Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students. However, the high costs can make it seem out of reach. Scholarships can help by reducing these expenses. This guide will show you how to get scholarship abroad and provide a list of top scholarships for Indian students after 12th grade.
Why Scholarships Are Crucial for Indian Students Aspiring to Study Abroad After Completing 12th Grade
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Pursuing higher education overseas offers exposure to new cultures, advanced learning environments, and better career opportunities. However, the financial burden can be significant. Scholarships play a vital role in making international education accessible by covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs. They also recognize and reward academic excellence, leadership qualities, and extracurricular achievements.
Government Scholarships for Indian Students to Pursue Undergraduate Studies Abroad
If you’re an Indian student planning to study abroad after 12th and you’re worried about the costs, government scholarships can be your best support. These scholarships are designed to make higher education accessible for students from different socio-economic backgrounds. Many of them cover not just tuition, but also living expenses, travel, and other study-related costs.
Let’s explore the top government-funded scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students aiming to study abroad.
| Scholarship Name | Funded By | Level | Coverage | Eligibility |
| National Overseas Scholarship (SC) | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | PG & Ph.D. | Tuition, visa, air tickets, living cost, contingency allowance | SC category, min. 55% in UG/PG, family income < ₹8 lakh, age < 35 yrs |
| National Overseas Scholarship (ST) | Ministry of Tribal Affairs | PG & Ph.D. | Full tuition, maintenance, visa, and travel expenses | ST category, min. 55% in UG/PG, family income < ₹6 lakh, age < 35 yrs |
| Dr. Ambedkar Interest Subsidy Scheme | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | PG | Full interest subsidy during the moratorium period of education loan | OBC/EBC category, income < ₹8 lakh, loan from a scheduled bank, admitted to a foreign university |
| Padho Pardesh Scheme (Discontinued in 2022) | Ministry of Minority Affairs | PG | Interest subsidy on study loans (now discontinued) | |
| Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship | Ministry of Education, GoI | Research/Postdoc | Maintenance allowance, airfare, and college fees at Oxford | 1 seat/year; excellent academic record, age < 30, minimum 60% in PG |
| Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) | British Council, GoI partnership | PG & Ph.D. | Tuition, living, travel, and thesis grants | 60%+ in UG, offer from UK university, age under 40, English proficiency |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships (USA) | USIEF (Govt. of India & USA collaboration) | PG | Full tuition, J-1 visa, living allowance, travel costs | Bachelor’s degree, 3+ years’ work experience, leadership quality |
| GREAT Scholarships (UK) | British Council + UK Universities | UG & PG | Up to £10,000 towards tuition | UG/PG admission in select UK universities |
| AICTE–Saksham and Pragati Schemes (For Domestic Only) | AICTE | UG | Not applicable for foreign education |
University-Specific Scholarships Available for Indian Students After 12th Grade
After completing your 12th grade, getting into a top university abroad is a dream for many Indian students. The good news? Many universities around the world offer their own scholarships to help international students like you. These university-specific scholarships are mostly merit-based, but some also consider financial need, leadership, and extra activities.
If you’re wondering how to get scholarship abroad or searching for the right scholarship for abroad studies, this list is your go-to guide. These scholarships can reduce your tuition, or even cover all your costs.
Here is a table showing some of the best university-funded overseas scholarship for Indian students you can apply for right after 12th:
| Scholarship Name | University | Coverage | Eligibility Criteria | Country |
| Tata Scholarship | Cornell University | Full tuition for 4 years | Indian citizens; admitted to UG program; need-based; must apply for financial aid | USA |
| International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) | University of British Columbia (UBC) | Full tuition + living expenses | Excellent academics; leadership; involvement in community work | Canada |
| Monash International Merit Scholarship | Monash University | AUD 10,000/year (renewable) | Minimum 85% in 12th; international student; UG or PG course | Australia |
| President’s International Scholarship | University of Toronto | Up to CAD 100,000 over 4 years | Academic excellence; leadership; creativity; application to UG course | Canada |
| International Excellence Scholarship | University of Leeds | Up to £5,000/year (renewable) | Indian UG applicants with strong academic performance | UK |
| Global Scholars Program | Clark University | $15,000–$25,000/year + need-based aid | Academic performance, leadership, and community involvement | USA |
| Reach Oxford Scholarship | University of Oxford | Full tuition + living + 1 return flight/year | Financial need; high academic merit; country without adequate educational access | UK |
| Emile Boutmy Scholarship | Sciences Po | €3,000 to €13,000/year | First-time applicants; merit-based; non-EU students including India | France |
| Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship | University of Sydney | AUD 5,000–$40,000 | Based on academic merit in 12th; must hold an unconditional offer | Australia |
| Future Global Leaders Fellowship | Hosted by various top universities | Full program funding + mentorship | 1st-year students from low-income backgrounds; leadership potential | USA |
| UNSW International Scholarships | University of New South Wales | AUD 5,000–$20,000 | Academic excellence; application to UG programs | Australia |
| University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship | University of Bristol | £5,000–£20,000 (tuition only) | International students applying for full-time UG programs | UK |
| Merit Scholarships | Arizona State University | $5,000–$15,000/year | SAT score 1300+ or GPA above 3.5; high school marks; must apply early | USA |
Country-Specific Scholarships Tailored for Indian Students Seeking to Study Abroad
Many countries across the world are opening doors for Indian students through fully funded and partially funded scholarships. These country-specific scholarships are backed by governments, universities, or educational consortia and are a great way to reduce the financial burden. Whether you’re wondering how to get scholarship abroad or exploring scholarship for abroad studies, here’s where to start. Here’s a closer look at some of the top country-specific scholarships for Indian students along with their eligibility criteria, benefits, and application insights:
| Scholarship Name | Country | Eligible Levels | Coverage | Eligibility |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships | USA | Master’s | Full tuition, living, airfare, books | Indian citizenship, UG degree, min 3 years work, community service experience |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | UK | Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition, airfare, monthly stipend | Indian citizens, strong academics, under Commonwealth quota |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees | Europe | Master’s | Tuition, travel, monthly allowance | UG degree, apply for eligible joint programs, high academic merit |
| Australia Awards Scholarship | Australia | Master’s | Full tuition, travel, health insurance | Indian citizens, UG degree, leadership qualities, 2 years work preferred |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Master’s, Ph.D. | Full tuition, monthly stipend | UG degree, German/English language proficiency, motivation letter |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | Canada | Ph.D. | CAD 50,000/year for 3 years | High academic excellence, research potential, leadership skills |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme | France | Master’s, Ph.D. | €1,181/month (Master’s), €1,700/month (Ph.D.), tuition, return travel | Under 25 (Master’s), under 30 (Ph.D.), French-taught or English-taught courses |
| New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) | New Zealand | UG and PG | NZD 10,000 – 15,000 for tuition | Indian citizenship, strong academic profile, apply to selected NZ universities |
| MEXT Scholarship | Japan | UG, Master’s, Ph.D. | Full tuition, travel, living allowance | Indian nationals, age under 35 (PG), strong GPA and entrance exam |
| Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | UG, Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition, airfare, settlement allowance | Indian passport holders, excellent academic record, Korean embassy selection |
Private and NGO-Funded Scholarships for Indian Students Aspiring to Study Abroad
Private trusts, foundations, and NGO groups help Indian students achieve their dream of international education. Some scholarship programs for foreign studies remain underrecognized but introduce substantial opportunities for students who fulfill the application requirements.
The good part? Scholarships have different criteria apart from high school grades. Trusts and NGOs evaluate applicants according to leadership, finances, study area and other selection factors.
Below we have explained both NGO and private abroad education scholarship along with application methods.
