90% of Our Students Win Scholarships
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Your comprehensive guide to funding your international education. From prestigious government scholarships to university grants and education loans — we help you find and win the financial support you deserve.
90%
Students Win Scholarships
₹50Cr+
Scholarships Secured
500+
Full-Ride Recipients
27+
Years of Expertise
Search 65+ Scholarships
Fulbright, Chevening, DAAD, Rhodes, Gates Cambridge — filter by country, degree, and funding type.
Browse DatabaseWhat Most Families Don't Know
The Truth About Scholarships
MYTH
Everyone can get a full-ride scholarship
REALITY
Full scholarships cover less than 1% of students. Most scholarships are partial — ranging from 10% to 50% of tuition.
MYTH
Scholarships are only for toppers
REALITY
Many scholarships reward leadership, sports, community service, unique talents, or specific backgrounds — not just grades.
MYTH
If you're not poor, you won't get aid
REALITY
Need-based aid considers your family's ability to pay. Many middle-class families qualify for significant support.
MYTH
Scholarships are announced publicly
REALITY
Many scholarships are "hidden" — negotiated directly with universities, offered through lesser-known foundations, or given through employer programs.
The bottom line: Scholarships aren't lottery tickets. They reward preparation, strategy, and the right guidance. At KGC, we've helped 160,000+ students navigate this system. 90% of our students secure some form of funding.
Types of Scholarships
Understanding different scholarship types helps you target the right opportunities for your profile.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Awarded based on academic excellence, test scores, and achievements
Examples:
- University Merit Scholarships (up to 100% tuition)
- National Merit Scholarship (USA)
- Rhodes Scholarship (UK - Full funding)
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Typical Eligibility: High GPA (3.5+), strong test scores, leadership activities
Need-Based Financial Aid
Awarded based on demonstrated financial need
Examples:
- University Grant Programs
- Federal Pell Grant (USA)
- Institutional Need-Based Aid
- Work-Study Programs
Typical Eligibility: Demonstrated financial need through CSS Profile or equivalent
Country-Specific Scholarships
Scholarships offered by specific countries for international students
Examples:
- Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship (USA)
- DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
- Erasmus+ (Europe)
- Australia Awards
Typical Eligibility: Varies by program - typically academic merit + country-specific criteria
Field-Specific Scholarships
Scholarships for specific fields of study
Examples:
- STEM Scholarships
- Women in Engineering Awards
- Healthcare & Medical Scholarships
- Business & MBA Fellowships
Typical Eligibility: Enrollment in specific programs + relevant background
Scholarships by Degree Level
Money works differently at each level. Here's what you need to know.
Undergraduate
Most competitive. Universities invest heavily to attract top freshmen. Merit scholarships are common.
Average Award: $15,000 - $50,000/year
Key Success Factors:
- High school GPA (typically 3.7+ for top awards)
- SAT/ACT scores (top 10% preferred)
- Extracurricular leadership
- Essays and personal statement
- Demonstrated interest in the university
Top Scholarships:
Masters
Research assistantships and fellowships are common. Government scholarships target this level.
Average Award: $10,000 - $40,000/year
Key Success Factors:
- Undergraduate GPA (3.5+ for top awards)
- GRE/GMAT scores
- Research experience
- Work experience
- Statement of purpose
Top Scholarships:
MBA
Most expensive but highest ROI. Scholarships cover 20-100% for strong candidates.
Average Award: $20,000 - $100,000/program
Key Success Factors:
- Work experience (typically 3-7 years)
- GMAT/GRE scores (700+ preferred)
- Leadership potential
- Clear career goals
- Essays demonstrating fit
Top Scholarships:
Who Actually Gets Scholarships?
This is where parents realize: "Ok, this is not random." Here's what matters.
Academic Performance
Weight: 30-40%GPA, class rank, rigor of curriculum. A 3.8 GPA in IB/AP courses beats a 4.0 in regular courses.
💡 KGC Tip: Take challenging courses even if it means slightly lower grades.
Test Scores
Weight: 15-25%SAT/ACT for undergrad, GRE/GMAT for grad school. Top 10-15% scores open major doors.
💡 KGC Tip: Prepare seriously — a 100-point SAT jump can mean $40,000+ in scholarships.
Extracurricular Depth
Weight: 20-30%Quality over quantity. Leadership roles, sustained commitment, and tangible impact matter most.
💡 KGC Tip: Be a "spike" — exceptional in 1-2 areas rather than average in 10.
Nationality & Background
Weight: 10-15%Some scholarships target specific countries/regions. Indian students have access to Fulbright-Nehru, GREAT, etc.
💡 KGC Tip: Research scholarships specifically for Indian/South Asian students.
Current School
Weight: 5-10%IB schools and known boarding schools have slight advantages due to grade reliability.
💡 KGC Tip: Strong recommendations from your school matter — build relationships with teachers.
Timing
Weight: CriticalEarly applications (EA/ED) have higher scholarship chances. Many funds are allocated first-come.
💡 KGC Tip: Apply in Round 1. Students who apply by December get 40% more funding on average.
