You have probably had this conversation at home more than once.

“I want to study abroad.”

And your parents immediately start thinking about everything that comes with it.

Which university do you want to go to?
Which country do you want to study in?
How much is all of this going to cost us?
Can we afford the tuition?
Where will you live and how will you pay for it?

As an Indian student, you know how deeply your parents are involved in your education. They don't just want you to get a degree. They want to see you build a future that makes you and them proud. 

You may already have a few universities in mind, like Stanford, MIT, or another international destination, while one question keeps coming back:

“How am I going to pay for all of this?”

Don’t let this question make you give up on the university you’ve been dreaming about. For Indian students, there are fully funded scholarships that can cover major expenses such as tuition, living costs, travel, and health insurance, depending on the programme. 

The challenge isn't simply finding a scholarship. It's finding the right one. 

So, rather than leaving you to search through hundreds of options online, we have made a list of scholarships that can make studying abroad more affordable for you, including what they cover and what you need to know before applying. 

Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students 

Each year, hundreds of Indian students are awarded fully funded opportunities through prestigious programs such as Chevening, Fulbright-Nehru, Erasmus Mundus, the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, DAAD, Commonwealth Scholarships, and many more. 

Depending on the program, these scholarships can cover tuition fees, airfare, visa costs, accommodation, and a monthly living allowance. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable scholarship options for Indian students and what they offer. 

Erasmus Mundus

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is the European Union’s most prestigious fully funded master’s programme. Additionally, there is no bond and no return obligation. So, you don't face any restriction to return to your home country or work for a specific government/sponsor after completion. This makes Erasmus a top choice among indian students. 

This scholarship can cover full tuition fees, provide a living allowance of €1,000 per month (approximately ₹1.12 lakhs) for up to 24 months, along with travel costs and health insurance. This means you can study across leading European universities for FREE. 

What Makes It Unique?

You might spend your first semester in Spain, second in France, third in Germany, and your final project in Italy. 

The exact structure depends on the programme. So it’s worth checking the official Erasmus Mundus website to see where your chosen programme takes you. 

DAAD Scholarship

The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) offers funding to international students who want to study in Germany. For many Master’s scholarships, the support includes a €992 monthly allowance to help with rent, food, transport, and everyday expenses. That’s almost €11,900 a year (992 Euros per month). 

Depending on your selected programme, your scholarship may also include:

• Travel allowance
• Health insurance
• Study allowance
• Possible rent subsidy
• Family allowance in eligible cases

There’s another reason Indian students should consider this opportunity: some DAAD-supported programmes accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate instead of IELTS. So, if an English test has been holding you back, you may have another way to prove your language proficiency. However, requirements vary by university and programme, so always check the specific admission requirements before applying. 

Chevening Scholarship

The Chevening scholarship is one of the UK’s leading scholarships for international students who want to pursue a master's degree. It covers full tuition fees, a £1,452 monthly stipend, and travel costs. 

Each year, thousands of students apply for this scholarship, but only 2- 3% get accepted. Although the competition seems tough, it is still achievable. That’s exactly why standing out matters more than simply meeting the basic eligibility criteria. 

A strong application, therefore, is not simply about having excellent grades. The scholarship committees want to see your real experiences, potential, and career goals, instead of the same polished and forgettable draft everyone else submits.

Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship

The Fulbright-Nehru scholarship is offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). It works along with the US government to select and support Indian students who want to study in one of the US institutions. This scholarship will cover

• Air travel
• J-1 visa support
• Tuition and fees
• Living costs
• Sickness coverage and other related costs. 

You don't have to apply to US institutions on your own. Once you are selected, the Institute of International Education (IIE) will apply to 4 US universities on your behalf. They consider your preferred universities (such as Columbia University, the University of Michigan, or the University of California) and how competitive your profile is. The final decision is made based on these two factors. 

If you want to know more about how to win any scholarship at US universities, read this. 

Commonwealth Scholarship

This award is funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to support sustainable development and global collaboration. This means this scholarship is not just about studying any subject in the UK; your proposed study needs to connect to one of the CSC’s development priorities, such as: 

• Public health
• Education access
• Climate resilience
• Governance and policy

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 

Let's be honest, this is one of the toughest scholarships on this list. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it currently offers approximately 80 full-cost scholarships each year. 

This means the scholarship is only for students with exceptional academic records applying for eligible postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge.

Your grades can get you noticed. But getting it requires far more than good grades. Gates Cambridge demands intellectual ability, leadership mindset, and profile alignment with the programme's mission to create a global network of future leaders. You need to explain your post-study plan clearly and prove how you will benefit society through your essay.  

