Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025 to Study Abroad

Want to study abroad but unsure how to fund your journey? We understand that education abroad is an expensive experience. However, funding it is not a big issue. Yes, you read that right. If you aspire to study abroad but lack sufficient funds, then you can take advantage of scholarships available for Indian students. There are several types of scholarships and financial aid options available for Indian students to accomplish their dream of foreign education.

So, if you are planning to explore a new destination like the mountains of Switzerland or the beaches of Italy, then there’s no need to worry. In this blog, we’ll guide you on how to get a 100% scholarship for studying abroad.

Without further ado, let’s explore your scholarship options!

Types of Scholarships

We know you want to learn about some fully funded scholarships for Indian students, but first, let’s know what are the types of scholarships. Many students planning to study abroad are unaware of all the available funding options. While some go for education loans, some simply let go of their dream of studying abroad. It is because they are unaware of the types of abroad scholarships for Indian students.

To help you out. Here is a list of the different types of scholarships available for Indian students.

Merit-based scholarships: As the name suggests, merit-based scholarships are awarded to students based on their merit. The criteria for securing a merit-based scholarship include an exceptional academic record, outstanding performance in extracurricular activities, and high scores in entrance exams. Students who have overall outstanding performance across every field find it easier to bag a merit-based scholarship.

Need-based scholarships: The next is need-based scholarships for students who want to study abroad but can’t afford it. These scholarships are awarded to students from financially weaker backgrounds and help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other essential costs. This scholarship tries to cover the entire study and living cost for students.

Government funded scholarships: Another scholarship type that Indian students can avail are government funded scholarships. These scholarships open doors for Indian students to study abroad without worrying about the financial constraints. The Indian government offers such scholarships to encourage students to gain cross-cultural educational experiences. These scholarships are intended to cover tuition fees, travel experience, and sometimes the cost of living as well.

University-specific scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships are provided by universities specifically. Many foreign universities offer fully funded scholarships to attract international students from across the world. These scholarships are combined of both merit and need. By securing a university-specific scholarship, students can significantly reduce or even eliminate their education costs.

Private or non-governmental scholarships: Besides funding the abroad education expenses through university- or government-based scholarships, Indian students can accomplish their study abroad dream by non-governmental and private grants. For instance, students can apply for education loans from private lenders or seek sponsorships from non-governmental organisations. Through a private education grant, students can cover their entire education cost and living expenses abroad.

Now that we have seen types of scholarships, it is time to explore some fully funded scholarships for Indian students. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at them.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students

To help Indian or international students accomplish their dream of studying abroad, there are various fully funded scholarships available. Indeed, the study abroad process is an expensive one and students with limited funds can’t accomplish it themselves. To help students get the best education in the world in their preferred domain, there are some fully funded scholarships encouraging them. Here’s a list of the top five fully funded scholarships for Indian students.

1. Chevening Scholarships

One of the best and fully funded scholarships for Indian students is Chevening Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to Indian and international students by the government of United Kingdom, allowing students to study master’s degree for one year in the UK without worrying about expenses.

This scholarship is rewarded to students with exceptional academic records and outstanding leadership qualities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, visa fees, and even provides a living stipend, ensuring scholars can focus entirely on their studies.

The criteria for getting a Chevening Scholarship includes outstanding academic records, at least two years of work experience, and clearly demonstrating the benefits an individual will get by studying in the UK. The selection process for Chevening Scholarships includes a comprehensive online application, an essay-based assessment, and a personal interview at the British High Commission.

2. Fullbright Nehru Fellowship

Next in the line of fully funded scholarships for Indian students is Fullbright Nehru Fellowship. This scholarship is offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and is a part of globally renowned Fullbright program. Through this scholarship, students can ease their abroad journey as they can cover tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, visa processing, and health insurance costs.

It is awarded to students with exceptional academic achievements and strong leadership potential. The selection process for this scholarship includes extensive application, including SOPs, LORs, and a rigorous interview.

Fullbright Nehru Fellowship is not just any other scholarship helping students fund their education abroad. But this fellowship also helps Indian students in building an extensive professional network. Through this extensive network, students can build a better path of success for themselves.

3. DAAD Scholarships

Even though Germany is the most affordable nations for Indian students planning to study abroad. However, even after that if some students find study in Germany an expensive experience, then for them there is the DAAD Scholarship. Standing for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Scholarships are fully funded scholarships for Indian students and international ones.

