Study Overseas | Best of

Introduction

A significant number of Indian students aspire to pursue advanced education at prestigious international universities such as Harvard, MIT, or Oxford. Nevertheless, the financial load frequently poses a significant obstacle to the realisation of this aspiration. In order to facilitate the ambitions of highly skilled and motivated Indian students, the Indian government provides a range of scholarship programmes aimed at covering expenses such as tuition fees, living costs, and other associated expenditures for pursuing education overseas.

This comprehensive guide aims to examine the six prominent scholarships offered by the Indian government to individuals aspiring to pursue higher education on an international scale.

Table of Contents

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship

The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship is a prestigious Indian government scholarship aimed at providing exceptional Indian students with the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree program at select colleges and universities in the United States. This scholarship, which typically lasts one to two years, is designed for students who exhibit strong leadership qualities, hold a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree, and possess a minimum of three years of professional work experience.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship Eligibility Criteria:

• The eligibility criteria for the candidate include possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university, which should be equal to a U.S. bachelor's degree, and must have obtained a minimum of 55% marks.
• A prerequisite for admission is a minimum of three years of full-time, remunerated professional job experience that is pertinent to the selected area of study.
• The individual possesses notable attributes of effective leadership and has actively engaged in various community service endeavours.
• The individual is presently not registered in a degree programme in the United States nor possesses a degree from any university in the United States.
• In the event of securing employment, it is imperative for the candidate to diligently adhere to the directions provided with regards to obtaining the employer's endorsement.

Benefits of Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship:

• Financial support for educational expenses, including tuition fees, living expenses, and related expenditures.
• Support for J-1 visas.
• The provision of round-trip economy class airfare from the candidate's city of residence to the United States, as well as the inclusion of accident and sickness coverage that adheres to the requirements set forth by the United States government.

(Read More: J-1 Visa vs. F-1 Visa: Everything you must know)

Additional Scholarships Offered in Partnership with Fulbright-Nehru:

1. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship for Indian Ph.D. students
2. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships for Indian Ph.D. students

The JN Tata Endowment – Higher Education of Indians

The J. N. Tata Endowment offers a one-time loan scholarship for Indian students pursuing full-time Postgraduate, Ph.D., Postdoctoral, and Research fellowships abroad. The loan amount ranges from INR 1,00,000 to INR 10,00,000. While the scholarship doesn't cover the entire cost of studies, selected scholars may receive a partial travel grant of JN Tata Endowment Scholarship up to INR 50,000.

JN Tata Endowment Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

• The eligibility criteria for the candidate include being a citizen of India and having an age below 45 years.
• The possession of a postgraduate degree from an officially recognised university in India, with a minimum score of 60%, is required.
• Applicants who have not previously been awarded the loan scholarship are also eligible to submit their applications.

Benefits of JN Tata Endowment Scholarship:

• Scholarship loan ranging from INR 1,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.
• Partial travel grant of up to INR 50,000.
• Gift award worth INR 2,00,000 to INR 7,50,000.

National Overseas Scholarship

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced the National Overseas Scholarship to promote social and economic justice. This scholarship program is designed to assist financially disadvantaged students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans in pursuing Master's Degrees, Ph.D. programs, and Post-Doctoral courses abroad.

National Overseas Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

• It is recommended that candidates possess an age below 35 years.
• A minimum score of 60% is required in the qualifying examination. The Bachelor's degree serves as the requisite assessment for admission into Master's degree programmes, while the Master's degree serves as the requisite assessment for admission into Ph.D. programmes.
• The aggregate household income derived from various sources shall not surpass INR 8,00,000 during the preceding fiscal year.
• The scholarship has a provision for granting awards to a maximum of two individuals who are part of the same family.
• A quota of 30% has been allocated for female candidates in the reservation of seats.

