Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study UG Courses Abroad
Restart Your Career! The best scholarships for Indian students pursuing undergraduate studies abroad in 2025 include government funded awards such as the Ministry of Education’s National Overseas Scholarship, university specific grants like the Tata Cornell Scholarship, and global programs such as the Fulbright Nehru and Erasmus Mundus. These scholarships typically cover tuition, living costs, and airfare, and most accept applications 9–12 months before the intake.
What makes a “top” scholarship for Indian UG aspirants?
- High coverage of tuition and living expenses
- Reasonable eligibility criteria (merit, need, or both)
- A transparent, yearly application timeline
- Post-award support like mentoring or alumni networks
Elysian Inspires reviews each scheme below so you can shortlist confidently and plan your career guidance after 10th or 12th with clarity.
Which Indian government scholarships fund UG study abroad?
1. National Overseas Scholarship Ministry of Education
Who can apply? SC, ST, landless labourers, and minority students with a family income below ₹8 lakh.
Coverage Tuition, living allowance of USD 15 000 per year, contingency grant, and economy airfare.
Pros
- Complete financial support
- Online portal simplifies tracking
Cons
- Strict income cap
- Limited annual slots (100)
2. Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme
Why mention a loan?
Because the subsidy converts part of your loan into a grant effective zero interest during study.
Tip from Elysian counsellors
Combine this with a partial university scholarship to minimize out of pocket cost.
Which private Indian scholarships are most popular?
3. Tata Cornell Scholarship (Cornell University, USA)
Coverage
Full tuition for four years for admitted Indian undergraduates.
Eligibility
Admission into Cornell’s need aware programs, demonstrated financial need.
Why it stands out
Exclusive focus on Indian students, generous commitment.
4. KC Mahindra Scholarships for Merit
Amount Up to ₹8 lakh as an interest free loan.
Good to know Primarily for postgraduate studies, yet every year 5–7 exceptional UG STEM students are funded worth a try if you have a stellar profile.
What global scholarships welcome Indian undergrads?
5. Fulbright Nehru Undergraduate Research Award
Although best known for master’s grants, Fulbright also offers one year UG research funding. Ideal if you wish to spend your third year in the US.
6. Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree Scholarships
Applicable to select dual degree pathways where you spend Year 1 in Europe and Year 2 in Australia or Asia. Full waiver plus a monthly stipend of €1 400.
7. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)
Coverage Full tuition, books, and living costs for four years.
Selection lens Academic excellence, creativity, and leadership.
How do these scholarships compare at a glance?
| Scholarship | Coverage | Seats | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Overseas | Tuition + living + airfare | 100 | Feb–March |
| Tata Cornell | Full tuition | 20–25 | Nov (with Cornell app) |
| Fulbright UG | Tuition + stipend | 15 | Jan |
| Erasmus Mundus | Tuition + €1 400 per month | 120 (varied) | Oct–Jan |
| Lester B. Pearson | Tuition + living + books | 37 | Dec (school nom.) |
How can I improve my chances of winning a scholarship?
“What profile do reviewers love to see?”
- Consistent academic record above 85 percent or GPA 3.7
- Clear statement of purpose linking course choice to community impact.
- Evidence of extracurricular depth state level sports, research papers, social projects.
“When should I start preparing?”
- Class XI: shortlist countries, attempt PSAT/SAT or IELTS.
- Class XII (Term 1): draft essays, gather recommendation letters.
- Class XII (Term 2): submit scholarship and university forms together.
Need step-by-step help? Our counsellors at Elysian provide career guidance after 10th and 12th that aligns aptitude testing with scholarship timelines. Book an online session here: Personalized Career Counselling in Chennai.
Are there hidden costs even after winning a full scholarship?
Yes. Application fees, visa charges, and health insurance (USD 600–900) often fall on the student. Budget early or seek micro grants like the In lakhs Travel Scholarship. Restart Your Career
Do scholarships differ by destination country?
“Which countries offer the highest success rate to Indians?”
- Canada – generous institutional awards, simpler study permit.
- Germany – no tuition at public universities DAAD offers living stipends.
- USA – most competitive but highest per-student funding.
“What about the UK post-Brexit?”
Undergraduate aid is limited, yet colleges like University of Warwick provide 50 percent fee waivers. Pair with the Chevening summer programme for networking.
Key takeaways before you hit ‘Apply’
- Begin 12 months in advance deadlines creep up.
- Mix need-based and merit-based options to hedge chances.
- Keep scanned PDFs (marksheets, passport, income proof) ready in one drive.
- Practise interviews many awards now use Zoom.
Working with a mentor speeds up the process. Elysian Inspires blends psychometric insights with application strategy, ensuring you don’t overlook niche grants that suit your profile.