| Scholarship Name | Offered By | Coverage | Eligibility Criteria | Target Countries |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Inlaks Foundation | Up to $100,000 for tuition, living, one-way travel | Indian citizens, age < 30, excellent academic & extracurricular background, UG from a recognized Indian university | USA, UK, Europe |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Aga Khan Foundation | Tuition + living (50% loan, 50% grant) | Indian students with financial need and excellent academic record; preference for PG programs | Multiple (incl. USA & UK) |
| JN Tata Endowment for Higher Education | Tata Trusts | Loan scholarship between ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakhs | Indian students accepted into full-time PG/PhD abroad; age < 45; UG degree from a recognized Indian university | Worldwide |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Abroad | KC Mahindra Education Trust | Interest-free loan up to ₹8 lakhs | Indian students with a first-class degree; must have confirmed admission in a PG course abroad | Global |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Interest-free loan up to ₹20 lakhs | Indian nationals under 30; exceptional academic record; confirmed PG admission abroad | Multiple |
| Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship | USIEF + Govt of India | Full tuition, stipend, travel | Indian students focusing on climate change research; usually for PG or research-based programs | United States |
| Ratan Tata Scholarship for Cornell University | Tata Education and Development Trust | Full tuition fees at Cornell University | Indian students admitted to UG courses at Cornell; strong academics and financial need | USA (Cornell University only) |
| Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship | Tata Trusts | Tuition support for PG courses (women only) | Indian women with a strong academic background; pursuing PG in social work, public health, law, etc. | USA, UK, Europe |
| S.N. Bose Scholars Program | DST, IUSSTF, WINStep Forward | Stipend + airfare + living allowance for research | UG/PG science or engineering students; research internship in top US universities | USA |
How to Apply for an Abroad Scholarship for Indian Students
Applying for scholarships requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are the general steps to follow:
- Research Thoroughly: Identify scholarships that match your academic interests, destination country, and eligibility criteria.
- Prepare Necessary Documents: Gather academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and proof of extracurricular activities.
- Meet Application Deadlines: Keep track of application deadlines and submit all required materials on time.
- Fulfill Specific Requirements: Some scholarships may require essays, interviews, or additional tests. Ensure you meet all specific requirements.
- Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Increase your chances by applying to several scholarships for which you are eligible.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Securing a Scholarship for Studying Abroad After 12th
Enhancing your scholarship application can significantly boost your chances of success. Consider the following tips:
- Maintain Strong Academics: A high GPA demonstrates your commitment and capability.
- Participate in Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work, or community service shows you’re a well-rounded student. Many scholarships look for leadership qualities and social involvement.
- Write a Powerful Statement of Purpose (SOP): Your SOP tells your story. Clearly explain your goals, reasons for choosing the course and university, and how the scholarship will help. Make it genuine, personal, and error-free.
- Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation: Ask teachers or mentors who know you well to write detailed and honest recommendations. These letters should highlight your academic abilities, character, and achievements.
- Apply Early: Many scholarships have limited seats. Applying early ensures your application is reviewed before the quota fills.
- Show Financial Need (if required): If applying for need-based scholarships, provide accurate and complete financial documents. Transparency matters.
- Prepare for Interviews (if applicable): Some scholarships include an interview round. Practice answering questions about your background, goals, and why you deserve the scholarship.
Final Thoughts – Making Your Dream of Studying Abroad Affordable with Scholarships
If studying abroad seems like an expensive dream, remember this: Scholarships can change everything. From tuition to travel, living expenses to course fees, they can make your dream affordable and achievable.
You now know how to get scholarship abroad, what types of funding are available, and how to make your application stand out. Whether you apply to government, university, or private scholarships, the key is to plan early, research well, and stay organized.
Never hesitate to apply just because you think you won’t get selected. Thousands of students from India win scholarships every year—and you can be one of them too.
So start your research today with Transglobal’s expert couselors and claim that scholarship for abroad studies. You’ve got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best scholarships for Indian students to study abroad after 12th?
Indian students can apply for top scholarships like Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks, Chevening, and DAAD. Many universities abroad also offer merit-based and need-based scholarships for international students after 12th.
2. Which countries offer the most scholarships for Indian students?
The USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia offer many scholarships for Indian students. These countries support international education and provide both government and university-funded aid.
3. Can Indian students get government scholarships for studying abroad?
Yes, there are many scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government like the National Overseas Scholarship and scholarships through the Ministry of Education for students going abroad for higher studies.
4. Is an English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL necessary for scholarships?
Yes, most scholarships need proof of English skills. IELTS, TOEFL, or similar tests are often required when you apply to universities and for scholarships abroad.
5. Can students apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
Yes, students can apply for as many scholarships as they qualify for. There is no rule against applying to multiple scholarships together.
6. What additional expenses should be considered while studying abroad?
Students must plan for living costs, travel, books, insurance, and visa fees. These are not always covered by scholarships and can be expensive.
7. Can students with average academic records apply for scholarships?
Yes, many scholarships look at more than just grades. Students with average marks can apply if they show talent, leadership, or need.
8. Are there fully funded scholarships available for Indian students?
Yes, Indian students can get fully funded scholarships like Fulbright-Nehru, Chevening, and DAAD. These cover tuition, travel, and living costs completely.
