If you’re an international student hoping to study in the United States without drowning in costs, Boise State University international scholarships are worth a serious look. Boise State, a public university in Idaho, automatically considers international undergraduate applicants for merit awards worth between $5,000 and $17,000 per year. Graduate students have their own route, including a scholarship that waives the non-resident part of tuition and assistantships offered through individual departments.
The best part for busy applicants: for undergraduates, there’s no separate scholarship essay or form. Your admission application is your scholarship application. That makes timing and preparation matter more than anything else, and this guide shows you how to get both right.
One honest caution first. Boise State states plainly that no fully funded undergraduate scholarships are offered at this time. These awards reduce your costs significantly, but they don’t remove them.
Key Benefits: What Boise State International Scholarships Actually Cover
For undergraduates, Boise State’s international scholarships are made up of two pieces:
- Non-Resident Scholarships (Ridgeline and Summit): available to all Boise State applicants who qualify as non-residents, including international students.
- Global Scholarships: open only to international students.
Here are the amounts the university lists for first-year applicants:
| Award | Amount per year |
| Ridgeline Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Summit Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Global Scholarship | $5,000 to $7,000 |
Transfer applicants are considered for Ridgeline Transfer, Summit Transfer and Global Scholarships at the same amounts.
How your GPA decides your award
The size of your package depends on your cumulative GPA. This is the table Boise State publishes:
| Cumulative GPA | Non-Resident Scholarship | Global Scholarship | Total per year |
| 3.100 to 3.299 | $5,000 | None | $5,000 |
| 3.300 to 3.499 | $10,000 | None | $10,000 |
| 3.500 to 3.749 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| 3.750 to 3.999 | $10,000 | $6,000 | $16,000 |
| 4.000 and above | $10,000 | $7,000 | $17,000 |
Two things stand out. First, the maximum combined total is $17,000 per year. Second, the Global Scholarship only starts at a 3.500 GPA, so the GPA bands matter.
Renewal
- First-year scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters), or until you graduate.
- Transfer scholarships are renewable for two years (four semesters), or until you graduate.
Renewal conditions, such as minimum GPA or credit load, are handled by Boise State’s Scholarship Office. Ask for the exact rules once you’re admitted, so you know what to maintain.
What the money doesn’t do
These awards reduce tuition costs. They won’t cover housing, food, flights, health insurance or visa fees. Build a full budget and compare it with your funding before you commit.
Who Boise State International Scholarships Are For: Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate Students
Boise State handles undergraduate and graduate funding differently, so it’s worth knowing which door you’re walking through.
Undergraduate students
This is where the automatic merit awards above apply. You qualify as either:
- A first-year applicant, meaning fewer than 14 transferable post-secondary credits earned after high school, or
- A transfer applicant, meaning 14 or more transferable post-secondary credits.
Graduate students (master’s)
Graduate funding works separately. Boise State’s graduate scholarship, the Gem Scholarship, waives the full-time non-resident portion of tuition. International Admissions describes the saving as roughly $19,000 per academic year. Many master’s programs also offer graduate assistantships or fellowships, with each program setting its own rules.
Postgraduate and doctoral students (PhD)
In U.S. terms, “postgraduate” generally means graduate study, so master’s and doctoral students are in the same category. The Gem Scholarship covers doctoral programs too, and doctoral students are often funded through assistantships. Funding varies sharply by department, so contact your target program early.
Continuing students
Students already enrolled may find additional awards, such as the Global Broncos scholarships for continuing international undergraduates. These are separate from the admissions scholarships, and the details change from year to year, so check with International Student Services.
Boise State University International Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate eligibility
To be considered for the automatic merit scholarships, you must meet all of these:
- Submit all required admissions materials by the deadline. That includes your application, application fee, English proficiency test scores, transcripts, a copy of your passport photo page, and anything else International Admissions requests.
- Apply to an eligible major. Ineligible majors are Construction Management, Nursing, Pre-Nursing, Radiological Science, Pre-Radiological Science, and self-supported or fully online programs.
- Be a first-time Boise State undergraduate degree-seeking student. Exchange, second-degree, non-degree and Pathway Program students are not eligible.
- Have an unweighted cumulative GPA of at least 3.100, as calculated by Boise State’s International Admissions Office or a NACES-member credential evaluation service.
