Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Hidden Scholarships and Discounts That Make Studying Abroad Affordable
Studying in another country can be very expensive.
But there are many ways to get help paying for it.
Some famous scholarships are very hard to win because lots of students apply for them.
Luckily, there are other options that are easier to get.
Many universities give money to good students automatically, without any extra application.
Some government programs help students from certain communities pay for school.
Some private groups give out loans that you don't have to pay interest on.
You can even get a discount if you pay your school fees early.
So, applying early and looking for smaller scholarships are smart ways to make studying abroad more affordable.
University merit scholarships are awarded automatically during admission review, worth £1,000–£6,000 in the UK and $1,000–$20,000+ per year in the US.
The National Overseas Scholarship offers 125 awards per year covering tuition, maintenance, visa costs, medical insurance, and airfare for eligible Master's and PhD students.
National Overseas Scholarship applicants need an unconditional offer from a QS Top 500 university, must be 35 or younger, and need at least 60% in their qualifying degree.
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation offers interest-free loan scholarships up to Rs 20 lakh, while the K.C. Mahindra Scholarship offers up to Rs 10 lakh for top Fellows.
Early-application and full-payment discounts, common in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe, can cut tuition bills by 5–10%.
- Who
- Students and families planning postgraduate study abroad, advised by education strategist Papiya Majumdar.
- What
- Guidance on lesser-known university, government, and foundation scholarships as well as discounts that make studying abroad more affordable.
- When
- Not specified in the article.
- Where
- India (home to many eligible applicants and funding foundations) and study destinations including the UK, the US, Australia, and Europe.
- Why
- Because big-name scholarships are highly competitive, so smaller and more achievable funding options can help more students cut study-abroad costs.
- UK university merit scholarships
- £1,000–£6,000
- US university merit scholarships
- $1,000–$20,000+ per year
- National Overseas Scholarship awards
- 125 per year
- National Overseas Scholarship coverage
- Tuition, maintenance allowance, visa costs, medical insurance, airfare
- National Overseas Scholarship eligibility
- Unconditional offer from a QS Top 500 university, age 35 or under, at least 60% in qualifying degree
- Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
- Interest-free loan scholarships up to Rs 20 lakh for postgraduate study
- K.C. Mahindra Scholarship
- Up to Rs 10 lakh for top three Fellows, up to Rs 5 lakh for other selected students
- Early-application and full-payment discounts
- 5–10% off tuition in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe