.jpeg)
Top Scholarships & Grants for Indian Students Going Abroad (2025)
For many Indian students, the biggest barrier to studying abroad is finance. But there are numerous scholarships and grants out there—some highly competitive, others more accessible. Knowing where to look, how to apply, and which ones match your profile is the key.
Top Scholarships Indian Students Should Know
Scholarship Name | Country / Region | What It Covers | Key Eligibility / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships | USA | Covers tuition + living + travel for Master’s or PhD level study. The Times of India+1 | |
Chevening Scholarships | UK | Fully-funded master’s; leadership potential focus. The Times of India+1 | |
Erasmus+ (Joint Degree / EU) | Europe | Covers tuition and sometimes living/stipend for joint master’s programs. The Times of India+1 | |
DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Strong support for STEM and research-oriented courses; monthly stipends etc. www.ndtv.com | |
Australia Awards | Australia | For development goals / priority fields; tends to favor certain sectors/countries. www.ndtv.com | |
Others: KC Mahindra Scholarship, Narotam Sekhsaria, JN Tata Endowment etc. for more specific or regional cases. www.ndtv.com+1 |
How to Maximize Your Chances
-
Start early. Deadlines are often a year (or more) ahead.
-
Maintain strong academics and extracurriculars. Leadership, social impact, research work help.
-
Customize your SOP and application. Show why you deserve the scholarship, not just want it.
-
Collect strong recommendation letters. From credible sources and relevant to your intended field.
-
Meet all eligibility criteria strictly. Citizenship, marks, English requirements etc.
Lesser-Known But Valuable Grants
-
Small university-level grants that cover partial tuition or fees.
-
Country-specific government scholarships (e.g., France, Netherlands, etc.).
-
Private foundations and non-profits in India dedicated to supporting under-privileged or meritorious students.
With the right research and effort, the financial burden of studying abroad can be significantly eased. Scholarships, when leveraged well, don’t just reduce cost—they open doors to networks, prestige, and peace of mind. If you want help identifying scholarships that match your profile, SPIE Overseas can guide every step.