Study abroad can be life-changing, but for many Indian students, the cost of tuition and living expenses often becomes a barrier. The good news? Numerous fully funded and partial scholarships are available to help Indian students achieve their dream of studying in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. In this detailed guide, we present the best scholarships for Indian students to study in the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe, along with eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and official links.
🇺🇸 Top Scholarships to Study Abroad in the USA for Indian Students
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
- Offered By: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
- Eligibility: Indian citizens with a bachelor’s degree and 3 years of work experience
- Benefits: Tuition fees, living stipend, airfare, and health insurance
- Fields: Arts, public administration, public health, urban planning, etc.
- Website: https://www.usief.org.in
2. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
- Offered By: Reliance Industries for Indian students at Stanford GSB
- Eligibility: Indian citizen with admission to Stanford MBA
- Benefits: Covers 80% of tuition and associated fees
- Condition: Must return to India after completing the MBA
- Website: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu
3. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Indian students under 30 with first-class undergraduate degrees
- Fields: Humanities, fine arts, social sciences
- Benefits: Up to USD 100,000
- Website: https://www.inlaksfoundation.org
4. AAUW International Fellowships
- For: Women from around the world, including India
- Benefits: $18,000 to $30,000 depending on program
- Eligibility: Non-US citizens with a strong academic background
- Website: https://www.aauw.org
5. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University
- For: Indian students admitted to Cornell University undergraduate programs
- Eligibility: Demonstrated financial need
- Benefits: Full tuition and living expenses
- Website: https://admissions.cornell.edu
🇬🇧 Best Scholarships to Study Abroad in the UK for Indian Students
1. Chevening Scholarships
- Offered By: UK Government
- Eligibility: Leadership potential, 2 years of work experience
- Benefits: Full tuition, travel costs, monthly stipend, and visa
- Level: Master’s in any UK university
- Website: https://www.chevening.org
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
- For: Master’s and PhD applicants from Commonwealth nations (India included)
- Eligibility: Strong academic background and development impact
- Benefits: Tuition, travel, thesis grant, and living expenses
- Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
3. Rhodes Scholarships (Oxford University)
- Eligibility: Indian citizens between 19–25 years with first-class degrees
- Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, and airfare
- Field: Any postgraduate course at Oxford
- Website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
4. GREAT Scholarships (British Council)
- Eligibility: Indian students applying to participating UK universities
- Benefits: ÂŁ10,000 towards tuition fees for postgraduate programs
- Website: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org
5. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
- For: Indian mid-career professionals in arts and heritage fields
- Benefits: Living costs, accommodation, tuition, and international travel
- Website: https://www.britishcouncil.in
🇨🇦 Top Scholarships to Study in Canada for Indian Students
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- For: PhD students at Canadian institutions
- Eligibility: High academic excellence, research potential, and leadership
- Benefits: CAD 50,000 per year for 3 years
- Website: https://vanier.gc.ca
2. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships
- Eligibility: Graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students
- Fields: Humanities, social sciences, environmental studies, etc.
- Benefits: Partial funding for academic exchange programs
- Website: https://www.shastriinstitute.org
3. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- Eligibility: Master’s and Doctoral students in Ontario universities
- Benefits: CAD 5,000 per term (max CAD 15,000 annually)
- Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-graduate-scholarship-ogs-program
4. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- For: Undergraduate international students (including Indians) at the University of Toronto
- Benefits: Full tuition, books, and residence support
- Website: https://future.utoronto.ca
5. University-specific Scholarships (Canada-wide)
Many Canadian universities like McGill, UBC, Waterloo, and University of Alberta offer automatic entrance scholarships, assistantships, or need-based aid.
🇪🇺 Best Scholarships to Study in Europe for Indian Students
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
- Offered By: European Commission
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree holders applying to joint master’s programs across Europe
- Benefits: Full tuition, travel, insurance, and living stipend (~€1,000/month)
- Website: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/emjmd-catalogue_en
2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- For: Postgraduate students and researchers
- Eligibility: Indian graduates with 2 years of experience (varies by program)
- Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend, and travel allowance
- Website: https://www.daad.de/en
3. Swiss Excellence Scholarships
- For: Master’s and PhD students and researchers
- Benefits: Monthly allowance, health insurance, tuition waiver
- Website: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch
4. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
- Eligibility: Work experience and leadership potential
- Benefits: Tuition fees, living expenses, travel grant
- Website: https://si.se/en
5. ENS International Selection Scholarships (France)
- For: Master’s students in humanities, sciences, and social sciences
- Benefits: Monthly stipend of €1,000 for 3 years
- Website: https://www.ens.psl.eu
đź“Ś Tips for Winning Study Abroad Scholarships
Here are some pro tips to enhance your chances of success:
🔍 1. Start Early
- Applications often open 6–12 months in advance
- Get your documents, SOPs, and recommendation letters ready early
đź“ť 2. Write a Tailored SOP
- Highlight your academic merit, leadership, community work, and future goals
- Align your purpose with the scholarship’s mission
🗂️ 3. Keep Documents Ready
- Transcripts, certificates, CV/resume, passport, test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/GRE), and financial statements
đź“… 4. Follow Deadlines Carefully
- Use a spreadsheet to track deadlines and requirements
đź“Ł 5. Apply for Multiple Scholarships
- Don’t rely on one; apply for as many as you’re eligible for
🧠Conclusion
Winning a scholarship to study abroad is not a matter of luck—it requires planning, effort, and clear communication of your goals. Whether you dream of pursuing public health in the USA, engineering in the UK, business in Canada, or sustainable development in Europe, there’s a scholarship out there waiting for you.
Start early, stay focused, and use this guide to navigate your journey. For more such insights, keep following ScholarshipGrow.com — your trusted resource for scholarships, study abroad scholarships, study tips, and student success.