How to Study Abroad for Free: A Complete Guide to Scholarships and Grants for International Students

Studying at a foreign university — especially a highly ranked one — can be a serious financial burden for most families. Not every student can afford tuition that costs tens of thousands of dollars per year, not to mention housing, food, and other essential expenses.

Here’s the good news: even if you haven’t inherited a fortune, that’s no reason to give up on your ambitions. Thousands of students earn degrees from top global universities thanks to scholarships and grants.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

— what types of funding are available for international students,

— the difference between a scholarship and a grant,

— where to find opportunities,

— whether it's possible to study entirely for free,

— and how to submit a strong, successful application.

Contents:

• Types of Scholarships and Grants
• Choosing the Right Country and Program
• Where to Find Scholarships: Trusted Sources
• Preparing Your Documents
• Deadlines and Submitting Applications
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Types of Scholarships and Grants

Let’s begin by understanding the main types of financial support. This will help you determine what exactly you should be looking for.

• Scholarship — awarded for academic merit and usually issued on a recurring basis (often monthly). It may cover tuition fees, housing, transportation, and daily living expenses.
• Grant — funding for a specific project or research initiative. Grants are typically one-time payments provided for a clearly defined purpose, often through a competitive selection process.
• Financial aid — a broader term that includes scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, and other forms of support. In some cases, it refers to emergency aid for students facing difficult life circumstances (illness, loss of a family member, etc.).

Funding opportunities may differ by:

— the level of cost coverage,

— the source of funding,

— and the selection criteria.

1. By level of cost coverage:

• Fully funded scholarships — These programs cover all major expenses: tuition, housing, transportation, health insurance, and sometimes even flights and personal allowances. They are the “gold standard” for students aiming to study abroad at zero cost.
• Partial scholarships — These cover only part of the expenses (for example, tuition only). This type is more common and generally easier to obtain.
• Research grants — Typically awarded to graduate students and researchers for specific academic projects. Grants can be one-time payments or distributed across several stages.

2. By source of funding:

• University scholarships — Funding provided directly by universities to attract talented international students. Programs may be full or partial.
• Government-funded programs — National scholarship schemes created to attract foreign applicants. A well-known example is the Türkiye Scholarships program.
• Private or foundation-based scholarships — Funding from NGOs, corporations, or private donors. These scholarships often target students in specific categories (e.g., financial need, students from developing countries, research-focused applicants).

3. By selection criteria

• Merit-based — Awarded based on academic excellence, achievements, or demonstrated leadership. One of the most common categories.
• Need-based — Designed for students with limited financial means. Applicants must provide documentation to verify their financial situation.

Examples of specific programs:

• DAAD (Germany) — Government-funded scholarships that often cover tuition, housing, and additional monthly expenses.
• Türkiye Scholarships — A fully funded program by the Turkish government for international students at all academic levels.
• China Scholarship Council (CSC) — A major government scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship — A private scholarship funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for graduate students at the University of Cambridge.

Choosing the Right Country and Study Program

Now that we’ve covered the main types of scholarships available to international students, the next step is to choose the right country and academic program.

Countries with the best scholarship opportunities

Some countries invest heavily in attracting international students through government-funded and university-based programs. Here are the key regions:

• Europe — Well-known programs include Erasmus Mundus (which funds studies at multiple universities across Europe) and scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In several European countries, international students can study at public universities for free (for example, in Germany and Austria).
• United States — Despite the high cost of education, the U.S. offers extensive merit-based and need-based funding through federal and university programs.
• Canada — Prestigious scholarships such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships support doctoral studies by covering tuition and research expenses.
• Asia — Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea actively fund international students. For instance, South Korea’s Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers tuition, housing, and even transportation costs.
• Oceania — Australia and New Zealand offer a variety of government and university scholarships, especially in scientific and technical fields.

