An obligatory condition: Fulbright recipients are required to return to their home countries for at least 2 years upon completion of the program.
Important: most universities, other things being equal, are more likely to choose someone who is able to pay the full tuition. For this case, need-blind universities exist. They only take into account a portfolio of a future student, not his financial condition.
Need-blind universities cover up to 100% of study expenses. The list includes the best universities, for example, Harvard. Yale too can give over $70,000 per year.
Only master's and PhD students can work as assistants. It can be a research assistantship or a teaching assistantship.
Assistantship with 100% compensation and an additional scholarship can be obtained, for example, at Georgia State University and University of Michigan.
Emory University merit-based scholarship covers tuition in full. So do Webb Institute, Hollins University, Hendrix College.
For example, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has an International Fellowship program for women from all over the world. The payment amount is $18,000 for master's students, $20,000 USD for PhD students and $30,000 for Postdoc students. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree can apply for this scholarship after applying to university.
There are other private and governmental scholarships, sports scholarships in the USA, and also local educational grants in students' home countries.
The program helps to prepare for studying at an American university and replaces the TOEFL exam. It is taught in a language school that cooperates with a list of American universities. The Pathway Program teaches how to write essays, prepare presentations, speak publicly, and helps to improve academic English. The course length is from 3 months to a year. The tuition fee for the program starts from $480 per month.