California Institute of Technology Scholarships for International Students

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The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private research university in Pasadena, California, United States. It is known as a prestigious science and engineering institution and is among the technological institutes in the country devoted to pure and applied sciences instruction. Over the years, it has produced notable alumni of world leaders across all disciplines, including Nobel Prize winners, US Air Force chief scientists, to name a few.

It is also known to have small class sizes, having one of the smallest student-faculty ratios. This is because the institute has a highly competitive acceptance rate. As of 2021, there are over 900 undergraduate students and over 1,000 graduate students. It has six academic divisions: Biology and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Engineering and Applied Science; Geological and Planetary Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. Despite having a small community, the California Institute of Technology has proven itself to be one of the best higher education institutions in the world.

Home to outstanding faculty, students, scholars, and staff, the California Institute of Technology continues to uphold its mission to invent and launch technologies across all fields. Both undergraduate and graduate students participate in the institute’s research activities. It is home to more than 50 research centers and it owns large-scale research facilities, such as the Seismological Laboratory, and astronomical observatories, such as the Palomar and W. M. Keck Observatories.

In this article, we will discuss scholarships available at the California Institute of Technology.

California Institute of Technology Scholarships

Interested international undergraduate and graduate applicants can refer to their respective student guide levels. The guide will assist you in the application process regarding the California Institute of Technology’s scholarships and financial assistance programs. You can also read more information about the potential financial aid that can be eligible for international students. In Caltech, only need-based scholarships are available for undergraduate students, although the institute makes sure that 100% of their needs are met. Meanwhile, graduate students have more financial aid options, ranging from scholarships to assistantships. Below are some of the available types of aid for students of all levels.

1. Need-based Scholarships

  • Scholarship Page
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s
  • Scholarship Amount: 100% of demonstrated financial need

The California Institute of Technology only has need-based scholarships and does not offer merit-based scholarships for international undergraduate students. This entails that scholarship amounts are calculated based on the students’ demonstrated needs. In addition, it is determined by the cost of attendance in the university minus the student’s family contribution. Interested students may submit their financial request application to the institute to see the scholarship amount they will receive.

2. J. Yang Scholarship/Fellowship

  • Scholarship Page
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition, student fees, and a living stipend

At Caltech, the J. Yang Scholarship is awarded to two Taiwanese graduate students every year. It is a prestigious scholarship award from the H. Yang and Family Foundation. Scholars will receive a stipend and tuition and fees remission. Students from all academic divisions are eligible to apply, given that they meet the scholarship’s criteria. In addition, they will also be evaluated based on their enrolled academic units per term or academic year. Research advisors may also nominate their students of choice. If selected, students can no longer be considered for the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan-Caltech Scholarship program.

3. Taiwan-Caltech Scholarship/Fellowship

  • Scholarship Page
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition, student fees, and a living stipend

The Ministry of Education of Taiwan offers the Taiwan-Caltech Scholarship to the university’s graduate students. It is a fellowship/scholarship program at Caltech that aims to help students with their academic endeavors. Taiwanese graduate students from across all programs are eligible to apply. To qualify, they must demonstrate high academic performance and must submit their application on or before the deadline posted on the fellowship’s page. If selected, they can no longer apply to the J. Yang Scholarship program. They will receive a stipend and tuition and fees remission.

4. Research and Teaching Assistantships

  • Scholarship Page
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition, student fees, and a living stipend

At the California Institute of Technology, scholarships may also be in the form of assistantships. Graduate students can apply to research and teaching assistantships, however, they cannot apply for a course in which they are enrolled. As TAs and RAs, they are required to work for 20 hours a week for 12 weeks and can extend up to 40 hours a week during the summer. Teaching assistants devote their time to class preparation tasks, grading papers, and assessments, and consulting with students. To teach classes, TAs must have high English proficiency. On the other hand, RAs perform research-related duties and assist a faculty in doing his or her research work. Both TAs and RAs must undergo training before working. These student employment opportunities allow them to develop professionally and academically along the way.

For instance, the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy has available Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions. Students will be assigned to teach undergraduate courses to classes with 20-25 students. In addition, they will also hold consultations, grade exams, and other paperwork, and participate in meetings. As compensation, they will receive full-tuition remission and living stipends. To qualify, they must demonstrate outstanding academic credentials and interest in teaching. Visit the PMA Teaching Assistantships page for more information.

Home to more than 600 international students, the California Institute of Technology ensures that all students can pursue their studies without any financial pressure. International students can enjoy the institute’s financial aid, such as scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. Along with that, they can also participate in the extracurricular activities included in the aid programs.

For international undergraduate students, visit the Undergraduate Admissions for International Citizens page to see how you can qualify for the institute’s aid programs.

Furthermore, international graduate students can visit the Graduate Studies Office Financial Support page. There are more funding opportunities waiting for you, including institute fellowships, external fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. They are all merit-based and each academic division offers them.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the USA Scholarships Page!