This scholarship covers domains like engineering, social sciences, business, and environmental studies along with funding PhD or doctoral level students for their research grants. The DAAD scholarship is the only scholarship that also help students for their German courses even before they start their educational journey in Germany.

The DAAD Scholarships cover all the expenses like tuition fees, living cost, health insurance and travel allowances, and research grants. The selection criteria for the DAAD Scholarship includes academic merit, leadership potential, and exceptional extracurricular experience. With DAAD, Indian students open doors for international opportunities, including the global job market.

4. Commonwealth Scholarships

Another UK based scholarship that help Indian and international students is the commonwealth scholarship. This fully funded scholarship for Indian students helps them fulfil their dream of studying abroad and gain the best practical knowledge. Funded by the UK Government’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) aims to support students with academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to development.

This fully funded scholarship helps students by covering their entire tuition fees, monthly allowance, travel cost (round-trip airfare), and other additional expenses. The only criteria to get the Commonwealth Scholarship is the student must be a citizen of the commonwealth nation, must not be able to afford to study in UK besides through this scholarship, and at last, should have great leadership skills with a clear vision to contribute to the betterment of their home country.

Through this scholarship, students gain international exposure, build extensive networks, and dedicate themselves in making a positive impact in their chosen field.

5. Rhodes Scholarship

One of the best international scholarships for Indian students is Rhodes Scholarship. Who doesn’t want to study at the University of Oxford, UK? Oxford University opens the doors to international opportunities and getting a chance to study there without worrying about financial challenges is the biggest advantage. The university look for potential from across the global who have the right potential to study in Oxford.

Through Rhodes Scholarship, scholars can cover their entire tuition fees, living expenses, travel fare, and visa fees. However, the only criteria students must fulfil is exceptional academic record, and they must be aged between 19-25 at the time of applying for the Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship by University of Oxford help Indian and international students beyond academic learning.

Rhodes Scholarship gives Indian students the opportunity to build leadership qualities and provides access to an extensive global network. The selection process for Rhodes Scholarship is the same as any other fully funded scholarship; personal essay, recommendation letters, and an interview.

Eligibility Criteria to Get Fully Funded Scholarship

If you also want a fully funded scholarship to fulfil your academic dreams, then you must complete a few eligibility checks. Some of the crucial ones are mentioned in the below infographic.

How to Apply for a Fully Funded Scholarship?

Now that you are wondering how to get a 100% scholarship for studying abroad, then here we are helping you with that information.

Below, we have mentioned the entire process in a simpler manner for you to easily understand it.

Step 1- Research Scholarship

The first step is to research your fully funded scholarship options based on your course, country, and eligibility. This research step will help you figure out which is the best suited scholarship for you.

Step 2- Check Eligibility

The next step to get a fully funded scholarship for Indian students is to check the eligibility criteria. Ensure to fulfil requirements like exceptional grades, test scores, work experience, and financial need.

Step 3- Prepare Documents

Documentation is one such step that if you messed it up, you would lose your scholarship. Hence, have the required documents ready all the time. The documents include; academic transcripts, resume, SOP, LORs, and test scores (if required).

Step 4- Apply Online

Once you are done with preparing all the documents, your next step is to apply for the required scholarships online. Every scholarship has their official website, hence, will your application at the portal and submit all the required documents before the deadline.

Step 5- Take the Interview

Some of the scholarships have interview rounds as well. So, if your selected scholarship has an interview round then prepare for it accordingly. In that interview, be confident and talk about your goals and aspirations.

After going through this routine, no one can stop you from availing the best suited scholarship.

Get Required Scholarship with MetaApply’s Assistance

The dream of studying abroad is a big one and a minor mistake in the entire process can cost you your dream. So, if you ambitious to study abroad, then don’t let anything hold you back. The above-mentioned are some of the fully funded abroad scholarship for Indian students. Now, if you wonder how to get a 100% scholarship for studying abroad without messing up, then let us help you.

At MetaApply IE, we are here to guide students and help them accomplish their study abroad dream. Whether you need visa assistance or scholarships or financial aid, at MetaApply, you get that and more. We help you at each step from writing a flawless SOP to preparing for the scholarship interview, we have your back at every step.

However, in case by any chance you failed to grab a scholarship, then we have an alternative for that as well. With MetaFinance you can find education loans at best interest rates to accomplish your dream.

So, what are you waiting for? Start funding your dreams today! Connect now.