Study Abroad Scholarships

Do you need to know how to get a scholarship to study abroad? We can help! Our comprehensive guide covers it all, from what kind of international scholarships are available and tips on how to apply for a scholarship.

Apply for our educations.com scholarships here:

🏛 Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship (€5,000)

🗽 Study a Bachelor's in the USA Scholarship ($5,000)

🌎 Go Global MBA Scholarship ($7,000)

💃 Women's Scholarship for International Students ($5,000)

🌉 Graduate Study in the USA ($5,000)

🔬 Undergraduate in STEM Scholarship ($5,000)

Table of contents:

1. Scholarships for International Students – What You Need to Know!
2. How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad?
3. What Will a Study Abroad Scholarship Cover?
4. Who Provides Study Abroad Scholarships?
5. The Different Types of Study Abroad Scholarships
6. Applying for a Study Abroad Scholarship
7. Scholarship Directory with 550+ international scholarships

1. Scholarships for international students – what you need to know

Many students dream about studying abroad. It’s no secret that an education overseas offers you the opportunity to:

• Make new friends
• Gain internship experience
• Explore the world
• Create professional connections
• Immerse yourself in a new culture

Though there are clear benefits to studying abroad, the steps towards making it actually happen can be intimidating, especially if you're on a budget.

The good news is that there are plenty of study abroad scholarships for international students who are interested in pursuing a course or a degree abroad.

These opportunities can range from funds to cover your flight to scholarships that allow you to study abroad for free.

Want to learn more about different types of scholarships?

Go to that section ↗

The most important thing to learn about how to get a scholarship to study abroad is to:

• Know where to find international scholarships
• Find out which scholarships you're eligible for

Once you discover what kind of support is available and learn how to apply for a scholarship, all that's left to do is start deciding on your top study abroad destinations.

2. How much does it cost to study abroad?

The cost of studying abroad can vary greatly depending on the:

• Length of your studies (e.g. full programs are more expensive than just taking a single semester or course abroad)
• The country and city you choose to study in
• What kind of accommodation you have

There's a big difference between needing funds to study abroad for free or just needing to cover some of the cost. Plan your studies in advance to know how much financial support you'll need.

Factors to consider besides tuition fees

Cost of living in your new city

• How much does accommodation cost on average?
• Is food typically expensive?
• Do you plan on eating and drinking out at bars or restaurants?
• Do you want to travel while you're abroad?

💡 Resources for living costs in different countries with our country guides, or can go to one of the cheapest European countries for international students.

Course-related costs

• Do your courses require you to purchase expensive materials?

Visas

• What are the expenses associated with visas or residence permits?
• Does your visa require you to prove you have enough money to support yourself?
• Do you need to pay for any vaccinations?

Part-time jobs

• Will you have any part-time jobs? 
• Does your visa even permit you to work while studying?

Saving money

Although studying abroad can be expensive, there are many ways to stay on a budget.

Here are a few examples of how to save money:

• Don’t pay rent alone, find a roommate!
• Cook for yourself whenever possible. Eating out can add up quickly, especially if you’re adding drinks to the tab.
• Look for student discounts: even some of the world’s most famous attractions and sights offer huge discounts if you show a student ID!
• Budget, budget, budget! Even if you find some partial scholarships for studying abroad, budgeting and student discounts will make your life a lot easier.

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4. Who provides study abroad scholarships?

Scholarships can come from many sources, and you're usually eligible to receive more than one.

There are several different sources for scholarships, such as:

• Universities
• Governments
• Organizations
• Businesses
• Private donors

These institutions are often run or influenced by people who have studied abroad themselves and understand the value of an international education. (Fun fact: the person who started all the educations.com scholarships, Suci Ariyanti, applied for and won the Swedish Institute Scholarship herself! Read her story here.)

Sources of scholarships for international students will also vary from country to country. You can find scholarships for specific countries in our scholarship directory.

Whichever type of scholarship you decide to apply for, remember to be patient and persistent!

University scholarships

Universities will readily help their students find study abroad scholarships and international grants.

Admissions offices may automatically offer scholarships and grants when you apply, or they may require that you apply for financial aid in advance.

Academic advisors and the financial aid office are your friends!

To find scholarships for international students through a college or university, it's best to go through an academic advisor or a financial aid office.

The advisor will be able to recommend different types of scholarships you qualify for based on academic records, athletic ability, special talents, or financial need.

Scholarships through a specific university may be offered as full-tuition or partial payments.

Here are some tips for university scholarships:

• For a short-term study, make sure to check the school where you plan to study abroad. They may offer additional financial aid if a scholarship from your home university is not enough to cover all costs.
• If you're enrolled in an entire degree program at a university abroad, check if your new university offers scholarships for international students.

Government scholarships

When you’re looking for information on how to get a scholarship to study abroad, don’t overlook government scholarships! Federal or state governments are a great source of financial aid for international students. 

Let's take United States as an example:

• The US government is the largest source of need-based financial aid.
• If you're US citizen or eligible non-citizen, you can submit an application for FAFSA, even if you'll be studying abroad.
• State governments in the US (for example, California or New York) may also fund grants and scholarships for residents attending college in their state.
• Foreign governments may offer international grants or global scholarships for international students to study in their country.

To find available grants and scholarships from governments, it’s useful to contact the country's embassy for more detailed information.

