Scholarships for Indian Students Going Abroad

The main types of scholarships

Funding for study abroad generally comes from three sources: the universities themselves (merit or need-based awards and assistantships), government-funded programmes, and external organisations and foundations. Most awards are based on academic merit, financial need, or a specific field of study, so always read the official, published eligibility criteria for each one.

• University scholarships and assistantships
• Government-funded programmes (of the home or host country)
• External foundations and field-specific awards

Some well-known official programmes

Examples of established, official programmes include the Fulbright-Nehru fellowships for study and research in the United States (administered for India by USIEF) and DAAD scholarships for Germany. The UK's Chevening and the Commonwealth scholarships are other well-known government programmes. Eligibility, levels, and funding differ by programme and year, so always check each programme's own official site.

Where to look and how to apply

Start with the official financial-aid pages of the universities you are applying to, then the official government and foundation programme sites. Note that deadlines for scholarships are often earlier than admission deadlines, so plan ahead and follow each official source for the current process.

Avoid scams and false promises

Be cautious of anyone charging large fees to "guarantee" a scholarship, or asking for money to release an award — legitimate scholarships do not work that way. Verify every offer on the official programme website, and never share sensitive personal or financial details with unofficial intermediaries.