Study Abroad Scholarships for International Students to Apply for their Studies

Looking to study abroad, but wondering how to pay for it? Studying abroad can be a rewarding educational experience, but it can also be expensive. The tuition fees and living costs can quickly add up to a large budget for your education. Luckily, you're definitely not alone! Studying abroad can get expensive but fortunately, there are ways to work it out. Although very few, there are study abroad scholarships that are funded by global and regional organizations that are offered specifically for international students who want to study overseas.

Moreover, many international students dream about studying abroad. It’s no secret that an education overseas can be a rewarding experience, students get the opportunity to make new friends, gain internship experience, explore the world, create professional connections, and immerse themselves in a new culture. But the steps towards making it actually happen can be intimidating as it can also be expensive - especially if you’re on a budget.

Funding Study Abroad

Furthermore, in order to secure a visa or an offer for admission, many universities or immigration commissions require you to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies. This requirement does not only apply to tuition fees, but also to general living costs like food, bills, or trips back home.

These are several factors you should consider besides tuition fees. The biggest factor will be the cost of living in your new city. How much does accommodation cost on average? Is food typically expensive? Do you plan on eating and drinking out at bars or restaurants? Do you want to travel while you’re abroad?

Tuition fees

The most popular study destinations can often be the most expensive when it comes to everything, not just the tuition fees. Moreover, as an international student, it's likely you will be charged more than home students for your program. Furthermore, the tuition fees vary for all universities and may also vary per subject and program. This is the aspect of studying abroad that students find most difficult to finance. As fees often need to be paid upfront, adding to the struggle.

Living expenses

Moreover, since you're an international student, you won't always be allowed to work with a visa. However, it’s worth checking out what work you’ll be entitled to do on a student visa, and any extra steps you need to take to make that happen. Having a small income from part-time work could help significantly with living costs and help towards any course costs such as books and equipment. Moreover, not all scholarships would cover the cost of living expenses like accommodation in addition to the tuition fees. Therefore, it is important to have money to support yourself. Although it may seem expensive, there are many ways to stay on a budget. Even if you find some partial scholarships for studying abroad, budgeting and student discounts will make your life a lot easier.

Study Abroad Scholarships for International Students

There is plenty of study abroad scholarships for international students who are interested in pursuing a course or a degree abroad. These opportunities can range from funds to cover your flight to scholarships that allow you to study abroad for free.

Many universities or organizations offer scholarships and bursaries for students. These can be on the basis of academic achievement or financial need. Scholarships specifically for international students do exist, but there is a high level of competition to be awarded one.

How to Find Study Abroad Scholarships

Scholarships can depend on your home country and where exactly you’re planning to study, so it’s always a good idea to have in mind a country and some university options you’d like to choose.

Check university fees and funding information to see if any of their scholarships apply to international students like you. Some countries or universities may be actively seeking to increase the number of international students — increasing the availability of these kinds of scholarships.

The official websites of your favorite universities are the best place to start searching for a scholarship. Quite often, universities don't show all available scholarships on their website. You can make sure you don't miss out on any hidden scholarships by contacting the university directly. The next step is to look for financial aid in other places on the internet. But it’s not always easy to find reliable information and not all websites have up-to-date content.

How to Apply for a Scholarship

Once you have found a study abroad scholarship for which you can apply, then you should start preparing your documents. A typical application process looks like this:

1. Firstly, register for the scholarship, usually by completing an online application form
2. Then, check your inbox to make sure you have received the confirmation email.
3. Then, write a personal statement or essay.
4. Get official proof of your academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. However, you will need to translate the documents if necessary.
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 your studies.
8. Then, wait for the results. If selected, congratulations, you’re a winner the university or college usually receives the money directly to cover your tuition (or a part of it).

Organizations Offering Study Abroad Scholarships

Moreover, there are some organizations that are able to provide funds for international students from a wide variety of countries. They are as follows:

• ADB Japan Scholarship Program
• Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• EACEA Scholarships
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program
• Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships
• Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships
• MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program for Africa
• OFID Scholarship Award
• Open Society Foundation Civil Society Leadership Award
• PEO International Peace Scholarships
• Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants
• UNESCO Fellowships Programs
• Wells Mountain Foundation Scholarships for Developing Countries

ADB Japan World Bank Scholarships

The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of ADB’s developing member countries to undertake postgraduate studies in 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.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year. The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. Generally, the scholar can choose a reputable University of his/her choice except for those universities in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.

Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships

The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) sponsors students from developing countries to pursue graduate studies leading to a master’s degree from preferred and partner universities around the world. The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

OFID Scholarship Award

OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) offers fully-funded scholarships to qualified applicants who wish to study for a Master’s degree in an accredited University around the world. The scholarships are worth up to $50,000 and cover the tuition fees, monthly allowance to cover living expenses, accommodation, insurance, books, relocation grants, and travel costs.

Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants

The Rotary Foundation offers scholarship funding through the Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships. The scholarship funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000 which can fund the following: passport/visa, inoculations, travel expenses, school supplies, tuition, room, and board, etc. Generally, the study grants can commence in any country where there is a host Rotary club or district.

Wells Mountain Foundation Scholarships for Developing Countries

The Wells Mountain Foundation, a public charitable foundation based in Bristol, Vermont, USA, funds Empowerment through Education scholarships for individuals in developing nations or other situations of extreme poverty. You can study at a university of your choice in your home country or in another developing country. The average scholarship amount awarded is $1400 which may be used for tuition and fees, books and materials, and other approved costs.