Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Government Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students

In recent years, India has seen a rise in inclination among students to study abroad. According to the Indian Ministry of Education, there was a 68.79% surge in the count of students choosing overseas education in 2022. Read this complete blog to get an overview of government scholarships to study abroad. 

While the lure of international education has long been evident, the high cost associated with international education often acts as a formidable barrier. In such cases, Scholarships play a pivotal role in unlocking the doors of overseas education for countless skilled and intelligent Indian students.

The Indian government recognizes the immense potential of Indian students and has implemented several government scholarship schemes to study abroad to provide them with the necessary financial aid. 

This comprehensive guide by MSM Unify has myriad scholarship opportunities offered by the Indian Government that will make your overseas education journey more feasible and attainable. So, stay with MSM Unify as we guide you through this transformative journey of educational opportunities and open doors to a world of knowledge and experiences.

1.   Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship is a significant and relevant government scholarship to study abroad for Indian students. This initiative is taken by the European Union and is open to applicants from all over the world. 

This scholarship promotes higher education quality through academic cooperation between Europe and other parts of the world. It is for students who want to pursue a master’s degree of 1-2 years in three countries and three different European universities for free.

Highlights of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship

The key features/highlights of the scholarship are as follows:

1.     Students should be Indian nationals.
2.     He or she should have stayed in eligible European countries for at most 12 months over the last 5 years at the time of applying for the scholarship.
3.     He or she should not have received any other scholarship under Erasmus+.
4.     Must have a bachelor’s degree with recognized credentials
5.     Students should meet the minimum English language criteria, i.e., 6 bands or English B at the upper-secondary level or equivalent in an internationally acknowledged English proficiency test- IELTS or TOEFL.
6.     The scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition fees, living expenses, and even travel costs.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Documents

Documents required for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship are:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. All education documents and transcripts in English
3. Motivation letter
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Complete the Application form
6. Copy of Passport
7. Residence proof
8. English language proficiency test scorecard

Application process

The program catalog can be accessed from the Erasmus+ website. Indian students can send the application directly to their course coordinator. 

Selection process

The Joint Admission Committee of the EMHRPP undertakes the entire admissions process. Administrative coordinators and conveners are also involved in the process. Students are judged on these three criteria:

• Competence in academics (holds 40 marks)
• Motivation letter (holds 20 marks)
• Letters of recommendation and work experience (holds 40 marks)

2.   National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government

National Overseas Scholarship is an initiative by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment to address financial issues faced by marginalized communities. It promotes equal access to quality higher education for all, ensuring that talented students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, have the opportunity to pursue academic excellence abroad and contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: The government scholarship to study abroad is primarily for students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Laborers, and those below the poverty line.

Indian Citizenship: Applicants must be Indian citizens.

Age: Not more than 35 (Thirty-Five) years, as on the first day of April for selection year.

Courses: It applies only to master’s level courses and Ph.D. degrees abroad.

Income ceiling: Total family income from all sources should be less or equal to Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum in the preceding financial year.

Educational Qualification:

For master’s level course: Minimum 60% or equivalent at the undergraduate level.

For PhD Degree: Minimum 60% or its equivalent at the master’s level

Requirements: IELTS, PTE, GMAT, GRE, etc.

Financial Assistance

One of this scholarship’s most attractive aspects is its comprehensive financial support. It covers areas like:

Tuition Fees: It provides tuition fees at foreign institutions.

Airfare: The Indian government bears the airfare charges from the nearest airport to the candidate’s hometown to the nearest airport of the educational institute.

Living Expenses: The candidate is provided a monthly maintenance allowance.

Grant for Books and Equipment: The government provides a one-time contribution to purchase necessary study materials.

Application process

The National Overseas Scholarship application form is made available in the second week of February on the official website of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Candidates must submit the application form and the required self-attested documents before the deadline.

Below is the list of documents required:

1. Date of birth proof
2. All educational documents
3. Family income certificate
4. College/ University offer letter

Selection Process

The selection committee will review applications and select candidates based on their academic performance, financial need, and other relevant criteria.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability for the government scholarship to study abroad.

Note:

1.     This scholarship does not apply to bachelor’s degree courses.
2.     A maximum of 2 candidates from a single family are allowed to avail of this scholarship.
3.     Candidates already studying or settled abroad are not eligible for the scholarship.
4.     Scholarships will be awarded only once to a candidate.
5.     There are a total of 100 slots for this scholarship.

3.   Great Education Scholarships

The GREAT (Global Research and Education in Advanced Technologies) Scholarships are an initiative of the British Council in collaboration with the UK Government. These scholarships are intended to promote education in the United Kingdom and make it more accessible to Indian students. It allows the student to complete his/her postgraduate program in any one of the participating UK universities. 

Key Features of GREAT Education Scholarships:

•  Must be a citizen of India
• Undergraduate in the proposed subject area for the scholarship
• English language proficiency test (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Work or academic experience in the chosen area of study

Financial Assistance

GREAT Education Scholarships provides £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.

Application Process

Visit the British Council’s website for announcements and application details.

GREAT Education Scholarships Documents

1.     A valid passport 
2.     UK Visa 
3.     Graduation mark sheet and certificates of higher secondary  
4.     English proficiency scores such as IELTS and TOEFL.

4.   Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship

The Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships are sponsored by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) to Indian students to pursue master’s or Ph.D. programs in the United States. It is highly competitive and requires strong academic backgrounds and research proposals.

Eligibility criteria

• Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 55% score.
• Possess three years of full-time professional job experience in a subject related to the proposed topic of study.
• Must have knowledge about leadership and community service.
• Should not hold any other degree from a US university.
• TOEFL and GRE are required.

Financial Assistance

Visa: J-1 visa support is provided.

Airfare: Economy class flight airfare is provided from the student’s home city to the nearest airport to the institution.

Tuition fees and living cost: Funds are provided for tuition fees, living and related expenses.

Accommodation: Accommodation funds are not provided in this scholarship.

Application Process

Students can fill out the fellowship applications online. While submitting the application, candidates are required to upload FN Master’s Applicant Annexure and FN Master’s Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable)

To overcome the financial hurdles, every Indian student should try to get a scholarship in India to study abroad. 

MSM Unify can be a steadfast partner in students’ study abroad journey. We understand that the allure of global learning experiences often comes with financial challenges, and that’s where our expertise shines. Our experts assist you at every step of the application process and help you achieve your educational aspirations.