Imagine graduating debt-free with a world-class education. Sounds like a dream, right? With fully funded scholarships, it’s possible — and more achievable than you might think.
In this guide, updated for this year, we’ve handpicked the top 50 fully funded scholarships for bachelor’s degree students globally. Whether you’re from the U.S. or an international applicant, this resource will help you find your golden opportunity.
Bookmark this page and share it with friends — opportunities like these don’t stay open forever!
What is a fully funded scholarship?
A fully funded scholarship pays for your complete education journey — tuition fees, books, housing, airfare, and sometimes even stipends for daily living.
Why are they important?
Unlike partial scholarships, they remove the financial burden entirely, allowing you to focus 100% on your studies and career building.
Fun Fact: Some scholarships even cover internships, health insurance, and leadership training programs!
These scholarships are usually awarded based on
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Academic merit
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Financial need
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Leadership potential
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Special eligibility (e.g., women, minorities, international students)
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships
Applying for a fully funded scholarship can seem daunting, but breaking it into steps simplifies the journey:
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Research Early: Opportunities open 6–12 months in advance.
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Prepare Documents: Updated transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters.
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Tailor Your Application: Customize essays for each program.
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Meet Deadlines: Submit before the closing date — late applications are often not considered.
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Ace Interviews: Some programs require a final interview — prepare thoroughly.
Many fully funded scholarships prioritize leadership potential, academic excellence, and community involvement.
Top 50 Fully Funded Scholarships for Bachelor’s Degree Students
United States
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Harvard University Financial Aid
Need-based scholarships covering full tuition and expenses for eligible undergraduates.
harvard.edu -
The Gates Scholarship
Highly competitive scholarship for minority high school seniors, covering the full cost of attendance.
thegatesscholarship.org -
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Offers full funding for international students pursuing undergraduate studies in the U.S.
fulbrightprogram.org -
Stanford University Financial Aid
Need-based aid packages often cover 100% of demonstrated need, including tuition and living costs.
financialaid.stanford.edu -
Duke University Karsh International Scholarship
Covers full tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for exceptional international students.
duke.edu -
Amherst College Scholarships
Fully meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans for all admitted students.
amherst.edu -
Yale University Scholarships
Generous need-based financial aid packages for undergraduates, often fully covering tuition.
yalecollege.yale.edu -
University of Miami Stamps Scholarship
Prestigious merit award offering full tuition, room, board, books, and a computer allowance.
miami.edu -
Clark University Global Scholars Program
Provides significant financial support, including tuition waivers for international students.
clarku.edu -
University of Southern California (USC) Trustee Scholarship
A full-tuition scholarship is awarded to a select number of outstanding incoming freshmen.
usc.edu
United Kingdom & Europe
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Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Covers full tuition, living allowance, and flights for future leaders worldwide.
chevening.org -
Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University
The world’s oldest international scholarship program covering all costs at Oxford.
rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk -
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Fully funds international students for study at Cambridge University.
gatescambridge.org -
Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree Scholarships
Funding for students enrolling in elite joint European master’s programs (sometimes bachelor’s too).
erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu -
University of Westminster Full Scholarships
Awarded to high-performing international undergraduate students with financial need.
westminster.ac.uk -
University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students (Italy)
Tuition-free programs and grants for top international students.
unibo.it -
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
Offers tuition support for international students at Scottish universities.
scotland.org -
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
Full financial support for outstanding international students at ETH Zurich.
ethz.ch -
University of Geneva Excellence Masters Fellowships
Open to top international students in science fields.
unige.ch -
University of Lausanne (UNIL) Masters Grants
Scholarships to pursue studies at one of Switzerland’s best universities.
unil.ch
Asia
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MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The government of Japan covers all university costs, flights, and stipends.
mext.go.jp -
Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
Fully covers tuition, airfare, and a monthly allowance for undergraduates.
studyinkorea.go.kr -
Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC)
Funding for undergraduates at Chinese universities.
csc.edu.cn -
TaiwanICDF Scholarship
Full scholarships for undergraduate degrees in Taiwan across multiple fields.
taiwanicdf.org -
Türkiye Burslari Scholarships
Full tuition, flights, and stipends for students studying in Turkey.
turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
Australia & New Zealand
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University of Sydney International Scholarships
Covers tuition fees and living allowance.
