Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarship at Miami University (USA): No Application Fee & No IELTS!

Hi everyone, and welcome back! I have been receiving so many questions from my “bachelor’s people” asking: “why only Master’s and PhD? What about us undergraduate students?”

Well, I heard you! I found an incredible opportunity for those of you who have finished high school (Senior Six) with good grades. Miami University in the USA is offering a massive scholarship opportunity that you do not want to miss.

The Presidential Fellows Program: A “Juicy” Full Ride

The standout opportunity here is the Presidential Fellows Program. This is a fully-funded, four-year renewable scholarship. If you are selected, the benefits are amazing:

Full Tuition & Fees: Completely covered.
Housing & Food: Your room and board are taken care of.
$5,000 Stipend: A one-time payment for personal use.
Exclusive Access: Tailored programs like the U-LED conference.

Essentially, there is no “suffering” involved—everything you need to succeed is provided.

Why You Should Apply Right Now

No Application Fee: If you apply by December 1st, you can select the “Miami fee waiver” on your application and save $50.
No English Test (IELTS/TOEFL) Required: If you come from a country where English is the primary language of instruction (like Uganda, Kenya, or Tanzania), you are exempted. As long as your high school certificates (like the UCE) show a credit in English, you don’t need to worry about Duolingo or IELTS.
Multiple Choices: They allow you to choose up to three different courses (majors) in your application. Whether you are a science student interested in Chemical Engineering and Data Science, or an arts student looking at Economics and Communication Design, there is something for you.

Key Requirements & Eligibility

To be considered for the Presidential Fellows Program and other merit scholarships, you need to apply via the Common App. Here is your checklist:

High School Transcripts: These can be “unofficial” (scanned copies) at the time of application.
Recommendation Letter: You need at least one from a school counselor or a teacher who knows you well.
The SAT/ACT (Optional but Recommended): While Miami University is test-optional, I highly recommend taking the SAT. Aiming for a score of 1,300 or above puts you on a much higher “pedestal” for these competitive awards. You can register at www.collegeboard.com.
Current University Students: If you are currently in your first year at a university (like Makerere or Kyambogo) but want to start fresh in the USA, you can still apply!

Important Deadlines

Mark your calendars! You must be proactive to secure these spots.

Priority Deadline: December 1st. This is the date you must hit to be considered for the Presidential Fellows Program and the fee waiver.
Regular Decision Deadline: April 1st. This is when most final decisions are sent out.

Pro-Tip: In the Common App, there is a section that asks if you want to be considered for scholarships. Make sure you say YES. By applying to the university, you are automatically considered for the International Education Scholarship and University Merit Scholarships as well. If you don’t get the Presidential Fellowship, you might still land one of these!

How to Get Started

Go to the Common App website.
Search for Miami University (located in Ohio, USA).
Upload your documents and select your three course choices.
Submit before December 1st!

Applying through the Common App can feel like a lot, but if you break it down into these four steps, you’ll be done in no time.

Here is your step-by-step guide to applying to Miami University (Ohio) for the full-ride scholarship.

Step 1: Set Up Your Common App

Create an Account: Go to CommonApp.org and register as a “First Year Student.”
Add Miami University: Go to the “College Search” tab, type “Miami University (Ohio)”, and click the “+” button to add it to your list.
Select Your Term: Choose Fall 2026 (August).

Step 2: Fill Out the “Miami University” Specific Section

Once you click on Miami University in your “My Colleges” tab, you need to look for these specific questions:

The Fee Waiver (Very Important!):
- In the “Questions” section under General, look for the application fee question.
- Select “Miami Fee Waiver” from the drop-down menu. If you do this by December 1st, you won’t have to pay the $70 fee!
The Scholarship Interest (Don’t skip this!):
- Look for the question asking about the Honors College.
- Select YES. This is the secret door to the Presidential Fellows Program. By showing interest in the Honors College, you are automatically put in the running for the full-ride scholarship.
Choose Your Courses (Majors):
- You can list up to three majors. Be sure to pick ones that match what you studied in High School (Senior Six) to show you are a strong candidate.

Step 3: Gather and Upload Your Documents

In the “Common App” tab (the main profile section), you will need:

Transcripts: Scan your O-Level and A-Level (Senior Four and Senior Six) results. You can upload these as “unofficial” for now.
Recommendation: Go to the “Recommenders and FERPA” section. You will need the email address of your teacher or headteacher. The Common App will send them a link to upload your recommendation letter directly.
The Personal Essay: This is your chance to tell your story. Write about your leadership, your goals, and why you want to study in the USA.

Step 4: Final Review and Submit

Double-check everything: Ensure you selected “Yes” for the Honors College and chose the “Miami Fee Waiver.”
Submit by December 1st: To be considered for the Presidential Fellows Program, your application must be fully submitted by midnight on December 1st.

Quick Tips for Success:

English Waiver: Even though the app asks for IELTS, remember that as a student from Uganda or Kenya, your high school transcripts with a passing grade in English serve as your proof. You don’t need to pay for an extra test!
Check Your Email: After you submit, Miami University will send you a link to an “Applicant Status Page.” Check this every few days to make sure they aren’t missing any documents.

This is a competitive opportunity, but I know you can make it. Don’t keep this to yourself—share this post with your friends who just finished their exams or are in their first year of uni.

Was this article helpful?

Yes0No0