Benefits of National Overseas Scholarship:

• Coverage of tuition fees, visa fees, book costs, and living expenses.
• Medical insurance premium.
• Poll tax.
• Air tickets and incidental journey allowance.
• Maintenance fee.
• Contingency allowance.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJM) are Master's level study programs, and the EU provides funding to offer scholarships to Indian students pursuing these programs. An EMJM program is designed and delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions (HEIs). An EMJM typically involves at least three HEIs from three different countries, with two of them being EU member states.

This arrangement provides students with the opportunity to study in at least two European countries. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees scholarship covers tuition fees, air travel, insurance premiums, and living expenses, although the scholarship amount may vary based on the country and selected course.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Eligibility Criteria:

• The eligibility requirement for the candidate is that they must hold Indian citizenship.
• The prospective candidate must not have been a resident of any European nation for a duration exceeding one year within the past five years.
• It is imperative that the candidate has not been previously awarded a comparable scholarship through the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 programme.
• The possession of a bachelor's degree and pertinent professional experience.

Benefits of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree:

• Monthly stipend of up to 1500 Euros.
• Full tuition fee coverage.
• Travelling allowance.
• Round-trip air travel.
• Job Visa after completing Master’s/Ph.D.

(Read More: What are the benefits of Erasmus Mundus Scholarship program?)

Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship

The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust awards scholarships to Indian women graduates, supporting their tuition fees for pursuing higher education abroad. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend a personal or online interview with the board of trustees to be considered for the scholarship.

The scholarship awards INR 3,60,000 as a tuition fee component per selected candidate, depending on the candidate's performance in the interview. The selected candidate must also submit a copy of the 'Financial Capacity' document, demonstrating her ability to support her education.

Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

• The eligibility requirement for the candidate is that she must be a female citizen of India.
• The possession of a postgraduate degree from a prestigious university accompanied by a commendable academic performance.
• Submission of an application for enrollment or admission to esteemed universities in the United States, United Kingdom, or Europe.
• A prerequisite for consideration is a minimum of two years of pertinent professional experience.

Benefits of Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship:

• Tuition fee coverage of up to INR 3,60,000.
• Support for a variety of fields, including Sociology, Psychology, Law (specialising in issues related to women and children), Education, Gender studies (domestic violence and other issues concerning Indian women), Child health, Mental health, Public health, Needs of adolescents, Communication for development, Community Development, Rural Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, and Social work in areas like Women in Prison.

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

The Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a fully-funded government scholarship designed for one candidate to study at St. Antony College, Oxford University in London. This fellowship, exclusively administered by the HRD Ministry, primarily targets students interested in pursuing an academic career in History, Political Science, and Economics.

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship Eligibility Criteria:

• The eligibility requirement for the candidate is to possess Indian citizenship on a permanent basis.
• The ideal age range for the candidate is between 30 and 40 years.
• A prerequisite for admission is the attainment of a minimum of 60% marks at the Master's degree level.
• The possession of a doctoral degree in the relevant academic discipline or the publication of scholarly works of comparable significance.
• The areas of specialisation encompassed under this academic context include history, economics, and political science.
• A minimum of three years of instructional experience at the graduate or postgraduate level is required.

(Read More: Do backlogs affect your scholarships to study abroad?)

Benefits of Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship:

• Round-trip economy class airfare for the candidate and spouse (if the spouse stays in the U.K. for one year).
• Stipend.
• Travel allowance.
• College lunch allowance.
• Administration charges.

Summary of the Top 6 Scholarships for Studying Abroad by the Indian Government

Indian students are provided with a wide array of government-funded scholarships that serve as a means to facilitate their aspirations of pursuing higher education in foreign countries. There exist options for individuals to pursue higher education in many fields and academic levels, such as obtaining a Master's degree in the United States through the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship or receiving financial assistance for further education in Europe through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programme. Furthermore, there are scholarships available that expressly target female Indian graduates, such as the Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship.

These scholarships provide comprehensive financial assistance, encompassing not only tuition fees but also provisions for living expenses, travel expenses, and supplementary allowances. The fulfilment of eligibility requirements and comprehensive preparation are important for students to successfully get these scholarships and commence their foreign educational endeavours.

