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26 August 2025

5 minutes read

How to Get Free Scholarship to Study Abroad for Indian Students (Find Scholarships for International Students)?

Dirghayu Kaushik
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Dirghayu Kaushik

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Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

26 August 2025

5 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • How to get free scholarship to study abroad depends on early research, strong applications, and meeting eligibility criteria set by global universities.
  • How to get free scholarship to study abroad includes exploring fully funded scholarships, government grants, and program-specific awards for Indian students.
  • How to get free scholarship to study abroad requires using scholarship portals, preparing documents like GPA, SOP, and LOR, and applying before deadlines.

The decision to study overseas is a wish for many young minds in India, however; often studying abroad seems expensive and unattainable. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of scholarships readily available to students intending to engage in education abroad.

With a strategic scholarship application plan Indian students can reach for the international education of their dreams and then head towards a future of opportunities. 

Why Study in the UK and Other Destinations as an International Student?

Did you know that international students study in the UK contributes over £25 billion annually to the UK economy? This fun fact alone points to how countries value overseas learners.

The UK, USA, Australia, Japan, offer University-scholarships (world-class institutions), specific study abroad opportunities at different institutions (or types of studies), as well as scholarships that fund other types of scholarships.

how to get free scholarship to study abroad 1

Education overseas does not only add to knowledge, it also provides a learning experience that changes a career by providing a life-changing opportunity to study abroad. For Indian students studying abroad these destinations offer scholarships and types of grants that cover tuition, living costs, and sometimes international travel costs.

How to Get Free Scholarship to Study Abroad for Indian Students?

Did you know that over 40% of scholarships are awarded to students from developing countries? That includes Indian students who apply smartly, and apply with regard to funding that is related to their field of study.

Obtaining funding, and scholarships, is not impossible. In this article, I give you some good tips!

For now, here is a short table to follow:

StepWhat You NeedWhy It Matters
ResearchLook for scholarships or grantsFind scholarships to study abroad that fit your subject of study
Apply EarlyDeadline and criteriaMany scholarship-programs will close months before your admission
DocumentsYour GPA, transcripts, SOP, and LORScholarships awarded to students who are extraordinary

What are Some Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students?

Did you know? Fully funded scholarships for Indian-students are some of the most competitive scholarships in the world and yet thousands of Indian students earn them every year.

There are many different kinds of scholarship opportunities available to students studying overseas. Scholarships are available to students-based on academic merit, leadership or financial need. These international scholarships to study overseas provide the support to students who wish to study and experience the best study overseas destinations.

Scholarship ProgramCountryScholarship Covers
Chevening ScholarshipsStudy in UKFully funded scholarships including tuition, travel, and living expenses
Fulbright-Nehru FellowshipsStudy in USATuition, living costs, and grants and scholarships for research
Australia AwardsStudy in AustraliaEducation abroad with tuition and travel coverage
MEXT ScholarshipsStudy in JapanUniversity scholarships covering full tuition and stipends

How to Choose Your Desired Types of Scholarships and Study Abroad Grants?

Are you aware that scholarships and funding may not necessarily be awarded based on a student’s grades? Some organizations award grant funding to students for excelling in sports, music, or other leadership areas. 

In order to make it more feasible for students who are studying overseas to consider scholarships and to help organize their research, students should:

  • Determine What Type: This may include scholarships available for students based on merit-based, need-based, or subject-specific.
  • Determine What is Covered: It is important to determine if the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, or transportation.
  • Determine Eligibility: There are many scholarships and grants available to students based on their backgrounds and/or study abroad provider. 
Scholarship TypeWho Can ApplyBenefit
Merit-basedStudents with good GPA and high amount of achievementsStudents awarded based on academic excellence
Need-basedStudents from developing backgroundsScholarships and/or grants to support to students
Subject-specificStudents who apply in certain fields of studentsScholarships are awarded only in a field of study

Are There any Program-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships Available?

Did you know? Many universities offer scholarships associated with a specific program, and they want students to follow their passion in niche areas of study.

Program-specific scholarships go to students who want to study a program like STEM studies, social sciences, and business. Universities want students in certain programs to be able to study abroad in their specific area of study, so they provide grants to students enrolled in select programs.

ProgramUniversityScholarships Open to Students
MBAINSEAD, Harvard, OxfordScholarships are available to willing international students who aspire to have leadership roles
EngineeringMIT, Imperial College LondonScholarships awarded to aspirants studying in STEM
Arts & HumanitiesUniversity of MelbourneScholarships for students studying creative subjects

How Difficult Is It to Get Scholarships for Study Abroad Programs?

Appropriately over 60% of study abroad students obtain funding and scholarships to pay for study abroad costs. By taking the time to prepare for scholarships, applying to study abroad scholarships is much more accessible than it appears.

Although competition is steep, each of the students who were awarded scholarships did so because they a) applied early (which is imperative), b) developed a good application and c) fulfilled what the scholarship provider asked for.

List of Scholarship Search Portals to Apply for Scholarships

Did you know thousands of students each year miss out on scholarships simply because they didn’t search in the right place?

how to get free scholarship to study abroad 2

To help students study abroad, many online scholarship portals provide scholarships and grants to help students find scholarships to study abroad that suit their needs. Here you will find a list of study abroad scholarships portals:

Sl NoScholarship PortalsUniversitiesCountriesDocuments RequiredExams Required
1DAADGerman UniversitiesGermanyTranscript, GPA, SOP, LORIELTS, TOEFL
2Education USAUS UniversitiesUSAResume, personal statement, GPAGRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT
3Chevening OfficialUK UniversitiesUKStatement of Purpose, TranscriptIELTS, TOEFL
4Study in AustraliaAustralian UniversitiesAustraliaLetter of recommendation, GPAIELTS, TOEFL
5MEXT PortalJapanese UniversitiesJapanSOP, transcripts, GPAIELTS, TOEFL

Conclusion

Scholarships may open doors for Indian students to study abroad without worrying about high study abroad costs. From fully-funded scholarships for Indian students to program-specific grants, there are scholarships that are available to students across the world.

If you wish to study abroad, explore scholarships early, apply strategically, and never give up on your study abroad dreams. For expert guidance, get free counselling with Ambitio and find scholarships that match your goals.

FAQs

How to get free scholarship to study abroad for Indian students?

To learn how to get free scholarship to study abroad, Indian students should research early, prepare strong applications, and apply through official scholarship portals.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad without high GPA?

Students often ask how to get free scholarship to study abroad without high GPA. The answer is by applying for need-based or program-specific scholarships that value other achievements.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad through government programs?

If you want to know how to get free scholarship to study abroad, government schemes like the Indian government’s scholarships and international fellowships provide funding options.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad for undergraduate students?

Wondering how to get free scholarship to study abroad at undergraduate level? Many universities offer merit-based and fully funded scholarships for first-time international students.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad for postgraduate courses?

Students asking how to get free scholarship to study abroad for postgraduate courses can explore fully funded scholarships like Chevening, Fulbright, or MEXT programs.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad with English proficiency tests?

A common query about how to get free scholarship to study abroad involves IELTS or TOEFL. Many scholarships require proof of language skills through these exams.

How to get free scholarship to study abroad if I missed deadlines?

Students often ask how to get free scholarship to study abroad after missing deadlines. The solution is to search for rolling scholarships and apply through study abroad providers.

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