- Be an Idaho non-resident for tuition purposes. Students who qualify for resident tuition aren’t eligible.
- Attend a school that is regionally accredited in the U.S. or an accredited school outside the U.S.
Graduate eligibility
For the Gem Scholarship, Boise State’s Graduate College says you need:
- A permanent residence outside Idaho (international students qualify)
- Acceptance into an eligible degree-seeking graduate program that charges out-of-state tuition
- An overall GPA of at least 3.30
Gem awards run for one year. They can be renewed for one more year in a master’s program and up to three more in a doctoral program, as long as you stay full-time and keep at least a 3.00 GPA. Some programs don’t charge out-of-state tuition and are therefore ineligible.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process for Boise State International Scholarships
Step 1: Pick an eligible major
Check this before anything else. If your dream program is Nursing or Radiological Science, the merit awards won’t apply, and it’s better to know now than after you’ve paid an application fee.
Step 2: Work out your GPA honestly
Boise State uses an unweighted cumulative GPA, calculated by its own office or by a credential evaluator. If you studied outside the U.S., your grades will be converted. Don’t guess. Contact International Admissions and ask how your school’s grading system, whether WAEC, NECO, IGCSE, A-levels or a university transcript, will be evaluated.
Step 3: Take your English test early
English proficiency scores are part of the required materials. I couldn’t confirm minimum scores from the scholarship page, so check the current requirement for your program on the admissions site. Book your test early so results arrive before the deadline.
Step 4: Gather and submit everything
Complete the application and pay the fee. The key point: all required materials must be received by the deadline, not just the form. A missing transcript can cost you scholarship consideration.
Apply here: Apply to Boise State International Admissions
Step 5: Apply as early as you can
Non-Resident Scholarships are guaranteed to students who meet the criteria and deadlines. Global Scholarships, however, are “subject to availability.” Boise State says that if funding runs short, priority goes to applicants in the order their admissions files were completed. Finishing your file early could be the difference between receiving a Global Scholarship and missing it.
Step 6: Check your admission letter
Offers are communicated in your admission letter. Afterward, the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will send further information to your Boise State student email, so check it regularly.
Step 7: Look for extra funding
Beyond the automatic awards, Boise State has a separate scholarship application for other awards outside the admissions process. External scholarships can also be used to reduce your cost of attendance.
Graduate students: a different path
If you’re applying for graduate study, your steps are slightly different: contact your department about assistantships, check the Gem Scholarship deadlines, and ask whether you need to submit anything beyond your admissions application.
Required Documents Checklist
Undergraduate applicants:
- Completed admission application
- Application fee
- English proficiency test scores
- Official transcripts (and a credential evaluation if requested)
- Copy of your passport photo page
- Any additional documents International Admissions requests
Graduate applicants: requirements differ by program, so check your department’s page. Expect transcripts, English test scores and often statements, recommendations or a CV. Assistantship applications may need extra forms.
After admission, for your visa: Boise State must see evidence of funds covering at least one year of its estimated cost of attendance before issuing immigration paperwork. This can combine personal funds, family sponsorship, scholarships or assistantship funding. Your scholarship counts toward this, but you’ll likely need to show the rest.
Important Deadlines and Timeline
Here are the deadlines on Boise State’s pages at the time of writing:
Undergraduate merit scholarships
- Spring 2027 entry: October 1, 2026 (this has already passed)
- Fall 2027 entry: December 15, 2026
Graduate Gem Scholarship
- Fall entry: February 15
- Spring entry: October 1
Not every graduate program admits students for both terms. Assistantship and departmental funding deadlines vary by program, so check each one.
A realistic preparation timeline
For fall entry, working backward from mid-December gives you a plan:
- 3 to 4 months before: research your major, confirm eligibility, request transcripts.
- 2 to 3 months before: book and take your English test.
- 6 to 8 weeks before: have your credential evaluation done if needed.
- At least 4 weeks before: submit your complete file, with every document uploaded.
Remember that a deadline isn’t the goal. Because Global Scholarships can depend on completion order, submitting well ahead of December 15 is the safer choice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting for the deadline. The Global Scholarship is limited. Applying last-minute puts you at the back of the queue.
Submitting an incomplete file. An application isn’t “complete” until every document has arrived.
