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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Finland


2 Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Arts
  • Science/Public Health
  • Environmental
  • Business
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

Up to 2 awards are offered to pursue study or research at the Master's or Doctoral level at the Aalto University. The grant is primarily targeted for students who wish to complete a full Master's degree at Aalto University. Also other students, such as academically talented doctoral students and Master’s degree exchange students (non-degree students) can be considered for the grant.

The Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award includes:

  • a monthly grant (EUR 1 000) for 9 months
  • a travel award (USD 1 600)
  • a full-tuition scholarship*
  • Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school on Finnish language and culture
  • residence permit allowance (based on the actual permit fees, including grantee and accompanying family members)

*Based on the agreement with the Fulbright Finland Foundation, Aalto University awards a scholarship for the recipients of the Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award to cover the annual tuition fee. The tuition scholarship is granted also for the second year of master's studies provided that the grantee has been successful in their studies during the first year.

Please see further information on the benefits on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Grant term begins in early September. In exceptional circumstances, the Fulbright Commission may consider beginning the grant period later in the year. If this is your preference, please indicate it explicitly in your application.

The grantee will be eligible, free of charge, to participate in a Fulbright Finland Foundation pre-approved summer school in Finland consisting of courses on Finnish language, culture and society, pending availability of suitable programs.

The Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes an Arrival Orientation in Finland in the capital city region in late August. The orientation is a compulsory part of the grant program.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation
Candidate Profile

The grant is primarily targeted for students who wish to complete a full Master's degree at Aalto University. 

In the absence of qualified Master’s degree students, also other students, such as academically talented doctoral students and Master’s degree exchange students (non-degree students) can be considered for the grant. 

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

For Fulbright Finland alumni blogs, videos, and articles on their experiences in Finland, please refer to the Fulbright Finland Foundation U.S. Student Program website.

You can also follow the grantees' activities on the Foundation's social media channels:

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fulbright.finland/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulbrightfinland/

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
4 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible

Please see further eligibility information on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

In the Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select Aalto University from the drop-down menu to be considered for this award.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Finnish or Swedish language proficiency is not required unless it is needed to successfully complete the project / study plan. Applicants do not necessarily need Finnish or Swedish in order to be able to study in Finland. Finnish universities have a wide selection of programs and courses taught in English.

English is widely spoken in academic circles and in the country as a whole. Candidates should consult the academic department as to the availability of courses and programs in English, as well as the possibility of successfully conducting research in English. Some study of local languages prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

Candidates are responsible for establishing contact and securing an affiliation with Aalto University and are required to apply independently for admission to the university and comply with their application deadlines.

Research students

Research students must submit the "Commitment to Host a Fulbright Research Student" form with the Fulbright grant application. The form needs to be filled in and signed by your host.

Degree students

Attach your university acceptance letter to your Fulbright Application if you have received it already. However, if you don't have the university admission letter by the Fulbright application deadline due to the university application schedule, explain this situation and the university application schedule clearly in your Fulbright application and submit the university application as soon as the university application period opens. 

Non-degree Students

Please see specific instructions on the Finnish Fulbright Commission website.

University admission guidelines can be found on the university websites or by contacting the International Coordinator at the school or department to which you wish to apply.

Please see further instructions on the letter of affiliation for degree-seeking students at the Finnish Fulbright Commission website.

Please see more information on academic programs and courses on the Aalto University website.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

Please see details on the cost of study in Finland and the university provided scholarships at the Study in Finland website and from the Finnish Fulbright Commission website.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1000 monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]
  • a monthly grant (EUR 1 000) for 9 months
  • a travel award (USD 1 600)
  • a full-tuition scholarship*
  • Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school on Finnish language and culture
  • residence permit allowance (based on the actual permit fees, including grantee and accompanying family members)

*Based on the agreement with the Fulbright Finland Foundation, Aalto University awards a scholarship for the recipients of the Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award to cover the annual tuition fee. The tuition scholarship is granted also for the second year of master's studies provided that the grantee has been successful in their studies during the first year.

Please see further information on the benefits on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.

One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

Up to 1150 in
€ [Euro]
  • Language training allowance
Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar

Grantees are provided with many enrichment events during the academic year, for example, the American Voices seminar in the fall and the Mid-year meeting in the Spring.

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Tuition

·         If you are a non-EU/EEA student applying to English-taught Master's degree program in order to complete a full degree at a Finnish institution, you will be required to pay tuition (app. 4 000 - 21 000 USD/year).

·         Finnish universities provide scholarships for tuition. Also, the Fulbright Finland Foundation awards funded in partnership with Finnish universities include a full-tuition scholarship as part of the Fulbright grantee benefit package (please see further information at the specific award websites).

·         In Finland, tuition fees are not charged for Doctoral studies, or degree courses offered in Finnish or Swedish. Exchange students are usually not charged tuition fees, either.

·         Please see more details on tuition fees and university-provided scholarships on the Study in Finland website and on the universities' websites.

·         The student is responsible for finding out if fees apply and for covering fee costs.

Budgeting 

·         Please find living cost information on the Study in Finland website and on the universities' websites.

·         We have also collected living cost information on the Foundation's website.

·         Please note that whether your status at the Finnish university entitles you to student-discounted meals, travel, and housing, has a significant effect on your total budget. For example, doctoral students are not entitled to subsidized meals, travel discounts, low-cost student housing, or Student Health Services. Thus, make sure you find out what benefits you will be entitled to as a student in Finland by contacting your host university’s International Office well before arriving in Finland.

Funding second-year living costs as a Master's student: Find out here how the previous Master's students have funded their living costs during the second year of their studies in Finland.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing for the grant term. They are provided with tips and support during the process.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Karoliina Kokko: USstudents@fulbright.fi