1. Merit-based scholarships (fellowships)

The merit-based scholarships are awarded based on a number of criteria including academics, achievements, hobbies, talents, affiliations with various groups or career aspirations. These scholarships can be offered by the federal and state government, large corporations, local businesses, professional organisations or universities.

Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria which must be met.

Scholarships offered by universities

The criteria by which universities offer scholarships are usually: academic excellence, students have to be under a certain age limit (for example under 35 years of age). In addition, you will find out there are special scholarship offers for each level of degree.

In Switzerland, for example, you may find more scholarships available for a PhD and less for a Bachelor or Master degree.

In some of the international universities, costs of the accommodation and health insurance can be covered by the scholarship.

In Sweden, the scholarship covers tuition fee, living expenses, some travel grants and insurance.

In France, some of the scholarship-holders receive a monthly allowance and the scholarship also covers other expenses such as return trip, health insurance and cultural activities, but it does not cover tuition fees.

Here are examples of European universities that provide the largest number of scholarships:

1. University of Oxford, the UK
2. University of Bristol the UK
3. Utrecht University, the Netherlands
4. University of Bologna, Italy
5. Uppsala University, Sweden

Scholarships offered by the government

Normally, the scholarship holders are exempt from the payment of the university tuition fees. Most of these scholarships last for three, six, or nine months.

Some of the mandatory criteria by which you can receive this scholarship are:

educational qualification required by the chosen institution knowledge of a certain language (the language of instruction used in the programme that you applied for) Often times, the students also have to come under an age limit.

In the UK, some of the government scholarships cover the following:

1. Tuition fees
2. Monthly living allowance
3. An economy class return airfare to and from the UK
4. Additional grants and allowances to cover essential expenditure

Read more about popular scholarship international students apply to for studying in the UK.

Sports scholarships

If you simply want to practice a sport and be a member of the college or university team, you can qualify for a scholarship, most times offered by your college/university. The good news is you don't necessarily have to be very good at the sport you practice.

Sometimes local groups or different organisations may offer these sports scholarships and they usually look at criteria such as community service.

Check these American universities that offer numerous scholarships to international students:

1. Stanford University
2. Columbia University
3. Harvard University
4. Duke University
5. Yale University

2. Specific scholarships

Most of the specific scholarships are given to students with a certain ethnic background or family affiliations. These type of scholarships are designed to benefit gender or ethnic minorities. For this reason, you will find a number of scholarships specifically dedicated to African-Americans, Asian-Americans or Hispanics.

In some countries (Belgium, France, U.S. etc.), the local government provides scholarships to students that come from certain countries. For example, Belgium offers special scholarships to applicants coming from African countries.

These programmes are also meant to help minority students to pursue an education in fields in which they have been historically under-represented.

Some organisations provide scholarships to students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and debilitating health conditions.

3. Need-based scholarships (grants)

Grants are often called "gift aid" because they are money-free; basically, they are a type of financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid. Compared to scholarships which are usually merit-based, grants (which in some countries are called bursaries) are mostly need-based. Grants or bursaries are usually based on financial circumstances but may also consider other factors.

This form of financial support doesn't need to be paid back and its value most times varies from 500 to 2,500 USD.

In the U.S., the Department of Education offers numerous federal grants to students who attend four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools.

In Germany, different types of merit-based grants are awarded. The amount awarded is often determined through an evaluation of student need (usually ranging from 150 to 820 EUR/month for 12 months). Additional support is determined by assessment of the family financial situation.

Read more about scholarship opportunities in Germany.

Need-based grants are available for students with a low personal/family income, and for students with disabilities.

4. Student loans

Student loans for studying abroad are funds that you have to pay back. They basically function like any other loan, with a few differences. You can get a student loan from the government or a private bank; it can be a bank from your home country or a foreign bank, in the country you wish to pursue your studies. Co-signing (along with parents or legal tutor) is very common for private student loans since most teenagers don't have the credit history to get a loan of such a size.

However, student loans that you can get from the government tend to be more favourable, as the rates are usually lower.

Some loans are based on financial need, while others are much like any other loan and are based on your credit score.

5. Student prizes

The student prizes are exactly what you think: the prize is represented by a certain amount of money, which will not technically support your studies, but it can be considered as a form of financial aid. Student prizes are one-time awards and they can range from a couple of hundred to several thousand Euros.

Student prizes can be offered as follows:

for academic achievements
to reward performance in undergraduate examinations
awarded based on the results of coursework and public examinations
for the best paper in a wide range of subject areas
rewarding outstanding work submitted for a dissertation, examination or thesis, as well as for overall performance

You can also win a prize and be elected to a scholarship for the following year (or given the title of scholar, if you are about to graduate).