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Studying abroad is expensive, but there are a number of scholarships and grants available that you can apply for now or in the coming months. Some are fully funded programs, while others are partial grants that can help significantly reduce the cost of studying and living.

We will tell you about grants and scholarships for international students in 2026 in this article.

Planning to study abroad? Before you start studying at a foreign university, you need to apply for a student visa and prepare a full package of documents. Even a minor mistake or lack of a certificate can lead to a delay or refusal of your visa.

Study guides from Visit World are convenient PDF guides with up-to-date information on the procedure for obtaining a student visa for any country and citizens of any state.

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Türkiye Scholarships – Fully Funded Scholarship

- What it is: Official government scholarship of the Turkish government for international students.

- Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD, Short Programs.

- Funding includes: tuition fees, accommodation, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, university accommodation. This is one of the few government programs where almost everything is covered.

- Who should apply: Students with a strong motivation to study abroad, those with good academic grades, who want to receive full financial support without having to find university funding on their own

- Application deadline: 10 January – 20 February 2026.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships – for master’s studies in the UK

These are fully funded scholarships from the governments of the Commonwealth countries for students from low and middle-income countries.

- What is funded: full tuition, monthly living allowance, airfare. This program is ideal for masters and has a large amount of support, especially for development, economics or social sciences disciplines.

- How to apply: application is usually made in the fall/winter of the year before the start of studies, candidates need to prepare academic documents, motivation letters and recommendations in advance.

Chevening Scholarship – UK Government Scholarship

One of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the world, funded by the UK government.

- Features: support for a one-year master's degree. Targeted at future leaders who plan to implement projects with international impact

- Covers: tuition, accommodation, airfare and monthly expenses

This is an extremely competitive competition – hundreds of thousands of applications every year and less than ~2% of winners. However, if you have a strong profile and leadership experience, this is a chance to really get funding, even if you are a student with a not-so-top GPA.

MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakushō), Japan – government-funded program

A Japanese government scholarship for international students at all levels: undergraduate, graduate, doctoral.

- The program covers: tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, airfare. Winners also receive language training in Japan before starting the main program.

- Advantages: very strong financial and academic support, high level of respect in international academic circles.

MEXT is more accessible than scholarships at individual universities in the US or UK, and has clear age requirements and academic minimums.

Realistic Alternatives: Industry and Private Scholarships in 2026

In addition to large government programs, private, industry and corporate grants are gaining increasing popularity in 2026, which often have less competition but stable funding.

- MPOWER Financing Scholarships (USA and Canada) is a series of regular scholarships for international students studying in the USA or Canada. The amounts usually range from $1,000 to $5,000, and you can apply without an extraordinary GPA. The main emphasis is on motivation, career plans and financial need.

- Google, Microsoft, Amazon Scholarships - in 2026, technology companies continue to support students in the fields of: IT and computer science, data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence. These programs do not always cover the full cost of education, but can significantly reduce the financial burden and strengthen the CV.

- University-specific scholarships – almost every major university has its own international scholarships – merit-based or need-based. In 2026, the most common format: $3,000–10,000 per year for bachelor’s degrees, $5,000–20,000+ for master’s degrees.

Most importantly: in most cases, a separate application is not required – you are automatically considered after applying for studies.

What does a “realistic scenario” of receiving a scholarship in 2026 look like?

In 2026, international students most often receive funding not from one, but from several sources at once, for example:

- State or university scholarship + partial private grant.

- Merit-based tuition discount + small monthly scholarship.

- Full tuition coverage + own living expenses.

It is these combined options that are considered the most realistic today.

What scholarships are easiest to get in 2026?

If we evaluate realism without idealization, then in 2026:

- State programs with mass recruitment (for example, Türkiye Scholarships) have the highest chances.

- Stable availability - university merit-based scholarships.

- Difficult, but possible - prestigious programs like Chevening.

- Least competitive - private and industry grants with small funding.

In general, the smaller the amount, the higher the chances of actually getting it.

What really affects the success of a scholarship application?

In 2026, selection is less and less based on grades alone. What is really important:

- Clear logic: why this country and program.

- A clear career plan.

- A well-written motivation letter.

- Realistic expectations for funding

Less critical than before: perfect GPA, studying at a top university, dozens of certificates.

Practical tips to really win a scholarship

- Start your search as early as possible. For programs for fall 2026, the application process starts in January–March 2026.

- Prepare academic documents in advance: translated diploma, transcripts, motivation letters.

- There is a Plan A and Plan B: apply to several programs at the same time - large state and university programs.

- Show clear motivation in your motivation letter: why this scholarship/country/university?

- Do not ignore partial scholarships: they may be less prestigious, but they really increase your chances of getting funding.

Getting a scholarship in 2026 is quite possible, but success rarely depends on a single application. The best results are achieved by students who apply to several programs at once, combine different sources of funding, and start their preparation 6–9 months in advance. The key role is not played by the prestige of the scholarship name, but by its correspondence to the candidate’s academic and career profile.

Getting a scholarship is only the first step. The next and no less important stage is to correctly apply for a student visa and prepare documents according to the requirements of a specific country.

In the “Study Guide” from Visit World you will find:

- Step-by-step instructions for applying for a student visa: from submitting an application to an interview.

- Detailed rules for filling out a visa application form without errors.

- A complete and up-to-date list of documents for submission.

- Information on the cost of a visa and the terms of consideration of the application.

- Practical tips and life hacks for your first stay in the country of study

This is especially useful for students who have received a grant or partial scholarship and want to avoid risks when applying for a visa.

Purchase the “Study Guide” on the Visit World portal and get reliable instructions for moving abroad.

Remember! Studying abroad opens the door to quality education, new opportunities and an international career. We have already told you how to choose the best country to study abroad in 2026.

Photo – Freepik.com

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