Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students, but the high cost of education can be a significant barrier. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available that can help alleviate the financial burden. Here is a comprehensive list of scholarships for Indian students to study abroad, categorized by country and type.

1. United States of America (USA)

a. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships

• Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral students
• Coverage: Tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: These fellowships are awarded to outstanding Indian students to pursue master’s or doctoral studies in the USA. The program encourages cultural exchange and mutual understanding between India and the USA.

b. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian Students

• Eligibility: Indian students applying for an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business
• Coverage: Full tuition fee
• Description: This fellowship aims to support Indian students who wish to pursue an MBA at Stanford. The recipients are expected to return to India after their studies to contribute to the country’s economic development.

c. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University

• Eligibility: Undergraduate Indian students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee
• Description: The Tata Education and Development Trust has endowed a $25 million scholarship fund to provide financial aid to undergraduate students from India at Cornell University.

2. United Kingdom (UK)

a. Chevening Scholarships

• Eligibility: Master’s students
• Coverage: Tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: Funded by the UK government, Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from around the world, including India, to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK.

b. Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries

• Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral students
• Coverage: Tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: These scholarships are provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to students from developing Commonwealth countries, including India.

c. Rhodes Scholarships at University of Oxford

• Eligibility: Postgraduate students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: One of the oldest and most prestigious scholarships in the world, the Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students from various countries, including India, to study at the University of Oxford.

3. Canada

a. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

• Eligibility: Doctoral students
• Coverage: CAD 50,000 per year for three years
• Description: The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by providing them with significant financial support during their studies at Canadian universities.

b. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program

• Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral students
• Coverage: CAD 5,000 per session
• Description: The OGS program encourages excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. Indian students are eligible to apply.

c. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

• Eligibility: Undergraduate students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: These scholarships are awarded to outstanding international students, including Indians, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and leadership skills.

4. Australia

a. Australia Awards Scholarships

• Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: Funded by the Australian government, these scholarships are awarded to students from developing countries, including India, to study at Australian universities.

b. Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards

• Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: These scholarships are part of the Australian government’s Endeavour Leadership Program and are designed to support international students in pursuing postgraduate degrees in Australia.

c. University-Specific Scholarships

• Examples: University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships, University of Sydney International Research Scholarships, etc.
• Coverage: Varies by university
• Description: Many Australian universities offer specific scholarships for international students, including Indian students, based on academic merit and other criteria.

5. Europe

a. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

• Eligibility: Master’s students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: The Erasmus Mundus program offers scholarships for joint master’s degrees in multiple European countries, providing Indian students with a unique opportunity to study at various institutions.

b. DAAD Scholarships for Postgraduate Courses with Special Relevance to Developing Countries

• Eligibility: Postgraduate students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: Funded by the German government, DAAD scholarships support international students from developing countries, including India, in pursuing postgraduate studies in Germany.

c. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

• Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral students
• Coverage: Full tuition fee, living expenses, travel expenses
• Description: These scholarships are awarded by the Swiss government to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries, including India.

Conclusion

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, and with the right financial support, it can be made accessible to many more Indian students. The scholarships listed above provide a range of opportunities across various countries and levels of study. Aspiring students should thoroughly research each scholarship’s eligibility criteria and application process to increase their chances of success. With dedication and careful planning, the dream of studying abroad can become a reality.

By exploring and applying for these scholarships, Indian students can significantly reduce the financial burden and gain the global exposure and education they aspire to achieve.