Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students: Opportunities, Eligibility, and How to Apply

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students: Opportunities, Eligibility, and How to Apply

Dreaming of studying abroad but worried about the cost? You’re not alone. Tens of thousands of Indian students aspire and aim to receive high-end education opportunities abroad every year. However, there’s only one thing that stops them, the cost. 

That’s where you can take advantage of fully funded scholarships. 

These fully-funded scholarships are not only for tuition; they provide living, travel, and other support and help you concentrate only on studies and growth. Currently, you can get fully funded scholarships in countries abroad like the UK, the USA, or Germany. 

In this guide, we’re going to illustrate the top most fully-funded scholarships in 2025 so that you can clearly understand how to make the leap from your dream of traveling abroad into a functioning plan. 

Ready to explore? Let’s get started.

Types of fully funded scholarships abroad

Students willing to study abroad can find plenty of financial opportunities from governments and universities, and some even find course-specific scholarships. 

These scholarships, however, are not meant for everyone. 

But some of the most common types of scholarships that are open for the majority of the students are categorized as below:

1. Government-Funded, Fully Funded Scholarships

Government-funded scholarships hold the highest level of prestige and competition. The federal governments offer them and aim to cover all the major costs like tuition fees, travel, health insurance, and, in some cases, accommodation fees as well. 

These scholarships attract a huge number of applicants across borders because of their broad focus. Hence, this prestigious nature of the scholarship turns them into a highly competitive process to obtain. 

If you are an Indian student, then you need to show outstanding academic achievement and leadership skills, as well as a very defined goal for yourself and your career.

2. University-Sponsored, Fully Funded Scholarships

Many universities around the world offer their own fully funded scholarships. This ends up attracting top-tier talent from across the world. These scholarships are granted after a complete evaluation of the student’s application by the student’s application. 

Academic records, work experience relevant to the field, active involvement in extracurricular activities, and financial need are commonly taken into consideration. For their application to be more successful, students must personalize applications that highlight their individual talents, which match the scholarship mission of the university. 

These scholarships not only ease the burden of student finances but also help recipients forge a supportive community of top academic peers.

3. Externally Funded Scholarships

The external scholarships are offered by private companies, charities, and educational foundations. These organizations are frequently led by a mission to provide support to education and innovation for talented students. 

The selection process may involve individualized testing (e.g., tests or interviews), and a large number of scholarships are accompanied by further assistance, such as internships or job offers after graduation. 

These programs are especially useful to students who want to possess professional experience during their education because they provide access to international career options.

List of top fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad

Indian students studying abroad have multiple scholarships to choose from, fortunately. These scholarships cover all aspects of your study abroad journey, ranging from tuition fees to living costs. Here are some of the top scholarships available for Indian students to study abroad:

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are given to talented Indian students who want to undertake master’s degree studies in the USA. These fellowships are designed for awardees who exhibit leadership capability, academic achievement, and social impact. 

This scholarship Includes tuition, living costs, and airfare; the fellowship also asks for health insurance coverage and professional development opportunities. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with at least 55% marks and at least three years of work experience in their field of study.

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are supported by the UK government. It is offered to Indian students who plan to undertake master’s degrees at the UK’s top universities. 

These scholarships are highly sought after because of their overall coverage, including tuition fees, monthly living stipends, travel costs, and allowances for essential expenses. 

Another strong point of Chevening is the development of leadership and networking skills, which is appropriate for applicants with a minimum of two years of professional experience. 

By way of an open application process, students have the opportunity to custom design their personal statement to demonstrate the alignment of this scholarship to their postgraduate career goal.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for study by students from Commonwealth nations (e.g., India) at the UK master’s level or PhD level. These scholarships are for tuition, airfare, living expenses, and study expenses. 

The program prioritizes candidates with a strong academic background and a vision to contribute to their country’s development. 

In the case of the UGC or Ministry of Education in India, applications are often forwarded by Indian bodies, and in the selection process, nominations are of paramount importance.

DAAD Scholarships

The DAAD Scholarships, provided by the German Academic Exchange Service, are available to students from India for postgraduate studies in Germany. Due to its high-standard education and low cost of living, Germany attracts a large number of international students, and DAAD scholarships also help with financial difficulties. 

These scholarships for tuition are provided, include a stipend each month, and are accompanied by travel allowances and a health insurance package. Persons holding a bachelor’s degree in a related subject with a minimum of 2 years of work experience are advised to apply.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program, supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, PhD scholarships are awarded to Indian students whose studies will focus on engineering, economics, and law. 

This scholarship provides funding for both master’s and PhD programs, including a monthly allowance, travel costs, and health insurance. It also enables professional networking with practitioners of the student’s area of study. 

With its focus on attracting top talent to France, the Eiffel Scholarship is a gateway to advanced education in one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions.

Australia Awards Scholarships

Australia Awards Scholarships provide Indian students with the opportunity to study at an Australian university, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. These scholarships are, in particular, designed with students from less developed countries in view, covering tuition fees, living costs, and airfares in full. 

The program also comes with pre-departure training and post-study work options; hence, it is a one-stop solution for students from India who want to start their careers in Australia.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is one of the most prestigious scholarships for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. 

Covering tuition fees, maintenance allowances, and travel costs, the scholarship also provides support for family allowances and academic enrichment activities. Candidates are evaluated based on their academic potential, leadership aptitude, and dedication to making life better for their profession.

