Now is the time to apply for the 2026–2027 Drexel University’s International Merit Program right from your phone without worrying about upfront payments, job loss, or immigration delays.
I will show you how international students from Nigeria, the UK, India, the UAE, and even retirees transitioning into new career paths can sign up easily for one of America’s most competitive merit scholarships.
With award values ranging from $15,000 to $33,000 per year, this program can drastically reduce your study costs and help you prepare for high-earning jobs starting from $48,000 to over $120,000 annually in the United States.
Why These Scholarships Matter
Let’s talk honestly. If you’ve ever dreamed of schooling in the USA, you already know how tuition fees can swallow the kind of money people save for retirement.
A typical undergraduate degree at Drexel University costs between $56,000 and $63,000 per year, excluding housing fees that fall between $9,600 and $18,000 annually depending on whether you choose on-campus or downtown Philadelphia apartments.
For many immigrants, foreign students, or even parents planning to sponsor their children, these figures are high enough to postpone your sign-up or application entirely.
That’s why this scholarship matters in 2026 and 2027 more than ever before. The Drexel International Merit Program reduces a large portion of tuition so you can focus on academics instead of scrambling for part-time jobs that pay $14–$20 per hour.
And even if you eventually decide to work on campus, which most international students do to support basic payments like groceries, transport, or phone bills, you do it with peace of mind because the pressure is reduced.
For families immigrating from regions like Lagos, Johannesburg, Toronto, London, or New Delhi, this scholarship lifts a massive financial weight.
It gives your child or dependent a chance to pursue high-demand degrees like Computer Science, Business Analytics, Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Architecture, and Software Development, all leading to job salaries between $58,000 and $140,000 in competitive US states such as California, New York, Texas, and Washington.
Another reason the scholarship matters is Drexel’s hands-on “Co-Op Program,” where students work full-time for Fortune 500 companies in the US.
These placements pay anywhere from $18 to $30 per hour, meaning students can earn between $15,000 and $34,000 in a single six-month co-op cycle.
The scholarship doesn’t just save you money; it positions you to make money even before graduation.
In a world where immigration requirements, visa applications, and proof of financial capacity get harder each year, reducing your total tuition obligation increases your chances of visa approval.
This is why the Drexel International Merit Program isn’t just another scholarship; it’s a strategic tool that opens U.S. career doors, stabilizes your financial outlook, and puts you on a path toward long-term professional growth in a global job market where salaries continue to rise.
And if you’re trying to sign up before deadlines close, or before competition skyrockets, this is exactly where you should begin.
What These Scholarships Covers
One thing I’ve noticed after working with thousands of families and immigrants is that most people underestimate what a merit scholarship actually covers in the United States.
Many assume it’s just a small discount meant to look fancy on a university’s website. But Drexel’s International Merit Program is different.
It is one of the few scholarship packages in the U.S. that significantly reduces your yearly tuition payments and allows you to channel more of your savings into housing, feeding, transportation, student insurance, and all the other living expenses that quickly add up.
The typical award for 2026–2027 ranges from $15,000 to $33,000 per academic year, depending on your academic strength, standardized test scores, portfolio (for creative majors), and overall application strength.
This reduces your annual tuition cost from the $60k range down to the more manageable $28k–$45k range.
Even more exciting? The scholarship is renewable for the full duration of your program, usually 4 to 5 years for undergraduate degrees, as long as you maintain satisfactory academic performance.
That means you could save anywhere between $60,000 and $150,000 over the entire course of your degree.
Here’s what the scholarship covers directly and indirectly:
Tuition Reduction
This is the primary coverage. Tuition is the most expensive part of studying in the U.S., especially in high-ranking private universities along the East Coast.
By covering tens of thousands of dollars annually, the burden becomes lighter for students and sponsors.
Boost for Immigration and Visa Approval
Although not a direct payment, having scholarship support boosts your financial credibility. Consular officers want to see that you can manage your academic expenses without over-relying on part-time jobs.
Indirect Savings
Some students save up to $8,000 per year simply because the scholarship allows them to choose more flexible housing.
With less pressure to meet tuition deadlines, families can negotiate cheaper apartments, choose meal plans that fit their budget, and avoid taking unnecessary student loans.
Co-Op Earning Potential
Drexel’s program integrates paid work experience. With students earning up to $34,000 during co-op cycles, some even use these earnings to settle part of their housing or feeding costs each year.