What does the Gates Cambridge Award cover:

• Your full tuition fee depending on the programme you select
• Maintenance allowance (£22,050 per year)
• One economy single airfare per year
• Inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge
• Discretionary funding which includes academic development funding, dependent children allowance, fieldwork costs, and hardship funding. 

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the world's most prestigious postgraduate awards, and yes, Indian students can apply through the dedicated India constituency. 

For Indian applicants, there are 5 Rhodes Scholarships available each year. To be eligible for the India constituency, you generally need to be an Indian citizen and meet specific education (an educational institution physically located in India), age, and academic requirements ( must have completed an undergraduate degree). It covers full Oxford tuition plus a generous living stipend.

Winning the Rhodes Scholarship does not automatically mean you have been admitted to Oxford. The Rhodes selection and Oxford admission processes are separate. If you are selected, then you need to apply to your chosen Oxford course, with support from the Rhodes Trust separately. 

Australia Awards

This scholarship is part of Australia’s international development programme and is designed for students from eligible developing countries, which puts Indian applicants ahead of the pack.

What can you get in Australia Awards?

• Full tuition fees
• Return airfare
• Living expenses
• Health insurance
• An establishment allowance when you arrive.

What you need to know is that you cannot simply choose any course you want. Your programme must align with the development priorities set for your country, and the exact eligible courses, universities and requirements vary by country.
What Scholarship Committees Look For in Applicants? 

Every scholarship has its own specific eligibility list. Here is what will make your application stand out from the crowd: 

• A strong and consistent academic record 
• Demonstrated leadership like student councils, clubs, community initiatives, workplace projects
• Extracurricular involvement that shows who you are beyond your transcript
• English proficiency proof, usually IELTS or TOEFL 

Committees aren't just looking for the highest CGPA in the pile. They're looking for a story, someone who knows why they want this program, what they'll do with it, and how they'll bring value back to their community or field.

Documents You Need For Scholarship Application 

This is the section students underestimate the most. Start collecting these documents early:

• Academic transcripts 
• A valid passport
• Degree certificates
• An updated resume
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• English proficiency proof, or your MOI certificate
• Research proposal (specifically for PhD applicants)

Common Mistakes That Quietly Ruin Strong Applications

Here are some of the common mistakes even the strongest applicants can make: 

• Starting too late
• Applying without even matching the scholarship target profile
• Writing a generic essay that could be submitted to all scholarships without changing a word. Learn how to write a scholarship essay here
• Missing documents can lead to disqualification
• Weak recommendation letters 
• Not explaining your post-study plan clearly

Conclusion 

Now that you have the list of fully funded scholarships, it’s a great time to start applying! But before that, it's important to know which one actually fits your profile, your field, and your story, and then build an application accordingly. It might be challenging for you. 

If you are still unsure which scholarships are worth applying for, talk to our counsellors, such as Louise Stanford, who has helped 500+ students secure admission and find opportunities that are worth your time. 

Our expert counsellors have walked hundreds of Indian students through this process: shortlisting the right scholarships for their background, reviewing SOPs line by line, prepping for interviews like Chevening and Rhodes scholarships, and keeping every deadline in mind so nothing slips through.

FAQs

Which scholarship is easiest for Indian students to get?

There is no specific answer, but DAAD tends to have more accessible eligibility criteria than prestige-heavy options like Rhodes or Gates Cambridge. 

Is IELTS compulsory for applying for these scholarships?

No. Several, including DAAD and some Chevening-linked university programs, accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate instead if your prior education was entirely in English.

How competitive are these scholarships really? 

Genuinely competitive, but not impossible. A well-prepared application with a clear story and early planning meaningfully improves your chances, even without a picture-perfect transcript.

When should I start applying for scholarships? 

10-12 months before your intended intake, minimum. Scholarship deadlines fall much earlier than most students expect.

Which country provides 100% scholarships for Indian students?

Countries like the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada offer generous scholarships for Indian students. The award can vary depending on the scholarship you are applying for. 

Can I get a scholarship without IELTS?

Some scholarships or universities may accept alternatives such as a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, while others require an approved English-language test. Always check the specific scholarship and university requirements before applying. 

Can I get a fully funded scholarship with a low CGPA?

It depends on the scholarship. Some scholarships have minimum academic requirements, but selection can also consider your leadership, work experience, community involvement, research, essays, and future goals. A lower CGPA does not automatically make every scholarship impossible.