Programs and fields of study most often funded

Not all academic disciplines receive the same level of financial support. Some “high-demand” fields are funded more frequently than others:

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) — One of the most heavily funded areas. Many government, university, and private foundation scholarships target STEM students.
• International Relations and Political Science — Countries often invest in developing future leaders with global perspectives, making this field a priority for many scholarship programs.
• Environmental Studies and Sustainability — As topics like climate change, ecology, and resource management grow increasingly important, funding for these programs continues to expand.
• Business, Entrepreneurship, and IT — Scholarships often support future business leaders, particularly those focused on social entrepreneurship or tech innovation.
• Teacher Education — Special grants exist for students training to become educators, especially in regions where teacher shortages are a significant issue.
• Medicine and Health Sciences — Funding is typically directed toward clinical research and programs in public health.

Support With Choosing a Country and Program

It can be challenging to assess your chances and choose the right direction on your own—especially if you’re applying abroad for the first time. Professional guidance can play a crucial role.

• Student profile analysis: An ED-EX specialist reviews your academic performance, motivation, and experience to determine which countries and fields of study are the best fit for you.
• Scholarship chance assessment: Based on this analysis, we create a personalized list of scholarships and grants where you have a realistic chance of success.
• Application strategy: We develop a detailed submission plan tailored to deadlines, requirements, and competition levels.
• Complete admissions support: The ED-EX team assists at every stage—from filling out application forms and writing your motivation letter to preparing for interviews.

Learn more and book a consultation with a specialist.

Where to Find Scholarships and Grants — Trusted Resources

Below is a list of reliable and verified platforms for finding scholarships:

1. Global Scholarships — An international platform with a large database and convenient filters. You can search by program type, country, and funding source.
2. EduPASS — A scholarship resource for international students planning to study in the United States.
3. IEFA (International Education Financial Aid) — One of the largest global platforms for searching financial aid opportunities for students worldwide.
4. ScholarshipPortal — A popular website for finding scholarships across Europe.
5. InternationalScholarships.com — A large database that brings together more than 2,000 international scholarship opportunities.
6. Scholars4Dev — A platform specializing in scholarships for students from developing countries.
7. ScholarshipFinder (Gradding) — A user-friendly tool that allows you to search for scholarships based on study level, field of study, country, and funding source.

We also recommend checking the following:

• Sections titled “Scholarships” or “Financial Aid” on the websites of the universities you are interested in — many institutions offer their own internal scholarships.
• National scholarship portals (for example, websites of ministries of education or academic exchange agencies), which often publish updates on government-funded scholarships and grants.

Preparing Your Scholarship Application Documents

To maximize your chances of receiving financial support, it’s essential to prepare a strong and complete application package.

1. Academic Documents

• Diploma or school-leaving certificate from your previous level of education.
• Academic transcript — an official document listing your courses, hours, and grades.
• Certified translations of documents (in some cases notarization may be required — always check the specific requirements).
• Additional academic evidence: certificates, awards, participation in Olympiads or competitions, research publications — all of this strengthens your application.

2. Motivation Package

These documents demonstrate your motivation, academic goals, and long-term plans. The “Motivation Package” typically includes:

• Motivation letter — You should clearly explain why you want to study in this specific program and how it aligns with your long-term goals. Tip: avoid generic phrases; if you apply to multiple scholarships, write a tailored letter for each one instead of using a universal template.
• Research proposal / Study plan — Often required for master’s, PhD, or research grant applications. This document outlines your research topic, objectives, methodology, significance, and expected outcomes.
• CV / Academic résumé — Typically includes your education, academic experience, projects, publications, conference participation, internships, and volunteer work. Don’t simply list everything you have done — highlight achievements that are relevant to the specific program.

3. Recommendation Letters

• Who can write your recommendation? Typically, recommendation letters are written by teachers or university professors, academic supervisors, employers, or mentors who know you well—academically or professionally.

What a strong recommendation letter should include:

— Contact details of the recommender (name, position, email) and an official signature and/or stamp if required.

— Specific examples of your strengths: academic performance, projects, leadership roles, research skills, or notable achievements.

