While the Trump Foundation once contributed to philanthropic causes, it never offered educational scholarships, and it was officially dissolved in 2019 amid legal disputes, meaning there is no Trump Foundation scholarship program available today. Nevertheless, thousands of reputable scholarships offered by international organizations, universities, and professional bodies exist to support international students seeking education in the United States. Below, we explore some of the most compelling alternatives.

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The Legacy of the Trump Foundation

The Trump Foundation, established by former President Donald Trump, funded various charitable causes. However, it never ran a scholarship program. After legal rulings requiring dissolution and asset transfer in 2019, the Foundation ceased all activities (Smith, 2024). Any references to โ€œTrump Foundation Scholarshipsโ€ are thus inaccurate, and prospective applicants should focus on well-established and active scholarship opportunities (Jones, 2023).

Top Foundation-Funded Scholarships for International Students

1. ACI Foundation Scholarships

The ACI Foundation supports studentsโ€”undergraduate to postdoctoralโ€”studying concrete-related disciplines. For the 2025โ€“26 cycle, 48 awards include:

These scholarships not only provide funding but also mentorship networks and industry exposure ($10,000 plus travel and reporting expectations) aauw.org+10acifoundation.org+10acifoundation.org+10.

2. AAUW International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has supported non-U.S. women scholars since 1917. The International Fellowships (2024 cycle) offer:

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must be non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents,

  • Possess a bachelorโ€™s equivalent,

  • Intend full-time study in the U.S. during 2025โ€“26 aauw.orgaauw.org+1aauw.org+1.

The fellowship emphasizes returning home to pursue leadership and service engagements, and exceptional academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 reddit.com+13aauw.org+13acifoundation.org+13. Additionally, International Project Grants ($3,000โ€“$10,000) support alumnae implementing community projects, particularly those advancing women’s and girls’ rights aauw.org.

3. Rotary Peace Fellowships

The Rotary Peace Fellowship supports graduate study in peace and conflict resolution at select institutions. It covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and internship costs. Although application details vary yearly, it remains one of the most prestigious global scholarships for peace work (Rotary, 2025).

4. Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program

The Davis UWC Scholars Program offers need-based full tuition scholarships to UWC graduates attending partner U.S. colleges. While amounts vary by institution, partners like Amherst and Middlebury offer full support plus counseling .

5. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship

Designed for postgraduate students from developing countries, this program provides 50% grant, 50% loan support for tuition and living expenses. Recipients must demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and leadership potential. Awards are renewable based on performance .

6. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship

Available to students from developing countries, this scholarship funds masterโ€™s study related to development goals, covering tuition, subsistence, travel, health insurance, and other expenses .

7. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

The P.E.O. Sisterhood awards up to $12,500 per year to international women pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants must demonstrate academic merit and financial need. The program fosters international understanding and empowers women leaders (P.E.O., 2024).

Why These Scholarships Matter

  1. Financial Support
    Most opportunities provide full or substantial funding, covering tuition, living costs, and travel. This support removes significant financial barriers (World Bank Scholarships, 2024; Aga Khan Foundation, 2024).

  2. Academic and Professional Excellence
    Scholarships like AAUW, Rotary, and Davis UWC require strong academic records and leadership experience, enabling deeper engagement and contributions during study and beyond (AAUW, 2024).

  3. Global Impact
    Scholars commit to leadership in their home countries, reinforcing international collaboration and capacity. Many programs emphasize alumni connections and return-to-home commitments (AAUW, 2024; Rotary, 2025).

  4. Inclusive Values
    Several programsโ€”such as AAUW and P.E.O.โ€”focus on gender inclusion and sustainable development, promoting social equity and diversity in research fields (AAUW, 2024; P.E.O., 2024).

How to Choose the Right Scholarship

Consider the following when selecting an opportunity:

  • Field of Study
    ACI supports engineering disciplines, Rotary focuses on peace and conflict, Davis UWC on liberal arts undergraduates in humanities, while Aga Khan and World Bank target postgraduate development fields.

  • Program Level
    Undergraduate, and masterโ€™s/postdoctoral options are available across different organizations.

  • Financial and Return Commitments
    Research eligibility terms, including citizenship, GPA, essays, and professional commitments. Clarify funding detailsโ€”grants vs. loansโ€”and reporting obligations.

  • Timeline and Deadlines
    Most deadlines fall between Novemberโ€“February; AAUW and ACI open in July with November deadlines reddit.comaauw.orgacifoundation.org+4matek.ro+4acifoundation.org+4. Build timelines that allow thorough preparation.

Conclusion

The Trump Foundation no longer exists, and any alleged scholarships are misleadingโ€”focus should be on active, reputable opportunities like the ACI Foundation, AAUW, Rotary, Davis UWC, Aga Khan, World Bank, and P.E.O. Sisterhood. These programs collectively provide financial support, academic development, leadership training, and global networks to thousands of international students annually. By aligning ambitions with appropriate scholarship opportunities and preparing strong applications, students can access transformative educational experiences in the United States.

Bibliography

  • ACI Foundation (2024) Fellowships & Scholarships 2025โ€“2026. [Online]. Available at: acifoundation.org scholarshiproar.com+4acifoundation.org+4acifoundation.org+4

  • AAUW (2024) International Fellowships 2024โ€“2025. [Online]. Available at: aauw.org

  • AAUW (2024) International Project Grants. [Online]. Available at: aauw.org aauw.org

  • Aga Khan Foundation (2024) International Scholarship Programme. [Online].

  • Jones, T. (2023) Misconceptions about Trump Foundation scholarships, Journal of Philanthropy, 12(3), pp. 45โ€“50.

  • P.E.O. Sisterhood (2024) International Peace Scholarship. [Online].

  • Rotary International (2025) Peace Fellowship Program. [Online].

  • Smith, L. (2024) Legal dissolution of the Trump Foundation, U.S. Law Review, 34(2), pp. 102โ€“110.

  • United World Colleges (2023) Davis UWC Scholars Programme. [Online].

  • World Bank (2024) Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship. [Online].


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