Graduate education can be expensive, especially when you consider the cost of tuition, accommodation, textbooks, research expenses, and living costs. But the good news is, there are fully funded graduate scholarships that cover all these expenses — and sometimes even more. These scholarships don’t just pay your tuition; they often come with monthly stipends, travel costs, and research grants.
If you’re aiming for a Master’s or PhD and want to avoid debt, this guide will help you understand what fully funded graduate scholarships are, how they work, and how you can apply for them.
What Are Fully Funded Graduate Scholarships?
A fully funded graduate scholarship pays for all the essential costs of your graduate studies. These include:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance or stipend
- Accommodation or housing
- Health insurance
- Travel expenses (in some cases)
- Research support or conference funding
Some scholarships even provide visa support, mentorship, and professional development training.
Why You Should Consider Fully Funded Scholarships
Graduate school is demanding. Having a fully funded scholarship means you can focus on your studies and research without worrying about how to pay your bills. It also gives you access to better resources, networking opportunities, and a stronger academic reputation.
These scholarships are especially helpful for international students who may face higher fees or visa restrictions in other countries.
Popular Graduate Scholarships That Pay for Everything
Here are some well-known graduate scholarships that offer full benefits:
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Offered by the UK government for Master’s students from eligible countries. Covers tuition, living expenses, flights, and more.
Fulbright Program (USA)
Provides funding for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the U.S. Covers tuition, living stipend, health insurance, and travel.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Funded by the German government, DAAD scholarships support international students for postgraduate studies in Germany. Includes tuition, monthly stipend, travel allowance, and insurance.
Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
For students from Commonwealth countries. It covers full tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
This program allows you to study in multiple European countries during your Master’s program. It covers tuition, travel, visa, and monthly allowance.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford, USA)
Fully funds graduate programs at Stanford University. Covers tuition, living stipend, and academic-related travel.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
For non-UK students to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cambridge. Covers full costs including airfare and visa fees.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
For doctoral students. Provides CAD $50,000 per year for three years to cover living and research costs.
Rotary Peace Fellowship
Offers fully funded Master’s degrees or certificate programs in peace and conflict resolution at partner universities around the world.
Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
Supports Master’s degree studies in development-related fields. Covers tuition, living costs, books, medical insurance, and travel.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting One
Fully funded scholarships are highly competitive. Here’s how to stand out:
- Keep your academic grades high
- Build a strong resume with leadership roles, volunteer work, or relevant work experience
- Prepare a compelling personal statement or essay
- Secure strong recommendation letters from academic or professional referees
- Research and apply early
- Tailor your application to the specific scholarship – don’t copy and paste
You should also spend time reviewing the eligibility requirements. Some scholarships are only open to students from specific countries, while others may require you to study certain courses or commit to working in your home country after graduation.
Where to Find Fully Funded Scholarships
You can start by checking:
- Official university websites
- Government education departments
- Scholarship platforms like Scholarship Positions, Opportunities for Africans (OFA), and Studyportals
- Embassy pages of countries offering scholarships
- LinkedIn and academic forums
It’s helpful to create a spreadsheet and track deadlines, requirements, and documents needed for each application.
Documents Commonly Required
Although each scholarship has its own criteria, you’ll often need:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV or résumé
- Statement of purpose or personal essay
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of English language (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
Is It Worth the Effort?
Yes. These scholarships don’t just cover costs — they open doors. Many scholars who received these awards have gone on to lead organizations, work with global companies, or make significant contributions in academia, development, and innovation.
Also, many of these programs give you more than financial help. They often include networking events, leadership training, internships, or even job placement support after graduation.
Final Thoughts
Graduate scholarships that pay for everything are real — and they’re life-changing. They allow you to study without debt, travel the world, and access top-tier education regardless of your financial background. But they are also competitive, which means you need to be strategic, prepared, and motivated.