Top 10 PhD Psychology Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students

On this Page:

Estimated Cost of Studying a PhD in the U.S. for Indian Students
Deadlines and Application Timeline for Scholarship Applications
Top U.S. Universities Offering Funded Ph.D. Programs in Psychology
Exploring PhD Psychology Scholarships in the US
Tips to Apply for PhD Psychology Scholarships US
Frequently Asked Questions

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Discover top PhD Psychology scholarships in the U.S. Learn about benefits, eligibility criteria, and more for psychology students pursuing higher education.

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Diwakar Kumar Singh

Diwakar Kumar Singh is an accomplished content creator with a unique blend of expertise in marketing and engineering. A gold medalist in MBA (Marketing) from IMT and a qualified petroleum engineer,...

Updated on: 05 Mar 2025 | 2.32K | 13 min read

Did you know that the average cost of a PhD in Psychology in the United States can exceed USD 100,000 per year? But please do not be discouraged, numerous scholarships and education loan options can help you ease your financial burden. With the U.S. being home to some of the world’s most prestigious psychology programs, securing a scholarship is very competitive but also equally rewarding. Let us understand the various scholarships available to help you pursue your doctoral degree without financial stress, but before that let us understand the cost break-up for completing PhD in the US.

Estimated Cost of Studying a PhD in the U.S. for Indian Students

With over 4,500 universities, the U.S. is a top destination for Indian students pursuing PhD degrees. Let us take a quick look at the cost of completing PhD in the US for Indian students from the table below:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost per Year
Tuition Fees	USD 20,000 - USD 45,000
Living Expenses (Rent, food, utilities, transportation)	USD 15,000 - USD 25,000
Research Costs (Books, Lab Fees, Conference Fees)	USD 3,000 - USD 10,000
Health Insurance	USD 1,500 - USD 3,000
Visa Fees & SEVIS Fee	USD 350 (one-time)
Travel Expenses (Flights to and from India and domestic travel)	USD 2,000 - USD 4,000 (per year)
Miscellaneous Expenses (Personal, emergency)	USD 2,000 - USD 5,000
Total Estimated Cost	USD 43,000 - USD 92,510 (per year)

Please note that these are estimated costs, and may change depending on your course, college, location, lifestyle, government policies and more.

Must Read: Guide on Scholarship for PhD in USA 2024

Deadlines and Application Timeline for Scholarship Applications

Applying for scholarships and Ph.D. programs in the U.S. requires careful planning. Here is a suggested timeline to help Indian students plan and manage their applications effectively. Please note that these while specific dates and requirements can vary by institution and scholarship, the following timeline provides a structured approach to help applicants plan effectively.

Timeframe	Task
12-18 months before intake (May - September)	Research universities and check Ph.D. programs that match your interests. Check if they offer funding or assistantships.
10-12 months before intake (October - December)	Prepare for and take standardized tests (GRE, TOEFL/IELTS, if required). Begin drafting your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and getting Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
8-10 months before intake (January - March)	Finalize your application materials. Check scholarship eligibility and apply for external funding sources.
6-8 months before intake (April - June)	Submit Ph.D. applications and required documents. Some scholarships have deadlines around this time.
4-6 months before intake (July - September)	Await admission decisions. Apply for additional funding, fellowships, and assistantships.
2-4 months before intake (October - November)	Secure funding, confirm admission and begin visa application.
1-2 months before intake (December - January)	Book flight tickets, arrange accommodation, and complete pre-departure formalities.

PhD Scholarship Application Timeline

Top U.S. Universities Offering Funded Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Many U.S. universities offer fully funded or partially funded Ph.D. programs in psychology, covering tuition and providing a stipend through assistantships and fellowships.

University	Funding Details
Harvard University	Fully funded Ph.D. in Psychology that includes tuition, health insurance, and stipend
Stanford University	Full funding through research and teaching assistantships. Covers tuition and stipend.
University of California, Berkeley	Full tuition waiver and stipend. Additional funding available for research.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	Guaranteed full funding for 5 years. It includes tuition, health insurance, and stipend.
Yale University	Full tuition coverage and an annual stipend. Additional research funding is available.
University of Illinois	Offers assistantships covering tuition and providing a stipend.
Columbia University	Provides full funding, including research grants and fellowships.
University of Chicago	Fully funded PhD with a stipend and research support.
Princeton University	Offers full funding for all admitted PhD students in psychology.
University of Minnesota	PhD students receive full tuition coverage and stipend support.

