As of 2018, a total of 2,12,066 Indian students have gone to pursue their academic aspirations abroad. The statistics indicate a surge of students from India opting to study abroad in comparison to other Asian countries.
The first point an individual planning to study abroad explores is the cost of studying abroad and the university tuition fees. Study destinations are often chosen based on budgets and flexibility. There is a common misconception among Indian Students that Scholarships are very hard to obtain or only available to the privileged. But what if we told you that anyone can obtain a scholarship as long as they meet certain criteria?
So yes, a Scholarship is possible to study abroad. Financial Aid mainly comes in three types which are:
1. Scholarships offered by the institution/university.
2. Scholarships offered by the government.
3. Scholarships offered by private trusts, charitable organizations, and companies.
So what does a Scholarship Cover?
A Scholarship is a form of financial aid that helps reduce the financial burden on students in covering university tuition fees. Research related grants and bursaries are different from Scholarships where students on a research grant or bursary get financial aid at intervals.
Scholarships can cover anywhere between 5% and up to 85% of the University Tuition Fees based on the type of scholarship and fulfilling the criteria involved.
Are there any popular Scholarships used by International Students?
Yes there are, and here are some of them:
1. Chevening UK Government Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders.
Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are personally selected by British embassies and high commissions throughout the world.
Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) is responsible for managing Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), established in 1959, and supports around 700 awards annually.
Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships are aimed at talented individuals who have the potential to make change. The CSC offers around 800 awards for postgraduate study and professional development each year.
3. Erasmus Scholarships
An Erasmus grant is accessible for students to help with the additional expenses of studying and working abroad.
In the event that you are attending a study program in Europe, you might be qualified for an Erasmus grant to help with the additional expenses of study and working abroad. Despite the fact that the grant is paid to you straightforwardly by the University, it is subsidized by the European Commission inside the structure of the Erasmus program.
The Erasmus program grant is proposed to be a commitment towards your everyday costs while abroad.
The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
4. Royal Society Grants
The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
The Society’s fundamental purpose, reflected in its founding Charters of the 1660s, is to recognize, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.
The Royal Society are the independent scientific academy of the UK and the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting excellence in science.
5. Tata Scholarship at Cornell University for Indian Students
The Tata Scholarship Fund will support approximately 20 scholars at any given time and will ensure that the very best Indian students have access to Cornell, regardless of their financial circumstances. The scholarship will be awarded annually; recipients will receive the scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate studies at Cornell.
To receive the undergraduate scholarship, a recipient must:
- be a citizen of India and have attended secondary school in India;
- be offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student;
- be eligible for need-based financial aid.
6. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships for Indian Students
The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships are designed for outstanding Indians to pursue a master's degree program at select U.S. colleges and universities in the areas of Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies; Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women's Studies/Gender Studies.
Grant Benefits
The fellowship will provide the following benefits:
- J-1 visa support;
- Round-trip economy class air travel from fellow's home city to the host institution in the U.S.
- Funding for tuition and fees*, living and related costs; and
- Accident and sickness coverage per U.S. Government guidelines.
- The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships provide no financial support for dependents.
So how do I obtain a Scholarship?
This has been the question that many Indian students planning to study abroad often ask. Scholarship applications can often at times be complicated, have very short deadlines and need to be followed up closely with professional application management.
There are two ways that students can obtain a scholarship once they meet the eligibility and criteria. One is that the student applies by himself or herself. Or they can opt to use an Education Consultant. This where WE step in. Our global network of Universities and connects with Scholarship programs provides students a superior advantage in Scholarship Application as we advise, consult and take complete care of end-to-end Application Management on behalf of the students.