Merit based scholarships are awarded to academically gifted students with excellent academic records.
It is usually given in the form of financial aid (to cover tuition costs or more) to an applicant who demonstrates academic excellence by maintaining a high-grade point average (or GPA) among other high school students, as a bachelor’s degree student, or as a postgraduate level student, etc.
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Indian students applying for college education or a postgraduate diploma/degree in countries like Canada can have difficulty gathering adequate finances to meet their tuition and other living costs when relocating.
However, submitting a merit based scholarship application and getting selected for one can help them significantly in surviving well abroad, where the cost of living is much higher than it is in India.
Merit Based Scholarships for Indian Students
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Benefits |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) | -Bachelor’s degree -Relevant professional experience | -Full tuition and fees -Living stipend -Health insurance -Airfare |
| The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship (Global) | -Bachelor’s degree -Financial needs | -Full tuition fees -Living expenses -Partial travel costs |
| TATA Scholarship for Cornell University (USA) | -Exceptional academic leadership qualities. | -Bachelor’s degree -Minimum 2 years of work experience. |
| Chevening Scholarships (UK) | -Strong academic records -Leadership qualities. -Involvement in extracurricular activities. | -Full tuition fees -Living expenses -Return flight |
| Felix Scholarships (UK) | -Bachelor’s degree -Exceptional academic record. | -Full tuition fees -Living Allowance |
| The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India Scholarship (UK) | -Indian citizen -Bachelors degree -Exceptional academic record. | -Full tuition fees -Living Allowance |
| President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (Canada) | -Strong academic records -Leadership qualities. -Extracurricular activities. | -Full tuition fees -Living stipend -Airfare |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada) | -Strong academic score -Exceptional research potential. -Strong leadership qualities. | -$50,000 per year (PhD) -$35,000 per year (Master’s) |
| Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (Australia) | -Outstanding academic record. -Leadership qualities. | -Full tuition fees -Living allowance -Health insurance |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland) | -Excellent academic record. -Strong research proposal. -Affiliation with a recognised Swiss higher education institution. | -Monthly stipend -Tuition exemption -Health insurance |
How Can You Get a Merit Based Scholarship to Study Abroad?
Although getting a merit based scholarship sounds very inviting and like a dream come true, it can be very competitive. Regarding a merit scholarship, the primary evaluation criteria is the applicant’s academic achievement. The selection committee will examine your academic records and compare them with those of the other scholarship applicants.
So, what can you do to distinguish yourself from the long list of applicants competing to finance your study abroad dream?
- A complete application – When applying for merit based scholarships or any scholarships for that matter, you should ensure that your application is complete with all the documents in place. This will leave a good impression on the selection committee.
- Great test scores from every academic year – Your file should be filled with excellent academic scores throughout your years of education. This does not mean that you have to finish at the top of the class every year, but having good grades will suffice to display a great academic performance.
- Include any extra test scores – Some students may appear for a standardised test like GMAT, GRE, SAT, etc. These scores should also be a part of your scholarship application as it shows that the student is willing to go the extra mile for their personal and professional growth.
- Highlight your leadership roles – Students who showcase their leadership potential whether inside or outside the classroom always leave a positive impression on the selection committee. This will include describing your leadership roles that accentuate your leadership skills and shows that you have a clear vision without sacrificing your academic goals.
- Extracurricular achievements – These are not necessarily a part of your merit based scholarship application; however, they can be the cherry on the top when the selection committee is comparing your application with other top academic performers.
Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
List of Merit Based Scholarships to Study Abroad
Below is a list of some merit based scholarships offered to Indian students for studying abrod that can help them meet their financial needs easily.
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Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
This scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, is part of the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student Program. It is exclusively for talented international students from participating countries who wish to pursue graduate studies, research, or non-degree professional development programs in the United States.
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship (Global)
This scholarship, funded by the Aga Khan Foundation, is part of the global Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship program. It supports outstanding students from developing countries who wish to pursue postgraduate studies. The program prioritises applicants with academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to serving their communities.
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TATA Scholarship for Cornell University (USA)
This scholarship, funded by the Tata Education and Development Trust, is part of the Tata Scholarship for Cornell University program. It is a merit-based award for outstanding international undergraduate students who wish to study at Cornell University. The program recognises exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential, offering full financial support.
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
You can apply for the Chevening Scholarships, a popular merit based scholarship offered by the UK government. This opportunity is for high-achieving international students who wish to study postgraduate studies in the UK. You must have at least two years of work experience and demonstrate leadership qualities to qualify.
Felix Scholarships (UK)
Felix scholarships are merit based scholarships that specifically target humanities, social sciences, law, and theology. This program provides funding for postgraduate studies at Oxford for candidates with an outstanding academic achievement. It’s a unique opportunity to further your education at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Also Read: Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students 2024
Conclusion
Financing your study abroad plans abroad becomes easier and more stress-free when you have a scholarship in hand. With merit based scholarships, students who are good in academics stand a chance to have either a part of the entire costs of tuition (and more in some scholarships) waived off through funds they receive from the scholarship awarding organisations.
