Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students: 2025–2026 Guide

Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students, but costs can feel like a roadblock. The good news? There are numerous scholarships available for Indian students that make a global education more affordable. Here’s your complete guide.

Top Scholarships for 2025–2026

Provider Award Range (USD) Award Range (INR) Eligibility Deadline (2025–26) Official Website
CET Academic Programs (USA & Worldwide) $500 – $2,000 ₹41,500 – ₹1.66 lakh Merit + financial need; high school, gap year & college students Rolling; program-specific CET Academic Programs
SIT Study Abroad (USA & Global Locations) $500 – $5,000 (semester), $500 – $3,000 (summer) ₹41,500 – ₹4.15 lakh (semester), ₹41,500 – ₹2.49 lakh (summer) Need-based; all accepted SIT students Summer: Apr 1, 2026; Fall: May 15, 2026; Spring: Nov 1, 2025 SIT Study Abroad
St. John’s University (USA) $250 – $12,000 ₹20,750 – ₹9.96 lakh Merit awards, Catholic community, donor-funded; tied to admission With admission deadlines St. John’s Scholarships
Arcadia Abroad (USA, UK, Europe, Australia) $250 – $2,500 ₹20,750 – ₹2.07 lakh Need-based; ~70% of students receive aid Spring: Aug 1, 2025; Fall/Summer: Mar 1, 2026 Arcadia Abroad
School for Field Studies – SFS (Worldwide) $500 – $7,500 ## ₹41,500 – ₹6.22 lakh Financial need; works with home colleges; external funding possible Summer: Feb 1, 2026; Fall: Apr 1, 2026; Spring: Sep 1, 2025 SFS Study Abroad
Charpak Master’s Scholarship (France) Tuition + €700/month stipend (~$750) Tuition + ₹58,000/month stipend Indian students applying for Master’s in France Feb 2026 (TBC on Campus France) Campus France – Charpak
Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) Full tuition + stipend + accommodation Full tuition + stipend + housing (~₹60,000–₹80,000/month) Indian undergrad, master’s, or doctoral applicants Jan 2026 (annual cycle) Stipendium Hungaricum
Global Korea Scholarship – GKS (South Korea) Full tuition + stipend + airfare + insurance Full tuition + stipend (~₹70,000–₹90,000/month) + airfare + insurance Master’s/PhD students from India Early 2026 (varies by embassy/university) GKS Scholarship
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (Global) Up to $100,000 Up to ₹83 lakh Indian students for PG abroad (humanities, social sciences, fine arts) March–April 2026 Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
CEA CAPA (USA & Global Centers) $1,000 – $10,000+ ₹83,000 – ₹8.3 lakh+ Merit, need, and program-specific; $2M+ awarded annually Spring: Nov 1, 2025; Fall: Apr 15, 2026; Summer: Mar 15, 2026; Flight Credit: Sep 12, 2025 CEA CAPA Scholarships

Tips for Indian Students

  • Apply Early: Most scholarships close between October 2025 and May 2026.
  • Write Strong Essays: Showcase Your Goals, Leadership, and Financial Need.
  • Stay Organized: Track each program’s deadline + documents.
  • Combine Sources: Mix provider scholarships with home university + government funding.

Final Note

With careful planning, Indian students can access global education at an affordable cost. These scholarships, both well-known and underrated, are your ticket to studying abroad in 2025–26 without breaking the bank.

Disclaimer: Always confirm details on official websites before applying, as award amounts and deadlines are subject to change.