Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students 

Study Abroad Scholarships – Embarking on a journey of higher education abroad is a dream shared by countless Indian students. The prospect of studying at prestigious international institutions, immersing oneself in diverse cultures, and acquiring a world-class education is undeniably captivating.

However, the cost of studying abroad can often be a significant hurdle. This is where scholarships come to the rescue, opening doors to world-class education and ensuring that financial constraints don’t hinder academic aspirations.

In addition to covering tuition fees, these study abroad scholarships offer perks, including living expenses, stipends, and other allowances. The eligibility criteria for scholarships typically consider academic excellence, work experience, extracurricular activities, community service, and other notable achievements.

This comprehensive article explores various study abroad scholarships for Indian students, including their eligibility criteria, awards, and other pertinent details. 

Study Abroad Scholarships – A Complete List

Scholarships can be classified into several categories, including merit-based, need-based, corporate-sponsored scholarships. 

• Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are provided to students based on their academic achievements, such as good CGPAs or exceptional test scores.
• Need-Based Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need. These scholarships take into account factors such as annual family income, family size, and other financial obligations.
• Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships: These scholarships are provided by renowned corporations interested in encouraging future business leaders and building strong relationships with educational institutions.

Here is a list of leading study abroad scholarships that enable students to pursue their educational goals.

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to support economically disadvantaged students from marginalised backgrounds, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Denotified Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. 

This initiative enables eligible individuals to pursue higher education, specifically Master’s or PhD programs, at international institutions, thereby improving their economic and social status.

Scholarship Provider: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GOI

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must have a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination.
  • For PhD courses, the qualifying exam would be a master’s degree.
  • For master’s degree courses, the qualifying examination would be a bachelor’s degree.
  • If a student has completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree after a diploma (lateral entry to the 2nd year), marks obtained in bachelor’s degree will be considered.
• Candidates must not exceed 35 years of age as of the first day of April in the selection year.

Income Criteria:

• Total family income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum.
  • The income of the candidate applying for the scholarship, their parents, and siblings below the age of 18 years will be considered.
  • For married women, the income of the in-laws, spouse, and children below 18 years will be considered.
• Not more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for the scholarship.

Award:

Type of Assistance	United States of America (USA) & Other Countries Except for UK	United Kingdom (UK)
Annual Maintenance Allowance	15400 US Dollars	9900 Great Britain Pounds
Contingency Allowance	1500 US Dollars	1100 Great Britain Pounds
Tuition Fees	Actual as charged	Actual as charged
Visa Fees	Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees	Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees
Medical Insurance Premium	Actual as charged	Actual as charged
Incidental Journey Allowance & Equipment Allowance	20 US Dollars for each or its equivalent in Indian rupees	20 US Dollars for each or its equivalent in Indian rupees
Air Passage	a) Awardees can purchase air tickets from authorised travel agents. b) Tickets must be of economy class/shortest route on the booking date. c) Awardees can claim airfare reimbursement from the Indian Mission abroad after joining the university and providing a joining report.	a) Awardees can purchase air tickets from authorised travel agents. b) Tickets must be of economy class/shortest route on the booking date. c) Awardees can claim airfare reimbursement from the Indian Mission abroad after joining the university and providing a joining report.

Note: To read details about the scholarship, please refer to the official document released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GOI.

Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship 2023

This scholarship is designed to support students who have enrolled in bachelor’s or master’s degree programs at esteemed international colleges or universities. 

The program’s objective is to ensure equal opportunities for students with hearing impairments through annual merit-based scholarships and awards.

Scholarship Provider: Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be hearing impaired.
• Applicants must be residents of Gujarat or Maharashtra.
• Students should be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program at a recognised international college or university.