However, it is essential to thoroughly research all the options available and apply to your suitable merit scholarship list within the deadline. Contact the counsellors at LeapScholar today to receive the best guidance for your study abroad plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is merit based admission?
A. Merit-based admission is when schools pick students based on how well they’ve done in school, their talents, and their achievements. They look at things like grades, test scores, and activities outside of class. This way, they reward hard work and potential, making sure they admit students who have shown they can succeed.
Q. Which top school offers a merit based scholarship?
A. Many top schools in Canada offer merit based scholarships to their undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. Examples of such Canadian universities include the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Carleton University, University of Winnipeg, Humber College, University of Waterloo, etc.
Q. Is a merit-based scholarship a full-ride scholarship?
A. Not necessarily. A full-ride scholarship is one that covers the entire range of living and studying abroad expenses, including full tuition fees for each semester, cost of books, residential costs, etc. However, merit-based scholarships could vary in terms of what they cover. It could cover your partial tuition costs or even the entire tuition costs. In some cases, they can also cover miscellaneous costs of living abroad, but not always. So, a merit-based scholarship is not always a full-ride scholarship.
Q. How do you decide which scholarship program to apply?
A. First, you should see whether a financial need-based scholarship will be a good fit for you or a merit based scholarship. Then you should research that kind of scholarship in the institutes you are applying to in line with the course of your choice and your level of education (graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, etc.) and see if you meet their eligibility criteria.
Q. Which colleges offer the best merit scholarships?
A. In the US, Emory University offers the Woodruff Scholarship, which covers all costs for tuition, fees, room, and board for four years. Duke University has the Robertson Scholars Program, paying for full tuition and living expenses. The University of Southern California provides the Trustee Scholarship, covering full tuition for four years.
In the UK, the University of Edinburgh offers the Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Scholarships, which give partial tuition awards to international students.
In Canada, McGill University offers the Lorne Trottier Excellence Awards with significant tuition support. The University of Toronto has the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships, which cover full tuition, living expenses, and fees. The University of British Columbia provides the International Leader of Tomorrow Award, covering full tuition and living expenses.
Q. What is the marks for merit scholarship?
A. Getting a merit based scholarship is different depending on where you apply. In the US, they like to see GPAs above 3.5. In the UK, they’re all about those top grades, like A*AA at A-Level. And in Canada, you usually need a GPA of around 80-85% or higher. So, just focus on doing your best in school to grab one of these awesome opportunities!
Q. What are the top merit scholarships for college students?
A. These are some of the top merit based scholarship that you can definitely choose for your abroad studies:
US – Morehouse College Scholarship (full tuition for freshmen), Morrill Scholarships (federal funding for land-grant universities), and National Merit Scholarships (based on PSAT).
UK – Gates Cambridge Scholarships (full-cost postgraduate), Rhodes Scholarships (postgraduate for outstanding students), and Chevening Scholarships (UK government’s global postgraduate program).
Canada – Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (doctoral), Borden Scholarships (humanities and social sciences), and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships (doctoral in social sciences/humanities).
Q. Who can get a full scholarship?
A. Getting a full scholarship to study abroad, often called a full-ride scholarship, is tough but possible. Here is how you can get it:
-Great Grades: Students with high grades and test scores have an edge.
Impressive Achievements: Those who win awards, do research, or lead in activities outside of class stand out.
-Financial Help: Some scholarships focus on students who need financial support to study abroad.
-Special Groups: Certain scholarships aim to help people from specific countries or underrepresented groups.
Remember, everyone’s path is different. Finding scholarships that match your background and achievements boosts your chances of getting a full ride.
Q. Which country provides 100% scholarships for Indian students?
A. Many countries provide full scholarships to Indian students, like the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia. These scholarships cover tuition fees and sometimes living expenses for different academic programs. For example, you’ve got the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships in the US and Australia Awards Scholarships down under. So, if you’re an Indian student looking for scholarship opportunities, it’s worth exploring what these countries have to offer!
Q. Which country is easiest to get a full scholarship?
A. Many countries actively provide scholarship opportunities for international students. Germany offers DAAD scholarships, and Norway ensures tuition-free education. Sweden and Finland also actively grant scholarships. Australia, through programs like the Australia Awards Scholarships, actively supports international students. However, securing a full scholarship depends on your qualifications, chosen field of study, and individual situation.
Q. Can I go abroad after 12th with scholarship?
A. Absolutely, it’s totally possible to study abroad after finishing 12th grade with a scholarship! Here’s what you need to do:
-First of all, there are lots of scholarships available, given by universities and organizations. Look for ones that match your skills and interests. Start looking early and apply before the deadlines hit.
-Remember, scholarships can be competitive, so keep your grades up and get involved in activities outside of class. With some effort and planning, you can make studying abroad with a scholarship a reality!
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