🎓 From Dhaka to Kent State: Nufat's Journey to a $17,000 US Scholarship

Posted on July 20, 2025 | Scholarship Success Story
University campus

For many students in Dhaka, studying abroad is a dream often limited by financial constraints. This is the story of one Bangladeshi student who navigated that path—without agents—and earned a $17,000 per year scholarship to Kent State University, USA.

Why Nufat Chose the USA Over Canada or Australia

Like many Bangladeshi students, Nufat initially explored Canada and Australia. However, after comparing tuition costs, scholarship opportunities, and application systems, the USA stood out clearly.

"Canadian universities offered limited funding for undergraduates. Australian options were even more expensive, with fewer merit-based scholarships."

In contrast, American universities provided:

  • Automatic and competitive scholarships for international students
  • Flexible applications through platforms like the Common App
  • A holistic review process considering academics, extracurriculars, and personal essays

🔍 How Nufat Discovered Kent State University

When shortlisting universities, Nufat prioritized three key factors:

Aerospace Engineering Program Quality

  • Faculty qualifications and industry experience
  • Modern facilities and research opportunities
  • Industry partnerships and internship programs

Scholarship Availability

Kent State offered renewable merit-based scholarships specifically for international students every year.

Location Advantages

Located in Ohio, Kent State provided:

  • Lower cost of living compared to coastal cities
  • Safe campus environment with diverse student population
  • Proximity to aerospace industry hubs

💰 Breaking Down the $17,000 Scholarship

Kent State's annual tuition stood at about $22,000. Thanks to Nufat's strong academic record, impressive extracurricular activities, and compelling personal essays, he received the maximum scholarship award of $17,000 per year.

This brought his tuition down to just $5,000 per year. With on-campus part-time work, this amount was easily reachable.

✅ Was It Worth It for Nufat?

Absolutely. Nufat is now thriving in his aerospace engineering program at Kent State. He's gaining practical experience through research projects, building a professional network through industry events.

Most importantly, Nufat proved that strategic planning and diligent research can make a US education affordable for Bangladeshi students without relying on expensive consultants.

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