Studying abroad has become increasingly popular for Indian students seeking world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. However, the cost of studying in USA can be a significant barrier for many.
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Why are scholarships important while studying abroad?
With Merit-based financial aid, academically successful students are rewarded for studying at these universities, covering the majority of expenses. This way, students get a quality education without a bank loan, remain debt-free, get an education, and have no responsibilities.
When one does not have to work part-time to support his expenses and focuses just on academics, the purpose of studying abroad to get a top-notch education gets served. Merit-based scholarships are usually awarded to a minority of students. These act as highlights when shown on the resume.
Scholarships for Indian students in 2024
Several national scholarships are offered by the Indian government and private organisations to foster the education of students who have exceptional academics and want an opportunity to study abroad.
Some of these Scholarships are:
General Scholarships :
Type: Government-sponsored program
| TYPE OF ASSISTANCE | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Allowance | $15,400 (USA & others) |
| Contingency Allowance | $1500 (USA & Others) |
| Tuition Fees | Actual as Charged |
| Visa Fees | Actual Visa Fees in INR |
| Medical Insurance Premium | Actual as Charged |
| Incidental Insurance Premium | $20 for each or its equivalent in INR |
| Air Passage | →The awardees shall be allowed to purchase air tickets. →The awardees will claim airfare reimbursement from respective Indian missions abroad after joining and providing a report from the University. → Return tickets will be booked by Indian Mission Abroad → The choice of the travel agent for booking the tickets is left open to the awardees. |
Eligibility:
- Indian students from SC/ST or minority communities with excellent academic records below the age of 35 are eligible and subject to a valid community certificate.
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline will not be considered.
- Any scholarships availed alongside cannot be clubbed, and one won’t be eligible to attain this scholarship.
Application Deadline:
- First round – 15th February to 31st March
- Second round – 1st week of September till next 45 days
- Third round – January (next year)
Scholarships for Bachelors in the USA
1. Cornell University Tata Scholarship:
Benefits:
- Waives the annual tuition fee
- Offers complete funding for four years of an undergraduate degree.
Eligibility:
- Must be an Indian resident and should have completed secondary school in India without gaps.
- Must have been admitted to a UG program at Cornell University
2. QS Undergraduate Scholarship
Benefits:
- The value of the QS Undergraduate Scholarship is $5,000.
- Covers tuition fees
Eligibility:
- The candidates’ first year of study must begin in the upcoming academic year.
- The candidates have to be enrolled in undergraduate or bachelor’s degree programs.
- The candidates ought to be attending a university listed in a QS ranking for any position.
- By the time the winner is announced in May, the applicants must have accepted an offer from a university.
Scholarships for Masters in the USA
1. Fulbright-Nehru scholarship
Benefits:
- The scholarship will cover living expenses and tuition fees.
- Round-trip economy class airfare from the fellow’s home city to the host institution in the United States
- Assistance with obtaining a J-1 visa, and accident and sickness coverage.
- Dependents are not eligible for financial support from the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships.
Eligibility:
- Must have completed a master’s degree/ PG diploma from an authorised Indian university with a minimum GPA of 55% (if an undergraduate degree is shorter than four years).
- 3 years of full-time (paid) work experience in a field relevant to the intended field.
- Not be enrolled in or possess another degree from an American university.
Field of Study:
- Arts and Culture Management, Economics; Environmental Science; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Gender Studies.
Application Deadline:
- May 17, 2023; for the intake of 2024-25.
- Applications submitted before February 7, 2023, will not be considered.
- (The deadline for the intake of 2025-26 will be updated soon)
2. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Benefits:
- The scholarship covers tuition fees and living expenses for the student.
- It does not cover living expenses for family members or the cost of international travel.
- The scholarship is structured as a half grant and half loan (50% of the award amount needs to be paid back by the applicant).
Eligibility:
- Excellent academic records
- Genuine financial need and demonstration regarding exploring other sources of funding to reduce the amount requested from the foundation.
- Admission to reputed post-graduate institution.
- Strong professional experience and extracurricular achievements with volunteer contributions.
Field of Study:
- Available for all Master’s (Post graduation) programs.
Application Deadline
- January 2024; for intake of 2024-25.
3. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship
Benefits:
- The scholarship provides up to $100,000 coverage including program tuition as well as scholars’ living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare.
Eligibility:
- Indian citizen and resident with an undergraduate degree from an accredited university abroad must have lived/worked/studied in India for at least 2 years after their undergrad.
- To have prior admission to the institution and course chosen at the time of the application.
- For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture & related subjects, candidates must have a minimum of 65% or a GPA of 2.6 from a recognized university.
- For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment, and related subjects, candidates must have a minimum of 70% or a GPA of 2.8 from a recognized university.
