Jun 4, 2025
Scholarship
9 mins read

Different Types of Scholarships for Study Abroad Aspirants

Studying abroad is a long-held dream for most students, but it's too expensive for many. Fortunately, there are also many scholarships and financial aids that help reduce the cost for international students who want to pursue studies abroad. These make studying abroad easier and cheaper.

Key Highlights

  • Various scholarships are available for international students, including merit-based, need-based, and student-specific scholarships.
  • Understanding the different types of scholarships can help students find the best financial aid opportunities to fund their education abroad.
  • Scholarships provide a great way to manage the cost of studying abroad, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other related costs.
  • Students should research various scholarship options and start their applications early to improve their chances of selection.
  • It is essential to review the eligibility criteria and gather all the required documents before applying for a study abroad scholarship.

Exploring the Different Scholarships for Studying Abroad

It is fun to go abroad and study, but sometimes these activities are hard, especially the money-related issues. Luckily, there are many scholarships for students that can help with this. It is very essential that students know of their various scholarships. This way, they can choose what is best for their education while being abroad.

These scholarships help many types of students. Some are given because of good grades, while others depend on financial need, special skills, or a student's background. This help can go towards tuition fees, living costs, and other education expenses.

1. Merit-based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are available to students who have done well in school. They take into consideration grades, test scores, and school achievements.

Many of the best schools across the globe award these scholarships in order to notice and aid distinguished students. Such scholarships could either pay for some portion of a student's tuition or perhaps even cover it in its entirety, thus facilitating easy enrollment in prestigious institutions.

It is difficult to get a merit-based scholarship. The selection criteria are tough and highly competitive. Schools closely check the applicant's academic performance, potential, and past achievements to pick the best candidates.

List of merit-based scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Indian Government Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance
  • Tata Trusts Merit Scholarship for Higher Education
  • Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship for Meritorious Students
  • JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
  • Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program for Higher Studies
  • Raman Kant Munjal Scholarship for Meritorious Students
  • OP Jindal Engineering and Management Scholarships
  • HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Support
  • Sahu Jain Trust Educational Scholarships
  • Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship for Brilliant Students

2. Need-based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are very helpful to students who need money for school. They focus on students from low-income families who find it hard to afford higher education costs. It includes tuition fees, living expenses, and study materials.

Applying will require sharing financial details with them. These include family income statements and tax documents. If such information is observed closely, scholarship providers will be able to assist people who genuinely need it.

Need-based scholarships give students from different backgrounds a fair chance. They can chase their academic goals without too many worries about money.

List of need-based scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Raman Kant Munjal Scholarship
  • Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships
  • Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
  • Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
  • Tata Trusts Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and potential for success in the chosen field of study.

3. Student-specific Scholarships

Student-specific scholarships focus on specific groups of students, such as international students or those from specific countries, like India. These scholarships understand the special challenges and chances that these students face. They are designed to help and encourage students to pursue higher education in other countries.

To qualify for these scholarships, there are often eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency, or ethnicity. Many countries provide good scholarships to attract skilled international students. This also helps promote cultural exchange and diversity in their education systems.

In addition, these scholarships support underrepresented groups. They aim to create more inclusivity and ensure that students from different backgrounds have equal access to good education.

List of Student-specific scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Fulbright Scholarship Program
  • Chevening Scholarships
  • DAAD Scholarships
  • Australia Awards
  • Chinese Government Scholarships
  • Japanese Government Scholarships
  • Korean Government Scholarships
  • Mexican Government Scholarships
  • Swedish Institute Scholarships
  • New Zealand Scholarships

4. Destination-specific Scholarships

Destination-specific scholarships are meant for students who want to study in a certain country or area. Places like the United States, New Zealand, and Commonwealth countries provide many scholarships to bring skilled students to their schools.

These scholarships help make education more international by inviting students from all over the world. Governments and educational institutions usually foot the bill. They help promote cultural diversity while also fostering global connections and helping to attract the best talent to their universities.

Such scholarships give financial assistance for the study to ease costs in students' budgets who desire to study at a preferred place. Additionally, it helps the world's learning map.

List of Destination-specific scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Inlaks Scholarships - For students applying to universities in the United States and Europe
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships - For Indian students pursuing studies in the UK
  • New Zealand Excellence Awards - For outstanding Indian students studying in New Zealand
  • Commonwealth Scholarships - For Indian students pursuing higher education in Commonwealth countries

These scholarships offer Indian students the opportunity to study abroad and gain valuable international experience.

