Scholarships for Undergraduate Students 2025–2026: India & Abroad

Scholarships for Undergraduate Students: Your 2026 Complete Guide

Pursuing higher education — especially at the undergraduate level — is a defining milestone. But rising costs, both in India and abroad, can make that dream feel out of reach. The good news: 2026 brings more scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students than ever before, with both national and international programmes offering financial support that covers tuition, accommodation, stipends, and airfare.
Whether you are targeting a top Indian institution or an Ivy League university abroad, this guide — updated March 2026 — walks you through the best scholarships for UG students, eligibility requirements, application steps, and how CAE helps you win.

National Scholarships for Undergraduate Students in India 2025–2026

India's scholarship ecosystem has grown significantly. Here are the most impactful programmes for UG students in 2026:
 

Scholarship	Coverage (Annual)	Eligibility
Reliance Foundation UG Scholarship	Up to ₹2 lakh (full duration)	60%+ in Class 12; family income <₹15 lakh
L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science	Up to ₹1,00,000/year	Female; 85%+ in Class 12 science; income <₹6 lakh
Ishan Uday (NER)	₹5,400–₹7,800/month	NER domicile; income <₹4.5 lakh; 10,000 seats
HDFC Parivartan ECSS	₹15,000–₹75,000/year	55%+ in last exam; income <₹2.5 lakh
Central Sector Scheme (Govt of India)	₹20,000/year	Top 20 percentile Class 12; income <₹8 lakh
IET India Scholarship Award 2026	Financial award + recognition	UG engineering; 60%+ CGPA; AICTE/UGC-approved
LEAP Emerge Fellowship 2026–27	Stipend + mentorship	Final-year UG students with leadership experience
IIT Bombay WINGS (Women in STEM)	Tuition support	Female UG STEM students; merit-based
JN Tata Endowment (Loan)	Up to ₹10 lakh	60%+ in UG; Indian citizen; under 45 yrs
Kotak Mahindra Scholarship	Up to ₹1,50,000/year	Meritorious students; merit-cum-need basis

 

Key National Scholarships — Details

1. Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

• Coverage: Up to ₹2 lakh over the full degree duration
• Eligibility: 60%+ in Class 12; family income below ₹15 lakh (priority to below ₹2.5 lakh)
• Streams: All disciplines — engineering, science, commerce, arts
• Selection: Online aptitude test, merit-cum-need basis

 

2. L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science

• Coverage: Up to ₹1,00,000 per year
• Eligibility: Female students; 85%+ in Class 12 science; family income below ₹6 lakh
• Purpose: Supports women entering engineering, medicine, life sciences, and cosmetology
• Deadline: Applications typically close January each year

 

3. IET India Scholarship Award 2026 (New)

• Coverage: Financial award and national recognition
• Eligibility: UG engineering students (Year 1–4); 60%+ CGPA; AICTE/UGC-approved institution; all courses cleared in single attempt
• Process: Online application covering academics, co-curricular achievements, and outreach

 

4. LEAP Emerge Fellowship 2026–27 (New)

• Coverage: Financial stipend and structured mentorship
• Eligibility: Final-year UG students with demonstrated leadership through extracurriculars
• Purpose: Designed for students transitioning to internship or entry-level roles

 

5. IIT Bombay WINGS — Women in STEM (New 2026)

• Coverage: Tuition support for female undergraduate STEM students
• Eligibility: Merit-based; supported by IIT Bombay alumni Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi
• Purpose: Encourages women to enter and thrive in STEM disciplines

 

6. Ishan Uday — North Eastern Region

• Coverage: ₹5,400/month (general), ₹7,800/month (professional courses)
• Eligibility: NER domicile; family income below ₹4.5 lakh; 10,000 new seats annually
• Application: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

 

7. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (Government of India)

• Coverage: ₹20,000 per year for UG students
• Eligibility: Top 20 percentile in Class 12 state board; family income below ₹8 lakh
• Application: National Scholarship Portal; deadline typically December 31

 