Additional Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

In addition to the top six scholarships, there exist other additional scholarships and financial alternatives accessible to Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. These supplementary scholarships are designed to accommodate a wide range of academic disciplines, educational stages, and financial circumstances.

1. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission provides scholarships to Indian students who wish to pursue Master's and Ph.D. programmes in the United Kingdom. The scholarships encompass the costs of tuition, living expenses, and travel.

2. The Chevening Scholarships, which are supported by the government of the United Kingdom, offer financial aid to Indian students to pursue their studies in the United Kingdom. The scholarships offered are largely intended for individuals pursuing Master's degree programmes, encompassing the coverage of tuition costs, living expenses, and additional allowances.

3. The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation provides scholarships to Indian students who aspire to pursue advanced study at prestigious global institutions. A range of scholarships are accessible throughout several disciplines, encompassing humanities, social sciences, and business.

4. The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is a scholarship programme that aims to support Indian students who have a keen interest in pursuing research careers in the field of science. This programme provides assistance to students who are engaged in the pursuit of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fundamental scientific disciplines.

5. The Rhodes Trust provides scholarships to Indian students, enabling them to pursue their studies at the prestigious University of Oxford. The scholarships on offer are characterised by a high level of competition and are open to applicants pursuing postgraduate studies across a diverse array of academic fields.

6. The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships are provided to Indian students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at prestigious international universities. Scholarships are readily accessible for a wide range of academic disciplines.

7. The Tata Education and Development Trust provides financial assistance to Indian students in the United States who have been admitted to Cornell University under the Tata Scholarships programme. The scholarships provided encompass both the cost of tuition as well as the necessary expenses for living.

8. The Indian Oil Corporation Limited offers scholarships to students who are enrolled in full-time courses across a range of disciplines, such as engineering, medical, and management, at recognised educational institutions both in India and overseas.

It is imperative for prospective students to conduct comprehensive research on these supplementary scholarships, including an examination of their eligibility requirements, application processes, and submission deadlines. This diligent investigation will enable students to find the most suitable possibilities that correspond with their academic pursuits and professional objectives.

Obtaining scholarships for foreign education can be a highly competitive endeavour. However, by engaging in meticulous planning and submitting a well-crafted application, individuals can significantly enhance their prospects of gaining financial assistance.

FAQ’s

1. How can I apply for these scholarships?

A:Application procedures and requirements vary depending on the specific scholarship. It is recommended to visit the official websites of the scholarship providers for detailed application guidelines and deadlines.

2. Are there any other scholarships available for Indian students to study abroad?

A:Yes, there are numerous other scholarships available to study abroad, including those offered by international universities and organisations. It's advisable to explore a wide range of scholarship options to find the ones that best match your academic and career goals.

3. What documents are required for the application process?

A:Commonly required documents include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, proof of citizenship, and financial documents. Specific requirements can vary, so be sure to review the scholarship guidelines carefully.

4. Is there a limit to the number of scholarships one can apply for?

A: The availability of scholarships and the number of applications you can submit may vary. However, it's essential to focus on scholarships that align with your academic and career aspirations to increase your chances of success.

5. How can I prepare a strong scholarship application?

A: To prepare a compelling application, ensure that your academic records are outstanding, write a well-crafted personal statement, secure strong letters of recommendation, and meet all eligibility criteria. Additionally, make sure to apply well before the deadlines.

Conclusion

The Indian government helps students who do really well in school by giving them scholarships and other financial aid choices. This lets them follow their academic goals on a global level. These grants help pay for tuition, living costs, and other costs related to going to school abroad. This makes it possible for many Indian students to go to school abroad. It is important to carefully prepare for this exciting project and meet all the necessary requirements before starting it.

If someone is determined and sends in a well-thought-out grant application, they might be able to fulfil their dream of going to college in a different country. Through global involvement, one should not miss the chance to learn new things, see things from different points of view, get a good education, and shape their own future.