Can I have a scholarship and an H-1B at the same time?

In general, yes. There is no legal barrier to receiving a scholarship while working on an H-1B, as long as the conditions of each program are respected. They serve different purposes: the visa sustains the employment relationship; the scholarship supports education or research.

The H-1B remains valid as long as you meet the employment conditions agreed upon with your sponsoring employer. A scholarship is typically compatible when it is complementary to that role and does not become an activity that your work status does not authorize.

• Check whether the scholarship obligations (course load, classes) conflict with your H-1B position.
• A scholarship that involves paid work outside your H-1B employer deserves extra scrutiny.
• Any activity beyond what your status permits may create compliance issues.

Because each scholarship has its own rules, it is worth reading the terms carefully and, when in doubt, confirming with USCIS or an immigration professional that the combination preserves your status.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.