15+ Best Catholic Scholarships for International Students

Undoubtedly, most college graduates, especially in English-speaking countries are Christian, in fact, Pew Research Center found out that approximately 66% of college graduates are Christian. Most of these students usually end up in secular colleges – we’re not against attending one, we would even recommend some law or even minority scholarships from them – without realizing some advantages of settling in a Catholic college or another faith-based Institution.

First of all, it’s the value these Catholic Universities bring to the table, which combines both faith in God and quality academics.

However, the fees of these schools are not completely favorable to international students, where they usually pay double or even triple of what domestic students pay. Fortunately, there are catholic scholarships for international students that can help to reduce or even completely waive tuition fees.

There are still other Christian scholarships exclusively for international students or even sports scholarships for the same foreign students you might love to go through.

Let’s go straight ahead to list these scholarships.

catholic scholarships for international students

Catholic Scholarships for International Students

One of the things you’ll realize from most of these scholarships is that they are provided by the school or an organization partnering with the school. Which means you need to be admitted or have applied for admission to be eligible for them.

1. ACU International Student Scholarship (Australia)

  • Worth: Half of the full-time fees

Australian Catholic University annually awards 20 international scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their previous studies. This is among the catholic scholarships for international students that require candidates to be admitted to the school before they will be eligible. 

Also, you must have achieved a minimum of 80% result in your previous study, you must not be receiving any other scholarship or award from the school, plus other requirements.

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2. CUAbroad – Education Abroad Scholarships and Grants (United States)

  • Worth: Varies

The Catholic University of America provides some catholic scholarships for students to study abroad, these scholarships include;

  • Rome Summer Institute Scholarship: worth $250 – $1,000
  • CUAbroad Diversity Scholarships: worth up to $1,000
  • Twohig-Sullivan Family Fund for Irish StudiesIrish Summer Institute Travel Grant
  • Luis Alberto Ambroggio Scholarship for Study Abroad: worth up to $2,500

and many others, including other external scholarships and awards.

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3. Università Cattolica International Scholarship (Italy)

  • Worth: € 5,300

Università Cattolica don’t just provide catholic scholarships for international students, but they also provide excellent education to their students no wonder in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, 16 of their disciplines ranked in the top 300 in the world, or higher. The UCSC International Scholarship waives 37% of the total cost, and it is automatically extended annually within the period of the program.

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4. KAAD (Catholic Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship (Germany)

Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst or Catholic Academic Exchange Service Scholarships can be categorized in three programs which are;

  • The Invitation Programme in cooperation with the focus countries is aimed at postgraduates and persons with proven professional experience who are usually invited to Germany for postgraduate studies or research stays
  • In-country Programme for Master’s studies in the home country
  • Third-country Programme for Master’s Studies in a selected third country

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5. Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Scholarships (Spain) 

UCAM has a goal of having students from all continents represented in their school, and one of the ways they encourage this movement is by providing diverse Scholarships eligible to international students.

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6. St. Thomas University International Scholarships (United States)

STU is a private, nonprofit, Catholic university, that welcomes international diversity, and as a Catholic University, they are not just interested in student’s academic growth, but also their spiritual growth. They provide different catholic scholarships for international students, and your GPA and other requirements will determine the amount you’ll be awarded.

  • If you have a minimum GPA of 3.6 you’ll receive up to $13,000
  • If you have a GPA of 3.0 to 3.59  you’ll receive up to $11,000
  • If you have a GPA of 2.99 or below you’ll receive up to $9,000

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7. Madonna University International Student Scholarships (United States)

  • Worth: range from $2,000 to $6,000 per year

Madonna University provides associate and bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 career-focused majors, as well as more than 30 master’s programs and doctoral degrees in Education and Nursing. Madonna University provides merit-based scholarships to international students and the amount each student will receive depends on their academic performance.

A student with a minimum GPA of 2.8 is eligible for a $2,000 worth of scholarship whereas a student with a GPA of 3.8 and above is eligible to a $6,000 award.

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8. DePaul University Scholarships

  • Up to $100,000 (over four years) to each recipient

With more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, there is a high chance that DePaul University has what you need, also, it’s ranked among the best universities in the world by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Regarding their Catholic scholarships for international students, they provide different financial aid to foreign students, the one I would love to point out is the merit-based State Scholar Plus Scholarship worth up to $100,000 to both regional and international students.

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9. Assumption University 

  • Up to a maximum of $29,500

One of the ways Assumption University provides top-notch education to its students is by ensuring that only professors teach their students. Annually, they award more than $50 million in scholarships which over 99% of their students, including international students benefit from.

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10. University of St. Thomas (US)

If you’re a first-time, first-year student including international students admitted to St. Thomas, you’ll be automatically eligible for their merit-based scholarships, which 97% of students receive. And, it doesn’t end there, current students still have lots of opportunities for other scholarships.

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11. Seton Hall University Scholarships (US) 

  • Worth: Varies 

Seton Hall University is reportedly one of the U.S. leading Catholic universities that has been developing students in mind, heart, and spirit since 1856. Just like other Catholic scholarships for international students we have listed, for you to apply or be eligible for Seton Hall University Scholarships, you need to apply to join the school.

Some of their International Scholarships include, but are not limited to:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
  • Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
  • Pirates Pitch
  • University Scholarship
  • Transfer Scholarship

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12. Carroll College International Scholarships (U.S)

  • Worth: ranges from $17,000 to $24,000

Carroll College provides several international scholarships, besides the fact that you need to be a full-time student in the school to be eligible, you also need to have graduated from an accredited secondary school and completed less than 1 full year of university. Their Merit-based scholarships are awarded automatically regardless of need.

They also provide scholarships for transfer international students and other external financial aid.

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13. Gonzaga University – International Graduate Student Scholarship

Since 1887, Gonzaga has been the premier Catholic university of the Inland Northwest, and they have also been ranked and recognized in several awards like being named among 19% top Universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). To be eligible for their scholarship you must have an active or submitted application for a Gonzaga University graduate program.

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14. Fontbonne University

  • Worth: $2,000 to $15,000

Fontbonne University takes its name from Mother St. John Fontbonne and was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. One of the interesting things about catholic scholarships for international students provided by Fontbonne University is that you don’t need any other additional application.

Both undergraduate and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarships.

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15. Immaculata University Academic Scholarships

  • Worth: ranging from $5,000 to $15,000

Immaculata University, a Catholic institution that has provided both quality education and spiritual growth for more than 100 years, provides international scholarships through the academic performance of candidates’ high schools. 

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16. Saint Mary’s College of California International Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Worth: range from $2,000 to $29,000 per academic

St. Mary’s College of California provides both merit and need-based scholarships to undergraduates and most of them are renewable, annually. Their Catholic scholarships for foreign students include;

  • Merit-Based Scholarships
  • Departmental Scholarships
  • Lasallian Leadership Award
  • Alumni Legacy Scholarships
  • Transfer Merit Scholarships
  • Community College Partnership
  • International Excellence Scholarship, and others

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Conclusion

There are still other Catholic scholarships for foreign students that different Catholic schools provide depending on the country.

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