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Note: We are currently updating our financial aid calculators to incorporate MIT’s newly announced financial aid policies.

Funding and aid: Outside fellowships & scholarships

Government agencies and foundations award fellowships either directly to outstanding students for use at institutions of their choice or, in a few cases, to institutions to administer on behalf of students.

There are many reasons to apply for a fellowship, including greater research autonomy, financial security, and a professional cohort that may last for years to come. The Office of Graduate Education (OGE) maintains a database of various fellowship aid resources and provides advice on how to apply for one. For questions about the fellowships highlighted below, contact the OGE Fellowship team.

Fellowships for international students

You can explore outside funding sources organized by discipline, that are available to international students.

External fellowships

Many outside organizations fund fellowships for graduate students. View external fellowship options on the OGE site.

Other resources

Explore additional resources, curated by OGE that include targeted fellowship opportunities,  financial aid planning tools, and scholarship and fellowship databases.

Outside scholarships

Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. They are often awarded on the basis of academic or other types of achievement. You apply for outside scholarships on your own and can use the funding in place of taking out a student loan.

Financial aid

Funding from fellowships and scholarships lowers your ability to take out student loans. If you would like to explore how these types of funding might impact your financial aid, please contact us to discuss your options. We are happy to help!