Aiding the Pursuit to Study Abroad

Waheeb Ulla
Every year Indian students spend approximately $17 Billion in pursuing higher education abroad. Advents in the American education have time and again impacted the Indian Education Sector and many educationalists agree that the States have been deemed as a study destination to a vast majority of the Indian student denominator. Every other dreamy eyed Indian student wants to study in the U.S. but fails to take into consideration, the hindrances that may hamper their dream of pursuing education abroad. Apart from the usual hindrances such as passport, visa, residential options, work options, students face the greatest hassle that is considered the biggest roadblock in going abroad: financial support.

Considering the heavy load overseas education can cost on the pockets of an Indian student and their guardians, a rigid plan to focus and execute according to their needs, and requirements can ease the pain. Educational Loans in this regard are often considered to be life-savers. The past decade has seen a massive increase in the number of Indian students going abroad for higher studies. Earlier the trend was for Indian students to complete an undergraduate degree in India, work for a few years and then go abroad for a postgraduate education. A positive change can be seen now, as students aspire to even do their undergraduate study abroad and also opt for vocational job-centric courses in Australian TAFE Institutes.

Other than the usual and conventional loan options, students who want to study in the U.S. must take a look at the scholarships available that could propel their dreams to travel to their study destinations without any hindrances. A number of various organizations and institutions function in encouraging students towards pursuing education abroad. They offer scholarships that not many would be aware of which could facilitate them in fulfilling their dreams.

S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students

This program provides opportunities for Indian researchers at masters level or higher to study a selected program in the field of science and technology at a university in the U.S.

Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships

This scholarship offers funding to outstanding Indian students wishing to pursue study at any level within an accredited U.S. institution. Individual scholarships must be seen for specific criteria.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian students

These scholarships are for Indian students to study at Stanford Graduate School of Business on the MBA program. To be eligible students must return to India within two years of completing their studies.

Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund

This scholarship program offers female Asian students the chance to receive funding for an undergraduate business degree taken at an accredited U.S. university.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

This is perhaps the most popular of government-funded U.S. scholarships for international students, Fulbright offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals and artists to study in the US for one year or more. Open to international students in all fields excluding medicine.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

This is a non-degree scholarship program for international experienced professionals wishing to undertake ten months of academic study in the U.S. Although not offering degree qualifications, students are able to study and develop their knowledge at academic institutions across the nation.

Abbey Road Summer Scholarships

This offers U.S. scholarships worth $1,000 for language and art students, as well as $500 fellowships for 'summer enrichment' at institutions within the states.

International Student Voice Magazine Margaret W. Wong Scholarship

This is a small scholarship fund for international students planning to study in the U.S. For part- or full- time undergraduate and postgraduate students. It requires a two page application essay and is worth $500.

The Next Gen Scholarship Fund

These are scholarships to study in the US for non-residents and international students. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA (grade point average) and be enrolled on a program at an accredited university within Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia. This scholarship is worth $1,000.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

A small scholarship for international students to study in the U.S. worth $1,000 offers opportunities to study abroad.

Dartmouth University Financial Aid

Dartmouth University offers its students needs-based scholarships to the tune of $80 million.

Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program

These are funding opportunities for international students at Emory University. Students must demonstrate financial need.

Harvard University Scholarships

Harvard offers a good range of international scholarships for students from all over the globe. However, competition is fierce.

Illinois State University International Awards

Illinois State offers tuition waivers, merit awards and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.

Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships

This is a merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.

Michigan State University International Scholarships

These are various grants and scholarships for international students to study in the US at MSU.

New York University Wagner International Scholarships

These are US scholarships to study at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

The Art Institutes Scholarship Program

There are various competitions and scholarships for international students to study at various Arts Institutes within universities across the US.

The New School Competition

The New School offers the chance to win international scholarships onto bachelor's programs in liberal arts subjects at its campus in New York.

Current Issue

TheHigherEducationReview Tv