Studying abroad is a dream for millions of students, but the cost can feel impossible. Tuition, accommodation, flights, insurance, and daily living expenses quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. The good news? You don’t always have to pay for it yourself.
Every year, governments, universities, and private organizations offer fully funded scholarships for international students, covering tuition, monthly stipends, travel, and sometimes even research costs. These programs make it possible to earn a world-class degree without paying a single dollar out of pocket.
In this guide, we’ve gathered 20 of the most prestigious and reliable fully funded scholarships available to international students worldwide. Whether you’re applying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, there’s a program here that could change your future.
What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Mean?
A fully funded scholarship typically covers all the major costs of studying abroad, including:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
- Settlement allowance
- Research or thesis support (for graduate students)
Some scholarships also cover visa fees, language courses, or family allowances. Always read the official terms to know exactly what’s included.
Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
1. Chevening Scholarship (United Kingdom)
Funded by the UK Foreign Office, the Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the world. It covers full tuition for a one-year master’s program at any UK university, plus a generous monthly stipend, travel, and visa costs.
Best for: Future leaders with at least two years of work experience. Official site: chevening.org
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright Program offers fully funded master’s and PhD scholarships in the United States for students from over 160 countries. It covers tuition, living costs, health insurance, and airfare.
Best for: Academic excellence and leadership potential. Official site: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
3. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers fully funded scholarships for master’s and PhD students from around the world. It covers tuition (where applicable), a monthly living stipend, travel, and health insurance.
Best for: Students pursuing graduate studies in Germany. Official site: daad.de
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
Erasmus Mundus is one of the most well-known European scholarships. It funds international students to study in at least two European countries as part of a joint master’s program. Tuition, travel, and a monthly stipend are all included.
Best for: Students who want to study across multiple European universities. Official site: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
5. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Eiffel Scholarship supports international students pursuing master’s or PhD programs at French institutions. It includes a monthly allowance, return flights, and various extras.
Best for: Engineering, sciences, economics, law, and political science students. Official site: campusfrance.org
6. Australia Awards Scholarships
Funded by the Australian government, this program supports international students from developing countries to study at Australian universities. It covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
Best for: Students from eligible developing countries. Official site: dfat.gov.au
7. New Zealand Government Scholarships
New Zealand offers a range of fully funded scholarships for international students, including the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship. Coverage includes tuition, airfare, living costs, and insurance.
Best for: Students from Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and Latin America. Official site: mfat.govt.nz
8. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Switzerland offers prestigious fully funded scholarships for research and postgraduate studies. The program covers a monthly stipend, health insurance, tuition fee waivers, and travel allowances.
Best for: PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Official site: sbfi.admin.ch
9. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Funded by the Japanese government, the MEXT Scholarship offers fully funded undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies in Japan. It includes tuition, monthly allowance, and round-trip airfare.
Best for: Students interested in Japanese culture, science, and technology. Official site: studyinjapan.go.jp
10. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP / GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) supports international students at Korean universities for undergraduate and graduate studies. It covers tuition, airfare, monthly stipend, and a Korean language course.
Best for: Students interested in studying in South Korea. Official site: studyinkorea.go.kr
11. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The CSC supports thousands of international students each year at Chinese universities. It covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, and health insurance.
Best for: Students seeking affordable, high-quality degrees in Asia. Official site: campuschina.org
12. Russian Government Scholarship
Russia offers fully funded scholarships to international students for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD studies. The scholarship includes tuition, a monthly stipend, and dormitory accommodation.
Best for: Students seeking affordable European-style education. Official site: education-in-russia.com
13. Turkiye Burslari Scholarship (Turkey)
Funded by the Turkish government, this scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance, and a one-year Turkish language course. Available for all academic levels.
Best for: Students from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Official site: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
14. Saudi Arabia King Abdulaziz University Scholarship
This program offers fully funded studies at one of Saudi Arabia’s top universities. It covers tuition, housing, monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
Best for: Students seeking studies in the Middle East. Official site: kau.edu.sa
15. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Canada’s flagship doctoral scholarship offers CAD 50,000 per year for three years to international and Canadian PhD students. It’s one of the most generous scholarships in the world.
Best for: Outstanding doctoral students. Official site: vanier.gc.ca
16. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship offers fully funded graduate studies at the University of Cambridge. It covers tuition, a generous stipend, airfare, and family allowances.
Best for: Outstanding postgraduate applicants worldwide. Official site: gatescambridge.org
17. Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford, UK)
One of the oldest and most prestigious scholarships in the world, the Rhodes Scholarship funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. It covers tuition, stipend, airfare, and visa costs.
Best for: Exceptional students with strong leadership skills. Official site: rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
18. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (Stanford, USA)
Stanford’s flagship scholarship offers fully funded graduate studies across nearly all disciplines. It covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and academic enrichment activities.
Best for: Future global leaders pursuing graduate degrees at Stanford. Official site: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu
19. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
This program funds talented African students for undergraduate and graduate studies at partner universities worldwide. It covers tuition, accommodation, books, travel, and living expenses.
Best for: Academically strong African students with leadership potential. Official site: mastercardfdn.org
20. Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
Designed to prepare future global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars offers a fully funded one-year master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. It includes tuition, accommodation, travel, and a personal stipend.
Best for: Young leaders aged 18–28 from around the world. Official site: schwarzmanscholars.org
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships
Each scholarship has its own application process, but most require similar documents and steps:
- Choose your program and country carefully based on your career goals.
- Check eligibility including age limits, GPA requirements, and language proficiency.
- Prepare your documents such as your CV, transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statement.
- Write a strong motivation letter that clearly explains why you deserve the scholarship.
- Submit before the deadline, as most scholarships have strict cut-off dates.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning
- Apply early and to multiple scholarships, not just one
- Tailor each application to the specific program
- Get strong, personalized recommendation letters
- Highlight your leadership experience and community involvement
- Proofread every document carefully before submitting
- Prepare thoroughly for interviews where required
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fully funded scholarships really 100% free?
Most fully funded scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and insurance. However, small personal expenses or visa fees may still need to be paid by the student. Always read the official terms.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?
Yes, applying to multiple scholarships is encouraged. Each program is competitive, so applying widely increases your chances of receiving at least one offer.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply for fully funded scholarships?
Many scholarships require proof of English proficiency, but some accept alternative tests or waive this requirement under certain conditions. Always check each program’s specific rules.
What GPA do I need for a fully funded scholarship?
Most competitive scholarships expect a strong academic record, typically a GPA equivalent to 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. However, some scholarships also consider leadership, community service, and motivation.
When should I start applying?
Start preparing at least 6–12 months before the deadline. This gives you time to gather documents, write strong essays, and request recommendation letters.
A fully funded scholarship can completely transform your future, opening doors to world-class education without the financial burden. The competition is real, but so are the opportunities. Thousands of international students win these scholarships every year, and with strong preparation, you could be one of them.
Start early, apply widely, and don’t underestimate the power of a well-written application. Your dream of studying abroad might be closer than you think.