For many Indian families living in America, the idea of their child getting a top US college education is a big dream.

But often, there’s a worry: “Can my child really get a scholarship, especially a full ride, if they’re on a dependent visa like an H4?” This feeling is totally understandable, as the rules for college money can seem super confusing. Because of this worry, families might not even try very hard for scholarships, or they just accept that they’ll have to pay everything. But what if I told you there’s a smarter way? It’s about attracting scholarships, not just endlessly chasing them, and it can open doors to millions of dollars for talented students.

You often hear that only US citizens or green card holders get good college money, or that big international scholarships are just for kids who are really struggling financially. While it’s true that federal money isn’t for dependent visa holders, there’s a huge opportunity many people miss: scholarships given directly by the colleges themselves, based on merit. Colleges all over the US are actively looking for bright, diverse, and unique students. And guess what? Merit scholarships are their favorite way to bring these students in, no matter what kind of visa they have.

The real secret to getting a college to offer you a big scholarship isn’t just having perfect grades. It’s also not about filling out hundreds of generic scholarship forms. Instead, it’s about building a student profile so amazing and so perfectly matched to what a university cares about that they literally want to invest in that student. This means you need a smart plan, starting early, to really grow your child’s special strengths and passions.

One of the best ways to do this is to develop a “spike.” Think of a spike as your child’s superpower—one or two areas where they are deeply involved and have achieved something really special. For example, if your child loves neuroscience, they shouldn’t just take a science class. They could do their own research, volunteer in a lab, or even start a project in their community to help people with brain health issues. This shows colleges that your child isn’t just smart; they’re a go-getter, a leader, and truly committed to something, which is super attractive to schools looking for future stars.

Beyond strong grades (and yes, taking tough classes like AP or IB and getting good test scores is still important!), colleges want to see real-world experiences. This means doing things like meaningful research, internships where they learn practical skills, or taking on leadership roles where they actually make a difference. If your child dreams of being a doctor, this could look like spending lots of hours volunteering in a hospital, shadowing doctors, or even starting a health awareness campaign in their neighborhood. These experiences prove your child’s drive, how they solve problems, and how much they can contribute to the college and the world.

And here’s another big piece: telling your child’s story well. The essays and interviews are where your child’s true voice, kindness, smart thinking, and leadership really shine. Helping them create a clear story that connects all their different activities to what they care about and what they want to do in the future lets colleges see the amazing person they are, not just a list of achievements.

So, why do colleges give so much scholarship money to dependent visa holders? Colleges want to build exciting and diverse student groups. They know that students from the Indian community often bring unique cultural views, strong academic backgrounds, and a deep desire to do well. Offering scholarships is a great way to attract these top students, making the college a better place and building a strong network of future alumni, no matter their visa status.

For Indian families on dependent visas, the path to a full ride or a big scholarship starts with planning early and smartly. Here’s what that looks like:

• Start Early: Building a special profile takes time, ideally beginning in 9th or 10th grade.
• Pick Smart Classes: Choose the hardest classes available and aim to do great in them.
• Grow a “Spike”: Find a true passion and go deep with it through projects, research, and leadership roles.
• Get Real Experiences: Focus on quality over quantity in activities, doing things that make a real difference.
• Learn to Tell Your Story: Practice sharing your unique journey and dreams in college applications in a strong way.
• Research Smart: Find colleges known for giving good merit scholarships to all kinds of students, including international ones.

To sum it up, the idea that Indian students on dependent visas can’t get big scholarships is just not true. While getting college money can be tricky, if you plan ahead and build a strong profile, your child can go from just hoping for money to actually attracting it. By focusing on good academics, unique passions, real-world impact, and great storytelling, these students can get millions in funding, making their American college dreams affordable and real.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.

Related posts:

The Food Factor In Autism Rep. Ro Khanna Introduces Bill to Help Families and Child Care Workers  Legal Perspective: SEVIS Terminations Leave International Students in Limbo and Searching for Practical Solutions  Reliance Foundation Awards 5,000 Undergraduate Scholarships on Dhirubhai Ambani’s 92nd Birth Anniversary