Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students

Study abroad scholarships​ are a means of financial aid awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, financial need, or some other unique attributes. With hundreds of thousands of dollars up for grabs each year, there is certainly a lot on offer regarding study abroad scholarships for Indian students.

Though the perks of pursuing overseas education are unlimited, the hefty course fee and living expenses in a foreign land may stand in the way of your study abroad goals. If these costs overwhelm you, you will be pleased to find that many states, associations, and colleges provide study abroad scholarships to Indian students.

Several types of study abroad scholarships are funded by different public and private organisations that are specifically designed for aspiring Indian students. Let us delve into this guide to explore different types of study abroad scholarships, find the best scholarship to study abroad for Indian students,​ and learn how to get scholarship to study abroad​.

Types of Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students

Study abroad scholarships can be funded by the government or a private organisation. The government can be either from the study destination or the home country, that is, India. The reason for awarding these scholarships may further vary. While two main types of scholarships are widely popular in the Indian education system, viz., need and merit-based, the global education system defines study abroad scholarships in various categories:

• Scholarships by Funding: Awards can either be funded by a government, private organisation, or the university.
• Scholarships by Eligibility: Award winners are defined by the eligibility criteria of need-based, merit-based, subject-specific, or student-specific.

The different types of study abroad scholarships for Indian students can be understood in the following categories:

Merit-based Study Abroad Scholarships

• Awarded to intellectually gifted international students
• Based on an applicant's academic qualifying exam scores
• Do not take a student's financial status into account
• Not only based on academic performance, but a wide range of abilities, including musical knowledge and physical skills
• Usually covers tuition costs

Need-based Study Abroad Scholarships

• Evaluates the student's financial condition to see if they can pay the tuition payments
• Sponsors consider a variety of financial considerations, including the student's income and citizenship status

University Scholarships to Study Abroad

• Assists international students in affording their overseas education
• Usually covers a portion of the tuition fees
• Unlike admission scholarships, these grants do not require submission (which means that those enrolled in a college or university are automatically eligible for these scholarships)

Subject-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships

• Some colleges and institutions award grants to students planning to follow a specific subject of study
• Given to encourage students from developing nations to continue their education
• Private entities also give out these awards

Student-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships

• Students who can classify themselves based on gender, colour, religion, family, and medical history are eligible for a student-specific award for Indian students to study abroad
• Examples include National Overseas Scholarship, British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, K.C. Mahindra Scholarship, Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, Cornell University Tata Scholarship, and more

Government Scholarships to Study Abroad

• The Indian government and state governments offer a variety of scholarships to Indian students for studying abroad
• Other nations' governments also offer numerous scholarships to overseas students to promote their education system worldwide, thereby becoming a global attraction
• Destination-Based Study Abroad Scholarships
• It varies from one country to the next
• Students from a given country can receive financial aid from several federal organisations, states, and universities

Private Scholarships to Study Abroad

• Granted by private individuals or organisations to Indian students
• Community organisations and businesses also provide these services
• Donors establish private funds to give scholarships for international study
• Rewards are given out based on academic demands and the financial circumstances of the contributors
• Most of these scholarships have stringent criteria
• Some of these include coming from an impoverished nation or being a woman, or a minority, or studying in a specific field
• Considered as some of the most critical study abroad scholarships for Indian students

Check out the popular scholarships to study in New Zealand and Ireland:

Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad​

Let us explore the top study abroad scholarships funded by the Indian government, along with their eligibility and award amount as per 2025-2026.

National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

This is a flagship scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students from marginalised communities. It provides financial assistance to low-income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. Offered to only 125 students each year, this one is a competitive scholarship. Its applications are invited online on the official NOS portal.

Level of Study: Master's degree and PhD programmes

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Belong to the specified categories such as SC, DNTs, and more
• Candidates should not be over 35 years old
• Family income from all sources must not exceed a specified annual limit, such as INR 8 lakh
• Must have secured at least 60% aggregate in the qualifying examination
• Admission to one of the top-ranked foreign universities, within the top 500 of the latest QS World University Rankings

Financial Benefits:

• Full tuition fees and other university charges
• Maintenance allowance, such as US $15,400 annually for US/non-UK, GB £9,900 for UK
• Contingency allowance for books, research, etc.
• Air travel expenses, visa fees, and medical insurance.

Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies

This scheme has been designed for those who have secured an educational loan to study abroad, to provide interest subsidies on educational loans for students from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Backward Classes (EBC).

Level of Study: Master’s, MPhil, and PhD degrees

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Belong to the OBC or EBC category
• Must have a valid educational loan from a scheduled bank
• Family income from all sources should not exceed a specified annual limit. For example, INR 8 lakh per annum for the OBC category and INR 5 lakh per annum for the EBC category

Financial Benefits: The government subsidises the interest on the educational loan during the moratorium period (the time from loan disbursement until the start of repayment).

Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

It is a prestigious scholarship programme jointly funded by the governments of the US and India to support outstanding Indian students to pursue a master's degree at US colleges and universities. It needs to be planned well in advance, as the award is highly competitive. For instance, applications for 2027-2026 would open in the first quarter of 2026.

Level of Study: Master’s degree

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Bachelor's degree with a specified minimum percentage (at least 55% aggregate)
• 3 or more years of relevant professional work experience

Financial Benefits: Covers tuition fees, living costs, accident and sickness programme for J-1 visa holders, round-trip travel, and a one-time settling-in allowance

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

This fellowship is offered to Indian scholars with a proven academic record to conduct research at the University of Oxford.

Level of Study: Post-doctoral research

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• 30-40-year-old candidates
• A PhD in a relevant field (History, Economics, or Political Science)
• 3 or more years of teaching experience

Financial Benefits: Fully funded fellowship, covering living costs, airfare, and research expenses

State-Specific Schemes

State governments offer scholarships to their residents for studying abroad. These are in addition to the central government schemes and have specific eligibility criteria. Examples include:

• The Government of Telangana's Chief Minister's Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Minorities
• Maharashtra's Foreign Scholarship Program for students from both open and reserved categories
• Rajasthan's Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence (RGS) scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious students

Note: These schemes are subject to annual revisions regarding eligibility, financial benefits, and application deadlines. Always check the official websites of the respective ministries and organisations for the latest and most accurate information.

Check out the popular scholarships to study in Germany and Dubai:

Popular Study Abroad Scholarships by Different Countries

Listed below are popular scholarships for Indian students offered by various foreign governments and private foundations, along with their eligibility and award amounts for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Study Abroad Scholarships in the US

Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships: A prestigious, highly competitive, and merit-based scholarship programme jointly funded by the governments of the United States and India. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and difficult to get.

• Level of Study: Master’s degree
• Eligibility: Indian citizens, holding a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate, and at least three years of relevant professional work experience
• Financial Benefits: Covers tuition and fees, living costs, a J-1 visa support, round-trip air travel, and a settling-in allowance

Tata Scholarship at Cornell University: A private scholarship funded by the Tata Education and Development Trust, not a government scholarship.

• Level of Study: Undergraduate programmes
• Eligibility: Indian citizens with a high school diploma from India, demonstrating financial need for this need-based scholarship, admitted to an undergraduate programme at Cornell University
• Financial Benefits: Covers the full cost of tuition and other academic expenses for the entire duration of the undergraduate programme

Find more details on:

Study Abroad Scholarships in Canada

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award: A highly competitive university-specific merit and need-based award offered by the University of British Columbia (UBC).

• Level of Study: Undergraduate programmes
• Eligibility: First-year undergraduate students, demonstrating superior academic achievement, leadership skills, and significant financial need
• Financial Benefits: Award amount varies depending on the student's financial need; covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS D): A prestigious scholarship programme funded by the Canadian government, it is one of the most significant awards for doctoral students in Canada and is a key tool for attracting top international talent. Students cannot apply for this scholarship directly

• Level of Study: PhD programmes
• Eligibility: Indian citizens pursuing their first doctoral degree in Canada; must be nominated by a Canadian university with a quota to host scholars; must have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two years of full-time study; must not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1 of the application year
• Financial Benefits: Provides CA $50,000 per year for up to 3 years of doctoral study

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Study Abroad Scholarships in the UK

Chevening Scholarships: A fully funded scholarship programme by the government of the United Kingdom, aimed at developing global leaders, it is one of the most prestigious scholarships.

