91+ Full Study Abroad Scholarships for International students 2023-2024

I know like everyone else you too have asked the question; How can I get a full scholarship to study abroad?

It is no news that studying abroad without any form of financial help can be very expensive.

Especially, when you are a student coming from a developing country like Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan
Bolivia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etc

The tuition fees only can make you cringe, not to mention other fees like accommodation fees, feeding, book allowance, travel expenses, and many more.

Countries With The Most Students Studying Abroad

According to statista, china and India has the highest number of students looking for study-abroad opportunities.

From the statistics correlated by UNESCO, China alone has sent 928,000 students to study abroad followed by 332,000 students from India in 2017.

Meanwhile, In just five years Vietnam has doubled its number when it comes to sending students abroad since 2012, from 54,000 to approximately 95,000.

Another country that is doing so much when it comes to studying abroad, is Nigeria. They are now rank in the top ten countries with the highest number of study abroad students within the last 5 years.

Sending over 85,000 students abroad.

Well, there is good news for all international students who want to study abroad in the united states, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other top study-abroad destinations.

Institutions, companies, associations, non-governmental organizations, universities, and colleges are willing to offer you the opportunity to study in some of these top study abroad destinations for free.

These opportunities can be in the form of scholarships, grants, student loans, awards, etc.

Nonetheless, not all scholarships are created the same. Most of the scholarships are Fully funded scholarships most times called full-ride scholarships.

These types of scholarships will cover living expenses, tuition fees and most times travel costs for your study abroad program.

Others can come in form of tuition weavers which we refer to as a partial scholarship. They can only cover part of the tuition fee or takes care of your living expenses during your study abroad program.

Thus, in this article, the world study portal is going to explain to you all you need to know about scholarships to study abroad and list all available scholarships to international students to study abroad.

Before we do that, let’s explain some things that are very important if you must succeed in your quest to become an international scholar.

What is a scholarship?

According to the Cambridge dictionary, a scholarship is “an amount of money given by a school, college, university, or other organization to pay for the studies of a person with great ability but little money.”

Nonetheless, there are scholarships that are more dynamic in this regard, which give room to other types of students to apply not minding the student’s academic prowess or financial need.

That being said, what is the difference between a scholarship and a study grant.

Differences between scholarships and grants

Scholarship and grants are both free financial aids for students, which means you do not need to pay back the money unlike the case of a study loan.

Nonetheless, a grant is a need-based financial aid given to young students that can not afford the cost of their studies, on the other hand, a scholarship is another form of free financial aid awarded for excellence in academics, athletics, or for a student great artistic abilities.

Thus, anyone that comes your way is a great opportunity for you to fund your study abroad dreams with no stress of paying back.

Differences between scholarships and student loans

Unlike scholarships and study grants, a student loan is another form of financial aids available to students that you have to pay back at the end of your study year. most times you pay back with interest.

Student loans can be both a blessing and a curse in disguise. According to Forbes, In the US, for example, student loan debt has reached an eye-watering 1.7 trillion USD in 2021.

Types of scholarship

#1. Merit-based scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded to students who are particularly talented in their subjects. They recognize the academic achievements of the students, for example, an impressive cumulative grade point average (GPA) or a high score on a standardized test.

An athletic scholarship is another form of this type of scholarship and is most commonly found in the United States (they are rare or unknown elsewhere).

These are awarded on the basis of excellent athletic ability and can be very competitive. You don’t need to take a sports-related course to apply for an athletic scholarship.

#2. Need-based scholarships:

Need-based scholarships are awarded based on an assessment of your own financial situation and that of your parents.

These need-based scholarships are designed to help disadvantaged students achieve their academic dreams and take into account a number of factors such as income and dependents.

#3. Student-specific scholarships

These are scholarships that are offered to a specific group of students and are often aimed at providing additional support to an underrepresented or disadvantaged group.

These include scholarships for minorities, scholarships for women in STEM, and scholarships for LGBTQ students.

#4. Subject-specific scholarships:

If you are looking for a scholarship to study abroad, there is a very good chance that you are looking for a subject-specific scholarship like scholarships to study fashion design abroad, scholarships to study medicine abroad or civil engineering scholarships abroad, etc.

Thus, specific subjects scholarships are often centered around a particular career path.

#5. University-specific scholarships

As the name goes “University-specific scholarships”, you already know that this set of scholarships refer to those scholarships offered by universities.

Often, University-specific scholarships are offered as a combination of the different types of scholarships listed above. These can be automatically taken into account when applying to the university or must be applied for separately.

#6. weird scholarships:

These are Unusual scholarships. In addition to the main types of scholarships listed above, you may also come across some weird scholarships that often require a special challenge or features.

Examples include redhead scholarships, scholarships for left-handed students, scholarships for wearing glasses, etc.

Who can apply for scholarships?