Field of Study:
- Business and Finance, Computer Science, Engineering (only in the UK), Fashion Design, Film and Film Animation, Hospitality and Tourism, Indian Studies without Contemporary Relevance, Management Studies (i.e. MBA), Medicine, Dentistry, and related therapies, Music.
Application Deadline
- February 2024, for Intake of 2024-25.
Scholarships for PhD in the USA
1.Fulbright, Nehru Doctoral Research Scholarship
Benefits:
- The scholarship will cover living expenses and tuition fees.
- Round-trip economy class airfare from the fellow’s home city to the host institution in the United States
- Assistance with obtaining a J-1 visa, and accident and sickness coverage.
- Dependents are not eligible for financial support from the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships.
Eligibility:
The applicant ought to have conducted sufficient research in the relevant field, particularly with regard to identifying resources in the US and India. The candidate needs to be enrolled in an Indian university’s Ph.D. programme.
If the applicant is hired, he has to carefully follow the guidelines regarding the employer’s recommendation.
Attach a copy of the original work that was presented or published, or excerpts from the master’s.
The purpose of these fellowships is pre-doctoral research. Ph.D. holders need not apply.
Field of Study:
Agricultural Sciences; Anthropology; Bioengineering; Chemistry; Computer Science, Earth Sciences; Economics; Education Policy and Planning; Energy Studies; History; Literature; Materials Science; Mathematical Sciences; Neurosciences; Performing Arts; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health; Public Policy; Sociology; Urban and Regional Planning; Visual Arts; and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Application Deadline:17 July 2023 (closed)
2. AAUW International Fellowship
Benefits:
- Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
- Doctoral: $25,000
- Postdoctoral: $50,000
Eligibility:
Exclusively for Women
Will returning home after course completion
Non-citizens and permanent residents of the US who wish to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the country before returning home to get jobs.
Hold a non immigrant visa if living in the US or citizen of any other nation. Women who hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency in the United States, or dual citizenship with another nation, either now or at any point during the fellowship year, are not eligible.
Have completed an academic program leading to the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, whether obtained domestically or overseas.
Field of Study:
Master’s or professional degree-level programs such as J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch, or medical degrees such as M.D., D.D.S.,
Application Deadline: November 15, 2023 (Closed)
Discipline-Specific Scholarships
Business Administration & Management
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship- Stanford University
- Benefits:$150,000 covering Tuition fees, Living expenses, and Health expenses.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens eligible for the Stanford MBA program with a graduate degree in hand with IELTS/TOEFL scores and minimum cutoff for GMAT/GRE.
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Closed). The deadline for 2024 will be updated soon.
McKinsey Award – MIT Sloan School of Management
- Benefits:$150,000 covering Tuition fees, Living expenses, and Health expenses.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens eligible for the Stanford MBA program with a graduate degree in hand with IELTS/TOEFL scores and minimum cut off for GMAT/GRE.
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Closed). The deadline for 2024 will be updated soon.
IT & Computer Science
Generation Google Scholarship(North America)
- Benefits:$10,000
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university and Intends to enroll in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university in the United States for 2024-25 with a strong academic record and genuine financial need.
- Application Deadline: Open around 1 March 2024 and Close by 19 May 2024.
Social Sciences
Inlaks Shivdasni Scholarship
- Benefits: The scholarship provides up to $100,000 coverage including program tuition as well as scholars’ living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare.
- Eligibility: Must be an Indian passport holder & resident of India with a minimum of 65%, a CGPA of 6.8, or a GPA of 2.6 from a recognized university for social sciences, humanities, and related fields.
- Application Deadline: February 2024
University Specific Scholarships
Harvard University
- Horace W Goldsmith Fellowship
- The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship
- Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship
Stanford University
- Stanford University Scholarship
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Yale University
- Yale University Scholarship
- National Overseas Scholarship
Boston University
- Boston University Presidential Scholarship
- Trustee Scholarships Boston University
Cornell University
- Cornell University Financial Aid
- TATA Cornell Scholarship
How to choose among various scholarships?
To avoid getting perplexed with the scholarship choices, one is advised to get in touch with an education counselor (Overseas education expert ) who will help them figure out and select the best alternative. This will increase their chances of applying to the appropriate university and financial aid to create a settled life.
Conclusion
Indian students may find it expensive to pursue higher education in the USA, but with careful preparation and research, they can apply for several scholarships to finance their education. They must fulfill the eligibility requirements and submit the necessary paperwork.
Thus, to make their dream of an education a reality, students who wish to study in the USA are encouraged to start their research as soon as possible, find the Indian student scholarships that are suitable to their needs, and work towards satisfying its requirements.