Choosing an ineligible major without checking. Nursing, Radiological Science and Construction Management are excluded, as are fully online and self-supported programs.
Assuming you’ll get a full scholarship. Boise State says it offers no fully funded undergraduate scholarships. Plan your budget accordingly.
Relying on outdated blog posts. This is a big one. Older websites list awards under names like the Treasure Scholarship, Global Excellence and Global Distinction, or Foothills, with different amounts. Boise State’s current page describes Ridgeline, Summit and Global Scholarships. Always follow the university’s own page.
Not budgeting for non-tuition costs. Housing, food, insurance and flights add up quickly.
Forgetting the visa funding proof. Even with a scholarship, you must show you can cover the first year.
Insider Tips to Improve Your Chances
These are practical observations drawn from how the scholarships are structured, not promises from the university.
- Protect your GPA before you apply. Because the award is formula-driven, even a small GPA increase can move you into a higher band. The jump from 3.499 to 3.500 unlocks an additional $5,000 Global Scholarship.
- Ask about GPA conversion early. If your transcript uses a non-U.S. system, a slow evaluation could delay your complete file.
- Treat “complete file” as your real deadline. Count the date by which every document will have arrived, including international mail times for any hard copies.
- Consider a cheaper major if funding is the priority. Eligibility is by major, so double-check that yours qualifies before falling in love with a program.
- Email International Admissions with specific questions. The office lists an email address and phone number on its page, and a precise question gets a better answer than a vague one.
- For graduate study, write to faculty. Assistantships are often controlled by departments or individual professors. A concise, specific email about your research interests can open doors.
- Stack funding where allowed. Outside scholarships can reduce your cost of attendance. Our guide to the MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship covers one external option, and our guides to Chevening Scholarships and Knight-Hennessy Scholars cover graduate-level routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out a separate scholarship application?
For the undergraduate merit awards, no. You’re automatically considered when you apply for admission and meet the deadline.
What’s the maximum Boise State scholarship for international undergraduates?
Up to $17,000 per year, combining Non-Resident and Global Scholarships.
Are Boise State international scholarships fully funded?
No. The university says no fully funded undergraduate scholarships are offered at this time.
What GPA do I need?
At least 3.100 unweighted for undergraduate merit awards. Graduate Gem Scholarship applicants need an overall GPA of at least 3.30.
Are the scholarships renewable?
First-year awards renew for up to four years, and transfer awards for two years, or until you graduate. Check renewal conditions with the Scholarship Office.
Can transfer students apply?
Yes, with the same award amounts, if you meet the criteria.
Which majors are excluded?
Construction Management, Nursing, Pre-Nursing, Radiological Science, Pre-Radiological Science, and self-supported or fully online programs.
What if there isn’t enough Global Scholarship funding?
Boise State says it usually has enough to award everyone who qualifies, but if not, priority goes by the order in which files were completed.
Can I combine scholarships?
Yes. Non-Resident and Global Scholarships combine up to $17,000 per year, and you can also apply for other Boise State or external scholarships.
Are there funding options for master’s and PhD students?
Yes: the Gem Scholarship, assistantships and fellowships, depending on your program.
Can I apply if I already have a degree?
Second-degree students aren’t eligible for the undergraduate merit awards, which are for first-time undergraduate degree-seeking students.
How will I know if I got an award?
It’s shown in your admission letter, followed by emails from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
Boise State’s approach is refreshingly simple: apply for admission well, on time, and with a complete file, and the scholarship follows if you qualify. There’s no essay to polish for the undergraduate awards, so your effort goes into your grades, your documents and your timing.
Here’s what to do now:
- Confirm your intended major is eligible.
- Check your GPA and ask how it will be converted.
- Book your English test.
- Aim to submit a complete application well before December 15.
- If you’re a graduate applicant, contact your department about assistantships and check the Gem Scholarship deadlines.
A scholarship won’t solve everything, but a $10,000 to $17,000 annual reduction can change whether studying abroad is realistic. Start early, stay organized and ask questions.
A note from the author: scholarship amounts, deadlines, eligible majors and policies change often. This article reflects what Boise State’s official pages said at the time of writing. Before you apply, please verify every detail directly with Boise State’s International Admissions Office and official website.