Access to High-Value Resources
You won’t pay extra for:
- Academic support centers
- Career services
- University-wide networking events
- Employer interactions that lead to high-paying jobs
- Innovation labs for tech and engineering students
If you’re the type who wants to secure a future in high-paying fields like data science ($95k median), cybersecurity ($120k+), or nursing ($75k+), then this scholarship gives you the financial breathing room to pursue those dreams comfortably.
Common Types of These Scholarships
When people hear “Drexel International Merit Program,” they often assume it’s a single scholarship with one fixed amount.
But in reality, Drexel offers several award categories tailored for immigrants, foreign students, transfer applicants, high-achievers, and even students coming from countries where the exchange rate makes U.S. tuition feel like a luxury purchase.
And because tuition sits between $56,000 and $63,000 per year, understanding which category you fall into helps you forecast your future payments, immigration planning, and even job expectations after graduation.
These merit scholarships usually fall into three major groups, each carrying different award values ranging between $15,000 and $33,000 per year:
1. Drexel International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
This is the most popular option and covers a large portion of tuition for high-performing students entering bachelor’s degrees.
Students from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Turkey, France, and the UAE often receive awards that reduce their annual tuition to the $28,000–$45,000 range.
Most recipients fit into categories such as:
- Students with a GPA of 3.5 and above
- Students with strong portfolios (design, architecture, animation, arts)
- Students with SAT/ACT scores in the above-average range
- Students with leadership, business or volunteering experience
This category is renewable every year for four or five years, meaning you could save up to $150,000 over the full program length.
2. Drexel Global Scholar Award
This award is more competitive because it focuses on students who demonstrate leadership, community impact, and global readiness.
It values applicants who show career commitment in fields like public health, business management, engineering, cybersecurity, and environmental science, programs where starting salaries range from $58,000 to over $120,000 annually.
Students selected for this award receive a higher scholarship tier due to their leadership and long-term value prospects.
3. Drexel Transfer Merit Scholarship
If you’re currently studying in Canada, the UK, Dubai, South Africa, Ghana, or anywhere globally and want to transfer after earning 15–60 college credits, Drexel offers transfer-specific merit awards ranging from $12,000 to $30,000 depending on academic performance.
This is perfect for students who started their education where tuition is cheaper and want to finish their degree in the U.S. while lowering total costs.
Many students use this path to reduce two years of high U.S. tuition and save between $40,000 and $80,000 in total.
How This Affects Visa and Job Planning
Knowing your scholarship category matters for your visa because consular officers evaluate whether your remaining expenses are manageable.
It also influences your future job opportunities since Drexel’s co-op employers, companies like Amazon, Comcast, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and CHOP, often recruit globally competitive students who already demonstrate academic excellence.
Eligibility Criteria
Many students underestimate these requirements and end up submitting incomplete applications. But here’s the truth: Drexel’s merit scholarships are accessible as long as you understand what admissions officers look for, and the entry point is not impossible.
Considering the university wants globally competitive students who will succeed in the job market (where salaries range between $55,000 and $140,000 depending on your major), they look at a mix of academic ability, leadership potential, clarity of purpose, and financial readiness.
Below are the common eligibility factors:
Academic Performance
Drexel evaluates:
- GPA (usually 3.3–3.8 range for most scholarship recipients)
- Class rank
- Rigorous coursework (A-levels, WAEC distinctions, IB, AP, or equivalent)
Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Sciences applicants tend to receive higher consideration due to the high-salary market demand in the U.S.
These degrees often lead to earnings between $70,000 and $125,000 within the first few years after graduation.
Standardized Test Scores (Optional but Powerful)
SAT scores of 1250 and above or ACT scores of 27 and above significantly raise your scholarship value.
These scores improve your competitiveness in the U.S. job market too, especially for internships at companies that pay $18–$30 per hour.
English Proficiency
International students must present one of the following unless exempt:
- TOEFL: 80+
- IELTS: 6.5+
- Duolingo: 120+
- PTE: 53+
Higher scores improve admissions strength and scholarship value, which reduces your annual payments.
Leadership & Community Participation
Students with volunteering experience, school leadership, church or mosque service roles, or community development projects gain stronger consideration.
Drexel especially values students who show global awareness, something that employers in high-income states like California, New York, and Washington reward.
Financial Stability
While the scholarship reduces tuition, applicants should still demonstrate the ability to pay their balance. This is important for immigration and visa approval.
Embassies often expect proof of at least $60,000–$75,000 to cover one year of study (tuition + living expenses), even if you’re awarded a merit scholarship.
Degree Program Selection
Some programs naturally receive more scholarship attention:
- Business Analytics
- Architecture
- Nursing
- Computer Engineering
- Data Science
- Biomedical Engineering
These programs have high salary outcomes ranging between $68,000 and $140,000, which makes you a great investment for Drexel.