International Scholarships for Indian Undergraduate Students 2026

For students aiming at global universities, 2026 is a landmark year with new and expanded scholarship programmes:
 

Scholarship	Country	Coverage
Turkiye Burslari	Turkey	Full tuition, accommodation, stipend, airfare, insurance
DAAD Scholarship	Germany	Tuition, travel, accommodation, health insurance
KAIST UG Scholarship	South Korea	Full tuition, allowance, airfare, language training
Cornell Tata Scholarship	USA	Full tuition for admitted Indian undergraduates
Wien International Scholarship (Brandeis)	USA	Full tuition and fees
Oxford/Cambridge (OCSI)	UK	INR 2 lakh; merit-based
Australia Awards	Australia	Tuition, airfare, living allowance, health cover
University of Toronto Fund 🆕 2026	Canada	Full tuition + living expenses (applications mid-2026)
GREAT Scholarships (60+ UK universities)	UK	Min. £10,000 toward tuition for Indian PG students
Imperial India Future Leaders 🆕 2026	UK	£10,000 each; 10 awards; nominated by faculty

 

Key International Scholarships — Details

1. Turkiye Burslari (Turkey Government Scholarship)

• Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend, return airfare, health insurance
• Extras: Turkish language training, rich cultural immersion programme
• Seats: 5,000 international students annually; open to all nationalities including India

 

2. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

• Coverage: Tuition support, travel allowance, accommodation, health insurance
• Language: Many programmes accept English proficiency or MOI certificate — IELTS not always required
• Fields: Especially strong in engineering, STEM, and social sciences

 

3. KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship (South Korea)

• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly allowance, round-trip airfare, Korean language training, medical insurance
• Eligibility: Strong academic record; open to international students including India

 

4. Cornell University Tata Scholarship (USA)

• Coverage: Full tuition for Indian undergraduates admitted to Cornell University
• Eligibility: Indian citizenship, financial need, and admission through Cornell's standard process
• Application: Via Cornell's financial aid office at time of admission

 

5. University of Toronto Scholarship Fund 🆕 (Canada, 2026)

• Coverage: Full tuition and living expenses
• Eligibility: Indian nationals; merit-based; priority fields — AI, biotech, clean energy, STEM
• Status: Announced March 2, 2026; applications expected mid-2026; start date Fall 2027/Winter 2028
• Note: 13 new MoUs signed between Canadian and Indian universities including IIT Tirupati, IISc, Chandigarh University, and SRM

 

6. GREAT Scholarships + Imperial India Future Leaders (UK, 2026)

• Over 60 UK universities offer minimum £10,000 GREAT Scholarships for Indian postgraduate students in 2026
• Imperial College London: 10 awards of £10,000 each for Indian students in Engineering, Sciences, Medicine, or Business — nominations by faculty; no separate application
• Institutions include Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Edinburgh

 

7. Wien International Scholarship — Brandeis University (USA)

• Coverage: Full tuition and fees
• Eligibility: Outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular involvement
• Application: Through Brandeis University's admissions office

 

8. Australia Awards

• Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, return airfare, health insurance
• Eligibility: Indian citizens; leadership potential; priority sectors aligned with Indo-Pacific development
• Apply: 12–18 months in advance of target intake

 

What Do Fully Funded Scholarships for UG Students Cover?

• 100% tuition and academic fees
• Monthly living stipend (varies by country and programme)
• On-campus accommodation or housing allowance
• Round-trip international airfare
• Health and medical insurance
• Books, research, and project materials
• Visa fees and settling-in allowances (select scholarships)

 

Eligibility: What Do Scholarships for UG Students Require?

