University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers 15+ scholarships and funding awards, of which 10+ are directly accessible to Indian applicants.
Merit awards apply automatically at admission, while doctoral fellowships and graduate assistantships require program nomination.
- Standard UG tuition and fees: USD 34,936 (INR 33.44 Lakhs) per year, before any waiver
- With International Freshman Merit: USD 19,436 to USD 24,936 (INR 18.61 to 23.88 Lakhs), after the USD 10,000-15,500 award
- Graduate stack (Assistantship + waiver): Near-zero tuition, plus a stipend of USD 12,000 to USD 22,000 (INR 11.49 to 21.07 Lakhs)
- Next Indian-relevant deadline: December 15, 2026 (Spring 2027 international admissions; automatic merit review)
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 95.75 as of September 2026. 1 Lakh equals INR 100,000. USD amounts always show the INR Lakh equivalent alongside.
Table of Contents
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships for UG Students
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships for UG Students
Indian freshmen with a 2.75+ GPA receive automatic review for the International Freshman Merit Scholarship. The award ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 15,500 (INR 9.58 to 14.84 Lakhs) per year. Higher GPAs and stronger test scores raise the award tier.
| Scholarship | Value per Year | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Freshman Merit Scholarship | USD 10,000 to USD 15,500 (INR 9.58 to 14.84 Lakhs) | International UG freshmen, 2.75+ GPA, automatic review | With admission; Fall 2027 by July 15, 2027; Spring 2027 by December 15, 2026 |
| Chancellor’s Merit Award | Up to USD 20,000 (INR 19.15 Lakhs) | Top-tier freshmen with 3.7+ GPA, competitive review | Priority: February 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Transfer Merit Scholarship | USD 5,000 to USD 12,000 (INR 4.79 to 11.49 Lakhs) | International transfers, 3.0+ GPA at prior institution | With admission |
| Dean’s Renewable Award | USD 5,000 (INR 4.79 Lakhs) renewable | Continuing UG students, 3.5+ GPA at UMassD | Annual GPA review |
| Departmental Talent Awards | USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 (INR 95,750 to 4.79 Lakhs) | Program-specific: engineering, art, business majors | Departmental deadlines |
The International Freshman Merit is the largest single lever for Indian UG applicants. It renews each year if the student maintains a 3.0 CGPA at UMassD. Pairing it with a departmental talent award and on-campus work can trim total costs meaningfully.
Reddit Insight: Indian UG applicants on r/UMassDartmouth report the International Freshman Merit is applied within the offer letter itself, with no extra essay required.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
Graduate Assistantships (GA) are the primary funding path for Indian PG students. A full GA covers tuition and adds a stipend of USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 (INR 11.49 to 17.24 Lakhs). Award holders commit 20 hours per week of teaching or research work.
| Scholarship | Value per Year | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Teaching / Research Assistantship | Full tuition waiver + USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 (INR 11.49 to 17.24 Lakhs) stipend | Admitted PG students, department nomination required | Priority: January 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 |
| Charlton College of Business Graduate Award | USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 (INR 4.79 to 9.58 Lakhs) | MBA and MS Business admits, competitive review | March 1, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Engineering Graduate Merit | USD 3,000 to USD 8,000 (INR 2.87 to 7.66 Lakhs) | MS Engineering admits, 3.3+ UG GPA | With admission |
| CVPA Merit Award | USD 4,000 to USD 12,000 (INR 3.83 to 11.49 Lakhs) | MFA candidates, portfolio-reviewed | February 1, 2027 (with portfolio submission) |
| International Graduate Tuition Credit | USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 (INR 1.92 to 4.79 Lakhs) | International PG admits, need + merit blend | With admission |
Indian STEM applicants in Computer Science, Data Analytics and Engineering see the strongest assistantship offers. Faculty in these departments typically fund incoming students who bring research skills or teaching potential.
The UMass Dartmouth graduate programs page lists departments that historically extend assistantships to first-year international admits.
Reddit Insight: Indian CS and Data Science students report that emailing 2 to 3 professors before the January 15 deadline, with a short research brief attached, is the pattern that lands GA offers.
India-Specific Scholarships at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
UMass Dartmouth does not run a named India-only institutional scholarship. Indian applicants access funding through general international awards plus India-sourced external scholarships tenable at any accredited US university.
| Route | Value | Where It Comes From | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Freshman Merit (open to Indians) | USD 10,000 to USD 15,500 (INR 9.58 to 14.84 Lakhs) | UMass Dartmouth institutional | With admission |
| Graduate Assistantship (heavily used by Indians) | Full tuition + USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 (INR 11.49 to 17.24 Lakhs) stipend | UMass Dartmouth department funding | January 15, 2027 priority |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend + travel | USIEF (India, external) | May 15, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 (INR 95.75 Lakhs) total | Inlaks Foundation (India, external) | March 25, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INR 10 Lakhs interest-free + INR 7.5 Lakhs gift portion | J N Tata Endowment (India, external) | March 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
Recommended stacks for Indian applicants at UMass Dartmouth:
- For UG: International Freshman Merit paired with KC Mahindra Scholarship
- For PG (with 3+ years work experience): Graduate Assistantship layered under Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
- For PG (without work experience): Graduate Assistantship layered under J N Tata Endowment or Inlaks Shivdasani
- For PhD: Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship (usually sufficient standalone)
The realistic Indian funding stack combines a UMass Dartmouth institutional award with one external India-based grant. UG students pair the Freshman Merit with KC Mahindra or Inlaks. PG students layer Fulbright-Nehru or J N Tata on top of an assistantship offer.
