Montclair State University offers 15+ institutional scholarships, of which 8 are accessible to Indian applicants. Awards range from $2,000 to full tuition waivers via graduate assistantships.
- Standard UG tuition (out-of-state): $29,146 (INR 27.95 Lakhs) per year
- With Presidential Scholarship: $21,146 (INR 20.28 Lakhs) net tuition
- With Graduate Assistantship (PG): Near-zero tuition plus a stipend of $10,000+ (INR 9.59 Lakhs)
- Next scholarship deadline: March 1, 2027 (UG scholarship consideration)
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 95.90 as of August 2026. Amounts above INR 1 Lakh appear in Lakhs (1 Lakh equals 100,000).
Table of Contents
- Montclair State University Scholarships for UG Students
- Montclair State University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at Montclair State University
- Montclair State University PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships for Montclair State University Students
- Montclair State University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Montclair State University Scholarships for UG Students
| Scholarship Name | Amount (Annual) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $8,000-$10,000 (INR 7.67-9.59 Lakhs) | Top academic profile; high school GPA above 3.5 | March 1, 2027 (tentative) |
| Provost Scholarship | $6,000-$8,000 (INR 5.75-7.67 Lakhs) | Academic merit with GPA 3.3+ and competitive test scores | March 1, 2027 (tentative) |
| Dean’s Scholarship | $4,000-$6,000 (INR 3.83-5.75 Lakhs) | GPA 3.0+ and strong overall application | March 1, 2027 (tentative) |
| Global Excellence Award | $3,000-$5,000 (INR 2.87-4.79 Lakhs) | International freshmen with academic distinction | March 1, 2027 (tentative) |
| Founders Scholarship | $2,000-$3,000 (INR 1.91-2.87 Lakhs) | Automatic merit review at admission | Rolling; auto-considered |
All UG merit scholarships are automatically considered at the time of admission. Indian students do not file a separate application for these five awards.
The Presidential Scholarship is the highest institutional UG award for international students. Combined with the Global Excellence Award, total merit aid can reach $13,000 (INR 12.46 Lakhs) per year for the strongest applicants.
Explore More: Montclair State Overview | Admissions Guide
Montclair State University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistantship (GA) | Full tuition waiver + $10,000-$15,000 stipend (INR 9.59-14.39 Lakhs) | Full-time master’s students; 20 hours per week of research or admin work | Tentative March 15, 2027 (Fall intake) |
| Teaching Assistantship (TA) | Full tuition waiver + $12,000-$18,000 stipend (INR 11.51-17.26 Lakhs) | Prior teaching or subject expertise in the department | Tentative March 15, 2027 |
| Provost’s Graduate Scholarship | $5,000-$10,000 (INR 4.79-9.59 Lakhs) | Merit-based; undergraduate GPA above 3.5 | June 1, 2027 (tentative) |
| Feliciano School of Business MBA Merit Award | $5,000-$15,000 (INR 4.79-14.39 Lakhs) | MBA applicants with GMAT or GRE above the class median | Rolling; tentative May 1, 2027 |
| School of Communication and Media Scholarship | $2,000-$5,000 (INR 1.91-4.79 Lakhs) | Master’s applicants in journalism, film or media programs | Tentative April 15, 2027 |
Graduate Assistantships remain the highest-value funding stream for Indian students. A single GA offer covers roughly $20,052 (INR 19.23 Lakhs) in tuition. It also offsets much of the $17,996 (INR 17.26 Lakhs) annual living cost estimate.
Reddit Insight: On r/gradadmissions, Indian applicants report that MSU’s Feliciano School awards MBA merit scholarships of $5,000 to $15,000. Recipients typically hold GMAT scores above 620.