To answer the question of Who can apply for scholarships? you need to look at specific scholarship eligibilities, thus, Anyone who meets the application requirements can apply.

As some scholarships are strictly open to residents of that particular country others are open to a particular race and skin color.

Though, there are scholarships open to international students to study abroad in any host university.

Always check if you can apply if the scholarship application deadlines are up-to-date and if the scholarship is open to national students, international students, or both.

These are some of the most common application requirements for scholarships:

How can you apply for a scholarship?

When it comes to answering questions like How can I get a full scholarship to study abroad? or how can you apply for a scholarship?

it is important to note that, for the most part, schools, governments, and external organizations list their scholarship opportunities Online and details on how
apply too.

Usually, you can use an online portal for the application and also submit all the required documentation. In some cases, you can also apply by sending your application by mail.

Thus, if you’re an international student applying for study abroad scholarships, follow these steps listed below:

1. Register for the scholarship, usually by completing an online application form.
2. Check your inbox to make sure you’ve received the confirmation email.
3. Write a personal statement or essay. There are enough models on the internet but remember to be original and impress through your unique experiences and ideas.
4. Get official proof of your academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. Translate the documents if necessary — it usually is.
5. Or get official proof of your low income or nationality (for region-based scholarships). Again, a translation might be necessary.
6. Proofread all documents for errors and send them to the scholarship provider.
7. Submit the acceptance letter from the university (or an official document from the university proving you’ve been accepted). You won’t receive the scholarship without confirming that you will actually begin studies.
8. Wait for the results. If selected, congratulations, you’re a winner! Go ahead and throw a party but don’t spend all your scholarship money on it. Just kidding; the university or college usually receive the money directly to cover your tuition (or a part of it).

Where to look for scholarships | Find a scholarship

The problem has never been able the availability of scholarships rather it was about being able to find the scholarship.

The internet is a great resource for finding a large number of study abroad scholarships. For many of these scholarships, you can apply directly online. potentially, you can apply for dozens of scholarships in a matter of hours.

On the other hand, you can also find scholarships that are suitable for you, via the school portal.

hence, it is advisable to first consult the university of your choice for Information on funding, here you will also find the relevant contact details for questions about the scholarship application.

Nevertheless, the world study portal has compiled some of the popular online scholarship directories to start from:

These sites can be a great place to start when you’re looking for scholarship opportunities across different study abroad destinations, subjects, and programs.

List of study abroad scholarships 2022

That being said, we have put together a list of international scholarships to study abroad here. Though these study abroad scholarships are grouped into the following:

Fully-funded Government Scholarships:

The Fully-funded Government Scholarships refer to all scholarships given by the government of a host country to international students to study in their country for free. these scholarships are full-ride which means it covers tuition fees and living expenses.

#1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

The Fulbright foreign scholarship is one of the US government’s prestigious international scholarships for study abroad masters and PhD students to study in United States.

it is a full-ride scholarship that covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel expenses, health insurance e.t.c.

The Fulbright scholarship covers the student’s duration of the study.

#2.British Chevening Scholarships (UK)

The British Chevening Scholarship is a top UK government scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered to students with great leadership potential who are on a one-year master’s program in the country.

 Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees; a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual); an economy class return airfare to the UK; additional grants to cover essential expenditure.

#3. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)

As a way of encouraging international students to come to the country, the Swiss government annually awards the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to graduates students.

The scholarship is open to students who want to pursue doctoral or post-doctoral research programs in one of the public-funded universities or recognized institutions in Switzerland.

This scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for international students to study in Switzerland.

#4. Swedish Scholarships for International Students (Sweden)

This is yet another government scholarship for international students to be taken in Sweden. The Swedish government annually awards highly qualified international masters students with Swedish Scholarships to cover their full tuition and living expenses.

As a fully-funded scholarship, this Swedish Scholarships for International Students also cover travel expenses for the student as well as health insurance through their study in Sweden.

#5. VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships (Belgium)

Are you a student from any of the following developing countries like Asia, Africa, and Latin America?

The Belgium government through VLIR-UOS awards a training and masters scholarship annually. To qualify for this scholarship you must take a training or master course in development.

The VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships in Belgium is a full-ride scholarship that covers tuition fees, accommodation, allowance, travel costs,  and other program-related costs.

Fully-funded university Scholarships

This group of scholarships compiles the list of schools that offer full ride scholarships to national and international students to study in the university.

#1. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)

The gate Cambridge scholarship is another research and masters scholarship offered by the UK government to be taken at the University of Cambridge.

The scholarship is open to all courses as long as it is taken at the University of Cambridge. it is a full-ride scholarship. all study abroad international students is eligible to apply.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge namely: university fees, maintenance allowances, airfare, and some dependent’s allowance.

#2. Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)

This is yet another Uk scholarship, just like the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford offers 140 fully-funded scholarships to its prestigious graduate students.

