For many students, studying abroad is an alluring dream because it offers them a chance to improve their earning potential, gain a global perspective, and pursue a world-class education. In the globalized world where borders can no longer limit your reach and cannot stop you from realizing your dream, more and more students are applying to study abroad. It is a great chance for students to broaden their horizons and explore different countries at the same time. Undoubtedly, studying abroad enhances their chance to employability, adaptability, resilience, and global awareness. It encourages a deep understanding of global issues which can advance their personal and professional growth.

However, studying abroad accompanies a significant investment for many students, especially the ones coming from a developing country. The most daunting aspect of studying abroad is the finance, both the tuition fees and the living expenses might appear exorbitant. Outside of private student loans, there are a myriad of scholarships, tuition waivers, and assistantships that can aid the students in their study abroad pursuits.

According to the data released by the Ministry of External Affairs (2022), more than 13 lakh Indian students were studying abroad in 79 countries worldwide. The most preferred countries were:

• United Kingdom
• USA
• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• UAE
• Germany

In order to build healthy educational and diplomatic ties, these countries also offer several educational benefits including scholarships.

Unveiling the Scholarship Landscape

Mapping your chances for a scholarship funding opportunity is often subject to qualifying certain requirements, so it is crucial to understand your options which also implies that if you do not fulfill the checklist for one scholarship does not mean you are not eligible for others.  Following are the current trends in scholarships. 

Scholarships Based on Merit: Merit-based scholarships have been well-known for a really long time by which Indian students obtain their funding for studying abroad. The honored criteria are scholastic distinction, leadership abilities, and extracurricular accomplishments. Merit-based scholarships are becoming more widely available in universities and private organizations across the globe to draw top talent and create a challenging but rewarding environment for Indian students. 

Government Scholarships: Many governments, including the United States (Fulbright Program) and the United Kingdom (Chevening Scholarships) pave the way to attractive scholarship schemes for international students. These are often based on academic merit, leadership potential, or specific fields of study.

Scholarships for Diversity and Inclusion

There has been a noticeable increase in scholarships that support inclusivity and diversity in recent years. Many international universities are actively working to bring in more international students and comfort students from India and varied backgrounds on campus with a very friendly attitude. Beyond academic performance, these awards emphasize ethnic diversity, community service, and unique life experiences. Their aim is to establish an environment consisting of multicultural learning that incorporates a wide range of viewpoints.

STEM Scholarships

Scholarships in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects are becoming more common as the need for these talents grows on a global scale. Specialized STEM scholarships are being offered to attract top students from India. These scholarships are determined to promote India’s technological breakthroughs on the international stage and to de-escalate the scarcity of qualified workers in vital fields.

Scholarships for online and distance learning programs are becoming a prominent trend as the popularity of online education rises. These scholarships are intended for Indian students who are looking for educational flexibility. They provide them with the chance to enroll in classes and earn degrees from prestigious universities all around the world without having to move.

Addressing the gender disparity, STEM scholarships also support the education of women by offering them scholarships and helping them pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Determining towards breaking the stereotypes of a male-dominated society, barriers of old bondage traditions, and encouraging diversity and confidence in women in academic and professional settings.

Getting a scholarship necessitates a calculated strategy. The following are essential actions to improve your application:

Meticulous Research

Carefully look at the scholarships that fit your academic objectives, destination country, and individual needs. Make sure that you use online resources, engage with your selected universities who have shortlisted, speak with the study abroad experts at your local university. Additionally, there are a few good sources for scholarship databases that are available for international students.

The U.S. government collates all relevant and verified scholarships through EducationUSA, the U.K government similarly has the commonwealth scholarship which Indian student are eligible for and they are listed, the Australian government has its Australia Awards, which provide opportunities for students from developing countries, including India, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities, the Canadian government also provide an international student scholarship search tool where students can find the appropriate scholarships offered by select universities. For Students interested in studying in germany - searching through the DAAD scholarship database will help.

Keep the deadline in mind

Most US institutions have three separate application deadlines that students can apply to in the summer, fall, and spring, though certain postgraduate programmes may have limitations on program start dates. In contrast, the UK's main academic season begins in September, and admissions for all other programmes typically start in January.  However, scholarship deadlines may differ from application deadlines; they are usually much earlier than the overall application deadline. The best advice is to apply as early as possible to maximize your admissibility and your scholarship chances.

Eligibility Matters

Search over each scholarship application carefully to make sure you meet all the requirements. This covers educational prerequisites, language competence assessments, limits based on nationality, and any other particular needs pertaining to your programme or destination.

Customized Strategy

Be sure that you don't submit generic applications. Ensure your application materials are specific and clear for each scholarship you apply for. Do keep an emphasis on your achievements, relevant experiences, and how the scholarships fit with your ambitions both personally and professionally.

Headstrong Exam Preparation

Most US colleges also have standardized test requirements, such as the GRE, GMAT, SAT, PTE, ACT, IELTS, and TOEFL. Similar standardized exams, such as the UCAT, BMAT, LNAT, IELTS, are necessary for some courses in the UK. Since your score on these exams will greatly affect your chances of being admitted, you should prepare well for them in advance and strive for the highest possible score. Many universities will weigh the score in these standardized tests over the other subjective factors in a student’s application package.

Seek Guidance

Don’t be afraid to ask your professionals, advisors, or your university’s or related organizations’ scholarship schemes and programmes. Most universities will run admissions webinars, plan to register/attend them, and enquire about scholarship opportunities during these webinar sessions. A combined knowledge of both can improve your application and raise the likelihood of getting a scholarship

Fly High

The scholarship application process can be competitive and tiring, so make sure you never lose your patience, perseverance, and proactive approach. By starting your research early, you can improve your chances of receiving a scholarship which can make your aspirations of international education a reality. So, prepare strong, stay steady, be persistent, and fly high.