text: what are the ways to get a full scholarship for a graduate study as a foreigner in the united states? i am a turkish, political science major, high-honour student. if you get into top 35 phd program you will probably get full scholarship for the first 5 years of your study. you will not be required to work in the first year, but in years 2-5 you will,  have to work as a teaching or research assistant for 20 hours a week. in lower ranked programs financing is usually tighter, so they will base on merit and financial need.