- The Monash International Merit Scholarship rose to AUD 15,000 per year for 2026
- The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship now pays CAD 20,000 a year for master's students and CAD 25,000 for PhD students
- The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is worth up to CAD 210,000 over three years
- Canada hosted nearly one million international students at the end of 2024.
Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, but international tuition is expensive. After Class 12, Indian students can rely on merit, need-based and government scholarships to fund an overseas degree. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia remain popular destinations, and many offer full or partial funding to strong applicants.
How Can You Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad After 12th?
Getting a scholarship after 12th starts with shortlisting country and course, then matching each university's merit, need-based and government awards. Maintain strong Class 12 marks, prepare IELTS or TOEFL, write a compelling essay, and apply before deadlines. Options range from partial tuition waivers to fully funded scholarships covering tuition, living costs and airfare.
Scholarships after Class 12 fall into three broad buckets: university merit awards granted automatically on your marks, need-based aid you apply for separately, and government or foundation scholarships that are fully funded but highly competitive. Understanding which bucket you fit into helps you target the right applications early.
| Scholarship (2026) | Country | Level | Approx. Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Scholarship, Cornell | USA | Undergraduate | Full need-based aid (USD 25M endowment) |
| Monash International Merit | Australia | Undergraduate | AUD 15,000 per year |
| Manitoba Graduate Fellowship | Canada | Master's / PhD | CAD 20,000-25,000 per year |
| Trudeau Foundation Doctoral | Canada | PhD | Up to CAD 210,000 over 3 years |
| Westminster International | UK | Undergraduate | Full or partial tuition |
Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get After 12th?
Indian students finishing 12th can target awards like the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship for study at leading European, American and British universities, and the University of Westminster's international scholarships in London. These typically reward academic excellence, development potential and financial need, covering full or partial tuition and, in some cases, living expenses and travel.
The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship is one of the best-known undergraduate awards for Indian students, funding full-time study at prestigious European, American and British colleges. It usually covers tuition, a one-way travel allowance, living expenses and health benefits, and can be used across a range of disciplines.
The University of Westminster in London runs a generous international scholarship scheme, including a Full International Scholarship that can cover tuition, accommodation, living costs and flights for students from developing countries. Awards are judged on academic excellence, development potential and financial need, and you must first hold an offer for a full-time course.
Fully funded scholarships for Indian studentsRead →What Scholarships Are Available in the USA After 12th?
The United States offers Indian students several scholarships after 12th. The Tata Scholarship at Cornell runs on a 25 million dollar endowment supporting about 20 scholars, the American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship funds bachelor's study, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business awards merit-based aid. Most reward academics, leadership and financial need.
The Tata Scholarship at Cornell University is backed by a USD 25 million endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust and supports roughly 20 Indian scholars at any time. Recipients must have attended secondary school in India, be admitted as undergraduates, and qualify for need-based aid; funding continues for the full duration of their degree.
The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship supports undergraduate students committed to serving underserved communities back home, while the University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers merit-based scholarships judged on career goals, interviews and academic ability. The Akhtar H. Tobaccowala Fellowship, named for a 1952 Booth graduate and former Tata Group director, aids full-time MBA students at Booth.
- Tata Scholarship for Cornell University - full need-based aid for around 20 Indian undergraduates
- American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship - undergraduate award for civic-minded students
- Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund - for Asian women with leadership and entrepreneurial promise
- University of Chicago Booth School of Business - merit-based scholarships across fields
Which Scholarships Can You Get in Canada After 12th?
Canada hosted nearly one million international students in 2024, and several awards ease the cost. Humber College offers international entrance scholarships, while the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship pays 20,000 dollars yearly for master's and 25,000 for PhD study. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship provides up to 210,000 dollars over three years.
Humber Polytechnic offers international entrance scholarships to incoming undergraduates, ranging from smaller tuition credits to a limited number of full-tuition and CAD 5,000 awards. The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship is merit-based and worth CAD 20,000 a year for master's students (up to CAD 40,000) and CAD 25,000 a year for PhD students (up to CAD 100,000).
For research careers, the federally funded Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships attract top postdoctoral talent to Canada, while the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship supports doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences, offering up to CAD 50,000 a year for living costs plus up to CAD 20,000 a year for research and travel across three years.
What Scholarships Are Offered in Australia After 12th?
Australia's scholarships for Indian students after 12th mainly cover tuition, with some adding living or travel support. The Australian Government Research Training Program funds research degrees, the University of Sydney's Abdul Kalam scholarship covers half of tuition, and the University of Technology Sydney offers full-tuition undergraduate and postgraduate awards based on academic merit and achievement.
The Monash International Merit Scholarship is awarded automatically to high-achieving international students and increased to AUD 15,000 per year for 2026. The Australian Government Research Training Program supports Research Doctorate and Research Master's students with tuition and health cover, and can include a thesis and dependent-child allowance for eligible candidates.
- Monash International Merit Scholarship - AUD 15,000 per year, awarded automatically on merit
- Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) - tuition and health cover for research degrees
- Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship (University of Sydney) - covers half of tuition
- University of Technology Sydney International Full Tuition Scholarships - undergraduate and postgraduate
How Do You Apply for a Full Scholarship to Study Abroad?
To win a full scholarship, start early and research country-specific and university-specific awards. Contact the admissions or financial-aid office of every university you apply to, check subject-specific funding, and confirm eligibility for need-based aid. Keep strong Class 12 results, a high IELTS or TOEFL score, a clear essay, and submit every document before the deadline.
Full scholarships are competitive, so apply to several and tailor each application. Line up your Class 12 transcripts, English test scores, letters of recommendation and a strong statement of purpose well before deadlines, and always verify amounts and closing dates on the university's own scholarship page, since figures change every intake.