Top 4 Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

In India, many students dream of studying at top international universities like Harvard, Princeton, Caltech, and MIT. However, due to financial constraints, many young minds are denied the opportunity. This is why many governments and international bodies have come together to introduce low-interest student loans and scholarships to ensure that talented students are not denied the opportunity for a quality education due to lack of funds. Here are 5 scholarships that you can apply for, if you are also planning higher studies in countries like UK, Europe, China, Canada and the USA.

1. Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships

Introduced by the United States-India Educational Foundation, or USIEF, these scholarships are offered to Indians who wish to pursue a master’s course or research at any US institution.

Students who have completed the American equivalent of Bachelor’s degree (4 years of college education) and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience are eligible for the scholarship. In addition to education, candidates are also assessed on communication, leadership and community service skills, and their motivation to pursue higher education. Therefore, it is better if you highlight these aspects in the application.

The scholarships cover airfare (economics), tuition, textbooks, and a living stipend. That being said, candidates who wish to pursue their Master’s Degree in the areas of Environmental Sciences, Art and Culture, International Legal Studies, Gender Studies, Public Health, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

There is no specific number of seats for these scholarships, as the USIEF considers applications from all candidates deemed worthy. The application process generally begins in June and continues through July, prior to the start year of the course. Final selections are then declared in March.

2. Tata Scholarship

By getting this scholarship, talented Indian students can apply for undergraduate courses at Cornell University, USA.

Candidates who are Indian citizens and have obtained an admission to Cornell University are eligible to apply for this scholarship. They must also provide proof that they need financial assistance based on their needs.

Introduced by the Tata Education and Development Trust, these scholarships cover tuition for undergraduate programs for a period of up to eight semesters. For programs like Architecture that exceed that duration, the additional costs are administered by the student himself. Other expenses, including food, medical, living and travel expenses, are also covered by the scholarship.

Additionally, the Trust only supports a total of 20 students studying at Cornell at a time. Applications for the scholarship open in the month of October / November of each year, around the time of college applications, while final selections are declared in December.

3. Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission offers financial aid in the form of scholarships to students from Commonwealth countries such as India, who are seeking to pursue Masters and PhD programs in the UK.

To be eligible, the candidate must be an Indian citizen and have completed their education in English. In addition, the candidate must have obtained a minimum of at least 65% in Science, Technology, Engineering and Agriculture or 60% in Social Sciences and Humanities. The same criteria also apply to PhD candidates.

In addition, the Ministry of Human Resource Development selects applicants on the basis of preliminary interviews. The amount of the scholarship covers tuition, return airfare in economy class, and living expenses.

Scholarship applications open in August of each year, before the start of the course next year. That said, the commission does not have a specific number of seats; deserving candidates are shortlisted for the scholarship.

4. Chevening Scholarships

These scholarships are offered by the UK government to help Indian students and professionals complete a one-year Master’s program in the country and take on leadership roles in the future.

To be eligible, applicants must have completed their undergraduate or graduate studies. In addition, the UK government also considers candidates with 2 years or more of work experience for this scholarship.

The scholarship application process usually takes about 6 months, starting the second week of August. The process ends in July of each year. 65 scholarships are offered each year under the program.

Ending

Well, there you go! Don’t let your dreams of further education fade due to financial constraints. There are various programs offering loans for higher education in India and scholarships for deserving applicants. You can also choose one according to your aspirations.