Scholarships make studying abroad easy on your pockets. They look great on your resume, can help expand your network, ease student debt, and lead to future job opportunities. There are no demerits to scholarships and everyone planning to study abroad should consider them. In this blog, we will cover top scholarships for studying abroad for Indian students. Keep reading!
Types of Scholarships Available
Broadly speaking there are 3 types of scholarships available to students in India:
Government Scholarships: These scholarships are offered by the Indian government or foreign governments. These are either rooted in financial need or to reward a student for subject excellence or both. National Overseas Scholarships is an example of Indian government backed scholarship to help empower low-income students from marginalized communities’ study abroad. Global Korea Scholarship is a scholarship offered by Korean Government to Indian students who wish to study in Korea. Another example is Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship and Chevening Scholarship by British Government.
University-Specific Scholarships: The second most popular type of scholarships are university-specific. Each university abroad offers a range of scholarships to help students minimize the cost of living and studying in the country. It is also an incentive to promote their programs and encourage students to focus on academic learning. For some of these scholarships, you don’t have to apply separately, you are considered automatically for them when you apply with the university. Here are some examples:
- Felix Scholarship for Oxford University
- Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship for The University of Sydney
- Beacon Scholarship at LSE
- UCL Global Scholarships
- Maynooth University Scholarships in Ireland
- NUS Global Merit Scholarship
Private and Non-Profit Scholarships: Scholarships from private organizations and foundations come under this category. Some examples are Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Program, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship and Generation Google Scholarship.
Top Scholarships for Indian Students
Here are best scholarships to win to study abroad:
Inlaks Scholarship
The Inlaks Scholarship is a prestigious fellowship program that supports young Indian professionals to pursue postgraduate studies at top universities worldwide. Eligibility includes being an Indian citizen, holding a first-class undergraduate degree, and securing admission to a foreign university. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a stipend, and other expenses, empowering recipients to excel in their chosen fields and contribute to India’s growth. The application process involves submitting academic records, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a research proposal.
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship
The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship is a prestigious exchange program between the United States and India. It offers opportunities for scholars, professionals, and students to engage in research, teaching, and study in their respective fields. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific program, but generally include academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to cultural exchange. The fellowship typically covers tuition fees, a stipend, and other expenses, allowing recipients to immerse themselves in the academic and cultural environment of the host country.
Tata Scholarship add hyperlinks to all
The Tata Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program offered by the Tata Trusts to support exceptional students from India pursuing higher education in India or abroad. Eligibility criteria include academic excellence, financial need, and a strong commitment to social service. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, and other expenses, enabling recipients to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals.
Commonwealth Scholarship
The Commonwealth Scholarship is a prestigious international scholarship scheme funded by the UK government. It offers opportunities for talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies at UK universities. Key features include full tuition fees, a stipend, and other allowances. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the country and program, but generally include academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving their home countries. The application process involves submitting academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a research proposal.
Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program offered by the UK government. It provides opportunities for talented individuals from around the world to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and other expenses, allowing recipients to focus on their studies and experience the UK’s vibrant culture. Eligibility criteria include academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to their home countries. The application process involves submitting academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a study proposal.
Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships
The most common eligibility requirements across various scholarships are parameters such as your academic performance, language proficiency, extracurriculars and financial need.
There are some specific criteria for government scholarships versus university-specific scholarships that students need to demonstrate to win. Every scholarship has their own set of eligibility requirements – some are merit based which means you must have great academic history and performance, some are sports based which means your proficiency in a specific sport is the eligibility criteria and some are need based which means that your financial background is the catalyst along with other requirements.
How to Find Scholarships?
Tips on researching scholarship opportunities:
- Utilizing scholarship databases and websites is crucial. You can also consult a counselor to understand the different kinds of scholarships you must apply for.
- Checking university websites for available funding options is a great place to start. Many universities offer scholarships to encourage admissions. Make the most of it!
- Networking with alumni and current students. You must consult your seniors and your teachers to know the different scholarships available for your profile.
Preparing Your Scholarship Application
Required Documents: List of common documents needed are academic transcripts, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, essays and certificates from your sport tournaments or extracurriculars mentioned in the application. You may need to provide some financial documents to showcase the financial need for some scholarships.
Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement: Your personal statement is the most important document. It is your argument for why you deserve to win the scholarship. It allows you to stand out from the rest of the applications and show to the authorities that you are a deserving candidate. It is a summary of your personal achievements, your academic history and how your goals are aligned with the philosophy of the scholarship.
Highlighting achievements and future goals: Another aspect to focus on are your achievements and future goals for the scholarship application. How can you add value? What is your motivation? How can you improve field of study? All these are future goals that you must address in your application and showcase a strong argument in your favor.
Understanding the Application Process
Step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships:
Researching and selecting appropriate scholarships: Find the best scholarships for your program. Check out the eligibility requirements and documents needed to support your application.
Completing the application forms accurately: This is the area where you will spend most of your time. Craft a compelling statement of purpose or personal statement, compile all your documents, prepare the interviews and try to create an application that touches all the major requirements listed by the scholarship(s).
Meeting deadlines and submission guidelines: Do not miss a deadline. Prepare for all the submissions in advance, write down all the requirements and deadlines. This is your chance to outshine your peers and make history!
Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications
- Importance of tailoring applications to specific scholarships. This reflects in your personal statement and shows that you are serious about the scholarship.
- Seeking feedback on your application from mentors or advisors. Rereading and reviewing your statements, essays, and applications is crucial to avoid errors or missing out all unique selling points for your candidature.
- Preparing for interviews if required as part of the scholarship process. Go for mock interviews and practice for the important day. This can help you stay confident during the actual interview and keep your stress at bay.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for Scholarships
The most common mistakes to avoid when applying for top scholarships are that students submit incomplete applications or miss the deadlines. The importance of following instructions is paramount:
- Check the requirements carefully and frequently.
- Consult your counselor or mentor so you don’t miss out on any crucial details.
- Avoid missing deadlines or you might have to wait another year for the application.
Review all your documents carefully and examine your application thoroughly.
Conclusion
Winning a scholarship is a rewarding and enriching experience. It helps you support yourself financially and gives you independence to focus on your academics. However, a scholarship may not be able to cover all your expenses so keep that in mind while planning for your foreign education!