Top Scholarships by Country
🇺🇸 United States
| Scholarship Name | Value | Type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship | Full Funding | Government | February/May |
| Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship | Full Funding | Government | June |
| Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars | Full Funding | University | October |
| Yale University Scholarships | Need-Based | University | January |
| MIT Scholarships | Need-Based | University | January |
| Harvard Financial Aid | Need-Based (up to 100%) | University | January |
Real Results: KGC Scholarship Winners
These are actual outcomes from students we've guided. Names changed for privacy.
AS
Aanya Sharma
12th CBSE, 94%, Delhi Public School
Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars
$300,000+ (Full Funding)
Started with KGC in Class 11. We helped her identify Stanford as a reach goal and built a compelling narrative around her social entrepreneurship work.
KGC Role: Profile building, essay strategy, interview prep
RM
Rohan Mehta
B.Tech IIT Bombay, 4 years at McKinsey
INSEAD Nelson Mandela Scholarship
€50,000
Rohan came to us with a strong profile but weak essays. We repositioned his story from "consultant wanting MBA" to "future leader building sustainable businesses in Africa."
KGC Role: Story repositioning, GMAT strategy, scholarship applications
PV
Priya Venkatesh
BA Economics, Christ University, 87%
Chevening Scholarship
£45,000 (Full Funding)
Priya had average grades but exceptional community work in rural Karnataka. We helped her articulate her "grassroots development" narrative perfectly aligned with Chevening's values.
KGC Role: Scholarship targeting, essay refinement, 6 mock interviews
AR
Arjun Reddy
12th ISC, 89%, No exceptional ECs
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson
CAD 240,000 (Full Funding)
Arjun's parents were worried — he had good grades but nothing "special." We discovered his passion for astronomy. Over 18 months, we helped him start an astronomy club, conduct citizen science projects, and build a unique profile.
KGC Role: Profile gap analysis, 18-month transformation plan
KS
Kavya Singh
MBA Aspirant, 3 years at Deloitte
Multiple Partial Awards
$85,000 combined
Kavya didn't get a single full scholarship — but she wasn't supposed to. We helped her negotiate with 4 schools and stack multiple smaller awards: $40K merit from Kellogg, $30K fellowship, and $15K diversity award.
KGC Role: Multi-school strategy, negotiation coaching
AP
Aarav Patel
M.Sc Physics, IISc Bangalore
DAAD Research Grant
€1,200/month + Full Tuition
Aarav wanted to pursue a PhD but couldn't afford it. We identified DAAD as his best bet and helped him find a professor at TU Munich whose research aligned perfectly with his thesis work.
KGC Role: Professor matching, research proposal writing
Scholarship Application Timeline
Plan your scholarship journey with this typical timeline for fall intake.
Research & Shortlist
- Research scholarship options
- Identify eligibility criteria
- Create target list of 15-20 scholarships
Test Preparation
- Complete GRE/GMAT/IELTS
- Gather academic documents
- Start drafting essays
Application Preparation
- Finalize SOPs and essays
- Request recommendation letters
- Complete application forms
Submit Applications
- Submit scholarship applications
- Apply to universities
- Track deadlines carefully
Interviews & Decisions
- Prepare for scholarship interviews
- Receive decisions
- Accept offers and plan finances
Education Loan Options
Compare top education loan providers for studying abroad. We help you choose the best option for your needs.
SBI Global Ed-Vantage
Key Features:
- No margin for loans up to ₹4 Lakh
- Moratorium during study + 6 months
- Tax benefits under Section 80E
HDFC Credila
Key Features:
- 100% financing
- Doorstep service
- Fast processing (3-5 days)
Prodigy Finance
Key Features:
- No cosigner needed
- Available for 150+ countries
- Interest-only payments during study
ICICI Bank Education Loan
Key Features:
- Pre-approved for 4000+ universities
- Quick sanction
- Flexible repayment
Axis Bank Education Loan
Key Features:
- Covers tuition + living expenses
- Moratorium period
- Pre-visa disbursement
MPOWER Financing
Key Features:
- No cosigner for international students
- 10-year repayment
- Career support services
💡 Pro Tip: Always apply for scholarships before considering loans. Even partial scholarships can significantly reduce your loan burden. At KGC, we help you maximize scholarship opportunities to minimize your education loan.
How KGC Helps You Win Scholarships
Profile Assessment
We analyze your academic record, achievements, and goals to identify the best scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship Matching
Our database of 5000+ scholarships helps us find the perfect matches for your profile.
Application Strategy
We craft compelling applications, essays, and SOPs that highlight your unique story.
Interview Preparation
For scholarships requiring interviews, we provide mock sessions and expert coaching.
Financial Planning
We help you create a complete funding plan combining scholarships, grants, and loans.
90%
of our students receive scholarships
₹50 Cr+
total scholarships secured for students
500+
students received full-ride scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Can I get a full scholarship to study abroad?
Do I need to repay scholarships?
What documents are needed for scholarship applications?
Ready to Fund Your Education Abroad?
Let our experts help you identify and win the scholarships you deserve. Book a consultation today.