SOURCE: tiffanyferg

Being Indians, we are all familiar with the notion ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees,’ but in today’s scenario, everything is expensive, especially foreign education. Alongside that, we are also taught to never stop pursuing our dreams. So, the best solution we can find is to chase our aspirations on a budget!

How to study abroad for cheap

Here are some ways by which you can study abroad for cheap or even for free in some cases:

7 Ways to Study Abroad for Cheap

1. Study abroad on Scholarships

All the colleges and scholarship funders have a scholarship program that provides fee waivers for extraordinary students. There are several grants provided by different organizations to promote education and diverse cultural students in their universities, especially in developing countries. There are 

Location-specific grants: Specific to students pursuing an education in a particular country or city

Program-specific grants: For students who have applied through a specific program of the universities

Subject-specific grants: This is reserved for specific subjects or courses offered by the university

Student specific grants: This depends entirely on the students belonging to a minority community, be it, race, culture, sex, origin, disability, sexuality, or diasporas. This conforms to create a more diverse crowd in a university.

2. Indian government scholarships for studying abroad

Several government schemes provide scholarships to students planning to study abroad

Padho Pardesh– Scheme of interest subsidy for students belonging to the minority community by the Ministry of Minority Affairs

SERB Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship– Scheme of interest for students applying for postdoctoral research in the field of science and engineering

SERB Newton – Bhabha International Fellowships- Scheme of interest for students applying for postdoctoral research in the field of science, mathematics, and engineering.

External scholarships by Ministry of Human Resource Development, department of higher studies

Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship under the ministry of human resources fully funded by the Government of India 

3. Learn to live like a Student

While studying, you cannot make enough to live a lavish life. Especially in a foreign country, all the expenses are double fold. You cannot live like a tourist. You can find monthly food caterers instead of eating at restaurants, prefer public transportation, and choose the cheaper options whenever possible.

4. Make some side income

You must have seen in movies or series that students work part-time to manage some pocket money. You can also do some menial jobs that don’t require any specific education and pay enough to maintain your living. You can work as a part-time worker

• In any chain stores 
• In a movie theatre 
• As a freelance worker
• By taking tuitions in your field of knowledge 
• As an event manager on weekends
• As a babysitter or dog walker

Many other odd jobs can be found right in your neighbourhood according to your convenience to make your living outside India easier

5. Use your student perks

That identity card you get from college isn’t just to show off to your relatives but can also come handy in getting several discounts for yourself. There are public libraries, museums, educational sites where students get discounts where you can easily avail them. Many airline companies in India provide student discounts and baggage concessions for students in India and abroad. Do some research around your location, and there you are, saving money like a pro.

6. Budgeting

The best way to manage the money in your hand is to create a budget and abide by it. It might include you not getting to eat the delicacies and work with the mess food or even say no to a weekend party now and then. To carefully utilize your allowances at the beginning of the month, so you don’t have to rely on the mercy of instant noodles at the end of it. Maintain a diary for your daily expenses and reflect upon it every week to check where you can save and what part needs more attention. 

7. Prepare before your course begins

Do all the research before choosing your University. Check for any extra costs or expenses that you might need to pay. Be sure that your choice is the most affordable for you. Buy your international Sim Card. Some colleges also provide fee waiving options. In several cases, campus accommodation is more expensive than renting a place. But, the outstanding expenses can neutralize or even increase your cost of living outside the campus. Be sure to check that.

These are some ways, including many others that you can explore in the countries you go to so you can study for cheap.

Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

Some Countries focus on providing quality education at a more affordable price. These are some of the Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

Cheapest Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students

1.       Germany
2.       Norway
3.       France
4.       Netherlands
5.       Canada
6.       Sweden
7.       New Zealand
8.       Singapore

Cheapest Universities in the World for International Students

If you cannot find a source to pay your university, find a university that asks for less. These are some of the Universities, country wise, that have very nominal fees. Some of these Universities have no tuition fees.

