Top 8 Scholarships for Study Abroad for Indian Students

Top 8 Scholarships for Study Abroad for Indian Students

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience for many students. It can expose them to different cultures, languages, and perspectives, as well as enhance their academic and career prospects. However, studying abroad can also be expensive, especially for Indian students who have to deal with currency exchange rates, visa fees, and travel costs.

Fortunately, there are many scholarships available for Indian students who want to pursue their higher education abroad. These scholarships can help them cover some or all of their expenses and reduce their financial burden. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most popular and prestigious scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government and other organizations.

Scholarships for Studying Abroad by Indian Government

The Indian government offers various scholarships for its citizens who want to study abroad at different levels of education. Some of these scholarships are:

1- National Overseas Scholarship:

This scholarship is offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans. It covers up to US$15,400 towards tuition fees, living expenses, books, medical insurance, and travel costs for pursuing master’s or PhD programs abroad in selected fields of study.


2- Commonwealth Scholarships:

These scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. They cover full tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and other allowances for pursuing master’s or PhD programs in the UK in various disciplines.


3- Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships:

These fellowships are offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in partnership with the Fulbright Program. They cover tuition fees, living expenses, books, airfare, and other benefits for pursuing master’s programs in the US in selected fields of study.


4- Tata Scholarship:

This scholarship is offered by the Tata Education and Development Trust in association with Cornell University. It covers full tuition fees for up to eight semesters for pursuing undergraduate programs at Cornell University in any field of study.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Apart from the government scholarships, there are also some fully funded scholarships offered by various universities and organizations for Indian students who want to study abroad. These scholarships cover all the costs of studying abroad, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other benefits. Some of these scholarships are:

5- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships:

These scholarships are offered by the European Union for students who want to pursue joint master’s or doctoral programs in Europe. They cover full tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel costs, insurance, and other benefits.
6- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships:

These fellowships are offered by Reliance Industries Limited in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Business. They cover full tuition fees and associated fees for up to two years for pursuing MBA programs at Stanford University.


7- Inlaks Scholarships:

These scholarships are offered by the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation for students who want to pursue full-time postgraduate programs in any field of study at top institutions in North America or Europe. They cover full tuition fees, adequate living expenses, one-way travel costs, and health insurance.


8- GyanDhan Scholarship:

This scholarship is offered by GyanDhan, an online platform that provides education loans and scholarships for students who want to study abroad. It covers up to INR 1 lakh towards tuition fees for pursuing any postgraduate program abroad.

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

The application process and eligibility criteria for different scholarships may vary depending on the scholarship provider and the country of study. However, some general steps that students can follow are:

Research:

The first step is to research about the various scholarships available for Indian students who want to study abroad. Students can use online platforms like Shiksha.com or IDP India to find out about the scholarships that match their profile, preferences, and goals.


Prepare: The next step is to prepare the required documents and materials for applying for the scholarships. These may include academic transcripts, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume, etc. Students should also check the deadlines and guidelines for each scholarship and follow them carefully.


Apply:

The final step is to apply for the scholarships through online or offline modes as specified by the scholarship provider. Students should also keep track of their application status and respond to any queries or requests from the scholarship provider.

 

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Scholarships to Study Abroad.

Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students who want to pursue higher education in reputed universities and colleges around the world. However, the cost of studying abroad can be a major barrier for many aspirants who do not have the financial means to afford it. Fortunately, there are many scholarships available for Indian students who want to study abroad, both from the Indian government and from foreign institutions. These scholarships can help cover the tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs and other expenses related to studying abroad. However, getting a scholarship is not easy as there is a lot of competition and eligibility criteria to meet. Therefore, it is important to prepare well and apply smartly for the scholarships that suit your profile and goals. Here are some tips to increase your chances of getting scholarships to study abroad:

1. Start your research early: The first step to getting a scholarship is to find out what scholarships are available for your chosen course and destination. You can use online platforms like Scholarship Portal, Scholarships.com, Study Abroad Scholarships etc. to search for scholarships based on your preferences and criteria. You can also check the websites of the universities and colleges you are interested in applying to, as they may offer their own scholarships for international students. You should also look for scholarships offered by the Indian government, such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarships, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Scholarships, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Scholarships etc. These scholarships are usually announced on the official websites of the respective ministries or departments. You should start your research at least a year before you plan to study abroad, as some scholarships have early deadlines and require a lot of preparation.

2. Check the eligibility criteria and requirements: Once you have shortlisted the scholarships that match your profile and goals, you should carefully check the eligibility criteria and requirements for each scholarship. These may include academic qualifications, test scores, language proficiency, work experience, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation etc. You should make sure that you meet all the minimum requirements and have all the necessary documents ready before applying. You should also check if there are any specific conditions or restrictions attached to the scholarship, such as duration of study, course of study, country of study etc.

