Fully Funded Scholarships to Study Abroad: Country-Wise Guide for Indian Students

Introduction

Funding should not be the reason a great admit sits in your inbox while plans stall. The truth is, there are fully funded scholarships to study abroad that cover tuition, living costs, health insurance, flights, and sometimes even research or family support. The challenge is knowing where to look, what to prepare, and how to present your profile.

This country-wise guide simplifies the landscape for Indian students. You will find the key scholarships, who they are for, what they typically cover, application windows, and practical tips to improve your chances. Use it to shortlist, plan your documents, and build a strong, on-time application strategy.

United States

Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

• Who it is for: Master’s and PhD aspirants with strong academics and leadership potential.
• Coverage: Tuition, living stipend, health insurance, airfare, settling allowance, enrichment activities.
• Deadlines: Country-managed; India cycles usually open mid-year for the next academic year.
• Key eligibility: Indian citizenship, strong academic track, clarity of goals, and return-to-India intent for some tracks.
• Tip: A crisp statement of purpose that connects your work in India to your proposed study and post-return impact stands out.

AAUW International Fellowships (USA)

• Who it is for: Women pursuing full-time graduate study or research in the US.
• Coverage: Stipend toward tuition and living.
• Deadlines: Typically in the last quarter for the following academic year.
• Key eligibility: Non-US citizenship, evidence of academic excellence, commitment to women and girls.
• Tip: Showcase leadership and community engagement alongside academic fit.

United Kingdom

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

• Who it is for: One-year taught master’s candidates with leadership potential and two or more years of work experience.
• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, travel, visa, arrival allowance.
• Deadlines: Applications usually open in August and close in November.
• Key eligibility: Return-to-home-country requirement, clear career plan, strong references.
• Tip: Write outcomes, not just ambitions. Show how the course catalyzes specific, measurable impact.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (UK)

• Who it is for: Master’s candidates from Commonwealth countries with financial need and development focus.
• Coverage: Tuition, stipend, airfare, thesis grant, family support in some cases.
• Deadlines: Usually open around September–October.
• Key eligibility: Development-aligned goals and proven academic merit.
• Tip: Use a development lens. Connect your research interests to India’s sectoral priorities.

Rhodes Scholarships (University of Oxford)

• Who it is for: Exceptionally accomplished students for postgraduate study at Oxford.
• Coverage: All university fees, stipend, airfare, visa costs.
• Deadlines: Country-specific windows, often mid-year.
• Key eligibility: Outstanding academics, leadership, character.
• Tip: Demonstrate sustained excellence and service, not isolated achievements.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships (University of Cambridge)

• Who it is for: Master’s and PhD applicants to Cambridge with strong fit and academic excellence.
• Coverage: Full fees, maintenance allowance, flights, academic development funds.
• Deadlines: Vary by course and funding round.
• Key eligibility: Academic merit, research fit, and social impact potential.
• Tip: Your research statement should show originality and clear supervision alignment.

Clarendon Scholarships (University of Oxford)

• Who it is for: All graduate applicants to Oxford automatically considered.
• Coverage: Full tuition and generous living stipend.
• Deadlines: Align with Oxford program deadlines.
• Key eligibility: Academic excellence.
• Tip: Early, complete applications benefit from automatic consideration.

GREAT Scholarships (UK)

• Who it is for: Country-specific master’s scholarships funded by the UK government and UK universities.
• Coverage: Partial to substantial fee waivers, sometimes near-full.
• Deadlines: University-specific.
• Key eligibility: Academic merit with a focus on designated subjects.
• Tip: Check participating universities each cycle; seats are limited.

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM (UK)

• Who it is for: Women from select countries pursuing STEM master’s degrees.
• Coverage: Tuition, stipend, travel, visa fees, health coverage.
• Deadlines: Typically in Q1–Q2 for autumn entry.
• Key eligibility: Academic excellence and clear STEM career plan.
• Tip: Highlight tangible STEM projects, patents, publications, or prototypes.

Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships (UK)

• Who it is for: Outstanding PhD applicants at the University of Warwick.
• Coverage: Tuition plus maintenance stipend.
• Deadlines: Usually late year or early new year.
• Key eligibility: Academic and research excellence.
• Tip: Secure supervisor interest early; integrate it in your proposal.

Japan

MEXT Scholarship Japan

• Who it is for: Undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and research students nominated through the Embassy or University tracks.
• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, language training.
• Deadlines: Embassy track often opens around April–June for the following year.
• Key eligibility: Academic merit, age limits vary by category, medical fitness, and program fit.
• Tip: For research tracks, a precise research plan with methodology and outcomes is critical.

