In India, many students dream of studying in top international universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Caltech and MIT. Due to financial constraints, however, many young minds are denied the opportunity. This is the reason why many governments and international bodies have come together to introduce low-interest student loans and scholarships ensure that talented students are not denied the chance of quality education due to lack of funds. Here are 5 scholarships you can apply for, if you too are planning for higher studies in countries such as the United Kingdom, Europe, China, Canada and the United States.
1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
Introduced by the United States-India Educational Foundation, or USIEF, these scholarships are offered to Indians who wish to pursue either a master’s level course or research in any U.S. institution.
Students who have completed the U.S. equivalent of Bachelor’s (4 years of college education) and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience are eligible for the scholarship. Besides education, candidates are also evaluated on communication skills, leadership and community service, 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 fee, textbooks, and a living stipend. That said, candidates who wish to pursue their Master’s in areas of Environmental Science, 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 specified number of seats for these scholarships as USIEF considers the applications of all candidates who are found deserving. The application process usually starts in the month of June and continues till July, prior to the year of the start of the course. 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 secured an admission to Cornell University are eligible to apply for this scholarship. They must also produce proof that they need a need-based financial aid.
Introduced by the Tata Education and Development Trust, these scholarships cover the tuition fee for undergraduate programs for a period up to eight semesters. For programs such as Architecture that exceed that duration, the additional costs are managed by the student themselves. Other expenses including food, medical, living and travel expenses are also covered under the scholarship.
Furthermore, the Trust only supports a total of 20 students studying at Cornell at once. Applications for the scholarship open in the month of October/November each year, around the time of college applications, while the final selections are declared in December.
3. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission offers financial aid in the form of scholarships to students coming from Commonwealth countries such as India, who seek to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. programs in the UK.
To be eligible, the candidate must be an Indian Citizen and should have completed education in the English medium. In addition, the candidate must have secured a minimum of at least 65% in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Agriculture or 60% in Social Sciences and Humanities. Same criteria apply to Ph.D. candidates as well.
Moreover, the Ministry of Human Resource Development does shortlist the applicants on the basis of preliminary interviews. The scholarship amount covers tuition fee, economy return airfare, and living expenses.
Scholarship applications open in August every year, prior to the start of the course the next year. Having said this, the commission does not have any specific number of seats; deserving candidates are shortlisted for the scholarship.
4. Chevening Scholarships
These scholarships are offered by the UK government 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 postgraduate studies. In addition, the UK government also considers candidates with 2 years or more of work experience for this scholarship.
The application process for the scholarship usually takes about 6 months, starting from the second week of August. The process ends in July every year. There are 65 scholarships on offer every year under the program.
Wrapping Up
Well, there you go! Don’t let your dreams of furthering your education wither away because of financial constraints. There are various programs that offer loan for higher education in India and scholarships, to deserving applicants. You can also choose one according to your aspirations.