit level, major, and donor criteria. That said, some external scholarships or fellowships can have very specific eligibility rules (for example, career stage, membership, or demographics), so always read the exact requirements for the award you’re applying to.

A strong baseline is: meet SIUC admission standards, keep a solid GPA, enroll at the credit level required by the scholarship, and match scholarships to your major and profile. Many SIUC scholarships commonly emphasize GPA and full-time (or minimum) credit levels. From the recipient side, Clara Mundia said her application stood out because “my profile and my research study aligned well” with the fellowship criteria and because she provided “a very genuine statement” showing passion and dedication. She also advised applicants to “focus on opportunities that best resonate with you” rather than applying everywhere.

Documents vary by program, level, and scholarship, but common admission items include academic transcripts/records, English proficiency scores (when required), and program-specific materials. International students are commonly asked for immigration-related and financial documents after admission (for example, passport copy and financial documentation for I-20 processing). For scholarships, you’ll often see requirements like a general scholarship application, personal statement/essay, résumé/CV, recommendation letters, and sometimes proof of need or enrollment.

For research-heavy graduate funding, Clara Mundia described a very document-intensive process: “I was required to provide details around the proposed research, my background and education, funding and income sources,” and she “had to include some supportive documents as evidence to strengthen my case,” adding that having her mentor review her materials was valuable.

Yes, SIUC lists an application fee in its fee schedules. As a typical reference point, undergraduate applicants often see a $40 application fee and graduate applicants often see a $65 application fee (fees and waivers can change, so confirm the current amount for your application term and program).