Scholarships for International Students (Fully-funded)2024-2025

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Many international students dream of studying abroad with scholarships, and for some lucky ones, this dream becomes a reality. While foreign education can offer a great boost to your career, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Getting admission to reputable universities overseas is not easy, and even after being accepted, students often face financial difficulties and other obligations that are not supported by significant resources. These issues can impede academic progress and make studying abroad a difficult experience.

This is an opportunity for you to overcome financial obstacles and make wise choices. Scholarships from abroad and student loans are excellent options to consider for paying your education fees and traveling for studies. To ensure a successful application process and avoid financial concerns, the most important thing is to act promptly and pay attention to every little detail.

This article provides information on the top 5 scholarships for international students who wish to study abroad, including details on how to apply, the duration of the scholarships, what they cover and more.

How to Apply for Scholarships for International Students to Study Abroad?

1. Scholarship deadlines differ from university to university; information is available on each institution’s website.
2. Determine the scholarships you are eligible for. For international students, not all scholarships are available. There are occasionally specific awards given to innovators, entrepreneurs, etc. These need to be sought after.
3. There are individual website pages for government scholarships.
4. In most cases, a form that must be filled out with the student’s basic information and application number is present.
5. If there is a choice, one should upload their most recent CV, which details all of their accomplishments in the fields of work, education, and volunteerism.

In some circumstances, a Statement of Purpose is required to explain why the applicant deserves the scholarship. This document resembles the one created for the course application very closely.

Scholarships in UK for International Students

There are several government scholarships that pay the full cost of tuition. Because there are so many applicants, one must be exceptional to be selected.

• GREAT Scholarships: Only available to students with Indian passports, full tuition is covered if you have a letter of acceptance from one of the 25 institutions on the list, which includes schools like Newcastle University, UCL London, and The University of Nottingham.
• Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships: to be used by international students from all Commonwealth nations (including India). Jan.–Feb. is when deadlines expire.
• Hornby Scholarships: Awards for English teachers who teach the language to non-native speakers. Typically, they have deadlines in February. Get more information on Hornby Scholarships.

One can also visit each university’s scholarship and bursaries page that made the shortlist to learn more about scholarship offers, requirements, eligibility, and deadlines. Some universities also give students discounts depending on their circumstances, such as if their parents are alumni or if their financial situation is dire.

Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students

New Zealand scholarships for Indian students & other international students are as follows:

• New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS): New Zealand’s government makes these scholarships available for international Ph.D. students. University tuition fees(up to NZ$25,000) and health insurance is covered(NZ$600).
• New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships: Indian master’s or Ph.D. students in New Zealand are eligible for this scholarship. This scholarship covers the cost of tuition, as well as living expenses, travel expenses, and health insurance.
• New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA): NZEA features scholarships across all eight universities, allowing Indian students to experience New Zealand excellence in various fields.
• New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarship: The New Zealand government provides financial support to international students seeking admission to full-time undergraduate courses in the country’s universities (3 years). Supported by the Education New Zealand Trust, it is a merit-based scholarship for students who have completed their secondary education.
• Scholarships in Australia for International Students
• The Australian government offers international students scholarships worth AUD 200 million. They depend on several things, including your merit and country of origin.
• Australian Awards Scholarships: The Australian government provides this scholarship to foreign students. It only applies to students from a limited number of nations.
• Commonwealth Scholarships apply to Australian universities.
• Research Training Program (RTP) is a scholarship available to domestic and international research graduates from a few participating universities.
• Several Dean’s scholarships could be fully funded, depending on your university.
• Monash University, University of Sydney, Newcastle, UTS, etc. are some of the good universities (offers from AUD $2000 to AUD $10,000)  that reserve some scholarships for international students.

Each university lists a unique set of scholarships for international students from various nations on its website. Verify the scholarships offered by the universities you are applying to for your course.

Scholarships in Canada for International Students

To lure the top applicants to master’s and Ph.D. programs, the Canadian government has established a number of scholarships for foreign students. Since these scholarships are awarded based solely on merit, you should excel in both your extracurricular activities and academics. They also make an effort to determine your potential for further research. While some scholarships are field-specific and available to all students attending all universities, others are not (like Ontario).

• The Ontario Graduate Scholarship and Ontario Trilium Scholarship are examples of region-specific scholarships. They are applicable to universities only in the Ontario region of Canada.
• International students may also qualify for some of the government scholarships, such as the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program, Vanier Canada Scholarships, and Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships.
• Banting Postdoctoral Scholarships are given to international students who wish to pursue Ph.D. degrees.
• Canada Graduate Scholarship is valued at $17,500 for one year and is a non-renewable scholarship for graduate research students.
• NSERC Scholarships are awarded to extraordinary students in the fields of engineering and natural sciences.

