What types of scholarships are available abroad?
It’s important to understand the difference between automatic and competitive scholarships. Some universities, especially in Canada and Europe, consider applicants automatically upon application. In other cases, a separate application is required.
We’ll also look at the types of scholarships abroad based on funding source:
In the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe, university scholarships are the primary form of financial aid. They are awarded either based on need or merit:
- Merit-based scholarships are awarded for academic, scientific, athletic, or leadership achievements. These are the most common scholarships at universities in the US and Europe.
- Need-based scholarships take into account the family’s financial situation. In the US, such programs can cover up to 100% of tuition, living expenses, and insurance.
Governments use grants to attract talent. In Europe, these include Erasmus+, DAAD (Germany), and Eiffel (France). In Asia, these include Japan’s MEXT, Korea’s GKS, and China’s CSC. In the UK, there’s Chevening, and in the US, Fulbright.
These programs often cover tuition, as well as accommodation, travel, and insurance, making them full-fledged scholarships abroad.
Corporations, charities, and NGOs fund students in fields such as technology, environmental science, and social science. This is especially common in the United States, Canada, and Asia. These grants are often less well-known, but competition is lower.