Canada

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

• Who it is for: PhD students in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities.
• Coverage: Prestigious multi-year funding package.
• Deadlines: Institution-nominated; internal deadlines precede the national deadline.
• Key eligibility: Academic excellence, research potential, leadership.
• Tip: Coordinate with your prospective department early to secure nomination.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

• Who it is for: International PhD students in Ontario.
• Coverage: Substantial annual funding for up to four years.
• Deadlines: University-managed timelines.
• Key eligibility: Outstanding academic track record.
• Tip: Target Ontario universities with supervisors aligned to your research.

Switzerland

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

• Who it is for: Postgraduate researchers and artists.
• Coverage: Monthly stipend, health insurance, housing allowance in some cases, tuition fee support.
• Deadlines: Country-specific; often September–December for next intake.
• Key eligibility: Host professor’s acceptance and a strong research plan.
• Tip: Build rapport with a supervisor before applying; Swiss fit matters.

Hungary

Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary Government Scholarship)

• Who it is for: Bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, PhD.
• Coverage: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, accommodation support, health insurance.
• Deadlines: Applications usually open around November–January.
• Key eligibility: Program and partner-country quotas.
• Tip: Shortlist universities early because program choice affects odds.

Germany

DAAD Scholarships

• Who it is for: Wide range of master’s and PhD programs.
• Coverage: Tuition (where applicable), monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance.
• Deadlines: Program-specific across the year.
• Key eligibility: Academic merit and study-in-Germany alignment.
• Tip: Use DAAD’s database to match programs and deadlines; align your CV with the course outcomes.

Netherlands

Netherlands Government Scholarship (Orange Knowledge Programme or related tracks)

• Who it is for: Professionals and students in eligible programs and institutions.
• Coverage: Tuition contribution, living allowance, and travel depending on scheme.
• Deadlines: Multiple rounds per year.
• Key eligibility: Country eligibility lists, program alignment, and employer support for some tracks.
• Tip: Read the scheme-specific call carefully; variants differ in benefits.

Australia

Australia Awards Scholarships

• Who it is for: Master’s level with a development focus.
• Coverage: Full tuition, return air travel, establishment allowance, living expenses, health insurance.
• Deadlines: Country-windowed, often Q1–Q2.
• Key eligibility: Development impact and return-to-country criteria.
• Tip: Show how your learning maps to outcomes in India.

Melbourne Research Scholarships

• Who it is for: High-achieving master’s by research and PhD applicants at the University of Melbourne.
• Coverage: Full fee offset and stipend; relocation and health cover may apply.
• Deadlines: Rolling with course deadlines.
• Key eligibility: Academic excellence and research fit.
• Tip: A strong research proposal and supervisor alignment improve outcomes.

Multi-Region and Field-Specific

ACI Foundation Scholarships (Construction, Concrete, Civil Materials)

• Who it is for: Students in concrete-related fields globally.
• Coverage: Stipend toward tuition and living; mentorship and industry exposure.
• Deadlines: Typically in the second half of the year.
• Key eligibility: Strong technical merit and field commitment.

How to Plan and Apply Effectively

1. Build a 6–8 month calendar
   Track each scholarship’s window, references, tests, and proofs. Avoid last-minute rush.
2. Create scholarship-ready documents
   Academic CV, tailored SOP or motivation letter, research proposal, portfolio, and evidence of awards.
3. Show financial readiness
   Even with fully funded options, some require proof of funds or contingency. Loan pre-approval strengthens credibility.
4. Secure strong references
   Pick referees who know your work well and can speak to impact, not just grades.
5. Customize each application
   Mirror the scholarship’s values in your story, outcomes, and career plan.

Where Lorien Finance Fits In

Scholarships are powerful, and many are highly competitive. A parallel loan strategy makes your plan robust and keeps timelines on track if scholarship outcomes are delayed or partial.

• Compare 17+ global and Indian lenders with a single application
• Quick loan sanction and disbursal, provided with complete verified documentation
• Options for no-collateral and no-cosigner where eligible
• Study abroad essentials support, so funding and logistics move together

Use scholarships for what they do best, and lean on an optimized loan to bridge any gaps without losing momentum.

FAQs

Are these scholarships truly fully funded?
Many listed here cover tuition, living costs, and health insurance, and some include flights and setup allowances. Always check the fine print for program-specific limits or partial awards.

Can one profile fit multiple scholarships?
Yes, but each application must be tailored. Align your motivation, research interests, and development impact with the provider’s mission.

How early should Spring 2026 applicants start?
Plan 6–8 months ahead. Some UK and Australia cycles open as early as Q3 of the previous year. Research now, draft in the next month, finalize and submit well before deadlines.

Will a loan pre-approval help scholarship chances?
It strengthens your financial readiness and assures the committee that you can enroll if selected. Many award bodies value clear, feasible plans.

Can Lorien Finance help alongside scholarships?
Yes. Lorien Finance helps you compare 17+ lenders, secure quick sanction and disbursal with complete verified documentation, and explore no-collateral or no-cosigner options where eligible. This keeps you timeline-ready while scholarship results arrive.