Complete Scholarship Guide for Studying Abroad from India
Merit, need-based, and country-specific scholarships — how Indian students can fund their international education.
Types of Scholarships Available
Government Scholarships (India)
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), iSPORT, and Maulana Azad National Fellowship offer full funding for eligible Indian students going abroad.
Host Country Scholarships
Chevening (UK), DAAD (Germany), Eiffel (France), Erasmus+ (Europe), Australia Awards, and Commonwealth Scholarships fund tuition, living costs, and travel.
University Merit Scholarships
Most universities offer merit scholarships ranging from 10–100% tuition waivers. These are awarded automatically based on your application — always apply early.
Need-Based Scholarships
CSS Profile, university financial aid offices, and private foundations offer need-based aid. US universities are particularly generous for international students with demonstrated need.
Top Scholarships by Country
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- • Chevening Scholarship — Full funding, 1-year Masters. Requires 2 years work experience.
- • Commonwealth Scholarships — For students from low/middle-income backgrounds.
- • Gates Cambridge — Highly prestigious, for outstanding researchers.
🇩🇪 Germany
- • DAAD Scholarship — Largest scholarship programme for Indian students to Germany.
- • Deutschlandstipendium — University-level merit scholarship, €300/month.
🇦🇺 Australia
- • Australia Awards — Full funding for development-focused studies.
- • Destination Australia — For students studying in regional areas.
🇺🇸 USA
- • Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship — For PhD and research. Covers all expenses.
- • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation — Up to $100,000 for postgraduate study.
- • University Assistantships (RA/TA) — PhD and some MS programs fully funded.
How to Build a Winning Application
- 1Start 12–18 months early. Government and prestigious scholarships like Chevening and DAAD require extensive preparation.
- 2Get strong recommendations. Letters from professors and supervisors who know your work are essential.
- 3Write a compelling SOP. Tie your past experience to future goals clearly — avoid generic statements.
- 4Apply to 8–12 scholarships. Spread across highly competitive and moderately competitive options.
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