Study Abroad 2026: Complete Guide to Scholarships for Indian Students
From fully-funded programs to partial grants, here's everything Indian students need to know about scholarships for studying in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Studying abroad is a dream for millions of Indian students, but the cost can be daunting. The good news? Billions of dollars in scholarships go unclaimed every year. Here's your comprehensive guide to funding your international education.
Overview: Study Abroad Costs
| Country | Tuition (Annual) | Living Cost | Total (2 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ₹30-60 LPA | ₹15-25 LPA | ₹90-170 LPA |
| UK | ₹20-45 LPA | ₹12-20 LPA | ₹64-130 LPA |
| Canada | ₹15-35 LPA | ₹10-15 LPA | ₹50-100 LPA |
| Australia | ₹20-40 LPA | ₹12-18 LPA | ₹64-116 LPA |
| Germany | ₹0-5 LPA | ₹8-12 LPA | ₹16-34 LPA |
FULLY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS
1. Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships (USA)
Coverage: Full tuition + living + travel + health insurance Value: Up to $50,000/year
Types:
| Program | For Whom | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Fellowship | Working professionals | 1-2 years |
| Doctoral Research | PhD candidates | 6-12 months |
| Academic & Professional Excellence | Faculty/professionals | 3-9 months |
Eligibility:
- Indian citizen
- Bachelor's degree with 55%+
- 3+ years work experience (Master's)
- TOEFL/IELTS required
Application: February-May each year Website: usief.org.in
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Coverage: Full tuition + living (₹35,000/month) + travel Value: Up to £40,000
Eligibility:
- 2+ years work experience
- Bachelor's degree
- Return to India for 2 years post-study
Application: August-November Website: chevening.org
Success Tips:
- Strong leadership examples
- Clear career plan
- India development focus
3. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Coverage: Full tuition + living + travel For: Master's and PhD
Types:
| Type | Duration | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | 1 year | £1,236/month |
| PhD | 3 years | £1,236/month |
| Split-site PhD | 1 year | £1,236/month |
Eligibility:
- Indian citizen
- First class degree
- Unable to afford study without support
Application: October-December Website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Coverage: Tuition-free + €934/month stipend + travel + insurance
Programs:
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Study Scholarships | Master's | 10-24 months |
| Research Grants | PhD | Up to 4 years |
| Bi-National Programs | Various | Varies |
Eligibility:
- Bachelor's degree
- German/English proficiency
- Strong academic record
Application: October-November Website: daad.de
5. Erasmus Mundus (Europe)
Coverage: Full tuition + €1,400/month + travel + insurance Value: Up to €49,000 for 2-year Master's
Features:
- Study in 2-3 European countries
- Joint degree from multiple universities
- 150+ programs available
Popular Programs for Indians:
- Journalism (Denmark, UK, Netherlands)
- Public Policy (Germany, Spain, France)
- Engineering (Sweden, Belgium, Germany)
Application: October-January (varies by program) Website: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus
6. Australia Awards (Australia)
Coverage: Full tuition + living + travel + health Value: Up to AUD 300,000
Eligibility:
- Indian citizen (not currently in Australia)
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years work experience
- IELTS 6.5+
Application: February-April Website: australiaawardsindia.org
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
USA
| Scholarship | Amount | University |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford Knight-Hennessy | Full funding | Stanford |
| Yale World Fellows | Full funding | Yale |
| Columbia Scholarship | 50-100% | Columbia |
| Merit Scholarships | $10-50K | Various |
University-Specific:
- MIT: Need-blind admission (international)
- Harvard: Meet 100% demonstrated need
- Princeton: Meet 100% demonstrated need
UK
| Scholarship | Amount | Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Rhodes Scholarship | Full funding | Oxford |
| Gates Cambridge | Full funding | Cambridge |
| Clarendon | Full tuition | Oxford |
| Think Big | £2,000-10,000 | Bristol |
| Global Excellence | Up to £10,000 | Nottingham |
Canada
| Scholarship | Amount | For |
|---|---|---|
| Vanier CGS | CAD 50,000/year | PhD |
| Lester B. Pearson | Full funding | Undergrad (UofT) |
| University of Waterloo | Up to CAD 10,000 | Various |
| UBC International | CAD 5,000-40,000 | Various |
Australia
| Scholarship | Amount | Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Graduate | AUD 30,000 | Melbourne |
| Sydney International | Up to AUD 40,000 | Sydney |
| Monash International | AUD 10,000/year | Monash |
| UNSW International | Up to 100% tuition | UNSW |
SCHOLARSHIPS BY FIELD
For STEM Students
| Scholarship | Field | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Google Lime | CS/Tech | $10,000 |
| Microsoft Scholarship | CS | $20,000 |
| NVIDIA Graduate | AI/ML | $25,000 |
| Intel Scholarship | Engineering | Varies |
For MBA/Business
| Scholarship | School | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Forte Fellowship | Various | $25-100K |
| Forté Foundation | Women in MBA | $25,000+ |
| Wharton Emerging Economy | Wharton | Variable |
| ISB-IVEY | ISB+Ivey | Full tuition |
For Arts/Humanities
| Scholarship | Field | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Scholarship | Various | Full funding |
| Charles Wallace Trust | Arts/Culture | Up to £8,000 |
| Felix Scholarship | Humanities | Full funding |
APPLICATION TIMELINE
For Fall 2026 Admission:
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| Jan-Mar 2025 | Research programs, take GRE/GMAT |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | Take TOEFL/IELTS, shortlist universities |
| Jul-Sep 2025 | Write SOPs, get recommendations |
| Oct-Dec 2025 | Submit applications |
| Jan-Mar 2026 | Interview rounds, decisions |
| Apr-Jun 2026 | Accept offer, visa process |
| Aug 2026 | Depart for studies |
TIPS TO MAXIMIZE SCHOLARSHIP CHANCES
1. Start Early
- Most deadlines are 8-12 months before intake
- Scholarship deadlines often before admission deadlines
2. Build a Strong Profile
- Research experience/publications
- Leadership roles
- Community service
- Clear career goals
3. Write Compelling Essays
- Be specific about goals
- Show connection to home country
- Demonstrate impact potential
4. Get Strong Recommendations
- Academic + professional mix
- People who know you well
- Give recommenders 4+ weeks
5. Apply to Multiple Scholarships
- Don't put all eggs in one basket
- Many scholarships are stackable
- Apply to 10-15 minimum
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Websites:
- scholars4dev.com
- opportunitydesk.org
- afterschoolafrica.com
- findaphd.com
Books:
- "The Scholarship Book" by Daniel Cassidy
- "How to Study Abroad" by Stacie Berdan
Counseling:
- USIEF (US): Free advising
- British Council: UK guidance
- Study in Germany: DAAD offices
Remember: Scholarships reward merit, potential, and preparation. Start your journey today!
Tags
study abroadscholarshipsUSAUKCanadaAustraliaeducationFulbrightChevening
Category
education
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