University of San Diego Scholarships for International Students 2026

On GlobalScholarships, the scholarships listed under the University of San Diego (USD), such as Undergraduate Merit Scholarships, Music Scholarships, and Graduate Assistantships, are tied to being admitted to USD and are typically discussed in the context of campus-based study rather than “online-course-only” awards.

USD-linked scholarships span a wide range of subjects, with some awards being broad (open to many majors) and others being program-specific. In terms of major areas, USD offers programs across humanities and social sciences (e.g., peace studies), business, engineering, and health-related fields (including nursing and health science). As a real example of a humanities/social-science-aligned pathway, Talha Ali pursued Peace and Justice and said “The University of San Diego stood out for its blend of academic rigor and practical engagement with global peacebuilding initiatives.”

It depends on the scholarship type. Many USD’s university scholarships are described as being for international students, without restricting to specific countries, so the practical requirement is being an “international Bachelor’s student or applicant” and meeting USD admissions requirements for your chosen program.

External scholarships connected to studying at USD can be more nationality-specific. For example, Fulbright’s foreign-student funding is administered through Fulbright commissions/embassies and eligibility varies by country.

Some external programs also limit eligibility by citizenship/residency categories (for instance, some women-focused fellowships are for non-U.S. citizens). So, the safest way to think about it is: many USD-linked institutional scholarships are “open to international students,” while major external scholarships each have their own nationality rules.

Often yes for international applicants, but it can vary by program and by your prior education. USD’s online graduate admissions guidance for international students states that an official score report from TOEFL-iBT, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test is required for international applicants, and it also explains that the English exam requirement may be waived only if you earned a qualifying degree (e.g., a 4-year bachelor’s or 2-year master’s) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from an institution where English is the official language of instruction.

USD admissions and scholarship decisions are typically holistic and program-dependent, so a single universal “minimum GPA” is not always published for every pathway. Instead, minimums (if any) often show up at the program level or in specific policy rules (for example, USD’s online graduate international guidance references GPA 3.0+ as part of the limited circumstances under which an English exam waiver may be considered).

Many major scholarship routes used by USD students do not set an age limit, but you must meet eligibility rules (degree level, admissions status, and any sponsor-specific requirements). That said, some scholarships can have target-group constraints (such as “first-year applicants,” “women applicants,” or specific professional stages). So the right approach is to treat “age limits” as uncommon, but always check the exact scholarship’s criteria.

A strong academic background for USD scholarships usually looks like: solid grades in relevant coursework, clear fit with your program, and evidence you will thrive academically (plus leadership, service, talent, or research depending on the scholarship).

For graduate funding, your profile often needs to show both academic readiness and purpose. Talha Ali described how his Fulbright + USD profile stood out because of “the clear and consistent trajectory between my academic background, four years of professional experience in the peace and development sector, and my long-term commitment to creating impact in Pakistan.” He also underscored the importance of narrative quality: “Take your time with the application, especially the personal statement. Be honest, reflective, and specific.”

Minimum eligibility is therefore scholarship-specific, but the recurring baseline is: (1) meet USD admission requirements for your level (undergraduate/graduate), (2) meet any scholarship’s stated status rules (e.g., “international student,” “first-year applicant,” “master’s/PhD student”), and (3) submit required materials on time.

Undergraduate (including scholarships): At a minimum, you should expect an admissions application and academic records (transcripts). For scholarships, requirements can differ: GlobalScholarships notes that USD’s Undergraduate Merit Scholarships do not require additional materials beyond applying for admission (you’re automatically considered if eligible), while USD’s Music Scholarships require additional items such as a separate scholarship application form, a letter of recommendation, and an audition.

Graduate (including scholarships): Graduate applications commonly involve transcripts plus program-specific materials (often a statement/personal statement and recommendation letters). In a real USD example via external funding, Talha Ali shared that “The Fulbright application process is comprehensive, requiring strong personal statements, academic transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation,” and he added that he spent weeks refining his personal statement with mentor feedback. For international graduate applicants (especially in USD’s online graduate admissions guidance), additional documentation may include English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) or a formal waiver request backed by proof that English was the language of instruction, plus a course-by-course credential evaluation when your prior degree was earned outside the U.S.

Undergraduate: Yes. USD’s Common Data Set lists an application fee of $55 (and indicates it can be waived for applicants with financial need).

Graduate: It varies by school/program. For example, USD’s Knauss School of Business “How to Apply” pages state an application fee of $125 for their graduate programs, while some nursing graduate application pages list a $55 application fee. Separately, USD’s online graduate programs list an application fee of $45 for online degree students, so your exact fee depends on whether you are applying to an on-campus graduate program, a specific school (business/law/nursing, etc.), or an online degree format.