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Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Temple University Merit Scholarships 2026 for international Undergraduates who wish to study in the US
For international students, navigating the cost of studying in the U.S. can be a major challenge. Temple University, recognizing the value that international students bring, offers a range of scholarships designed to make a world class education more accessible. These awards are a mix of merit-based funding and creative, mission driven scholarships that celebrate diversity and intercultural understanding.
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Here is a comprehensive guide breaking down Temple University’s primary scholarship opportunities for international students, detailing the criteria, deadlines, and a step-by-step guide to help you apply successfully.
The Automatic Merit Scholarship
The most common scholarship for international students at Temple is the automatic merit-based award. This scholarship recognizes students with outstanding academic achievements from around the world.
Award Value
Ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $20,000 per year, the award amount for first-year students is renewable for up to four years. For transfer students, the award may vary in value and duration.
Eligibility
The scholarship is automatically awarded to first-year international students with a strong academic record, which is evaluated based on your high school transcripts, grades, and standardized test scores (if submitted). Transfer students are also automatically considered based on their college GPA and academic performance.
How to Apply
No separate application is required. Your Common Application for admission serves as your scholarship application. To be considered, it is crucial to submit all your admission documents by the regular decision deadline.
Application Deadline
February 1, 2026
The #WhyUS Scholarship
Temple’s #WhyUS campaign and scholarship are part of a nationwide initiative to promote the U.S. as a top study destination. This award is unique because it is not based on academic performance but on your creative response to a specific prompt.
Award Value
Scholarships range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years for first-year students and two years for transfer students. This scholarship can be combined with any other awards you receive.
Eligibility
You must be a first-year or transfer international student who has applied or is planning to apply to Temple.
How to Apply
You must submit a separate application with your response to a creative prompt. The prompt for the 2025-2026 application cycle asks you to describe how one or more of the “WhyUS” points speak to you and inform your desire to study in the United States at Temple. The prompt encourages you to be creative in your response.
Submission Format: You can respond to the prompt in the format that best suits you:
- An essay (maximum 250 words, submitted as a PDF, JPEG, or Word document).
- A video (maximum one minute).
- An audio/spoken word essay (maximum one minute).
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026.
The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes international students who have a clear vision for enhancing intercultural understanding and who have shown an interest in activities that promote intercultural learning and exchange. Temple was one of the first universities to join this nationwide initiative.
Award Value
Two first-year international students are selected each year to receive a renewable scholarship of $20,000 annually.
Eligibility
You must be a first-year international applicant who demonstrates a vision for enhancing intercultural understanding at Temple University.
How to Apply
The application for this scholarship is separate from your admissions application. You must:
- Apply for admission to Temple University using the Common Application.
- Complete and submit the #YouAreWelcomeHere application, including a corresponding essay or video, by the scholarship deadline.
Creative Question
The Question for the 2025-2026 application cycle asks you to describe your ideas for specific activities, research, or projects you hope to undertake at Temple in support of intercultural learning and bridging cultural divides.
Submission Format
You can submit an essay (maximum 500-1000 words) or a video (2-5 minutes). If submitting a video, you must also email a link to yawh@temple.edu.
Application Deadline
You must submit your scholarship application by February 1. Scholarship winners are announced by April 1. If you are awarded the scholarship, you must claim it by submitting an enrolment deposit by May 1.
Frequently Asked Questions about Temple University Scholarships
Q1: What is the main difference between the three scholarships at Temple University?
A: The main difference is the selection criteria. The Merit Scholarship is automatically awarded based on your academic performance. The #WhyUS scholarship is based on your creative response to a prompt, independent of your grades. The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship is based on your commitment to promoting intercultural understanding.
Q2: Do I have to apply for each scholarship separately?
A: You are automatically considered for the Merit Scholarship when you submit your admissions application. However, you must submit separate applications for the #WhyUS and #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarships by their respective deadlines.
Q3: What are the key deadlines for international students to keep in mind? A: The most important deadlines are:
- February 1: Regular Decision admissions deadline, which is also the deadline for the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship.
- March 1: The deadline for the #WhyUS scholarship.
- April 1: The announcement date for scholarship winners for both the #WhyUS and #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarships.
Q4: Can I receive more than one scholarship from Temple University?
A: Yes, the #WhyUS scholarship can be combined with other awards you receive, including the automatic Merit Scholarship.
Q5: What is considered a “strong academic record” for the Merit Scholarship?
A: While Temple does not publish a specific GPA for international students, a strong academic record is typically determined by high grades on your high school transcripts. These scholarships are competitive, so high academic performance is key to being considered.
Q6: What should I include in my #YouAreWelcomeHere essay or video?
A: The prompt for this scholarship asks you to describe your ideas for specific activities or projects you hope to undertake at Temple that support intercultural learning and bridge cultural divides. Your response should be unique and clearly demonstrate your vision.
Q7: Can I apply for these scholarships if I’m a transfer student?
A: Yes, both the Merit Scholarship and the #WhyUS scholarship are available to transfer students. The award amounts and duration for transfer students may vary. The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship is specifically for first-year students.
Q8: If I win a scholarship, do I have to maintain a certain GPA to keep it?
A: Yes. All of Temple’s scholarships are renewable, but they require you to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. For most merit scholarships, this is a 3.00 GPA, and for others, it may be a 3.25 GPA. These requirements are outlined in your official scholarship notification letter.
Q9: What format should I use for the #WhyUS creative prompt?
A: You have several options, including a short essay (max 250 words), a one-minute video, a one-minute audio/spoken word essay, or other creative formats like a photo collage. For non-written submissions, you should also include a brief paragraph describing your project.
Q10: Are international students eligible for other financial aid at Temple?
A: As an international student, you are not eligible for U.S. federal or state-based financial aid. You are expected to finance your education, though Temple University does offer these specific academic and mission-based scholarships to help with tuition costs.
