How to Get Scholarships & Financial Aid for Studying Abroad

Introduction: Money Shouldn’t Stop Your Dreams

For many Indian students, the biggest barrier to studying abroad isn’t grades, tests, or admissions — it’s money.

Tuition fees in the USA can reach ₹40–50 lakhs per year. Even in affordable countries like Canada or Germany, costs can feel overwhelming when you add living expenses, travel, and insurance.

But here’s the truth: thousands of Indian students study abroad every year with the help of scholarships, grants, assistantships, and loans.

In this guide, we’ll show you:

• Types of scholarships available for international students.
• Country-specific scholarship options.
• How to apply and increase your chances.
• Other financial aid resources.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your study abroad dream financially possible.

Why Scholarships Matter

• Reduce tuition burden significantly.
• Improve ROI (Return on Investment) of your degree.
• Some scholarships cover not just tuition, but also living expenses, travel, and insurance.
• Winning a scholarship is also a matter of prestige — it adds value to your resume.

Types of Scholarships for Studying Abroad

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

Awarded to students with outstanding academic performance, test scores, or extracurricular achievements.

Example: Fulbright Scholarship (USA).

2. Need-Based Scholarships

For students who show financial need, assessed through family income, assets, etc.

Example: Some Canadian universities offer bursaries based on income.

3. Country-Specific Scholarships

Governments of countries offer scholarships to attract international talent.

Examples:

• Chevening Scholarships (UK).
• DAAD Scholarships (Germany).
• Australia Awards (Australia).

4. University Scholarships

Almost every top university abroad has its own scholarships for international students.

Examples:

• University of Toronto International Scholarship (Canada).
• Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford University, UK).

5. Subject-Specific Scholarships

For students pursuing particular fields like STEM, business, or arts.

Example: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships for Arts, Architecture.

6. External & NGO Scholarships

Private organizations, trusts, and NGOs provide scholarships.

Example: Tata Scholarship (Cornell University, USA).

Scholarships by Destination

USA

• Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship – Covers tuition, living, airfare.
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship – Non-degree program for professionals.
• AAUW International Fellowship – For women students.
• University-based aid – Harvard, MIT, Yale offer generous need-based aid.

💡 Tip: USA universities often offer assistantships (teaching/research jobs) that pay tuition + stipend.

UK

• Chevening Scholarships – Fully funded, covers tuition + living + flights.
• Commonwealth Scholarships – For students from Commonwealth countries (including India).
• Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford) – Highly prestigious, fully funded.
• University of Cambridge Gates Scholarship – Full funding for postgraduates.

💡 Tip: UK Master’s programs are shorter (1 year), making them more affordable even without full scholarships.

Canada

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – For PhD students.
• Ontario Graduate Scholarships – Provincial funding.
• University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship – Covers tuition + living.
• McGill & UBC Scholarships – For international students.

💡 Tip: Canadian universities also offer entrance scholarships automatically when you apply.

Australia

• Australia Awards Scholarships – Full tuition + living allowance.
• Destination Australia Program – Encourages students to study in regional areas.
• University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships – Covers tuition + stipend.
• ANU Global Diversity Scholarship – Up to AUD 25,000.
  

💡 Tip: Many universities in Australia provide partial scholarships (10–50% tuition waivers).

Europe

• DAAD Scholarships (Germany) – Covers tuition + monthly stipend.
• Erasmus+ – Study mobility programs across multiple European countries.
• Swedish Institute Scholarships – For Master’s students.
• French Eiffel Excellence Scholarship – For Master’s/PhD.
• Holland Scholarship (Netherlands) – €5,000 towards tuition.

💡 Tip: Many European countries like Germany and Norway already have low or no tuition fees for public universities, making scholarships a bonus.

How to Find the Right Scholarships

1. University websites – Start here; most universities have scholarship pages.
2. Government portals – Each country lists official scholarships (e.g., DAAD for Germany, UK’s Chevening).
3. Scholarship databases:
   • ScholarshipPortal.eu
   • Scholarships.com
   • StudyAbroad.com
   • EducationUSA
4. Indian organizations:
   • Inlaks Foundation
   • JN Tata Endowment
   • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation

How to Apply for Scholarships

The process varies, but most require:

✅ Application form (online).
✅ SOP/Motivation letter (specific to scholarship goals).
✅ Recommendation letters.
✅ Academic transcripts.
✅ Proof of financial need (for need-based).
✅ Test scores (IELTS, GRE, GMAT, SAT depending on level).

📌 Pro Tip: Treat your Scholarship SOP differently from University SOP. Focus on:

• Why you deserve financial support.
• How you’ll give back to society.
• Leadership/community work.

Tips to Increase Your Chances

1. Start early – Some scholarships close 12 months before intake.
2. Apply widely – Don’t rely on one scholarship.
3. Highlight leadership – Scholarships want “future leaders.”
4. Show social impact – Community service, volunteering adds weight.
5. Keep grades strong – Merit-based aid values consistency.
6. Tailor SOPs – Never copy-paste.
7. Polish English skills – Some scholarships interview candidates.

Other Financial Aid Options

1. Assistantships (USA, Canada)

• Teaching/Research jobs within university.
• Waive tuition and pay monthly stipend.

2. Bursaries & Grants

• Need-based aid offered by universities.

3. Education Loans

• Banks in India (SBI, HDFC Credila) and NBFCs offer study loans.
• Often require co-applicant + collateral.

4. Part-Time Work

• Most countries allow 20 hrs/week during term, full-time in breaks.
• Can cover living expenses.

Quick Checklist for Scholarship Applications

• Research scholarships 12–18 months before intake.
• Prepare SOP/Motivation letters tailored to each.
• Gather transcripts, certificates, recommendation letters.
• Apply to 8–10 scholarships, not just 1–2.
• Track deadlines in a calendar.
• Prepare for scholarship interviews (if applicable).

Conclusion: Your Dream Is Affordable

Studying abroad is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be out of reach. With the right research and preparation, you can secure scholarships, financial aid, and assistantships that cover a significant portion — sometimes even 100% — of your costs.

Remember:

• Start early.
• Apply to multiple opportunities.
• Tell your unique story in your applications.

Thousands of Indian students win scholarships every year. The next one could be you. ✨