5. Subject-specific Scholarships

These are subject-specific scholarships for students who want to study specific topics. You usually find these scholarships in areas such as STEM, humanities, arts, and social sciences.

These scholarships are offered by colleges and groups to attract and help students who are passionate about certain subjects, especially for graduate studies like master's and doctoral programs.

These scholarships support deep knowledge and research in special fields, helping to develop a new group of experts and researchers. Students can take advantage of funding opportunities that match their academic interests and career goals.

List of Subject-specific scholarships given to Indian students for studying abroad:

  • Inlaks Scholarship Program
  • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
  • Rhodes Scholarship India
  • Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
  • Tata Scholarships for Cornell University

6. Sports Scholarships

Sports scholarships are given to outstanding athletes who do well in their sports. These scholarships show how important athletic talent is and help student-athletes pay for their higher education while they compete.

Colleges and universities with great sports programs look for talented athletes from around the world. They provide scholarships that can cover tuition fees, accommodation, and other expenses.

Student-athletes on sports scholarships need to ensure that their grades are in check. They have to handle the training and the school work well since they must train intensely while also studying at school.

List of sports scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
  • Inlaks Scholarship
  • Tata Scholarship for Cornell University
  • Khorana Program for Scholars
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
  • Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program

7. Minority Scholarships

Minority scholarships help students from groups that have not always been represented. These scholarships come from government bodies, foundations, and educational institutions.

Their goal is to create equal chances for education, boost people from different backgrounds, and support understanding between cultures and social growth.

By focusing on the needs and struggles of minority students, these scholarships help make education fairer and more inclusive for everyone. They promote diversity and open doors for all students.

List of minority scholarships for Indian students studying abroad:

  • Tata Trusts Scholarships
  • KC Mahindra Education Trust Scholarships
  • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships
  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
  • JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
  • Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
  • Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

8. Government-funded Scholarships

Government-funded scholarships, like the national overseas scholarship, help people pay for education in other countries.

For example, the Indian government has many scholarships. These come from different ministries and departments. They encourage Indian students to join top universities around the world.

Here is a list of government-funded scholarships given to Indian students for studying abroad:

  • National Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST
  • National Overseas Scholarship for OBC
  • National Overseas Scholarship for Minorities
  • Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles
  • Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships
  • ICCR Scholarships
  • Raman-Charpak Fellowship
  • Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship

These scholarship programs indicate how much the government cares about international education. They promote cultural exchange and help develop skilled people by giving them chances to gain global experience and knowledge.

9. University-funded Scholarships

Many universities worldwide award scholarships. This has been done to encourage and support many prodigious students from all walks of life.

For example, universities like Oxford and the University of Toronto offer several scholarships that cater to undergraduate and graduate studies. These scholarships may cover tuition fees, living costs, and research opportunities both at the undergraduate and master's graduate levels.

Such scholarships reflect the intent of the universities to recruit excellent students, thereby fostering a thriving and heterogeneous academic community. Students gain access to top-level resources, famous teachers, and a supportive place to learn.

List of university-funded scholarships given to Indian students for studying abroad:

  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
  • Tata Scholarship for Cornell University
  • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships
  • JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
  • KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
  • The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
  • Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships
  • Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
  • Chevening Scholarships for Indian Students

10. Private Organization Scholarships

Private organization scholarships come from businesses, foundations, or generous people. They provide really great scholarship opportunities for students who want to further their education.

These organizations see that education is important. They facilitate schools and support deserving students with scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

Many private organization scholarships are aligned with the goals or values of the organization. Some might target specific fields of study, specific groups of people, or specific areas of interest. This shows their commitment to social responsibility and their investment in the future workforce.

List of private organization scholarships given to Indian students for studying abroad:

  • Tata Scholarships for Indian Students
  • Aditya Birla Scholarships for Indian Students
  • Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Programme
  • Inlaks Scholarships
  • KC Mahindra Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies Abroad
  • Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships
  • Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
  • Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
  • Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships for Indian Students

Conclusion

When you think about studying abroad, looking into scholarship options can help a lot with costs. There are many opportunities to receive funding, such as merit-based or destination-specific scholarships. Knowing the types of scholarships and the eligibility criteria will help increase your chances of receiving funds for your education abroad. Be sure to research a lot, apply early, and tailor your applications to each scholarship's requirements. Scholarships not only help pay for school but also open up new experiences and cultural learning.

FAQs

Which scholarship is best for study abroad?

The best study abroad scholarship depends on the individual. Different people need different things, while others prefer certain academic fields and their financial statuses. You need to investigate various types of scholarships. Familiarize yourself with the selection criteria. Select one that fits your academic interests and finances.