Private scholarships

Organizations

Many companies, foundations, community organizations, and clubs sponsor scholarships for studying abroad. Organizations offering these types of private scholarships can be institutions such as labor unions, religious centers, public organizations or clubs.

Key things you should keep in mind for these "external" scholarships:

• They're generally a one-time financial aid.
• They vary in amount.
• They usually have specific eligibility requirements set by the donor. 

educations.com scholarships

We at educations.com have a mission to help everyone in the world find their dream education, and we give out over $50,000 in study abroad scholarships every year.

Our main scholarships are:

🏛 Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship (€5,000)

🗽 Study a Bachelor's in the USA Scholarship ($5,000)

🌎 Go Global MBA Scholarship ($7,000)

💃 Women's Scholarship for International Students ($5,000)

🌉 Graduate Study in the USA ($5,000)

🔬 Undergraduate in STEM Scholarship ($5,000)

Individual donors

Individual donors are individuals who have set up a private fund for students to receive financial aid.

These study abroad scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or financial need, depending on the donor.

This type of aid is more difficult to find because you'll generally have to find it yourself.

5. The different types of study abroad scholarships

Merit-based scholarships

Your grades will be the main factor if you're aiming for a merit-based scholarship. Universities and organizations want to see strong academic performance.

But it's not just about grades. Some schools also consider special talents like athletic skills, music, or art.

These scholarships usually help cover your tuition fees. Some may pay the full amount, while others only cover part of it.

The amount depends on the university’s budget, your academic record, and sometimes even your financial situation.

Need-based scholarships

Need-based scholarships are for students who need financial help to study abroad.

• If your parents support you financially, the scholarship provider will look at your family's income, tax records, and how many people live in your household. They may also check your citizenship or residency status.
• If you support yourself, your own income will be reviewed instead.

These scholarships are meant to help cover tuition and study costs when you or your family can't afford them. They are separate from merit-based scholarships, so it’s possible to qualify for both.

Athletic scholarships

Athletic scholarships are given to top-notch athletes by universities to recruit them for their athletic teams.

Full-ride athletic scholarships are common among many universities, especially in the United States.

Keep in mind that these scholarships often require a big commitment. You’ll need to balance training, competitions, and your studies.

Program or field-specific scholarships

Some scholarships are tied to a specific degree or field of study, like engineering or nursing.

These scholarships can come directly from the university or from private donors like alumni who've created scholarship funds.

In some cases, you'll be automatically considered when you apply to the university.

International students are also often eligible, especially when universities want to attract students to certain programs.

Minority scholarships

Universities aim to offer equal access to education, and minority scholarships help support students who might face extra barriers.

You could be eligible if you're part of a racial or ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, a woman, or belong to another underrepresented group.

6. Applying for a study abroad scholarship

You've done your research and made a list of scholarships you're eligible for. Now it's time to learn how to apply.

Most scholarships come with clear instructions, and as long as you follow them carefully, you’ll be off to a strong start.

Because scholarships are often competitive, double-check everything before submitting your application.

👉 Also read: How to apply for educations.com scholarships

Even though applying for international scholarships takes time, it’s definitely worth the effort. To make things easier, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Make a checklist

Start by getting organized. Make a list of all the scholarships you want to apply for and note down what each one requires. This will help you keep track of documents like:

• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Essays

You can also write down how much each scholarship is worth and which ones you're most likely to get. Once everything is listed out, you're ready to move forward!

Step 2: Gather the necessary documents

Transcripts

A transcript is your academic record. There are two types:

• Official transcripts come directly from your school, sealed and sent to the scholarship provider.
• Unofficial transcripts are copies or printouts you can access yourself.

Make sure you know which type is required and leave enough time for delivery if you need an official version.

Letters of recommendation

These letters show the scholarship committee who you're from someone else’s perspective.

It’s best to ask a teacher, professor, or someone you’ve worked with, especially someone who knows your academic or professional strengths.

Give your recommender plenty of notice, and don't be afraid to send a gentle reminder if the deadline is close. And once they've sent it, don't forget to thank them for their time!

Essays

One of the most crucial components when applying for a scholarship to study abroad is the scholarship cover letter/essay.

The essay is your chance to stand out. Instead of stressing, think of it as a way to tell your story.

If there's a specific prompt, be sure to answer it directly. If they ask why you deserve a scholarship, here are some ideas to include:

• How studying abroad will benefit your education
• Why you chose your destination
• Why you need financial support
• How you plan to use the funds wisely
• What makes you unique — your goals, passions, and experiences

Proofread carefully before you submit. Better yet, ask someone (like a professor or friend) to review it for you.

💡 Check out our 1-minute explainer video on how to write an effective scholarship cover letter!

Step 3: Review and submit

Before you hit submit, do a final check:

✅ Did you follow all the instructions?

✅ Did you include every required document?

✅ Are there any spelling or formatting issues?

Every scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track and plan ahead.

Scholarships are available year-round, in spring, summer, fall, and winter, so keep searching even after you start university.

Being organized helps you stay on top of things and avoid last-minute stress.

Step 4: Celebrate your effort!

Once you've submitted your application, congrats! You've done something many students never get around to.

Whether you receive full funding or a partial award, your hard work has brought you closer to an unforgettable study abroad experience.

Be proud of the time and energy you've invested (we're proud of you!).

Soon, you could be studying in a new country, meeting international friends, and exploring a whole new culture.