• Academic merit: Typically 60–85%+ in Class 12 or equivalent (varies by scholarship)
• Income criteria: Many national scholarships are merit-cum-need based (family income thresholds apply)
• Language proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL for international programmes; MOI certificate may waive this
• Leadership and extracurriculars: Especially valued for international and fellowship awards
• Indian citizenship: Required for most government and bilateral scholarships
• Field of study: Some are open to all disciplines; others target STEM, arts, or professional courses

 

How to Apply for Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

• Research Early: Identify scholarships matching your stream, location preference, and financial profile — begin 12–18 months before target intake
• Prepare Documents: Academic transcripts, income certificate, government ID, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, caste certificate (if applicable)
• Apply via Official Portals: Use the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for Indian government awards; official university or embassy portals for international ones
• Highlight Achievements: Strong grades, leadership roles, community service, and awards all strengthen applications
• Apply to Multiple Scholarships: You can apply to several simultaneously — most do not prohibit this at the application stage
• Follow Up: Monitor application status regularly and respond promptly to any requests

 

Pro Tip Several international scholarships — including DAAD (Germany) and select Erasmus Mundus programmes — accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from English-medium institutions in place of IELTS/TOEFL. Always verify language requirements before applying.

 

How CAE Helps You Win Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

The Council for American Education (CAE) is India's most trusted study abroad consultancy — with 34+ years of experience, 25,000+ students guided, and USD 100M+ in scholarships secured. Our experts help UG students at every stage:

• Personalised scholarship matching based on your academic background, stream, and financial profile
• SAT, ACT, IELTS, and TOEFL coaching to meet eligibility benchmarks for international scholarships
• Statement of purpose and essay writing support through expert-reviewed drafts
• Interview preparation for competitive awards like Cornell Tata, Turkiye Burslari, and Australia Awards
• Profile-building guidance — extracurriculars, internships, community service, and leadership
• End-to-end visa support with a 99% visa success rate across 30+ countries

 

Key Takeaways

• 2026 brings record scholarship opportunities for Indian UG students — both nationally and internationally
• New programmes include Canada's University of Toronto fund, Imperial's India Future Leaders Award, IET India Scholarship, LEAP Emerge Fellowship, and IIT Bombay WINGS
• National scholarships via the NSP cover merit, need, gender, and regional criteria — apply online
• International scholarships from the USA, UK, Germany, Turkey, South Korea, and Canada offer full tuition, living costs, and airfare
• Start preparing 12–18 months early, apply to multiple scholarships, and tailor every application
• CAE's expert guidance significantly improves your chances of winning top UG scholarships in India and abroad

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the best scholarships for undergraduate students in India 2025–2026?

Top national options include the Reliance Foundation UG Scholarship, Central Sector Scheme (NSP), Ishan Uday (NER), L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science, IET India Scholarship Award, and LEAP Emerge Fellowship. For international study, the Cornell Tata Scholarship, Turkiye Burslari, KAIST, and the new University of Toronto fund (Canada, mid-2026) are standout choices.

Q2. Can I apply for scholarships without IELTS?

Yes. Several international programmes — especially DAAD (Germany) — accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate if your schooling was in English. Always check each scholarship's specific language policy before applying.

Q3. Can I apply for multiple scholarships at once?

Absolutely. You are encouraged to apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for. Some scholarships may restrict recipients from holding multiple awards simultaneously — review the terms of any award you receive.

Q4. What documents do I typically need for scholarship applications?

Academic transcripts and mark sheets, proof of family income, government-issued ID (Aadhaar or PAN), recommendation letters, statement of purpose or personal essay, and a caste certificate (for reserved category scholarships). International scholarships may also require IELTS/TOEFL scores or an MOI certificate.

Q5. How does CAE specifically help with scholarship applications?

CAE provides personalised counselling to identify the right scholarships for your profile, assists with document preparation and essay writing, offers test coaching (SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL), and supports you through interviews and visa processes. With a track record of USD 100M+ in scholarships secured, CAE is India's most trusted partner for undergraduate study abroad.
 

Start Your Scholarship Journey with CAE Book a FREE consultation today — India's #1 Study Abroad Consultancy. 📞 +91-9810088750  |  +91-98111 27441 |  cae@caend.com 34+ Years  |  40,000+ Students  |  USD 100M+ Scholarships Secured

 

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