University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Scholarships for International Students 2026

Sometimes, mostly when the “online” courses are part of a UB degree (or an approved online/hybrid format), not standalone short courses. Many UB scholarships follow you as a degree-seeking student, so the key question is whether your specific program (online/hybrid/on-campus) is eligible and whether you meet enrollment rules (often full-time).

UB offers scholarships across a wide mix of subjects, STEM, humanities, social sciences, and professional fields, because many awards are university-wide (merit-based) while others are departmental or program-specific. You’ll see funding tied to engineering (including School of Engineering & Applied Sciences opportunities), business (School of Management and related centers), humanities and education (for example, Language Education/Multilingualism—where Oluwabunmi Alao studied), and broader STEM fields (biology, computer science, data science, etc.). Health fields can also have funding, but rules vary by program type.

It depends on the scholarship type. UB has scholarships specifically for incoming international undergraduates (so nationality can be broadly “international”), and many graduate funding routes (assistantships, fellowships) are evaluated by departments and are often open to applicants from many countries, subject to program rules and visa/work eligibility. A concrete example: Oluwabunmi Alao is from Nigeria and received a fully funded PhD offer at UB, showing that international applicants can be competitive for graduate funding. Some English-test exemptions and certain external/government scholarships may list specific citizenship requirements, so always read each award’s eligibility carefully.

Often yes for international applicants, but there are waivers/exemptions and program-specific flexibility. At the undergraduate level, UB lists minimum scores for tests like TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE (and even SAT/ACT English/Reading options), and also explains cases where you can be exempt (for example, certain citizenship + native English + fully English education pathways). At the graduate level, UB generally requires English proficiency scores for international applicants unless exempted or the requirement is waived by the program. In practice, some specific graduate programs may not require English tests for all applicant; Oluwabunmi Alao shared: “I did not take the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS because it was not a requirement for my program.”

UB’s expectations vary by level and program, but there are clear “typical” benchmarks. For international first-year undergraduate applicants, UB notes it “expect applicants to have the equivalent of a 3.0” on a 4.0 scale (about a B / 83 out of 100), alongside holistic review factors like marks, test scores, essay, and recommendations. For graduate admission, UB lists a general expectation of a B-grade / GPA of 3.0 or higher in bachelor’s-level coursework, with additional requirements depending on the department. Highly competitive fellowships can expect higher (and many funded PhD admits are strong academically), but scholarship stories don’t always publish an exact GPA, so focus on meeting (and exceeding) the program’s stated baseline and showing strong fit.

Most UB scholarships and standard graduate funding routes (like assistantships) are not defined by an age cap; they’re usually based on academic merit, program fit, enrollment status, and (for some awards) specific criteria like leadership, service, or field of study. Age limits are more common in certain external/government scholarships than in typical UB merit/departmental funding, so if you’re applying with an outside sponsor, check that sponsor’s rules.

Undergraduate: a strong secondary-school record (often around the 3.0-equivalent expectation or higher), strong English readiness (or an approved exemption), and a complete application that supports merit review. Graduate: a recognized bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), typically a 3.0 GPA (or higher) expectation, and strong supporting materials (recommendations, statement of purpose, and any required test scores). For funded PhD pathways, departments often look for research alignment and evidence you can succeed in graduate-level work. In Oluwabunmi Alao’s case (PhD in Language Education and Multilingualism), she highlighted fit and preparation. She researched professors, matched programs to her interests, and emphasized: “Customize your SOP and CV for each program.” She also brought substantial experience, noting she taught English as a second language for more than six years before starting her doctorate.

Undergraduate (international first-year): You generally need your application (ApplySUNY/Common App/Coalition), academic records/transcripts (with English translations if not originally in English), and materials used in holistic review (which can include test scores, an essay, and recommendations). You may also need to submit proof of English proficiency through an accepted test (unless exempt), and UB specifies that official scores must be sent from the testing agency after initial review.

Graduate: Requirements are decentralized by department, but UB commonly requires an online application, transcripts from every college/university attended (often unofficial for review, with official transcripts required after admission), letters of recommendation, and any required test scores (GRE/GMAT/etc. only if your program requires them). Many programs also ask for a statement of purpose and a resume/CV. International graduate admits also typically provide visa-related documents (for example, passport ID page and financial documentation) during the acceptance process.

Undergraduate: Yes. UB states a $50 non-refundable fee for international first-year applications (submitted via the application platforms UB accepts).

Graduate: Yes, but it varies by program. UB explains that a nonrefundable application fee is required for each graduate program you apply to and that fees vary; many departments list fees around the mid-range (commonly seen at $75), while some programs may differ. Always confirm the exact amount in your specific program’s application instructions.