There are also numerous university-specific scholarships available in Canada. Their websites will have information about these. The total grants could range from $2,000 to being fully funded.

Scholarships in France for International Student

Some universities, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the French embassy in India all provide scholarships for international students. Some universities offer students (30 years of age or younger) who meet the criteria for academic excellence 10,000 EUR scholarships each year. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program, run by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, awards scholarships to students primarily enrolled in Master’s (1,181 EUR/month) and doctoral (1,400 EUR/month) programs.

The majority of grants go to students under the age of 28. The merit-based award is worth between 1,800 and 6,102 EUR. At the same time, those who qualify for grants are exempt from or have their health coverage reduced.

The following are a few of the scholarships offered to foreign MS students in France:

• Eiffel Scholarships in France for International Students is a French government scholarship. International students studying law, engineering sciences, economics and management, and political sciences are eligible to use it. It only covers monthly expenses and a small amount of the allowance; it does not cover tuition. Only Ph.D. and Master’s degree programs are eligible. Additionally, even if it’s for a different course, you cannot apply if you have already been rejected.
• INSEAD-Syngenta MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Leaders: This is awarded to MBA students who are financially unable to pay for their course and belong to developing countries. Two scholarships are awarded per class.
• Emile Boutmy Scholarships for Non-EU Students at Sciences Po: Non-EU undergraduate and graduate applicants to Science Po University in Paris are eligible for this scholarship. The maximum amount for undergraduate students over three years is €12,300. Graduate students may pay up to €10,000 annually.
• ENS International Selection Scholarships: Students who have been accepted into one of the ENS institutes are eligible to receive this award. It includes a room on one of the campuses of the ENS institute and 1,000 euros per month. There are 20 scholarships awarded, with 10 going to students studying science and the other 10 to those studying the arts and humanities.
• Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships: International Master’s students enrolled at Université Paris-Saclay are eligible for this scholarship. These scholarships are based on merit. The annual scholarship amount is up to €10,000.
• Ampère Excellence Scholarships for International Students: This is valid for international Master’s students registered at ENS de Lyon. The amount is €1,000 per month for 1-2 years.
• Fondation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarships for African and Asian Women: Women who are enrolled full-time in an MBA program at HEC Paris and are citizens of disaster-prone nations in Asia or Africa are eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship is worth €20,000.
• Université de Lyon Master’s Scholarships: This scholarship is available to international students with a strong academic record who wish to enroll in one of the Master’s degree programs offered at the University of Lyon that have been jointly accredited by a number of French universities known as “Grandes Ecoles” in Lyon and Saint-Etienne. For ten months, the scholarship will cost 800 euros per month.
• HEC-Eiffel Scholarships in MBA for Developing Countries: This scholarship is intended specifically for HEC in Paris MBA applicants. While it doesn’t pay for tuition, it does provide a monthly allowance of about €1,100 to cover extra costs like travel, health insurance, and cultural activities.

Scholarships in USA for International Students

• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: Students who have excelled in their field of study—engineering, computer science, business studies, medicine, public health, fashion design, music, or film animation—and who want to continue their education in North America or Europe are eligible for this scholarship. Awards of up to $100,000 are given. If additional funding is required, the student must demonstrate their ability to pay for those expenses.
• Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship: Outstanding Indian university students who want to pursue a master’s degree at an accredited American university are given this scholarship. Their area of study may include women’s studies/gender studies, public administration, public health, urban and regional planning, environmental science/studies, higher education administration, international legal studies, arts and culture management, heritage conservation, and museum studies. Candidates must, however, have three years of professional experience.
• The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: This is given to exceptional professionals from developing nations who wish to spend ten months in the United States pursuing non-degree graduate study and relevant practical professional experience. This is true in many different fields. Candidates must have a valid TOEFL score in order to be considered.
• Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship: Students who concentrate on the six Rotary focus areas—peace and conflict prevention/resolution, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and disease prevention and treatment—are eligible to receive the scholarship. Grants range from $15,000 to $30,000.
• Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship & The Indian Trust Fellowship: Valid especially for Booth School of Business in Chicago. They offer $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.
• S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students: This scholarship aids in giving Indian researchers opportunities to pursue Master’s degrees or higher. They might be pursuing studies in technological or scientific fields.

Numerous other scholarships are available, some of which are college- or course-specific.

Scholarships in Ireland for International Students

Ireland offers hundreds of scholarships to international students, but they are awarded on a case-by-case basis by the institution you are typically applying to. Following are a few well-known scholarships:

Ireland Government Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students: Students in any field who are enrolled in an Irish institution that is accredited are eligible for this scholarship. The annual scholarship award is limited to €24,000.

The Walsh Fellowships: Awarded to graduate students working on Teagasc Research and Knowledge Transfer Program-related projects, primarily in the areas of agriculture, environment, economics, and rural development.

Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS): Modern research in the humanities, social sciences, business, and law is supported by IRCHSS with the goal of generating knowledge and expertise that will advance Ireland’s economic, social, and cultural development. The Research Council is committed to integrating Irish research in European and global networks of expertise through its membership in the European Science Foundation.

On the websites and portals of the universities, there are, of course, scholarships available for specific universities and courses. In Ireland, they are available for graduate, undergraduate, and Ph.D. students and have different requirements.

Scholarships in Germany for International Students

• DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) Scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service is known as DAAD in English. It provides many scholarships to students of all nationalities so they can pursue their academic goals and research endeavors.
• ERASMUS+ (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) scholarships: This is true for international students who want to attend numerous universities in Europe.
• Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students: Valid for German and international undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Both in March and September, applications are accepted. Students who qualify receive €750 for Masters degrees and €1000 for PhDs each month.
• Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers: All nationalities of Ph.D. students are eligible for these scholarships. For 6 to 24 months, they provide € 2,650 each month. This covers obligations for regular costs like transportation and health insurance.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships: International students pursuing postgraduate degrees or PhDs in Germany who are under 30 are given KAS scholarships. Award recipients can continue their education at technical colleges and universities of applied sciences.
• Bayer Foundation Scholarships: With five fellowship programs in biology, chemistry, medical science, agricultural science, and non-academic professions, the Bayer Foundation helps students who want to study in Germany. Up to two years after graduation, awards of up to €6,400 are given yearly.
• Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-German Cancer Research Centre Ph.D. scholarship: More than 500 students have the opportunity to conduct projects in biomedical research through DFKZ. To be eligible, students must have a minimum TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score and an MSc or equivalent degree. It offers three years of full funding for a Ph.D.
• Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship: International students can collaborate with accomplished young researchers in Berlin through this program. It offers them the chance to reside in Berlin for up to five years while the junior research group operates. Ph.D. candidates will be known as “Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellows” during this time. A stipend of up to € 20,000 is provided to them each year to cover material costs.
• Marie Skolodowska-curie actions: To encourage research and innovation and to advance partnerships among the top institutions worldwide, MSCA offers four different types of scholarships for academics from various academic fields or students from all over the world. Students who qualify receive €3000 per month plus €600 as a transportation allowance.
• Deutschland Stipendium: This fund helps deserving students worldwide who need financial and non-material assistance. A scholarship worth €150 per month is awarded to students by the German government, private organizations, or businesses engaged in public-private partnerships. Typically, financial aid is given for at least two semesters, with the option of being continued until graduation.

Scholarships in Netherlands for International Students

The following are some scholarships the Dutch government provides to Indian students.

• The Holland Scholarship: 48 Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences, together with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, fund the Holland Scholarship. International students from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands are eligible for this scholarship. The award is for five thousand euros. It has a one-year expiration date and can only be used once. If you previously earned a degree from The Netherlands, you are ineligible for the scholarship.
• Orange Tulip Scholarship: The Program (OTS) offers gifted Indian students the chance to study in the Netherlands. Higher education institutions, multinational corporations, and governmental organizations all offer it. The scholarship’s value varies and can range from a 100% to a 25% tuition fee waiver. The Nuffic website has additional information about it.
• Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP): The Orange Knowledge Program aims to improve institutions of higher and vocational education and individuals’ capacity, knowledge, and quality.
• Grantfinder: All scholarships for Indian students specific to the institution or the stream of study can be found on Grantfinder.

Assistantships for International Students

While the university website may have information about some research positions, you usually need to start by looking for relevant professors. Make a list of everything, then send a professor an email asking for a research position. At least fifty students should apply to work with the same professor, in your mind. What should make you different?

Bad ideas for assistantships:

• Send emails to all the professors.
• Copy-paste email formats available on Google or plagiarize from emails shared by peers and friends.
• Irrelevant and spammy subject lines.
• incorrectly addressing them, such as by calling a doctor, Ms., or Mr. or by making a spelling error in their name.
• Grammatical errors

Good Ideas for assistantships:

• Select: You need to identify a few professors interested in collaborating with you and the other way around.
• Stand Out: Always assume that professors receive a tonne of emails; therefore, if you want yours to stand out, you must read some of their publications, articles about them, and the subject of their research or Ph.D., and then include a few words of gratitude in your email. Even though it is exhausting, you must repeat this procedure for each professor about whom you write.
• Subject Line: First impressions last forever. The subject line needs to be concise and pertinent.
• Showcase your prior employment, including any research papers, volunteer work, and leadership positions.

Read the All About Assistantships (RA/TA) article to learn more about these positions.

So there you have it—a brief overview of various scholarships available in various nations. Wishing you luck in finding the right scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships for international students