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship (one of the oldest and most distinguished international scholarships) provides an opportunity for Indian students to continue their postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. 

With tuition costs covered and a generous living stipend, the Rhodes Scholarship focuses on leadership, character, and scholarship. Applicants are required to show that they have an active commitment to improving their communities and the world.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships are specifically designed to cater to Indian students who intend to apply for study at leading institutions in the USA, UK, or Europe. 

Including tuition and living costs, these scholarships are given to students with exceptional academic profiles and the desire to impact their area of work. Applicants must first obtain entry into a program and, before applying for the scholarship, must be up to 30 years old.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

The Orange Tulip Scholarship is run by Nuffic and Indian students who wish to study in the Netherlands and can apply at the top Dutch institutions. This scholarship includes tuition and, in some instances, living costs. 

Focusing on areas such as engineering, business, and the arts, it attracts students of high ability who want to study at a country’s internationally recognized education system in the Netherlands. Applying to the program involves enrolling in a participating institution and having an academic standing.

Details on top 5 fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad

Below are some completely funded scholarships available for Indian students to pursue their studies overseas.

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees: These are fully funded scholarships for integrated master’s programs.
• JN Tata Endowment: This endowment provides loan scholarships for overseas studies. It was founded in 1892 by Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata, the father of the Tata Group.
• Shing scholarships: These awards are provided by the UK government and financed by a postgraduate study and research scholarship.
• Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships: These are government-funded scholarships for studying in the US.
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program: This is a grant-supported high school scholarship for studying in the USA.

Eligibility criteria

As an Indian student, you have to meet the eligibility criteria to be available for a fully-funded scholarship abroad, irrespective of its kind. Whether you’re opting for government or university-funded scholarships, here are some basic criteria that you must be qualifying

1. Academic excellence

You must have excellent academic records in order to qualify for a fully-funded scholarship. Most of the scholarships require a strong academic record; hence, you must have a minimum percentage of 60-70% or a GPA of 4 or 5. 

• A minimum percentage or grade point average (GPA) is typically specified (e.g., 55% or above for undergraduate degrees or equivalent CGPA).
• For postgraduate scholarships, a relevant undergraduate degree with excellent performance is essential.

2. English language proficiency

Another eligibility criterion is to show proficiency in English. It is extremely mandatory, especially in most English-speaking countries.

Some of the acceptable test score ranges in English proficiency exams are: 

• IELTS: A minimum band score of 6.5 or higher.
• TOEFL: A score of 80+ (iBT).
• PTE Academic: As per specific scholarship requirements.

3. Relevant work experience

Some of the scholarships, like Chevening or DAAD, also check your professional experience before considering you for their fully-funded scholarship. You’re usually meant to have 2–3 years of work experience in a relevant field, which is considered ideal.

4. Showcase leadership and extracurricular involvement

Showcase your talents in extracurricular activities apart from the domain of academics, work, and service to the community. This will showcase your leadership potential, which is often assessed as an accomplishment. 

Extracurricular participation in clubs and societies and voluntary work can carry great weight to your application.

5. Financial need (for need-based scholarships)

For scholarships that consider financial need, applicants must provide proof of economic hardship or insufficient funding for their studies.

While fully-funded scholarships are an incredible opportunity, the competition is immense. Even with stellar credentials, only a small number of students secure these scholarships. For most others, the next best option to fund their education is a low-interest education loan, and that’s where FundRight (by GradRight) comes in.

With FundRight, you can simplify the loan process. Here’s how it works:

• One Account, Many Offers: Create a single profile and access loan offers from 15+ top Indian and international banks and NBFCs.
• Easy Comparison: Compare interest rates, repayment terms, and other conditions from multiple lenders at once, ensuring you choose the best option for your needs.
• Zero Hassle: Enjoy a fully online process with no paperwork, no bank visits, and fast approvals.
• Safe and Free: Your application is 100% secure, and the platform is free for students to use.

FundRight saves you time, money, and stress, allowing you to focus on achieving your academic dreams without worrying about finances.

Now that you know how to manage your education funding effectively, let’s move on to answer some frequently asked questions about fully-funded scholarships.

FAQs

1. How do you get a fully funded scholarship in India?

To get a fully funded scholarship in India, you must first search for scholarships offered by Indian government agencies like the Ministry of Education, UGC. You can also look for private entities and universities. Some of the examples are the National Overseas Scholarship and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships.

2. Which country provides 100% scholarships for Indian students?

Some countries have reported providing 100% scholarships to Indian students. They are:

• Germany: Offers free–of–charge tertiary education at public universities and scholarships such as DAAD.
• United Kingdom: Offers prestigious scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships.
• United States: Programs like Fulbright-Nehru and Knight-Hennessy provide comprehensive funding.
• Australia: Australia Awards and university-specific scholarships often cover full expenses.
• Netherlands: Scholarships like the Orange Tulip Scholarship are very common for Indian students.

3. Is it possible to get a 100% scholarship?

Yes, it is certainly achievable to secure a full scholarship if you qualify and have a good application. Fully funded scholarships usually include charges for tuition, living costs, and travel (and, to some extent, further allowances). 

4. What is the easiest fully funded scholarship?

Although no scholarship is “simple,” certain scholarships are quite straightforward in terms of their eligibility and application criteria. Some of the most accessible fully-funded scholarships are DAAD Scholarships (Germany) and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships (India). Some more examples include Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (Europe) and Chevening Scholarships (UK).