Award: Awards will be presented to the top 7 students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements. The awards are structured as follows:

• Manubhai D Shah Award for Academic Excellence: Presented to the student securing the 1st rank at the SSC level.
• Vasumati M Shah Award for Academic Excellence: Awarded to the student achieving the 2nd rank at the SSC level.
• Pushpaben R Vora Award for Academic Excellence: Conferred upon the student attaining the 1st rank at the HSC level.
• Jayaben N Parikh Award for Academic Excellence: Bestowed upon the student securing the 2nd rank at the HSC level.
• Dayabhai C Sutaria Award for Academic Excellence: Granted to the student holding the 1st rank at graduation level.
• Padmavati D Sutaria Award for Academic Excellence: Awarded to the student achieving the 2nd rank at graduation level.
• Maniben Chunilal Sutaria Award for Academic Excellence: Presented to the student with the 1st rank at the post graduation level.

Note: To read the detailed scholarship guidelines, please visit Buddy4Study’s portal.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programs are esteemed international master’s degree programs, designed and delivered by a group of higher education institutions. 

These programs involve a minimum of three institutions originating from no fewer than three distinct countries, along with numerous affiliated partners from the academic and non-academic world. 

The structure of these programs entails phases of formal education, research, practical training, thesis development, and the presentation and defence of the final thesis.

Through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters program, students can acquire one of the following qualifications:

• Joint Degree: This entails receiving a single degree certificate awarded jointly by a minimum of two higher education institutions.
• Multiple Degrees: This involves obtaining at least two distinct degree certificates issued by two different higher education institutions.

Scholarship Provider: European Union

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s studies before the commencement of the master’s program.

Award: 

• Participation costs of the program
• Financial support for travel expenses
• Assistance with visa-related costs
• Provision of a living allowance to support day-to-day expenses

Note: To read other important information, please refer to the official website of the European Union.

Chevening Scholarships 2023-24

This initiative aims to extend financial assistance to Indian students aspiring to undertake a one-year master’s degree program across various disciplines at universities within the UK. 

The selected applicants will be granted a comprehensive scholarship covering the entirety of their course fees, in addition to other advantageous offerings.

Scholarship Provider: Government of UK

Eligibility Criteria: 

• The applicant must be a citizen of Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• An undergraduate degree that allows entry into a postgraduate program at a UK university is required at the time of application submission. 
• The specifics of this qualification may vary based on the chosen course and university but generally equates to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK.
• At least two years of professional work experience, equivalent to approximately 2,800 hours, is mandatory.
• After the scholarship period concludes, the applicant must commit to returning to India and residing there for a minimum of two years.
• Students with refugee status in a Chevening-eligible country are also eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Award: 

• University tuition fees
• Monthly stipend
• Travel costs to and from the UK
• Arrival allowance
• Homeward departure allowance
• Cost of one visa application
• Travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK

Note: For other details regarding the application procedure and documents required for the scholarship, please visit the Buddy4Study portal.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

This scholarship’s primary objective is to assist exceptionally talented students from developing nations who lack alternative funding options. The program strives to enable them to undertake full-time postgraduate studies at prestigious higher education institutions of their preference. 

Scholarship Provider: Aga Khan Foundation

Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant should be an Indian national.
• A candidate must be below the age of 30 years.
• The applicant should have secured admission to a recognized postgraduate institution of higher education.
• The candidate’s accomplishments in extracurricular activities will be taken into consideration.

Award:

• International Scholarship Programme (ISP) awards consist of a 50% grant and a 50% loan, where 50% of the award amount is repayable by the recipient.
  • A 5% per annum cumulative service charge applies to the loan amount.
  • The student’s head of family or a guarantor must co-sign the loan agreement.
  • The repayment period is five years, commencing six months after graduation, study termination, or academic standards non-compliance.
  • Graduates working in a developing country can receive a moratorium of two years.
• Scholarships for master’s studies cover the entire duration of the degree program.
• For PhD students, scholarships are provided for the initial two years, with the expectation of seeking alternate funding afterwards.
• The award includes tuition fees and living expenses for the student.
• The award does not cover family members’ living expenses and international travel costs.

Note: To check details regarding the scholarship, please visit the official website of the Aga Khan Foundation.

Inlaks Scholarships 2023

This scholarship program offers students the opportunity to pursue full-time master’s, M.Phil, or doctorate programs at renowned institutions in Europe, America, and the UK. Successful applicants will be granted USD 1,00,000 to cover various expenses, including tuition for the program, living expenses for scholars, healthcare costs, and one-way airfare.

