How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad for Indian Students?

Studying abroad in a top-tier university is a dream many students pursue in this day and age. There are numerous advantages that make foreign education an attractive option to avail. However, there are several factors that need to be considered before making such a monumental decision. One of the most consequential factors that determine whether or not a student will be able to pursue their dream of studying abroad is their financial background. Monetary restraints often lead to the ambition of countless students remaining unfulfiled. On the other hand, if proper financial resources are available, a student can afford the best educational facilities from the most prestigious of colleges and universities.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid provided by government or academic institutions are a common way through which many students fulfil their ambitions of foreign education. These kinds of scholarships and grants have been provided to students from various backgrounds to facilitate the progress of many lives.

However, such grants are given to only those students who have shown outstanding merit in their academic studies and co-curricular activities. Often the institution that is providing the financial aid holds scholarship exams to test the eligibility of the students that apply for the same. Students may also be required to provide reference letters and recommendations in order to show their worthiness for the scholarship.

The scholarship can be sanctioned under several conditions or parameters. Colleges and universities across the world provide scholarships based on various criteria and students can fulfill these requirements and seek admissions in their choice of universities. Foreign education scholarships can be categorized into the following:

Merit-Based Scholarships

The most common types of scholarships are merit-based scholarships. These kinds of scholarships are awarded to students who have an immaculate academic record.

Need-Based Scholarships

Foreign education can be one of the most exorbitant endeavors that an individual can undertake in their lifetime. Thus, some scholarships are provided to students who come from economically-challenged households.

Subject-specific Scholarships

Students often pursue higher education in a highly specialized field of study. Often grants are provided to candidates who are undertaking important studies and research for a particular subject. These scholarships are only provided if a student passes certain criteria set by the higher authorities of the concerned field of study.

Student-specific Scholarships

Scholarships are also provided for students who belong to a certain community, caste, gender, race, or any other such category. These scholarships are given to uplift the members of the community in question, as these communities often lack such opportunities.

Destination-specific Scholarships

Colleges and universities often provide scholarships to students who reside in a particular region. Often universities give scholarships to students who are native residents of the country where the academic institution is located. These scholarships are exclusive to the natives of the country where the university is located, and international students are not eligible to apply for such grants.

Sports-Based Scholarships

Another popular form of financial aid provided to students, Sports-based scholarships are given to individuals who have shown excellent performance in major sports at state, national, and even international levels. These kinds of scholarships are common in many reputed colleges and universities across the world. The student who is granted a sports scholarship has to represent their university at various competitions and sporting events.

Foreign Scholarships

There are numerous kinds of scholarships that students can apply for when seeking admission to their preferred college or university. Given below are some scholarships that Indian students can apply for when planning their foreign education in countries like the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and others.

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is provided to 100 students every year from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This scholarship is earmarked for students from Scheduled Castes, denotified tribes, semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural labourers, and traditional artisans. The Eligibility Criteria for this scholarship is:

• The student should be below the age of 35 as of 1st April of the selection year.
• The family income of the student should be less than Rs. 8 lakh per annum.
• The student should be applying for a Masters’s or PhD course in any stream.
• The student should have obtained atleast 60% marks in the qualifying examination.

Fulbright Nehru Master’s Fellowship

The Fulbright Nehru Master’s Fellowship is for those Indian students who have an excellent academic record and want to pursue a Master’s degree in the US. The fields of study open under this grant are Arts and Culture Management, Environmental Science/Studies, International Affairs, Public Health, Women’s Studies/Gender Studies, and many others. The Eligibility Criteria for this scholarship are as follows:

• The candidate should demonstrate leadership skills and be highly motivated.
• The student should have a US bachelor’s degree equivalent with atleast 55% marks. The bachelor’s degree should be a four-year program, a completed master’s degree of a full-time postgraduate diploma.
• Should have atleast three years of professional work experience and plan on coming back to India after studies.
• Must not have another degree from any university in the US.

GREAT Scholarships India

UK universities offer a total of 20 postgraduate scholarships across a range of subjects for Indian students. These scholarships are funded by the GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with partner universities. The Eligibility Criteria of this scholarship is as follows:

• The student should be an Indian citizen.
• The student should hold an undergraduate degree in the proposed field of study.
• The student should meet the English language requirements set by their preferred university.
• The student should be a GREAT alumnus.
• The student should be applying to one of the participating universities only.
• The student should build an engagement with the UK as a scholar through personal and academic fulfilment.

Studying in a top-tier foreign university is a dream that many students today pursue. Having a degree from a reputed university in the subject of choice can significantly boost a student’s prospects in terms of employment in both the host country and their native country. Thus, students who are unable to meet the financial requirements of studying abroad should research and apply for foreign education scholarships and grants to meet their goals of pursuing a degree from their preferred university.