For a full breakdown of costs the funding must cover, see the UMass Dartmouth overview and requirements at the UMass Dartmouth admission silo.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth PhD Scholarships
PhD admits at UMass Dartmouth are almost always funded through fellowships and research assistantships. Indian doctoral applicants in Engineering, Marine Sciences and Public Policy receive the deepest funding packages.
| Fellowship | Value per Year | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend USD 20,000 to USD 25,000 (INR 19.15 to 23.94 Lakhs) | Top-ranked PhD admits across all schools | January 15, 2027 (Fall priority) |
| First Year Doctoral Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend USD 18,000 (INR 17.24 Lakhs) | New PhD entrants, Fall 2027 cohort | With PhD application (rolling until slots fill) |
| Distinguished Art Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend USD 20,000 (INR 19.15 Lakhs) | Top MFA and Visual Arts doctoral admits from CVPA | February 1, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Doctoral Research Assistantship | Full tuition + USD 15,000 to USD 22,000 (INR 14.36 to 21.07 Lakhs) | Program-based, faculty-selected each year | Rolling, tied to grant cycles |
| Dean’s Doctoral Award | USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 (INR 4.79 to 9.58 Lakhs) supplement | Continuing PhDs in dissertation phase | Annual review, February 2027 (tentative) |
The Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship carries the highest total value. Indian applicants who secure it typically pay close to zero out-of-pocket over the 4 to 5 year program.
Applying by the January 15, 2027 Fall priority date signals serious intent to graduate coordinators. Late doctoral applications often miss the fellowship review cycle even when admission itself is offered.
External Government Scholarships for University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Applicants
Indian students at UMass Dartmouth actively use 5 external India-based government and private scholarships. These awards travel with the student and layer on top of institutional funding.
| Scholarship | Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition + monthly stipend + travel + health insurance | Indian citizens, 3+ years work experience, master’s admit at a US university | May 15, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 (INR 95.75 Lakhs) total | Indian citizens under 30, first-class UG degree, admit letter required | March 25, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INR 10 Lakhs interest-free loan + INR 7.5 Lakhs gift portion | Indian citizens with a first-class UG degree, PG admit | March 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Abroad | INR 8 Lakhs (top scholars up to INR 10 Lakhs) | Indian citizens with confirmed admission at an overseas university | March 31, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50% grant + 50% loan, covers tuition and living | Indian citizens under 30, need-based PG applicants | March 31, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
Fulbright-Nehru is the most sought-after route for master’s applicants planning to return to India within two years of graduation. J N Tata and KC Mahindra are the go-to loan-plus-grant routes for candidates without the 3-year work experience Fulbright requires.
Indian doctoral applicants often skip these external routes once they secure a Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship, since that fellowship alone covers full cost. External scholarships instead help master’s students who receive partial institutional aid.
Explore More: UMass Dartmouth Rankings | UMass Dartmouth Acceptance Rate
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the highest total funding an Indian student can stack at UMass Dartmouth?
Ans. An Indian PhD admit with the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship gains full tuition plus USD 25,000 (INR 23.94 Lakhs) in stipend annually. This effectively takes the sticker cost of USD 53,358 (INR 51.09 Lakhs) down to zero out-of-pocket. Master’s students maxing out a full Graduate Assistantship plus an Inlaks or Fulbright-Nehru grant reach a similar near-full-funding position.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for UMass Dartmouth scholarships, and when do decisions arrive?
Ans. Indian UG applicants targeting Fall 2027 should apply by July 15, 2027, with earliest merit consideration tied to submission before February 15, 2027. Graduate assistantship priority closes January 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 intake. Merit decisions land inside the admission letter itself, while assistantship offers arrive 4 to 8 weeks after the priority deadline.
Ques. Do Indian students need a separate scholarship application at UMass Dartmouth?
Ans. No separate form is required for the International Freshman Merit or most departmental UG awards. The admissions committee reviews all international applicants for merit automatically at the point of admission. Graduate Assistantships and Doctoral Fellowships do require program-specific nomination and benefit from direct faculty outreach before the priority deadline.
Ques. How does the International Freshman Merit Scholarship work at UMass Dartmouth?
Ans. The International Freshman Merit ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 15,500 (INR 9.58 to 14.84 Lakhs) yearly for Indian freshmen with a 2.75+ GPA. The award tier is set by GPA band, test scores where submitted, and program of admission. It renews automatically each year provided the student holds a 3.0 CGPA at UMassD.
Ques. Do UMass Dartmouth scholarships cover rent and living costs in North Dartmouth?
Ans. UG merit awards cover tuition only. Indian UG students still budget USD 18,000 to USD 20,000 (INR 17.24 to 19.15 Lakhs) yearly for housing and personal costs. Graduate stipends cover rent and food; shared apartments in North Dartmouth cost USD 700 to USD 1,000 (INR 67,000 to 96,000) monthly.
Ques. Can Indian PG students get graduate assistantships in their first semester at UMass Dartmouth?
Ans. Yes, first-semester assistantships are awarded at UMass Dartmouth, especially in Computer Science, Data Analytics and Engineering departments. Indian applicants who email 2 to 3 target professors with a research brief before January 15, 2027 land the strongest first-semester offers. Programs without a January priority deadline often issue first-semester GA offers alongside the admission letter itself.
Scholarships offered
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Axol Science Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $2,000
- Type: Company-Sponsored
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
VueVille Future Technology Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
R&D Systems Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 2
QS Connect Master’s Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BL Mandhana Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1



















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