Want to study abroad but concerned about how to finance your education? Here are a few awards that can aid you in your pursuit of a degree in some countries.
Studying abroad is an expensive proposition, but some financial support can ease your cost burden — completely, if you bag an all-expenses-paid scholarship. You can find a host of full or partial scholarships and fellowships for different levels of study, from various governments (including Indian), universities, trusts, companies and other organisations. A good point to start your search for funds is the website of the embassy/high commission or the education promotion agency of the country you wish to study in or of the institution you intend to attend. Here is a small slice of numerous awards for international students in different parts of the world:
>>UNITED STATES
Fulbright-Nehru fellowships: These include a broad range of awards like the Master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships among others. The fellowship benefits include J-1 visa support, round-trip economy class air travel from the fellow’s home city to the host institution, fees, living and related costs. However, sometimes the fellowship may not cover the entire costs and the awardee may have to supplement grant benefits through other resources.
Rotary scholarship: Rotary offers fully-funded academic fellowships to study at its peace centres in different parts of the world, including the US. These cover tuition and other fees, room and board, round-trip transportation and all internship/field study expenses. The fellowships are for short-term courses as well as full-time Master’s lasting for 15-24 months with a practical
internship.
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarships: Meant for postgraduate (PG) level study in the US and in Europe, the scholarship pays for tuition fees, living expenses and one-way travel for a specified period. In the case of specific programmes, the financial coverage would be discussed directly with the candidate.
>>UNITED KINGDOM
Commonwealth scholarship and fellowship plan: The scholarships are for PhD programmes of up to three years’ duration (one year for a split PhD), one-year taught Master’s and six months of clinical training. These are for engineering and technology, science (pure and applied), agriculture, social sciences and the humanities. Winners receive funding for economy, return international travel, tuition fee and maintenance and other allowances. The fellowships are for postdoctoral study.
GREAT scholarships: GREAT provides 370 scholarships worth about Rs 100 million to Indian students in 260 undergraduate (UG) and PG courses at 36 UK institutions. The award value varies from institute to institute.
lGates Cambridge scholarships: This covers the full cost of studying for a full-time PG degree in any subject at Cambridge. Apart from the airfare, visa costs and tuition fee, students receive a maintenance allowance. They may apply for discretionary grants like family allowance, academic development funding, among others, as well.
Rhodes scholarships India: Funding PG study at Oxford, this award provides for all fees, a personal stipend, private health insurance and
airfare costs.
>>EUROPEAN UNION
Erasmus+ scholarships: These are fully funded and cover all costs including travel, living, insurance and visa. Under Erasmus+, India is a partner country, permitting Indian universities to link up with their European counterparts to become a member in a consortium.
>>AUSTRALIA
Australia awards: Funded by the Australian government, these international scholarships and fellowships offer the next generation of global leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development.
International postgraduate research scholarships (IPRS): These scholarships are aimed at international students to pursue a PG research qualification in Australia and gain experience with leading Australian researchers.
Joint academic scholarships online network (JASON): Developed jointly by a number of universities, it is meant to assist PG aspirants find information regarding funding opportunities through various scholarship programmes run through universities, charitable foundations, government and private institutions
>>NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand India sports scholarships: These were recently launched for Indian students intending to study Bachelor’s degrees, graduate diplomas or PG sports-related programmes at New Zealand universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics in 2015.
A New Zealand government funding scheme means that all international PhD students accepted for enrolment in New Zealand pay a substantially reduced tuition fee.
SCHOLAR TALK
Since a PhD in the US usually takes more time than that in Europe, I was looking for an award that would give me the academic space and financial support to undertake my research uninterruptedly. Newly built and eager to provide a structural foundation for research on India, the Ireland India Institute (III) seemed perfect. My preference for this award came from this and the 100% scholarship and stipend offered to me. The fellowship covers tuition fees, a stipend of 16,000 euros a year, and an annual travel grant of 500 euros, for four years. With funds in the humanities and social science research drying up in Europe as well as the US, it seemed like a good opportunity. Based on my experience, I suggest potential applicants prepare their proposals very well for the interview.
–Arpita Chakraborty, won a scholarship for a PhD, 2014-18, at III, Dublin City University
I received a lump sum of 25,000 new Taiwanese dollar (roughly Rs 50,000) a month. I used the scholarship to pay me fees and cover my living costs. This amount is sufficient to survive in Taiwan. I even managed to buy myself a round trip ticket every year to come home and still saved some money. I discovered the scholarship through my mother who was, at the time, pursuing her research on the country. Following my BBA, I took an MBA at another Taiwanese university where I received an institutional scholarship. The selection process involved initial screening and an interview, with the number of awardees being flexible every year.
–Manik Kumar, MBA, 2012-14, National Chiao Tung University, won a Taiwan government and a university scholarship
A good profile, including academic records, extra-curricular activities, research papers, and work experience, helps a Fulbright fellowship applicant. GRE and TOEFL scores matter but the profile matters the most. It takes around a year to secure the fellowship, so be patient. Write your statement of purpose carefully and honestly. Get references written not by big shots but by those who know you and can describe the best in you. Be yourself in the interview.
–Mantasha Binti Rashid, MA in women’s studies, 2014-16, State University of New York, won a Fulbright-Nehru award