3. Apply for multiple scholarships: As there is a lot of competition for scholarships, you should not rely on just one scholarship to fund your study abroad. You should apply for as many scholarships as possible that suit your profile and goals. However, you should also be realistic and selective about the scholarships you apply for. You should focus on the scholarships that you have a good chance of getting and that offer enough financial support for your needs. You should also avoid applying for scholarships that have overlapping deadlines or similar requirements, as this may affect the quality of your applications.

4. Write a compelling essay: One of the most important parts of your scholarship application is your essay or personal statement. This is where you can showcase your personality, achievements, goals and motivation for studying abroad. You should write a clear, concise and original essay that answers the prompt or question given by the scholarship provider. You should also tailor your essay to fit the specific scholarship you are applying for and highlight how you fit their criteria and vision. You should avoid using generic or clichéd statements or copying from other sources. You should also proofread your essay for any errors or mistakes before submitting it.

5. Get strong letters of recommendation: Another crucial part of your scholarship application is your letters of recommendation or references. These are letters written by people who know you well and can vouch for your academic performance, skills, character and potential. You should choose your recommenders carefully and ask them well in advance if they are willing to write a letter for you. You should also provide them with relevant information about yourself and the scholarship you are applying for, such as your resume, transcripts, essays etc. You should also follow up with them regularly and thank them after they submit their letters.

6. Prepare for interviews: Some scholarships may require you to attend an interview as part of the selection process. This is an opportunity for you to impress the scholarship committee and convince them why you deserve the scholarship. You should prepare well for the interview by researching about the scholarship provider, their goals and values, their expectations from the scholars etc. You should also practice answering common interview questions such as why do you want to study abroad, why did you choose this course and university, what are your career plans etc. You should also dress professionally and be confident and polite during the interview.

7. Follow up and accept or decline: After you submit your scholarship applications, you should follow up with the scholarship providers to check the status.

 

People also ask:

How can I get scholarship to study abroad from India?
There is no single answer to this question, as different scholarships have different eligibility criteria, application processes, and award values. However, some general steps that you can follow are:

– Identify your preferred destination, course, and university
– Research about the scholarships offered by the government, university, or private organizations for your chosen program
– Check the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and documents needed for each scholarship
– Prepare a strong application with a clear statement of purpose, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and any other relevant documents
– Apply for multiple scholarships before the deadlines and track your application status

 

How can I get full scholarship to study abroad?

A full scholarship is one that covers all or most of your expenses for studying abroad, such as tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, etc. Full scholarships are highly competitive and rare, so you need to have an exceptional academic record, extracurricular achievements, and leadership skills to stand out from the crowd. Some examples of full scholarships for Indian students are:

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships: This scholarship is offered by the US government for Indian students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the US. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, books, and health insurance.

Great Wall Program: This scholarship is offered by the Chinese government for students from developing countries who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in China. It covers tuition fees, accommodation, stipend, and medical insurance.

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: This scholarship is offered by the Indian government for students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans who want to pursue a master’s degree or PhD abroad. It covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, airfare, visa fees, and contingency allowance.

 

Does Indian government give scholarships for studying abroad?
Yes, the Indian government offers various scholarships for Indian students who want to study abroad at different levels of education. Some of these scholarships are:

– The JN Tata Endowment : Higher Education of Indians: This scholarship is offered by the Tata Trusts for Indian students who want to pursue postgraduate studies abroad in any field. It provides a loan scholarship ranging from INR 1 lakh to INR 10 lakhs.
– Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: This scholarship is offered by the Aga Khan Foundation for Indian students who want to pursue postgraduate studies abroad in development-related fields. It provides a 50% grant and a 50% loan scholarship.
– Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship: This fellowship is offered by the US-India Educational Foundation for Indian students who want to pursue doctoral research or postdoctoral research in climate change-related fields in the US. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, books, health insurance, and professional allowance.

Where can Indians study abroad for free?
There are some countries where Indians can study abroad for free or at a very low cost. These countries either have no or very low tuition fees for international students or offer generous scholarships that cover most of the expenses. Some of these countries are:

– Germany: Germany is one of the most popular destinations for Indian students who want to study abroad for free. Most public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, students have to pay a nominal semester fee of around EUR 250 that covers administration costs and public transportation. Students also have to bear their living expenses which can range from EUR 700 to EUR 1000 per month depending on the city.

– Norway: Norway is another country where Indians can study abroad for free. Public universities in Norway do not charge any tuition fees for international students at any level of education. However, students have to pay a semester fee of around NOK 500 that covers student welfare services and activities. Students also have to bear their living expenses which can range from NOK 9000 to NOK 14000 per month depending on the city.

– France: France is a country where Indians can study abroad at a very low cost. Public universities in France charge very low tuition fees for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The tuition fees vary depending on the type of program and institution but generally range from EUR 170 to EUR 600

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