In India, many students dream of studying at the best international universities like Harvard, Princeton, Caltech and MIT. However, due to financial constraints, many young minds are denied the opportunity. This is why many governments and international bodies have come together to introduce low-interest student loans and scholarships to ensure that talented students are not denied the opportunity for quality education due to lack of funds. Here are 5 scholarships that you can apply for, if you are also planning higher studies in countries like the UK, Europe, China, Canada and the US.

1. Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships

Presented by the United States-India Educational Foundation, or USIEF, these scholarships are offered to Indians who wish to pursue a master’s or research course at any US institution.

Students who have completed the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree (4 years of college education) and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience are eligible for the scholarship. In addition to education, candidates are also tested on communication, leadership and community service skills, and their motivation to pursue higher studies. Therefore, it is better if you highlight these aspects in the application.

The scholarships cover airfare (economy), tuition, textbooks, and a subsistence stipend. With that being said, candidates who wish to pursue their Masters in the areas of Environmental Sciences, Arts and Culture, International Legal Studies, Gender Studies, Public Health, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

There is no specific number of openings for these scholarships, as USIEF considers applications from all candidates it finds serving. The application process usually begins in the month of June and continues until July, prior to the start year of the course. The final selections are then declared in the month of March.

2. Tata Scholarship

By getting this scholarship, talented Indian students can apply for undergraduate courses at Cornell University, USA.

Candidates who are Indian citizens and have gained an admission to Cornell University are eligible to apply for this scholarship. They must also provide proof that they need need-based financial aid.

Introduced by the Tata Education and Development Trust, these scholarships cover the cost of tuition for undergraduate programs for a period of up to eight semesters. For programs such as Architecture that exceed that duration, the additional costs are handled by the student himself. The scholarship also covers other expenses, including food, medical, living, and travel expenses.

Additionally, the Trust only admits a total of 20 students studying at Cornell at a time. Scholarship applications open in October/November of each year, around college application time, with final selections declared in December.

3. Commonwealth Scholarships and Bursaries

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers financial aid in the form of scholarships to students from Commonwealth countries such as India, who are seeking to pursue Masters and PhD programs in the UK.

To be eligible, the candidate must be an Indian citizen and must have completed education in English. In addition, the candidate must have obtained a minimum of at least 65% in Science, Technology, Engineering and Agriculture or 60% in Social Sciences and Humanities. The same criteria also apply to PhD candidates.

In addition, the Ministry of Human Resources Development makes a shortlist of applicants on the basis of preliminary interviews. The scholarship amount covers the cost of tuition, return economy class airfare, and living expenses.

Scholarship applications are opened in August of each year, before the start of the next year’s course. That being said, the commission does not have a specific number of seats; serving candidates are shortlisted for the scholarship.

4. Chevening Scholarships

The UK government offers these scholarships to help Indian students and professionals complete a one-year Master’s program in the country and take on leadership roles in the future.

To be eligible, applicants must have completed their undergraduate or graduate studies. In addition, the UK government also considers candidates with 2 years or more of work experience for this scholarship.

The scholarship application process usually takes about 6 months, starting the second week of August. The process ends in July of each year. There are 65 scholarships offered each year under the program.

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Well, there you go! Don’t let your dreams of continuing your education fade due to financial constraints. There are various programs that offer Indian higher education loans and scholarships to serve the applicants. You can also choose one according to your aspirations.