Aside from the financial aid and scholarships offered by universities, there are many ways in which Indian students can gather funds for studying abroad.
Government organisations and third-party institutions offer aid in the form of grants, fellowships, trusts and scholarships. These four terms are used interchangeably. Basically, they are used to describe awards given to individual students; they are based on merit and need-based criteria.
Given the scope of the awards/ scholarships available, actually discovering, and applying for, them can be half the battle. If you're looking to join your university this August, it's time to act quickly. Most of these awards stop accepting applications by late May.
This article lists some of the leading web sites that offer information on grants and fellowships. The sites are categorised into three groups: government organisations, third-party institutions/ foundations and web sites that organise and offer this information free of charge.
Government organisations
As the world begins to cooperate more and more, world leaders recognise the need for increased and sustained exchanges of talent. Many governments from around the globe have established specific programmes which seek Asian students for their universities.
Fulbright programme: Perhaps the most famous grant or scholarships programme, it has been sponsored by the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1946. The programme provides financial assistance for the best and brightest from around the world, particularly undergraduate students; many Nobel Prize laureates began their studies through the Fulbright programme.
The US-Indian component of the Fulbright programme is handled by the United States Educational Foundation in India. More information can be found by accessing the USEFI site and checking the Fellowships for Indian Nationals menu.
The East-West Center: Another US-sponsored organisation, this group seeks to strengthen relationships and understanding between Asia and the United States. A major aspect of the group's work is to promote scholarship and research by students of Asian heritage in US universities. Linked to the US Department of Education, the Center provides a host of grants and fellowships to universities across the United States.
British Council: While technically independent, the British Council receives the lion's share of its funding directly from the British government. Furthermore, the group is sponsored by the foreign and Commonwealth office of the United Kingdom. One of the British Council's most important initiatives is easing the study abroad process.
For international students seeking to study in the UK, the British Council web page is one of the most important portals on the Internet. It contains specific details on academic programmes, advice about travelling and regular updates to the scholarship watch list. This reputable group is known for helping students choose and finance a UK education.
The Indian component of the British Council has multiple offices across several states. Its web site contains information specific to Indian nationals, and its listing of scholarships and grants is extensive. Use the scholarships tab on the web site to navigate and review the available options.
Education New Zealand: New Zealand's higher education community is closely-knit; the government plays an active role in attracting international students. This dedication has allowed New Zealand to rapidly climb as a destination for Indian students.
This group, directed by the government, serves as a one-stop portal for international students hoping to study in New Zealand. By navigating through the scholarship tab in the menu, students will discover a multitude awards and means for financing a New Zealand education.
Third-party institutions and foundations
There are literally thousands of third-party groups and organisation providing financial assistance for international students. Let's highlight two groups just to show students how varied and numerous their options really are.
NAFSA: This group is the premier third party organisation operating in the realm of international studies. While they do not offer grants and financial assistance to individual students, they have a flourishing and active membership including a yellow pages section where awards and contacts are listed.
Indian students can use this site to network with education professionals across the globe. Also, students should consult the Asian component of the US education guide web site, which is sponsored by NAFSA. This guide contains tips on how to secure financial assistance from a variety of different methods.
Soros.org: An example of a lone individual who donates heavily is George Soros. One of the world's 100 richest men, Soros takes a keen interest in education, especially for those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
Indian students should browse the scholarships, grants and fellowships section of the site (go to SE asia option). The organisation outlines hundreds of awards each year for a variety of different degrees and specialisations.
Sites offering information
There are numerous online communities and portals dedicated to providing information for financing an international education. Some of these sites can be outdated and irrelevant. There are several great pages, however, for those willing to look.
Scholarshipsinindia.com: This is a site containing useful resources pertaining to financing international study. It does not feature the United States, but it does highlight many European nations wishing to attract Indian students.
International Education Financial Aid: This is another popular portal for students aspiring to study abroad, particularly to the United States. Not only does the web site feature a scholarship search engine, it also features blogs that examine the process in details and an active message board community.
Indian students will find the scholarship search a great help. They should also check the message boards for useful information about financial assistance.
Internationalscholarships.com: This site is a reputable and trusted name in the international academic community. They provide a database of awards and scholarships which can be searched and perused free of charge.
Students should register -- it's free -- because membership allows the use of some great tools. For example, students can organise and maintain the grants that interest them. It's a great way to monitor progress of your award applications and a great way to find options for financial assistance.
Sciencecareers.org: This site is an active online community of aspiring and current international scientists. The scholarship and grant information relates only to the sciences, particularly in doctoral level research, but is well maintained and frequently updated. Many Indians avail of the scholarships and grants highlighted on this site.
What you need to do
Now, you know at least some of the many options available to you for funding an international education. Government bodies, professional organisations, philanthropic individuals and useful web portals all attempt to make this information accessible to a large audience. If you are willing to do the extra application work needed, you will most likely be rewarded for the effort.
Just by looking at the growth and expansion of these web sites, you should realise your unique skills are desired overseas; through persistence and meticulous groundwork, your dream of studying abroad can become a reality.
Tomorrow, we will look at the proper way to market yourself when applying for grants, fellowships and scholarships. Later, we confront the growing problem of Internet scams relating to study abroad scholarships, and how to best avoid them.
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