Required Documents
Submitting the right documents is how you reduce delays, avoid additional payments, and increase your scholarship value.
Students often lose thousands of dollars in merit opportunities simply because they uploaded unclear transcripts or incomplete files.
Drexel’s 2026–2027 International Merit Program requires a clean, well-organized documentation set that admission officers can review quickly.
Here are the most important documents you must prepare:
1. Academic Transcripts
These must show strong academic history. WAEC, NECO, A-Levels, IB, AP courses, or high school transcripts from countries like the UK, Canada, and UAE are accepted.
Ensure they are stamped, signed, and properly scanned. A good transcript heavily influences merit values worth $15,000 to $33,000 per year.
2. English Test Results
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, or SAT Evidence-Based Reading scores can serve as proof. Higher scores contribute to higher merit awards.
3. Recommendation Letters
Typically, you need 2 letters. Drexel prefers letters from:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Employers (if you worked part-time)
Employers especially matter if you worked paid jobs earning $10–$20 per hour, as this demonstrates discipline.
4. Passport Data Page
Your passport should have at least two years of validity for immigration consistency. Many students lose opportunities because their passport expires earlier than expected.
5. Bank Statement or Financial Evidence
Even though this is a merit scholarship, immigration rules require showing financial ability. A bank statement of $60,000 to $75,000 for visa purposes is recommended. Your statement can come from parents, sponsors, guardians, or employers.
6. Personal Essay or Statement of Purpose
Students who write compelling stories about their academic journey, leadership roles, or job aspirations stand out. A well-written essay increases your value to Drexel and boosts your merit award potential.
Mentioning your desire to work under the co-op program, where you could earn $15,000–$34,000, strengthens your case.
7. Portfolio (for Design and Creative Majors)
If you’re applying for Architecture, Animation, Graphic Design, UX Design, or Game Art, your portfolio becomes a major deciding factor. Strong portfolios can increase scholarship values by $8,000 to $15,000 per year.
8. Application Form Confirmation
Whether you apply through the Drexel portal or Common App, ensure the final submission status shows “Completed.” Missing this step leads to application delays and missed merit deadlines.
How to Apply
If you’re planning to sign up for Drexel University’s International Merit Program for 2026–2027, the good news is that the application process is straightforward, fast, and accessible from your phone, laptop, or any small device that supports document uploads.
Families across Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Canada, Germany, the UK, and the UAE often begin their applications months before deadlines to avoid last-minute payments, errors, or missing documents that can cost them scholarship dollars worth up to $33,000 per year.
The application process itself does not require separate payment for the scholarship review. Instead, it is tied directly to your general admission application.
Once your admission is reviewed, the university automatically evaluates you for merit awards based on your grades, test scores, leadership, financial readiness, and degree selection.
Below is the exact process to apply properly and increase your chances of winning the highest scholarship values possible.
Step 1: Visit the Official Drexel Application Portal
Applicants can submit via:
- Drexel University’s official application portal
- The Common Application platform
Most international students prefer the Common App because it’s easy to use, drag-and-drop friendly, and allows you to complete the application within an hour if you have all your documents ready.
Step 2: Create Your Account and Fill Personal Information
You’ll need your name, passport details, address, phone number, and academic background. Make sure your details match your passport to avoid delays affecting immigration processes later.
Step 3: Upload Academic Transcripts and Test Scores
Drexel’s admission team uses your grades and scores to determine your scholarship category. Students with GPAs between 3.5 and 4.0 often receive higher awards from $25,000 to $33,000 annually.
SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo scores should be uploaded early. Higher scores increase your competitiveness significantly.
Step 4: Write and Upload Your Essay
Your essay is your sales pitch. It’s where you prove you’re an investment worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Mention leadership roles, community impact, future job plans, co-op ambitions, and what you want to earn after graduation.
When you mention realistic salary aspirations, like earning $75,000 in data analytics or $110,000 as a cybersecurity specialist, it shows seriousness and clarity.
Step 5: Add Recommenders
Provide the emails of your teachers, counselors, or employers. Drexel values students with work experience, even if the job paid $8–$18 per hour.
Step 6: Submit the Application and Pay the Application Fee
The fee ranges from $50 to $75 depending on the platform. You do not pay an additional fee for the scholarship.
Step 7: Monitor Your Email and Application Status
Drexel will send your admission decision and scholarship award details electronically. Most students receive decisions within 3–7 weeks depending on the volume of applications.