Explore More: MSU Programs | Rankings
India-Specific Scholarships at Montclair State University
Montclair State University does not offer scholarships restricted to Indian nationals. Indian applicants compete on merit for the same institutional awards as other international students.
| Award Route | What Indians Actually Get | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Global Excellence Award | $3,000-$5,000 (INR 2.87-4.79 Lakhs) annually | Auto-considered for internationals with GPA 3.3+ |
| Presidential Scholarship (international track) | $8,000-$10,000 (INR 7.67-9.59 Lakhs) | Top academic profile; SAT 1300+ or equivalent |
| Graduate Assistantship (department nomination) | Full tuition + $10,000-$15,000 stipend | Apply directly to department after admission |
| Feliciano School MBA Merit | $5,000-$15,000 (INR 4.79-14.39 Lakhs) | Automatic MBA admission review |
Indian students should focus scholarship strategy on two paths:
- Maximise institutional merit through a strong SAT, GRE or GMAT score above the class median
- Pair MSU aid with external Indian scholarships such as Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks Shivdasani or JN Tata
Reddit Insight: Indian students on r/USStudentsIndia note that MSU rarely offers full tuition waivers to master’s applicants outside GA appointments. Typical net funding for Indian MS students sits between $5,000 and $15,000 (INR 4.79-14.39 Lakhs) per year.
Montclair State University PhD Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Assistantship | Full tuition waiver + $22,000-$28,000 stipend (INR 21.10-26.85 Lakhs) | Full-time PhD candidates; departmental nomination | Tentative January 15, 2027 (Fall 2027 intake) |
| Dissertation Fellowship | $15,000-$20,000 (INR 14.39-19.18 Lakhs) | Advanced PhD students in dissertation phase | Tentative March 1, 2027 |
| Graduate School Travel Grant | Up to $1,500 (INR 1.44 Lakhs) | PhD candidates presenting at approved conferences | Rolling; tentative September and February cycles |
| Presidential Doctoral Award | Full tuition + $30,000 stipend (INR 28.77 Lakhs) | Top-ranked PhD admits in select programs | Tentative January 15, 2027 |
All PhD applicants are automatically reviewed for Doctoral Assistantships during admission. Indian students should apply by the January 15 nomination deadline to compete for full funding packages.
The Presidential Doctoral Award represents the highest single funding stack at Montclair State. It fully covers tuition of $20,052 (INR 19.23 Lakhs) and provides living support that exceeds the $17,996 annual cost of attendance.
External Government Scholarships for Montclair State University Students
Indian students at Montclair State University can layer external Indian scholarships on top of MSU institutional aid. These are the most commonly used routes for US-bound Indian applicants.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition, living stipend, airfare (INR 40+ Lakhs) | Indian citizens with 55%+ in bachelor’s and 3 years of work experience | Tentative May 15, 2027 |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to $100,000 (INR 95.90 Lakhs) | Indian citizens under 30 for master’s or PhD | Tentative March 15, 2027 |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INR 1-10 Lakhs (loan) plus INR 75,000 gift | Indian citizens with strong academic record | Tentative January 30, 2027 |
| KC Mahindra Post Graduate Scholarship | Up to INR 10 Lakhs (interest-free loan) | Indian citizens admitted to master’s programs abroad | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Up to INR 20 Lakhs (interest-free loan) | Indian citizens under 30 for master’s abroad | Tentative April 15, 2027 |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50% grant and 50% loan (amount varies) | Applicants from select developing countries including India | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
Reddit Insight: On r/f1visa, Indian MSU students report pairing a $10,000 institutional award with an Inlaks or KC Mahindra loan. This brings effective funding above INR 20 Lakhs annually, offsetting most of the $47,298 grad attendance cost.
External scholarships almost always require a formal MSU admission letter before disbursement. Apply to MSU by the December to March window and to external funders in parallel.
Montclair State University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship funding an Indian student can stack at Montclair State University?
Ans. The maximum stack for an Indian PhD applicant is the Presidential Doctoral Award. This covers full tuition ($20,052 or INR 19.23 Lakhs) plus a $30,000 (INR 28.77 Lakhs) stipend, often layered with a Fulbright-Nehru fellowship. For master’s students, the ceiling is a Graduate Assistantship with a full tuition waiver plus a $15,000 (INR 14.39 Lakhs) stipend. This is sometimes paired with an Inlaks award.
Ques. When should Indian students apply for scholarships at Montclair State University?
Ans. UG applicants should submit admission and scholarship materials by March 1, 2027 to be considered for institutional merit awards. Graduate applicants targeting Fall 2027 should apply by June 1, 2027. Competitive assistantship candidates should aim for January 15 to March 15 to match departmental nomination cycles.