— Clear arguments explaining why you are a strong candidate for this particular program: how you will benefit from it and how the awarding institution will benefit from supporting you.

Deadlines and Submitting Your Application

It’s important to understand that deadlines and application procedures vary greatly between scholarships:

• Some programs require you to apply for the scholarship first, regardless of your admission status.
• Others are integrated into the admissions process, meaning you apply for the program and scholarship simultaneously.
• A third type assumes you first receive an admission offer from the university, after which you can apply for funding (or your application is considered automatically).

Always check the official program description to avoid missing deadlines. Here are some examples of scholarships with different application procedures:

How to Avoid Missing a Deadline

1. Create a master table for all scholarships you are interested in. Use Google Sheets, Excel, or any other tool. Include:

• Program name (with a link)
• Type of program (government / university / private)
• Deadline (date and time zone)
• Whether university admission confirmation is required
• Required documents
• Status (not started / in progress / submitted / result)

This way, you won’t have to remember multiple dates — the information is structured and always visible.

2. Build a time buffer. Set your personal deadlines 2–3 weeks earlier than the official ones: preparing motivation letters, recommendation letters, and translations often takes longer than expected.

3. Set automatic calendar reminders. This prevents stress and ensures you won’t miss important deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Is it possible to study abroad completely for free?

Yes, it is possible. Options include:

• In some European countries (e.g., Germany), international students can study at public universities either completely free or at a very low cost. Additional expenses such as housing and living costs still apply.
• Programs like Erasmus Mundus can fully cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs.

However, competition for such scholarships is extremely high. It’s essential to realistically assess your chances and start preparing well in advance.

2) Is it realistic to get a scholarship without experience?

Yes, but it depends on the level of study and the type of scholarship or grant:

• Undergraduate level — Many scholarships target students entering directly after high school. Work experience is usually not required; what matters most are strong academic results, extracurricular achievements, and motivation.
• Master’s / PhD level — Some programs (especially research-focused ones) accept students right after their bachelor’s if they have a strong academic portfolio (grades, projects, publications, etc.).
• Some prestigious scholarships require professional experience. For example, the Chevening Scholarship in the UK for master’s students requires roughly 2,800 hours of professional experience (about 2 years). Applications without the required experience will not be considered.

3) How long does it take to prepare a scholarship application?

It depends on the program and your starting point:

• Minimum: 1–2 months — for simple applications, assuming you already have transcripts and language certificates. This allows enough time to prepare a motivation letter, gather recommendation letters, and finalize documents.
• Optimal: 3–6 months — to carefully prepare a strong motivation letter and/or research plan, secure recommendation letters, obtain certified translations, and more.
• For highly competitive (fully funded) programs: It’s recommended to start 6–12 months before the deadline.

4) Is it possible to receive multiple scholarships at the same time?

In rare cases. Most programs do not allow simultaneous funding.

• For example, Chevening requires disclosure of any additional funding and generally does not permit having two sponsors at once (other grants may reduce the scholarship amount).
• Another example is Erasmus Mundus. Recipients of EMJMD scholarships typically cannot receive other EU-funded support simultaneously, and previous EMJMD recipients are not eligible to reapply.

What should you do? It’s recommended to apply to multiple scholarships at the same time. However, if you are awarded more than one, carefully review the rules—most likely, you will need to decline one of them. Universities and funding organizations usually require transparency and notification about parallel funding.

5) Can ED-EX specialists increase my chances of receiving a scholarship?

Yes — that’s exactly what we are here for. The ED-EX team helps students not only get into their dream university but also do so with minimal cost.

A personal consultation with an ED-EX.com expert gives you the opportunity to:

• Assess your profile (academic performance, language skills, etc.) to understand your chances of admission and financial aid
• Review the education systems in the countries you are considering
• Get answers to questions about admissions, studying abroad, and scholarships
• Receive a personalized action plan — which exams to take, which documents are required, and how we will guide you through every step of the process

Don’t take chances with your future — book your consultation today.

Find out more and sign up here.