Studying abroad, achieving a global degree from a well-recognised institution and experiencing a multicultural learning environment is a thrilling prospect and a dream for a majority of Indian students. However, the inflated cost of overseas education is a major hurdle for a lot of students. Fortunately, there are numerous fully and partially funded scholarships on offer for deserving students leading to a reduced financial burden and realisation of the dream to study abroad.

In this blog, we will discuss the various types of scholarships, how to apply for them, eligibility criteria and more. Read on till the end to know how to get scholarships to study abroad from India.

There are many different types of scholarships on offer. Broadly speaking, these scholarships can be divided into two categories - Based on the awarding body and merit-based scholarships. The various types of scholarships are discussed in detail below;

Based on Awarding Body

1. Government Scholarships -Many governments around the world offer lucrative scholarships to students. In the case of Indian students, these scholarships are mostly awarded by the Government of India or the government of your destination country. Common examples of government scholarships to study abroad for Indian students include the following;
   • Fulbright Nehru Master's Fellowship - It is a scholarship program for Indian students offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).
   • Commonwealth Scholarships - Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) it is a scholarship program offered to students from developing commonwealth countries to study in the UK.
   • Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Scholarships - Provided by the European Union for students to complete their master’s across Europe.
   • Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowshi - Fully funded scholarship offered by the Indian Government to women graduates pursuing a DPhil at Oxford University.
2. University Scholarships - Many global universities offer fully funded scholarships to attract talented students. Some of the top university-funded scholarships are as follows;
   • Rhodes Scholarship - Offered by the University of Oxford for postgraduate programs.
   • Chevening Scholarships - Universities in the UK offer this scholarship to students with exceptional leadership potential.
   • Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship - It is a merit-based scholarship offered by Reliance Industries to promising Indian students pursuing an MBA at Stanford University.
3. Private and Organisational Scholarships - Many private organisations and third-party entities like non-governmental organisations, private foundations and organisations also fund Indian scholarships to study abroad. Some of the notable private scholarships are;
   • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships - A need-based financial aid to Indian students looking to pursue higher education in the USA, UK or Europe.
   • Tata Scholarship for Cornell University - Established by Ratan Tata, this is a need-based scholarship offered to Indian students pursuing higher education at Cornell University.
   • Lady Meherbai Tata Education Trust Scholarship - Offered to Indian women graduates who wish to study abroad.

Based on Eligibility Criteria

1. Merit-Based Scholarships - Students with exceptional academic records or outstanding achievements in extra-curricular activities such as sports or community services are eligible for merit-based scholarships. Popular examples of merit-based scholarships include;
   • Gates Cambridge Scholarship - Fully paid scholarship for academically outstanding students to pursue higher education at Cambridge University.
   • Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program - Offered by the French government to international students with great academic backgrounds and strong potential in their chosen field.
2. Student-Centric Scholarships - Many scholarships are offered globally based on a student’s gender, colour, religion, ethnicity, etc. It is usually aimed at promoting marginalised students. Some popular examples include;
   • National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students - Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this scholarship program is for low-income students from Scheduled Castes (SC) to help them study abroad.
3. Need-Based Scholarships - These scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance to study abroad. Some of the top examples include;
   • AAUW International Fellowships - For women from third-world countries who wish to pursue graduate or postgraduate studies in the USA.
   • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship - Offered to students with outstanding academic performance in need of financial assistance.
4. Sports-Based Scholarships - Students with outstanding sports achievements can enrol for many sports-based scholarships offered by universities in the US and UK.
5. Location-Based Scholarships - These kinds of scholarships are available for students from specific locations across the world.
   • Australia Awards Scholarship - This scholarship program is specially designed for students from the Asia-Pacific region including Indian students who wish to pursue higher education in Australia.
   • New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships - This is a fully funded scholarship for students from Commonwealth countries to pursue higher education in New Zealand.

The application procedure to secure a scholarship depends on the specific scholarship, grant or fellowship you are applying for. Each awarding body has its own steps that an aspiring individual needs to follow. Nonetheless, discussed below is a general roadmap to be followed by Indian students to apply for scholarships to study abroad.

• Research and Identify the Scholarships - The first step of applying for a scholarship to study abroad is to research and find the best-suited options available. Identify the various scholarships offered and shortlist the ones that best suit your needs.
• Prepare your documents - Get all your academic, financial and personal documents in order. It may include documents such as;
  • Mark sheets
  • Degree certificates
  • Proof of financial need (if applicable).
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Letters of Recommendation from professors or employers.
  • Updated CV
  • Research proposal ready (in case of Phd).
  The document requirements are different for each scholarship so make sure you have all the relevant documents ready.
• Apply to Universities -Proof of admission is an important requirement for many scholarships. Apply as early as possible to your preferred universities to receive an offer letter in time to apply for the scholarships.
• Submit the Scholarship Application - Send in your application for the scholarship according to the instructions of the granting body. Make sure to apply early as it greatly increases your chances of success as early submission shows commitment. Follow the instructions carefully and fill out the application form.
• Prepare for Interviews (if applicable) - Some scholarships may have an interview requirement to assess your suitability. Be well prepared for the interview as it will greatly affect your chances.
• Follow-up - Scholarship applications usually take a long time to be evaluated. Keep an eye out for any updates from the awarding body and respond promptly to any queries from them.

If you plan well in advance and prepare meticulously, you will greatly improve your chances of securing a scholarship helping you in chasing your academic pursuits.

An important aspect of how to get scholarships to study abroad for Indian students is understanding the eligibility criteria. Each scholarship has somewhat different eligibility criteria determined by the awarding body, however, listed below are some of the common requirements to be eligible;

• Demonstrate academic excellence
• You will also need a strong performance in standardised academic tests.
• Show financial need with proof of inability to fund your education independently.
• English Language Proficiency is a must (where applicable) with valid TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores.
• Relevant Work Experience - Some scholarships, like the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships, require professional experience.
• Having leadership and extracurricular achievements under your belt will play in your favour.
• Some scholarships are restricted to specific courses or destinations. So if your area of interest aligns then only will you be eligible for the said scholarship.

These are some of the general eligibility requirements that a candidate must fulfil. The specific requirements will vary based on the exact scholarship, the area of interest, etc. Always make sure to enquire about the exact requirements before applying.

There are many scholarships offered through which several Indian students can benefit across various fields and in different countries. These scholarships intend to help Indian students fulfil their dreams of higher studies and careers in foreign countries. Here are the top Indian scholarships to study abroad.

A scholarship can greatly reduce the financial burden on students seeking to achieve international education and a globally recognised degree. However, securing a scholarship requires thorough research, detailed planning and preparation. Numerous scholarships are offered for Indian students to study abroad, all you need to do is find the best-suited one, apply early, stay organised and never shy away from contacting study-abroad consultants like Superb Study Abroad. With the right help, your dream of studying abroad can become a reality without financial constraints.

Scholarships, apart from reducing financial burden add significant value to the academic and professional profile of the students. Start your journey today and take one step closer to achieving your aspirations of studying at world-class institutions abroad.