Ques. Do Indian students need to submit a separate scholarship application at MSU?
Ans. No separate application is required for most UG merit scholarships. Presidential, Provost, Dean’s, Global Excellence and Founders awards are automatically considered at admission. Graduate assistantships and doctoral awards require direct outreach to the department after admission or a specific box ticked in the application portal.
Ques. What academic profile is needed for a Presidential Scholarship at Montclair State University?
Ans. Presidential Scholarship recipients typically hold a high school GPA above 3.5 (roughly 88% in Indian CBSE or 90% in ISC). Competitive SAT scores of 1300+ or equivalent are usually required. Indian applicants presenting Class XII boards should aim for 90%+ aggregate in science or commerce streams.
Ques. How does the Graduate Assistantship work for Indian master’s students at Montclair State University?
Ans. Graduate Assistantships require 20 hours per week of research or administrative work. In exchange, students receive a full tuition waiver of $20,052 (INR 19.23 Lakhs) plus a stipend of $10,000-$15,000 (INR 9.59-14.39 Lakhs). Indian students should contact department chairs by January 2027 for Fall 2027 intake. F-1 visa rules allow this on-campus employment without additional work authorization.
Ques. Do Montclair State University scholarships cover living costs in Montclair, New Jersey?
Ans. Institutional scholarships primarily cover tuition, not rent or food. Montclair’s annual living cost estimate is $17,996 (INR 17.26 Lakhs), which includes housing, meals and transport. Only Graduate Assistantship stipends and the Presidential Doctoral Award include living support. Undergraduates typically pair MSU aid with family funding or on-campus jobs to cover rent, which averages $1,200-$1,800 per month for shared housing near the campus.
Ques. What are the scholarship conversion rates for Indian applicants to Montclair State University?
Ans. Montclair State’s overall acceptance rate is 87%, and roughly one in three admitted internationals receives some form of merit scholarship. Indian students with SAT 1300+ or GRE 320+ have a stronger conversion rate. For Graduate Assistantships, competition is tighter, with departmental slots typically filled by 15-20% of applicants who reach out directly to faculty.
Montclair State University Scholarships: Students' Opinion
AI-Generated Summary based on 4 Reviews
Scholarships offered
Novus Biological Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Associate
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Washington DC Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Claes Isacson Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $20,000
- Type: Need-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
TEC Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $2,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 2
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: No
- Amount: $1,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Reviews
Most Popular Tags
4 Reviews Found
Likes
- So far my experrience with faculty had been great, and the activities around campus and the facilites provided like the gym and ice skating rink which are free of cost for students is the best.
Dislikes
- Montclair and the surrounding area is on the pricey end of New Jersey and commuting from other places like Jersey city or Edison cost a bit, and the accomodation provided is good, but it is also costly
- Not sure, but most graduates secure a job after graduation
- Data science graduates are expected to receive a salary between $40k - $120k per yr
- The university is in tie with a jobsite called Handshake, and I also use LinkedIn and subscribe to the job alerts of the companies I follow.









Likes
- This campus is amazing, it is been almost 3 semester here and I got lot of things from this campus! There are also lots of activities happening here and it’s fun! These is no words for disliking!
Likes
- The Curriculum flexibility, depth is really awesome
- Equal importance to extra curricular activities and studies
- Cool professors and their efforts in explaining concepts
Dislikes
- There were very limited funds for hiring students for part times
- University mainly runs on federal funds
- The more importance to undergrad students unlike master students
- Zillow and apartments.com are the websites where you can find the accommodations for the location you need. Mainly lease signing and location fixing would be major issues. You can also join the WhatsApp groups or Facebook groups of the university and find accommodations. Search for seniors from your university and get into their accommodations that would help you most.

Scholarship
Yes, I have received financial aid. It's pretty simple all a student would have to do is fill out the FAFSA form and send that to the university.
My girlfriend recommended it to me for their psychology program. And since it's a state college, the tuition was not as expensive compared to out of state colleges. The distance also played a role, it is not far from my home. There is even a bus that goes there from port authority in New York. Being a commuter, this played a big role into choosing this college.
























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