Studying abroad can be a financial challenge for many deserving students who often opt out due to the expensive course fees, visa fees, accommodation and food costs. Therefore, scholarships help many pursue their dreams.
News18 ‘Scholarship Guide’ offers the best and most prestigious scholarships for Indian students to study abroad, most of which cover airfare, accommodation and course fees; and some also provide a stipend.
Studying in premier colleges around the world is no more a dream as many top universities offer 100% tuition waiver to deserving and needy students.
Securing such scholarships or even admission to top universities is highly competitive. “Scholarships at highly competitive colleges are challenging yet attainable, and differentiating yourself from other applicants is key. First and foremost, maintaining a robust academic record is critical as it demonstrates a commitment to excellence. However, it’s not just about numbers. Participating in extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership skills, volunteering, and pursuing distinctive experiences or projects related to your area of interest can significantly enhance your scholarship prospects,” says Vibha Kagzi, Harvard graduate and founder and CEO of ReachIvy.com.
News18 delves into the best colleges in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and highlights scholarships and financing options for Indian students.
Oxford university
Oxford University in the United Kingdom is ranked first in the world by the Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking and offers a wide range of scholarships and financing options. As many as 42% of the total students at the varsity come from different countries, according to THE data.
The university offers between five and ten Commonwealth Shared Scholarships each year. The scholarship covers the course fee in its entirety and provides a living costs grant for full-time students of at least £16,164, return flights and an allowance for warm clothing, study trips and thesis grants.
Who can apply: Applicants from the least developed and lower or middle-income countries of the Commonwealth, including India, who wish to pursue a full-time master’s degree are welcome to apply.
Selection procedure: Both the academic and financial background of the students are taken into account. Emphasis is placed on students who would otherwise not have been able to study in Britain.
Where to apply: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships/
Other scholarships that an Indian student can apply for include the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Program in Humanities,
Felix Scholarships, Helmore Graduate Scholarships, Oxford-Anderson Graduate Scholarship in History, Oxford-Ashton Graduate Scholarship in Engineering. Students can also request need-based assistance while submitting their application. They can also apply for external subsidies and loans.
Harvard University
With the aim of making education affordable, Harvard offers up to 100% scholarships that cover all costs of education and associated funds. The varsity claims that as many as 55% of students studying there receive need-based scholarships. And one in five students pay nothing at Harvard. Students may apply for need-based scholarships at the time of admission.
Who can apply: Students who are otherwise eligible to study but cannot afford the finances at Harvard may apply. The varsity provides one-by-one guidance on financing options and designs scholarships that are suitable for the family.
Selection procedure: Students must provide proof of income and tax documents from parents. Students’ profiles are taken into account, including work and awards. After assessing the contribution that students and their families can make, the remainder of the compensation comes in the form of alumni and endowment funds and state grants, among other funds.
Where to apply: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works/types-aid
Cambridge
Cambridge offers various scholarships to international students such as Cambridge Commonwealth or GATES for postgraduate. Some colleges also offer partial financial aid to foreign students.
Indian students can apply for various scholarships including Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute Studentship, MRC studentship, Herchel Smith Research Studentship, Trinity External Research Studentship, Krishnan-Ang Studentship for Overseas Students and several others.
GATES Cambridge Scholarship is one of the highest funding options with a value between GBP 35,000 and 65,000. It covers fees, maintenance, student visa fees, student immigration health surcharge and other finances.
Who can apply: Students from 255 nationalities, including Indians, can apply. This applies to PhD and Masters courses in Cambridge. Valid for both full-time and part-time courses.
Selection procedure: Students are chosen based on merit. They will also be assessed on several parameters, including excellent intellectual ability to make choices, commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential.
Where to apply: https://www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk/fund/gates-cambridge-scholarship-2023
Stanford
Students seeking funding from Stanford must include that specification on their admission application.
Who Can Apply: Students who qualify for admission can apply for scholarships.
Selection procedure: Eligibility for a scholarship is determined by subtracting the amount the parents pay for the child’s education and the remainder is eligible for financial aid.
Where to apply: https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/how/international.html
Some scholarships available to Indian students include Bridge Scholarships, Banyan Impact Fellowship, Fund for Education Abroad, and Luce Scholars Program. International scholarships, loans and external grants are also available.
MIT
MIT maps out a customized plan for students based on their financial needs and capabilities. The financial options for international and domestic students are similar.
Who can apply: Students who wish to study at MIT and meet all other admissions guidelines are eligible for scholarships.
Selection procedure: Students who meet the admission requirements must provide proof of financial situation, including parents’ tax documents. A specific financing plan is offered to students based on their needs.
Where to apply: https://sfs.mit.edu/undergraduate-students/apply-for-aid/international/
According to THE, California Institute of Technology ranks number 6, while Princeton University ranks seventh. University of California, Berkeley and Yale University ranked eighth and seventh internationally. The British Imperial College London is in tenth position.
“When considering colleges abroad, university rankings can indeed provide valuable insights into an institution’s overall quality, reputation and networking capabilities. However, it is essential to remember that while rankings are a useful starting point, they should not be the sole deciding factor in your decision-making. This is because they may not fully match your specific needs, such as subject-specific strengths, personal preferences and cultural fit,” says Kagzi.