The Clarendon Scholarships are open to both national and international students. this scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic excellence and potential across all degree-bearing subjects at the graduate level at the University of Oxford.

 The scholarships cover tuition and college fees in full and a generous grant for living expenses.

#3. Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships (UK)

As a way of rewarding its outstanding PhD students, each year the Warwick graduate school offers the Chancellor’s International Scholarships.

The scholarship will help cover the student’s tuition fees, and other expenses. it is a full-ride scholarship. The Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarship is open to both national and international students.

#4.Westminster Full International Scholarships (UK)

This one is for undergraduate students who want to study in UK. The Westminster Full International Scholarships (UK) is open to all international students from developing countries.

The scholarship awards full tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses, and flights to and from London.

#5. Adelaide Scholarships International (Australia)

As a way of attracting international postgraduate students, The University of Adelaide is offering the  Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) program.

This scholarship is a fully funded scholarship to be taken in Australia. The scholarships include course tuition fees, annual living allowance, and health insurance.

#6. University of Sydney International Research Scholarships (Australia)

As the name goes, this is a research scholarship taken in Australia. This scholarship is open to international students that want to undertake a Postgraduate Research Degree or Masters by Research program at the University of Sydney.

This is also a full ride scholarship. The USydIS will cover tuition fees and living allowance for up to three years.

#7. University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships (Netherlands).

UM Scholarship Fund is funds set aside by the University of Maastricht to encourage talented international students from outside of EEA to pursue a master’s program t the university.

This University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships is a fully funded scholarship to study abroad. The scholarships include tuition fees, living expenses, visa costs, and insurance.

#8. TU Delft Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

This is another fully funded university scholarship to study in Netherlands. The Delft University of Technology offers a variety of excellence scholarships among which the Justus & Louise van Effen scholarship is one.

These scholarships are full ride scholarships that cover tuition fees and monthly allowance for living expenses.

#9.International Leader of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia (Canada)

This is one of the best university scholarships on this list. The scholarship is open to secondary and post-secondary international students from around the world. it is an undergraduate scholarship.

International Leader of Tomorrow Award winners will receive a reward based on their financial needs, determined by tuition, fees, and living expenses, minus the financial contribution the student and family can make towards those fees each year.

#10. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at University of Toronto (Canada)

As one of the top schools in Canada, The University of Toronto through the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program rewards international student that is studying in Canada for their exceptional academic performance, creativity, and leadership in their respective field of study.

This scholarship is a fully funded scholarship to study in Canada. The scholarship will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.

#2. ADB Japan Scholarship Program

Just like the world bank, Asian Development Bank in conjunction with Japan also is offering member country students the opportunity to study abroad in other countries.

if you are in search of postgraduate studies in any of the following fields of studies: economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region.  

The ADB-JSP provides full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, an allowance for books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel expenses.

#3. Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants

Annually the rotary foundation awards graduate students from developing countries its Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants to either pursue graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years.

The grant is worth$30,000 which will cover tuition fees,  inoculations, travel expenses, school supplies, etc.

#4. OFID Scholarship Award

The OFID Scholarship Award is a fully funded scholarship open to international students to take a master’s degree anywhere in the world.

The grants are valued up to $ 50,000 and include tuition, a monthly grant to cover living expenses, housing, insurance, books, relocation grants, and travel expenses.

#5. Good Colleges Study Abroad Award

To have the chance of winning a Good Colleges study abroad scholarship, all you need to do is write an essay on the subject that is given away every year.

The theme of the 2020 competition was “Why that city?” and applicants were asked to consider how immersion in a foreign culture would be a life-changing experience.

Do you feel inspired? This scholarship is open to current and future college students and it’s worth $2000.

#6. Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants

If you visit a campus where a Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society has an active chapter, you will be eligible for this scholarship even if you are not a Phi Kappa Phi member. 75 scholarships are awarded to applicants each year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has suspended its study abroad indefinitely. They advise that they will continue to monitor public health and travel advice, and encourage students to visit their website regularly.

The scholarship is for undergraduate students and it’s worth $1000.

Program-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships

Some study abroad scholarships requires participation in a specific study abroad program. Here are some of the most popular ones we found.

#1. AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants

This study abroad sponsor offers undergraduate scholarships to study abroad to different universities and different classes of students.

The Scholarships range from $ 200 to $ 1,000, depending on the program and admission requirements.

In relation to the constraints caused by the pandemic, AIFS is continuously evaluating its program operation using a flexible schedule.

#2. CAPA Scholarships:

This is another study-specific scholarship offered by CAPA. These are undergraduate student Scholarships. The CAPA Scholarships come in different forms, thus; we have Affiliate Grant, need-based scholarships, diversity grants, grants to study abroad again, and even a grant for a blogger/vlogger!