Germany

• Technical University of Munich
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• University of Tubingen
• University of Bonn
• Ludwig Maximilians University
• TU Dresden
• Free University of Berlin
• Albert Ludwig University
• University of Hamburg
• Heidelberg University
• Goethe University
• Darmstadt University of Technology
• University of Stuttgart
• Technical University of Berlin

Norway

• Oslo University
• The Arctic University of Norway (University of Tromso)
• Nord University
• University of Bergen
• NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• University of Agder

France

• The University of Paris
•  Aix-Marseille University
• Sorbonne University
• Centrale Nantes
•  Ecole Polytechnique

Canada

• University of Alberta
• University of Northern British Columbia
• McMaster University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Ottawa
• Dalhousie University
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Parkland College
• University of Winnipeg
• University of New Brunswick
• Simon Fraser University
• Vanier College
• Saskatchewan Polytechnic
• Algonquin College
• Herzing College
• University of St. Paul
• Dominican University College
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
•  Acadia University
• Cape Breton University
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Campion College

Sweden

• Uppsala University
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology,
• Chalmers Institute of Technology
• Stockholm University
• Gothenburg University

New Zealand

•   University of Auckland
•   University of Otago
• Auckland University of Technology
•    University of Canterbury
•    University of Waikato

United States of America

• De Anza College
• Santa Monica College
• Miami Dade College
• Brigham Young University
• Northwest Missouri State University
• University of Central Arkansas
  
  

Singapore

•      National University of Singapore
•      Nanyang Technological University
•      Singapore University of Technology and Design
•      Singapore Management University
•     James Cook University

Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students

• Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy
• Sant’Anna, Italy
• University of Vienna
• Nantes University, France
• Free University of Berlin, Berlin
• University of Paris-Sud, Paris
• University of Athens, Greece
• University of Crete, Greece
• University of Basel, Switerland
• University of Bristol

Cheap Study Abroad Programs

Several countries focus on quality education, providing world-class knowledge in different departments for cheap.

Germany

• Aerospace and Geodesy
• Architecture
• Chemistry
• Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Informatics
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Agriculture
• Biology
• Biophysics
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Social Sciences
• Sports

Norway

• Social Sciences
• Economics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Anthropology
• Sociology and Human Geography
• Technology
• Innovation and Culture
• Aerospace Control Engineering
• Applied Computer Science 
• Adventure Tourism
• Biology
• Biomedicine
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering

France

• Arts and Humanities
• Medicine and Paramedical Studies
• Science and Engineering
• Law and Political Science
• Economics and Management
• Science and Technology
• Health
• Languages and Human Sciences

Canada

• Health and Medicine
• Applied and Pure Science
• Engineering
• Business and Mangement
• Agriculture
• Veterinary Medicine
• Computer Science and IT
• Anthropology
• Astrobiology

Sweden

• Bioinformatics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computational Science
• Architecture
• Engineering

These are some of the ways in which you can Study abroad for cheap.

FAQs

1.How do I know where I can use my identity card?

Ans. You can talk to your local friends or ask around about it.

2.  How do I apply for the scholarships?

Ans. Try contacting officials responsible for this, check the website of Ministry of Human Resources.

3. Will I be able to take time out for earning extra income?

Ans. The jobs mentioned are mostly menial and don’t require any specialized knowledge or time out of your daily schedule.

4. What if I am unable to manage to adhere to the budget?

Ans. Do not create impossible targets, and if you are not able to do it the first week, you have the next ones in your hand.

5. How to earn money online?

Ans. You can work as a freelance worker or apply for work at home jobs, fill surveys to earn some income.

6. How can I ask for a student discount in airlines?

Ans. When purchasing your ticket, make sure that the airline provides with student discounts and mention it. Take your Identity card with you at the airport to confirm with the authorities.

7. What are the alternatives to getting a scholarship?

Ans. If you are unable to get a scholarship, you can always apply for student loans in India. The interest rate is meagre, and you can pay it after you start to earn.

8. How to make my budget?

Ans. For this, you should lay down your necessities and the least amount with which you can manage. Once done, keep some extra amount for emergency cases and some for occasional leisure.

9. What is the best form of income generation for a student?

Ans. There are many if you explore your surroundings, but working as a weekend event manager gives a lot of side income with fewer efforts and your studies are not hampered by it.

10. Is there any simpler alternative for saving money? 

Ans. One of the most significant expenses in living abroad is the expenditure of the place you live in. To reduce this, you can share an apartment with roommates. Search for hostels run by organizations or government; they are usually cheaper. The second way is to find a college in a country near yours, that can reduce your travel expenses significantly.