Top Scholarships and Travel Opportunities for International Students in 2025

Planning to study abroad in 2025? You’re not alone—and if you’re an international student, you’ll be glad to know there are scholarships and travel programs that can make your dreams a whole lot more affordable. From tuition funding to fully sponsored travel and living stipends, here’s a list of top scholarships and travel opportunities worth applying for.

🎓 1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships (Europe)

If Europe is on your radar, Erasmus Mundus offers one of the most generous scholarship programs for international students.

Covers: Full tuition, travel allowance, installation allowance, and monthly stipend.
Eligible Regions: Students from all over the world.
Programs: Multi-country master’s degrees at top European universities.
Deadline: Typically December to March, depending on the program.

🔗 Visit Erasmus Mundus

🎓 2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious scholarships for graduate-level study in the United States.

Covers: Full tuition, airfare, living stipend, and health insurance.
Open To: Students from over 160 countries.
Field: Any subject except clinical medicine.
Extras: Great networking opportunities and support system in the U.S.

🔗 Visit Fulbright Program

🎓 3. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Thinking about studying in the United Kingdom? Chevening is a top-tier, fully-funded scholarship for master’s programs.

Covers: Full tuition, travel costs, monthly stipend, and visa application fees.
Eligibility: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries with leadership potential.
Application Period: Usually opens in August and closes in early November.

🔗 Visit Chevening Scholarships

🎓 4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports thousands of students each year with generous funding for both full degrees and research stays.

Covers: Tuition, travel allowance, monthly stipend, health insurance, and sometimes family support.
Field: Mostly for master’s and PhD programs in development-related fields.
Eligibility: Varies by country and program.

🔗 Visit DAAD Scholarships

✈️ 5. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Offered by the Japanese government, the MEXT scholarship supports undergraduates, graduates, and research students.

Covers: Tuition, airfare, monthly allowance, and preparatory Japanese language courses.
Eligibility: Open to students from countries with diplomatic ties to Japan.
Deadline: Varies by embassy and country.

🔗 Visit MEXT Scholarship

✈️ 6. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (UK)

These scholarships are for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK.

Covers: Full tuition, travel, monthly stipend, thesis grant, and more.
Fields: Mostly focused on development-related programs.
Note: You apply through both the university and Commonwealth portal.

🔗 Visit Commonwealth Scholarships

✈️ 7. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

For students from developing countries who have professional experience and are committed to the development of their home country.

Covers: Full tuition, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a monthly living stipend.
Programs: At participating universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
Requirement: At least 3 years of work experience.

🔗 Visit JJ/WBGSP

💡 Bonus: Travel Grants and Summer Programs

Aside from long-term scholarships, here are a few travel-focused opportunities to watch:

Asia-Pacific Youth Exchange (APYE): Funded leadership and cultural exchange programs.
AFS Global Citizen Scholarships: Cultural exchange programs for high school students.
Global UGRAD (USA): One-semester U.S. exchange program for undergrads, fully funded.

📌 Tips for Applying

Start Early: Some of these applications open 9–12 months before the program starts.
Write a Strong Personal Statement: Focus on your goals, leadership, and how you’ll give back.
Get Strong References: Academic or professional references can really boost your chances.
Stay Organized: Use spreadsheets or calendars to track deadlines and requirements.

Studying abroad doesn’t have to be out of reach. With the right scholarship, international education can be affordable—even free. These scholarships are highly competitive, but if you put in the work, the opportunities are life-changing.