sydney.edu.au -
University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship
Partial to full tuition scholarships for talented international students.
unimelb.edu.au -
Australian Awards Scholarships
Funded by the Australian government for developing countries.
dfat.gov.au -
University of Adelaide Global Academic Excellence Scholarships
Covers 50-100% of tuition fees.
adelaide.edu.au -
University of Otago Scholarships (NZ)
Funding opportunities for undergraduate studies in New Zealand.
otago.ac.nz
Global and Other Opportunities
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Mastercard Foundation Scholarships
Financial support for talented students from Africa.
mastercardfoundation.org -
Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
Fully funded one-year leadership program at Tsinghua University.
schwarzmanscholars.org -
United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarships
Full funding to attend international high schools (UWC) and university links.
uwc.org -
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (Canada)
Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
future.utoronto.ca -
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
Generous funding for international and U.S. students across fields.
knight-hennessy.stanford.edu -
Clarendon Fund Scholarships (Oxford, UK)
Covers full fees and generous grants for living expenses.
ox.ac.uk -
UNESCO Fellowships Programme
Scholarships in partnership with universities worldwide.
unesco.org -
Rotary Foundation Global Grants
Funding for scholarships in humanitarian fields of study.
rotary.org -
Japanese Government (ADB-JSP) Scholarships
Funding for students from the Asia-Pacific region at partner universities.
adb.org -
KAIST Undergraduate Scholarships (South Korea)
Full tuition, stipend, and allowances for talented students.
kaist.ac.kr -
University of People (Tuition-Free Programs)
Accredited tuition-free online university offering scholarships to cover exam fees.
uopeople.edu -
Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
One semester scholarship program for undergraduates in the U.S.
worldlearning.org -
Google Lime Scholarship
For students with disabilities pursuing computer science degrees.
google.com/studentswithdisabilities -
Facebook Fellowship Program
Research-based fellowships, sometimes starting at the undergrad level.
research.facebook.com -
UNICEF Internship Program
Paid internship opportunities often overlap with scholarships.
unicef.org -
Microsoft Disability Scholarship
Scholarship fund for high school seniors with disabilities.
microsoft.com -
PEO International Peace Scholarships
Scholarships for women studying internationally.
peointernational.org -
Wellcome International Scholarships
Scholarships for low- and middle-income countries’ students.
wellcome.org -
British Council GREAT Scholarships
Funding is offered across UK universities for students from specific countries.
study-uk.britishcouncil.org -
Kofi Annan Fellowship (Germany)
Scholarship program at ESMT Berlin for emerging leaders.
esmt.berlin
How to Boost Your Chances of Winning a USA Scholarship
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Maintain Academic Excellence
➔ Strong GPA and test scores (SAT/ACT) are essential. -
Demonstrate Leadership and Community Service
➔ Involvement in clubs, sports, and volunteering matters. -
Craft a Winning Personal Essay
➔ Tell an inspiring story about your goals, struggles, and vision.
Mini Example:
Maria, a student from Mexico, won a full ride to Stanford by highlighting her leadership work in rural education programs and connecting it passionately to her future plans.
(Personal stories show real impact!)
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Secure Strong Recommendations
➔ Ask teachers or mentors who know you deeply. -
Apply Early and Widely
➔ Applying to at least 10–15 scholarships dramatically increases your chances.
Pro Tips for Winning Scholarships
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Start early—give yourself time to craft excellent applications.
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Personalize essays—no copy-pasting! Make every application reflect YOU.
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Secure strong recommendations — Choose people who know you well.
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Apply widely—increase your chances by applying to multiple programs.
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Stay organized—use spreadsheets to track deadlines and requirements.
FAQ
Q: Can I get a full scholarship for a bachelor’s degree?
Yes! Many universities, governments, and organizations offer fully funded scholarships specifically for undergraduate students.
Q: What GPA is usually required?
Typically 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, but some programs consider broader criteria.
Q: Are there fully funded scholarships for international students?
Absolutely! Programs like Fulbright, Erasmus Mundus, and many universities welcome international applicants.
Conclusion
Fully funded scholarships open the door to life-changing opportunities without the burden of debt.
By starting early, staying organized, and applying strategically, your dream of a free world-class education could be closer than you think.
Ready to make your dream a reality? Start exploring and applying today!
A MOST CHECK: Best Universities Offering Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