Scholarship Provider: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Applicants must be Indian citizens and have been continuously residing in India for the last six months as of the scholarship application date.
• Candidates should be under the age of 30.
• Candidates should possess a first-class degree or equivalent from a recognized university or institution in India.
• Applicants must have secured a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA of 6.8, or GPA of 2.6 from a recognized university/institution (For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and related subjects)

OR

• have secured a minimum academic grade of 70%, CGPA of 7.2, or GPA of 2.8 from a recognized university/institution (For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects)

Award: The selected students will receive up to USD 100,000 to cover programme tuition as well as scholars’ living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare.

Note: Students can check details about the scholarship at the official website of Buddy4Study.

Orange Tulip Scholarship (India)

The Orange Tulip Scholarship program (OTS) extends an opportunity to outstanding Indian students, enabling them to pursue education in the Netherlands by offering a partial tuition fee waiver. 

Tilburg University offers four scholarships, with one allocated to each of its respective schools: Tilburg Law School (TLS), Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD), Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB), and Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM).

Scholarship Provider: Tilburg University, Netherlands

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Applicants must hold Indian nationality.
• Candidates must possess a degree obtained from a university outside of the Netherlands.
• Students must demonstrate outstanding academic performance in their bachelor’s (or master’s) degree program. As an indicative benchmark, candidates should have graduated with an average score of at least 80%, or be among the top 10% of their class.
• Applicants should either be in the process of admission or have already gained admission to a one-year master’s program at Tilburg University.
• Students must not have a previous academic or professional history in the Netherlands.

Award: Recipients of the scholarship are granted a partial tuition fee waiver and are required to pay the tuition fee of €4,530.

Note: Students can check details regarding the program at the official website of Tilburg University, Netherlands.

Study Abroad Scholarships – FAQs

What are study abroad scholarships?

Study abroad scholarships are financial grants provided to students to assist their education at international institutions. These scholarships typically cover various expenses, including tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenditures.

What types of scholarships are available for Indian students to study abroad?

Scholarships can be classified into several categories, including merit-based, need-based, country-specific, subject-specific, and government-sponsored scholarships. Additionally, scholarships are available for particular levels of study, such as undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.

How does one find study abroad scholarships?

Students can search for scholarships through various channels, including university websites, scholarship databases, government websites, and various scholarship platforms such as Buddy4Study.

How can one study abroad for free?

Exploring grants and scholarships is a wise strategy if someone aspires to pursue overseas education without incurring hefty expenses. Numerous avenues, including universities, charities, foundations, and government bodies, extend support to a multitude of international students annually. These avenues provide assistance in covering tuition fees and living expenses, alleviating the financial burden associated with studying abroad.

What is the minimum percentage of marks needed for studying abroad?

Strong academic performance after completing Class 12 is essential for those aspiring to study abroad. Scholarships and university admissions often require a minimum score of 60% to 85% in Class 12 board exams, serving as a critical factor for financial aid and foreign university acceptance.

Which country’s educational degrees are most highly sought-after in India?

The perceived value of a degree from a particular country in India can be influenced by multiple factors, such as the university’s prestige, program quality, and the industry’s acknowledgment of degrees from that nation. Taking these aspects into account, countries like the USA, Canada, and Germany are preferred by Indian students for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Do students require university admission before applying for study abroad scholarships?

Not always. Some scholarships require university admission as a prerequisite, while others allow students to apply simultaneously.

What are the advantages of seeking study abroad scholarships after completing Class 12? 

Pursuing education overseas post high school offers many benefits. It boosts self-confidence, expands one’s network, and introduces students to diverse educational methodologies. Furthermore, it presents the chance to explore, learn, and embrace various cultures.

What language proficiency exams are necessary when applying for scholarships to pursue studies abroad?

All Indian students aiming for study abroad scholarships after completing Class 12 are required to demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency. Moreover, they are required to pass either IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or GRE language tests.

Is it compulsory to apply for a student visa after receiving study abroad scholarships?

Yes, they are required to get a student visa to study at any international university after receiving study abroad scholarships. They can apply for it after receiving the letter of acceptance from their university.