#3. CEA Scholarships

Are you applying for a CEA program to study abroad? and you are asking how to get a scholarship to study abroad, then you are eligible for CEA Scholarships.

CEA Scholarships are available on merit, need, and diversity basis. The scholarship is worth up to $3,000 for Global Education, and up to $2,000 for Diversity Scholarship.

For 2021, scholarships will be awarded according to two categories: merit – recognition and rewarding of academic achievements – and diversity – for students of different origins and for students with disabilities. And there is also a $ 1,000 flight voucher for those who apply with a code by January 2022.

#4. CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships

CIEE is yet another study abroad sponsor that offers international students a variety of scholarship opportunities annually.

The scholarship worth ranges from $1,000 up to $4,000. It is an undergraduate scholarship to study abroad.

The grants include merit and need-based opportunities, diversity grants, and grants for summer study abroad.

#5. USAC Scholarships

Study abroad provider USAC awards over $ 2 million annual study abroad scholarships! Their scholarships provide great opportunities for first-generation students, students with high academic merit, and those who have a history of family studies abroad through USAC. THIS IS AN UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD.

Members-Based Study Abroad Scholarships

Some study abroad scholarships requires membership in a specific group or organization. If you’re not a member, these lists are always worth checking out for inspiration. Sometimes you can find a group similar to yours that also offers a scholarship!

#1. Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation

The Corinne Jeannine Schillings scholarship for studying abroad is named after another girl scout and is offered to girl scouts who have received their silver or gold award. The $ 1,000 scholarship is designed to cover the cost of studying abroad.

#2. Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships

Members of the Golden Key Honor Society are eligible for special scholarships; If you are a member or other honorary associations, be sure to check them out! They offer various scholarship opportunities, Golden Key has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to study abroad since 2011.

Travel Scholarships for Study Abroad

We have also included this section of the general travel grants that allow you to study abroad. These are great options, but keep in mind that they often attract a lot more applicants because they appeal to a larger audience of travel-loving people.

#1. Hostelling International USA Explore the World Travel Scholarship

Hostelling International USA awarded 115 scholarships totaling $ 2,000 in 2019 – all for educational or service-oriented travel programs (including studying abroad!). This is one of the largest scholarship options on the list and is open to students (and non-students).

#2. Scotts Cheap Flights Scholarship

Scott’s Cheap Flights, which is very useful if you are looking for flights to study abroad, also offer a scholarship to help you realize your study abroad dreams. Twice a year, they give away $ 1,000 to help an intrepid traveling student cover his or her studies abroad.

Study Abroad Scholarships for Destinations

Some scholarships are tied to a specific destination, region, or country. We have put together some of them by region below. Scroll down to briefly explore each region and find relevant links to the scholarship opportunities that interest you.

#1. The American Research Center in Egypt Fellowships:

If you are looking for a program to study in abroad Africa, The American Research Center in Egypt Fellowships is the way to go. ARCE offers a variety of scholarships and grants ranging from $ 600 to $ 4,000.

#2. Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan:

For any student who is looking for Scholarships for Study Abroad in Asia, The Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan is the right opportunity for you. the scholarship worth ranges from $2,500-$4,000. it can also be used for travel and living expenses.

#3. IDB King Abdullah University International Scholarships:

This is another Study Abroad Scholarship for Destinations, it is a Scholarships for Study Abroad in Asia.

The KAUST scholarship supports individuals during their postgraduate studies at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia. This includes full tuition, monthly living allowance, and more.

#4. DAAD SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are looking for Scholarships for Study Abroad in Europe, DAAD scholarship is definitely one you should consider. Thus, DAAD scholarship is one of the prestigious Study Abroad Scholarships for Destinations.

its no news that Europe is one of the most popular locations in the world to study abroad. From studying art history in Italy to public health in Norway and everything in between, studying abroad in Europe offers a variety of opportunities – and scholarships to finance!

#5. Walter Jensen Scholarship:

This is the last on our list. it is a popular Scholarship for Study Abroad in Europe. The Walter Jensen Scholarship is $2000 awarded to deserving students who study abroad in France and study the French language.

we know we can not list all the scholarships here as we still have the Scholarships for Study Abroad in Latin America, Scholarships for Study Abroad in Oceania, and more. You can access more scholarships to study abroad in our international scholarships archive.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Scholarships are a kind of student financial aid – money that you don’t have to repay. They are very similar to grants (mostly needs-based) but different from student loans (often have to be paid with interest).

The application process for the scholarship just includes registering, writing a personal essay or letter, translating and sending official study documents and proof of enrollment, etc.

Nonetheless, Not all scholarships are aimed at this or that group of students. Some private institutions or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) only want to contribute to higher education and allow any international student to apply for a scholarship.

These students should always meet the requirements, but these are very general and broad and do not focus on any particular region, minority, or skill.

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