As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, pursuing higher education abroad has become a coveted dream for many Indian students. To support this ambition, various prestigious scholarships are available, offering financial assistance and a gateway to academic excellence. Here, we explore some of the top scholarships that can pave the way for Indian students to achieve their educational aspirations.

1. FulbrightNehru Master's Fellowships: Nurturing Global Leaders

Overview:

• Applicable for a master's degree journey at U.S. colleges/universities

• Includes diverse fields such as Arts and Culture Management, Economics, Journalism, and more

• Duration: One to two years

Grant Benefits:

• J1 visa support, roundtrip economy class air travel, and comprehensive funding

• Coverage for tuition, fees, living costs, and health insurance

Eligibility Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with 55% marks, three years of professional work experience, and leadership/community service experience

• Not enrolled in a U.S. degree program, employer’s endorsement required if employed

How to Apply:

• Online application at FulbrightNehru Master's Fellowships Website

• Application deadline: TBA; Last year  May 17, 2023

Timeline and Placement Process:

• Stay tuned for next year's details.

• Last year deadlines: Application deadline  May 17, 2023; Degree program begins  August/September 2024.

Contact Information:

• Email: masters@usief.org.in

Important Points:

• Only one FulbrightNehru fellowship category per competition cycle

• No application for both FulbrightNehru and FulbrightKalam grants in the same academic year

• Plagiarism leads to disqualification; applications submitted after the deadline are not considered

2. JN Tata Endowment: Empowering Indian Minds Globally

Overview

• Offers loan scholarships for overseas higher studies to Indians

• Approximately 100 scholarships are awarded annually

Eligibility Criteria:

• Indians under 45 years as of June 30, 2023

• Graduates of a recognized Indian University with at least 60% marks

• Previous applicants and awardees who couldn't avail can reapply

Selection Process:

• Divided into four phases emphasizing academic performance, co curricular, and extracurricular activities

• Requires a good GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score and a compelling Statement of Purpose (SoP)

Application Phases:

• Phase 1 (Closed): Preliminary details submission, upload scanned documents

• Phase 2 (Shortlisting for Online Test): Online test on April 16, 2023, results announced via email

• Phase 3 (Shortlisting for Technical Interview): Selected candidates complete a detailed application, submit additional documents by May 8, 2023

• Phase 4 (Interview): Rigorous technical interview conducted via video conference

Final Selection:

• Based on interview performance, online test score, and academic achievements

• Awards announced by the first week of July

Formalities:

• Candidates and guarantors need to visit the Administrative Office after obtaining the visa

• Repayment in five equal instalments or earlier if chosen

Guarantor Information:

• Preferably parent(s)/guardian; spouse or parents-in-law if married

Documents Required:

• Pancard, Aadhar card, Passportsize photograph, Income Proof/latest ITR.

3. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program: Empowering the Changemakers

Supports outstanding students from developing countries for postgraduate studies

Selection Criteria:

• Excellent academic records, genuine financial need, admission to reputable postgraduate institution, strong professional experience, achievements, volunteer contributions, leadership skills.

Application Process:

• Annual competitive application process in specific countries

• Applications handled by local entities; applicants must contact the local office

• Preference given to those securing funding from alternative sources

Application Timelines:

• 20232024 cycle closed, 20242025 cycle opens in January 2024.

Award Conditions:

• Half grant and half loan structure

• Scholarships for Master’s cover entire course duration, PhD scholarships cover the first two years

• Repayment period is five years, starting six months after graduation

4. The Lady Meherbai D Tata Educational Trust: Paving the Path for Indian Women

• Supports Indian women graduates for higher education abroad.

• Focus areas include Sociology, Psychology, Law, Education, Gender studies, and more.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Indian woman graduate from a reputed university with a remarkable academic record

• Applied or secured admission to reputed universities in the United States, UK, or Europe for 20232024

• Graduates with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience preferred

Interview:

• Shortlisted candidates attend a personal or online interview with the board of trustees in June/July 2023

• Interview performance determines the scholarship amount

Selection and Scholarship Details:

• Gift scholarship for the tuition fee component (approximately 36 lakhs INR per selected student).

• Candidates must submit a clear 'Proof of Funds' or 'Financial Capacity' document.

Application Process:

• Request the link to the application form via email to igpedulmdtet@tatatrusts.org

• Include information on the course, universities, course fees, proof of funding, and current profile

• Upload clear, scanned copies of documents in PDF, Word, or Excel formats

• Requests accepted from March 27, 2023, to April 27, 2023

• Last date to submit required documents is May 04, 2023; shortlisted candidates notified by early/mid July 2023

Note:

• Parttime, short term, correspondence courses, and exchange programs are not eligible

5. National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: Bridging Educational Gaps

• Facilitates low income students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Laborers, and Traditional Artisans for higher education abroad

• Aims to improve economic and social status

• 25 fresh awards for Selection Year 202324, subject to fund availability

• Financial assistance for Master's and Ph.D. courses abroad in accredited Institutions/Universities

Eligibility:

• Minimum 60% marks in the qualifying examination, age not exceeding  

• 35 years, and family income not exceeding Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum

Application Process:

• Online application through [NOS official portal]

Scheme Guidelines:

• Detailed guidelines available on the official portal

Funds Reimbursement:

• Funds under the NOS scheme are not directly disbursed to students

• Allocated to Indian Missions abroad, responsible for making payments of tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and other allowances to the University/students

6. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship: A Gateway to Oxford

• Administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, fully funded by the Government of India

• Selected fellow placed at St. Antony College, University of Oxford London

Eligibility:

• Uniform academic record with 60% in Post Graduation and a Ph.D. degree in History, Economics, or Political Science

• Age between 30 and 40 years, minimum three years teaching experience at Graduate/Postgraduate level after completing Ph.D

Value of Fellowship:

• Stipend: 22,00,000

• Travel Allowance: 89,000

• College Lunches: 2,40,000

• High Table Dinner: 68,000

• Other Administration Charges: 3,93,000

• Total: 30,00,000

• Economy Class air passage provided (both ways), spouse's airfare covered if staying with the scholar for a continuous one year period

Mode of Application:

• Online through the provided application portal

Important Dates (Tentative):

• Public notice: January, Interview date: March (shortlisted candidates' names published on the Ministry's website)

Communication with Applicants:

• All information available on the Ministry's website, shortlisted candidates are notified via email

7. Great Scholarships: UK's Commitment to Indian Talent

Number of Scholarships:

• 26 postgraduate scholarships available for the 202425 academic year from UK universities

Scholarship Value:

• Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one year postgraduate course

Funding Source:

• Jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council in collaboration with participating UK higher education institutions.

Participating Institutions:

• Anglia Ruskin University, Aston University, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and many more

Specialized Scholarships:

• Justice and Law, Science and Technology

Eligibility Criteria for GREAT Scholars:

• Indian citizenship, undergraduate degree, motivation and interest in the proposed subject area

• Meet the English language requirement of the UK university

Application Process:

• Visit the universities' pages for more information

• Apply for individual scholarships as per each university's instructions

• Deadline varies for each institution; check individual institution pages for details

• Successful scholars will be informed by individual universities on the result of their applications

• Scholarship funding will be issued to successful scholars by individual universities after registration

8. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships

Application Period:

• Applications open in February 2024

About the Scholarship:

• Established since 1976, supporting Indian students for full time Masters, MPhil, or Doctoral programs abroad.

• Awards up to USD 100,000 covering tuition, living expenses, healthcare, and one way airfare.

• Joint scholarship arrangements with prestigious institutions like Imperial College London, Royal College of Art (RCA) London, University of Cambridge, Sciences Po Paris, King’s College London, and Hertie School Berlin.

Exclusions:

•  Does not fund specific courses including Business, Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, and more.

Terms of the Scholarship:

• Maximum funding is USD 100,000; additional costs must be covered by candidates.

• Acceptance of other awards, teaching assistantships, and part time jobs is allowed.

• Commencement of scholarship within nine months of award.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to all Indian passport holders residing in India

• Good academic record from recognized Indian universities

• Not eligible for those already studying postgraduate education abroad

Application Process:

• Online application with a valid passport.

• Only one submission per candidate was accepted.

• Noncompliant applications with academic and financial eligibility criteria will be rejected.

• Two mandatory letters of reference, one from an academic referee.

Selection Procedure:

• The Independent Inlaks Selection Committee oversees the selection process.

• Evaluation based on past, present achievements, and future potential.

• Selection stages: review of applications, preliminary interviews, and final interviews.

• Non-selected candidates notified by 6th May.

9. Cornell University Tata Scholarship: A Beacon of Educational Access

• $25 million endowment by Tata Education and Development Trust for Cornell undergraduate students from India

Funding Details:

• Supports approximately 20 scholars at any given time

• Recipients receive the scholarship throughout their undergraduate studies

Eligibility Criteria:

• Indian citizen who attended secondary school in India.

• Offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student.

• Eligible for need based financial aid.

Preference for Programs:

• Qualified students in specific programs including Architecture, Engineering, Applied Economics and Management, and more.

Duration of Scholarship:

• Tata Scholars receive funding until graduation, provided there is financial need

• Up to eight semesters of funding, except for the five year architecture program requiring ten semesters

Application Process:

• Tata Scholarship consideration through completion of the admission application and financial aid application

• All applicants must apply for financial aid by completing the CSS Profile

10. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program

 Scholarship Overview:

• Type: MeritBased

• Funding: Up to INR 2 million per individual

• Eligibility: Indian residents below 30 years with a strong academic record

• Deadline: March 19, 2023

• International Students: Encouraged to apply for this study abroad opportunity

 Application Process:

• Register: Online at the official website

• Log In: Using the provided credentials

• Fee: Pay the INR 500 application fee (Net Banking or Demand Draft)

• Upload: Required documents

• Deadline: Mid March

• Note: Application fees are nonrefundable

 Required Documents:

• Attested transcripts and mark sheets

• Acceptance letter from the enrolling institution

• Copies of qualifying exam mark sheets (GRE, GATE, GMAT, CAT, etc.)

• Reference letters

• Proof of awards or other scholarships

• Guardians' latest income tax returns

• Attested copy of the applicant’s passport

 Selection Process:

• Conducted between March and April.

• Evaluation by Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation.

• Merit based selection with an interview round.

• Personal interviews for final shortlisted candidates in May June.

• Successful candidates are notified by the end of June.

The scholarship offers a one time payment of $2,000,000, facilitating your study abroad ambitions.

How to Apply for an Education Loan ?

Applying for an education loan independently can be a tedious and time-consuming process, requiring meticulous attention to detail and navigating through various procedures.

At Klassfin, we understand the challenges associated with this endeavor, and we are here to simplify the entire process for you. 

Our dedicated team takes on the responsibility of conducting thorough due diligence on your behalf, streamlining the application process, and ensuring that all necessary documentation is handled efficiently. 

Through our exclusive negotiations with financial institutions, we secure the best possible interest rates for your education loan. 

At Klassfin, our mission is to alleviate the burdensome aspects of the application process, allowing you to focus on your education while we take care of the financial intricacies.