Most funded PhD programs include tuition waivers, health insurance, and stipends through teaching or research assistantships. However, we strongly recommend that you check specific department funding policies. Also, you can compare various US universities and find the one best for you.

Exploring PhD Psychology Scholarships in the US

Let us check and compare some of the top PhD psychology scholarships for the US for Indian students from the table below:

Scholarship	Eligibility	Funding	Website
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowships	Indian PhD students researching in the US	Airfare, stipend, visa, research costs	Fulbright India
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships	Indian students for postgraduate studies abroad	Tuition, living expenses, travel	Inlaks
National Overseas Scholarship (India)	Indian students from marginalized communities	Tuition, living allowance	NOS
Tata Trusts Scholarship	Indian students for PhD abroad	Partial tuition support	Tata Trusts
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship	Indian students for higher education abroad	Loan up to USD 25,000	JN Tata
APF Graduate Student Scholarships	Psychology graduate students	USD 1,000 - USD 5,000	APF
AAUW International Fellowships	Women in full-time graduate/postdoc study	USD 18,000 - USD 30,000	AAUW
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships	Immigrants & children of immigrants in the US	Up to USD 90,000	Soros
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)	US citizens/permanent residents in STEM/Psychology	USD 37,000 + tuition fees	NSF GRFP
Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship	PhD students in child psychology	Up to USD 25,000	APA

We recommend that you compare these top funding and scholarship programs and prepare accordingly. Also, please note that there is a GyanDhan scholarship which you can apply for as well. It is merit-based and offers up to INR 1 lakhs. Now, let us see some tips to increase your chances of getting the scholarship for PhD Psychology in the US.

Tips to Apply for PhD Psychology Scholarships US

Following are some of the guidelines that can help you get your desired scholarship for PhD programs in the US:

Check your eligibility: Visit the official websites of universities or scholarship providers to see if you meet their eligibility criteria.

Meet the GPA requirement: Most scholarships need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your undergraduate degree. A higher GPA makes your application stronger and therefore increases your chances of getting a scholarship. You can convert your Indian percentage to US GPA system.

Collect your academic documents: You need to collect your academic records from your 10th, 12th and undergraduate studies.

Prepare smartly: Many scholarships require scores from IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT. Make sure your preparation is above par with the minimum competitive scores required by various scholarships.

Showcase your achievements: Use your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LOR) to highlight extracurriculars, work experience, key projects, and accomplishments. Please note these make a huge difference when it comes to the selection criteria.

Keep a check on deadlines: Apply early to avoid last-minute issues. Missing a deadline means missing an opportunity.

Adhering to these guidelines can significantly improve your chances of getting a scholarship for your PhD studies in USA.

If you are planning to pursue PhD in Psychology in the US, then prepare to incur considerable financial burden, however, with right scholarship funding, this financial burden can significantly be reduced. Make proper planning, score competitively in related entrance and language tests, make a killer SOP along with LORs and you can bag a great scholarship that can help you realise your dream of pursuing PhD in psychology in the U.S. For more guidance and to explore additional scholarships or to know more about available education loans, GyanDhan is here to support you. All you need to do is check your loan eligibility and that is it! One of our education loan expert will get in touch with you and will help you with all your education loan queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for multiple PhD scholarships simultaneously?

Yes, students are encouraged to apply for multiple scholarships to increase their chances of securing funding. However, be mindful of each scholarship's terms and conditions.

Is work experience required for PhD Psychology Scholarships in the USA?

While not always mandatory, relevant work experience can strengthen your application, especially for scholarships focusing on applied psychology research.

How can I find scholarships specifically for Indian students pursuing a PhD in Psychology in the USA?

Explore scholarships offered through bilateral educational agreements, such as the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, and check dedicated scholarship platforms and Indian educational foundations.

Do PhD Psychology Scholarships in the USA cover research and conference expenses?

Many scholarships provide a stipend that can be used toward research-related expenses, and some may offer additional grants for attending conferences and workshops.

What should I do if my scholarship application is rejected?

Don't be discouraged by rejection. Assess any feedback provided, improve your application, and consider applying in the next cycle or exploring alternative funding sources.

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