Studying abroad or pursuing higher education can be expensive, but fully funded scholarships make it possible for many students to reach their academic dreams without worrying about the cost. These scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and sometimes even travel. The best part? You can apply for many of them right now.
If you’re looking for real opportunities to study without financial stress, here are some of the best fully funded scholarships you can apply for today.
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
This UK government-funded scholarship is available to students from over 160 countries. It covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, travel costs, and more. Chevening is ideal for students who want to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK.
Applications open around August and usually close in early November each year. It’s important to prepare your documents early, including references and a personal statement that shows your leadership and networking skills.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
One of the most well-known scholarships for international students, the Fulbright program offers full funding for master’s or PhD programs in the United States. The scholarship covers tuition, health insurance, living expenses, and travel.
Application deadlines vary depending on your home country, but most run between February and October. Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong desire to contribute to their home countries after studying.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Germany offers a wide range of tuition-free or low-cost education, but the DAAD scholarship takes it further by providing full funding for postgraduate studies. This includes tuition, monthly living costs, travel allowance, and sometimes language courses.
You can find DAAD opportunities in almost every field—from engineering and economics to health sciences and arts. The application process is competitive, so make sure your academic records and motivation letter are strong.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
If you want to experience life in multiple European countries while studying, this scholarship might be for you. The Erasmus Mundus program offers full scholarships for students to study in at least two European universities.
It covers tuition fees, travel expenses, installation costs, and a monthly allowance. Applications open around October and close between December and February, depending on the course.
MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
Funded by the Japanese government, the MEXT scholarship is available for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. It includes tuition, monthly stipend, and airfare to and from Japan.
You can apply either through the Japanese embassy in your country or directly through a Japanese university. Fields of study vary widely—from sciences to humanities.
Australia Awards Scholarships
These scholarships are offered by the Australian government to students from developing countries, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. The award covers full tuition, travel, health insurance, and a generous living allowance.
Applications typically open in February and close by May. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to returning home to contribute to development.
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
This scholarship supports master’s degree students from developing countries who want to study in Sweden. It covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, health insurance, and a travel grant.
Applications usually open in early February. It is highly competitive, so focus on showing leadership experience, strong academic records, and a clear plan for how you will make a difference after graduation.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (Stanford University, USA)
This is a top-tier scholarship for graduate study at Stanford University. It covers full tuition, living expenses, and academic enrichment. The program is designed for students who show leadership, independence of thought, and a civic mindset.
You must apply separately to both your Stanford degree program and the Knight-Hennessy program. Applications open in June and close in October.
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
Funded by the Asian Development Bank, this scholarship offers full tuition, a monthly allowance, housing, and travel expenses. It is available for students from ADB member countries who want to study economics, business, science, or related fields at participating institutions in Asia and the Pacific.
The program targets students who want to contribute to economic and social development in their home countries. Deadlines vary depending on the institution.
Rotary Peace Fellowships
Rotary offers fully funded fellowships for master’s degrees or professional development certificate programs focused on peace and conflict resolution. These fellowships are available at top universities around the world.
The fellowship covers tuition, fees, travel, accommodation, and living expenses. Applications open in February and close in May. Applicants must have work experience and a passion for global peacebuilding.
Before You Apply
Here are a few things to keep in mind when applying:
- Start early: Most fully funded scholarships have detailed application processes that require planning.
- Prepare strong documents: Write a clear motivation letter, get quality references, and update your CV.
- Check the deadlines: Always confirm the deadline based on your country or the university’s schedule.
- Don’t limit yourself: Apply to more than one scholarship to increase your chances.
Final Thoughts
Fully funded scholarships open doors that may have once seemed closed. Whether you want to study in the UK, USA, Europe, Asia, or Australia, there are real opportunities out there—many of which are open for applications right now.
Take the time to research each one, gather your documents, and apply with confidence. Your dream of studying abroad may be just one application away.