• Level of Study: One-year master's degree
• Eligibility: Indian citizens with at least two years of work experience and an undergraduate degree that meets the admission requirements of a UK university
• Financial Benefits: Covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return airfare to the UK, and additional allowances for visa application costs and travel

Commonwealth Scholarship: Funded by the UK Government's Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, this is another highly esteemed scholarship.

• Level of Study: Master’s and PhD degrees
• Eligibility: Indian citizens who meet the specific academic requirements of their course; offered to students from Commonwealth countries who cannot afford to study in the UK on their own
• Financial Benefits: A fully funded scholarship that covers tuition, airfare, and a living allowance

Felix Scholarships: A private scholarship established to support outstanding Indian students with financial need to pursue postgraduate studies at three specific UK universities: the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

• Level of Study: Master’s and PhD programmes
• Eligibility: Students must be Indian nationals, have a first-class bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university, demonstrate outstanding merit and financial need, and also have a confirmed offer of admission from one of the three partner universities
• Financial Benefits: Fully funded, covering tuition, living costs, and a return airfare

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: A private scholarship that promotes Indian students' talent globally.

• Level of Study: Master's and PhD programmes
• Eligibility: Indian citizens under 30 with a good first degree from a recognised Indian university; must have already secured admission to an eligible university abroad before applying for the scholarship
• Financial Benefits: Funding for tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, and a health allowance, up to a maximum of US $100,000; does not cover specific fields such as Business, Finance, Engineering, or Computer Science, with limited exceptions

Check out all you need to know about:

Study Abroad Scholarships in Australia

Australia Awards Scholarships: Offered by the government of Australia for students from specific developing countries, including India, these scholarships are designed to promote knowledge, education links, and enduring ties.

• Level of Study: Master’s and PhD degrees
• Eligibility: Citizens of India, meeting specific country-level criteria; intended for professionals in sectors that support sustainable development
• Financial Benefits: Fully funded, covering full tuition fees, a living stipend, return air travel, an establishment allowance, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Please note that award amounts are subject to change. Hence, you must refer to the latest information on the official scholarship pages.

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How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad​?

To get a study abroad scholarship, follow this step-by-step process to research and identify suitable scholarships and prepare a strong application.

Step 1: Research and Identify Scholarships

Research for awards based on your profile (qualifying for merit or need-based study abroad scholarships), study destination, and field of study, through university websites, government portals, and dedicated search engines.

Step 2: Understand Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Once you have shortlisted your scholarships, thoroughly review their eligibility criteria and gather the required documents. This includes academic transcripts with a high GPA, achievements in your academic, extracurricular, community service, or athletic activities, scholarship essays or SOPs, letters of recommendation, standardised exam scores (such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL for English and GRE for graduate and SAT for undergraduate scholarships, if needed), and gather financial documents, such as bank statements or tax returns for need-based scholarships.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents

Documentation includes proof of the qualifying aspects as discussed in the previous step, and a copy of your valid passport. Tailor your essays and personal statements to match the specific goals of each scholarship. Check the requirements on the official scholarship website to avoid missing out on essential documents.

Step 4: Apply Strategically

Make sure to apply early. Deadlines for study abroad scholarships are strict, so start the application process well in advance. Also, ensure to apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances of securing funding. Consider seeking guidance from educational experts.

Your scholarship essay is your chance to tell your unique story. It is where you explain why you are a great fit for the scholarship, showcasing your motivations, academic and professional goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.

If you need professional guidance in choosing among the best study abroad scholarships for your profile and find the process a bit overwhelming, worry not! Register at AECC and book your free 1:1 counselling session with our experts, who evaluate your profile to understand your requirements and provide you with the best solutions, making your journey smooth.