Education remains a critical pillar and a determinant of one’s successful future. Learners across the globe have remained committed to completing their lower-level education in pursuit of a college education. However, the cost of tuition in most higher education institutions remains a crucial challenge to achieving this dream, especially for outstanding students from financially challenged backgrounds. The average fees at U.S. universities as of 2019 were $12,320 inclusive of accommodation for public two-year colleges, while that of public four-year colleges stood at $37,430. This figure is significantly high, owing to the fact that the cost of living has dramatically risen in recent times. The surge in education costs necessitated the introduction of government-funded scholarships to cushion profound students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
There are various sponsorship programs offered by multiple institutions designated for outstanding students globally. Precisely, higher learning among individuals is either government-funded or university-funded. Examples of top government-funded scholarships include:
(i). Fulbright Scholarships (U.S.)
(ii). Chevening scholarships (U.K)
(iii). Australia awards scholarships (Australia)
(iv). Eiffel Excellence Scholarships Program (France)
Fulbright Scholarships (U.S)
The Fulbright Scholarships have played a significant role in uplifting the lives of both local and international students seeking to attain higher education competencies in different fields. Understandably, the Fulbright Scholarship Program is a flagship international exchange scholarship offered by the U.S. government to 155 countries globally. The scholarship program has been successful in the past years, and approximately 1,800 scholars are drafted and absorbed into top institutions in the country. Fulbright Scholarship Program targets top-performing international students seeking to pursue their Masters of doctorate programs in the U.S. Markedly, the program is beneficial to bright students since it offers full funding of tuition fees for the study duration of studies. The Fulbright Scholarship Program also covers textbook costs, living stipends, and health insurance for qualified students.
Chevening Scholarships (U.K.)
The Chevening Scholarships is a flagship student sponsorship program offered by the British Government. The U.K. flagship program has grown dramatically in the past decades, as the government aims to support bright students in completing their postgraduate studies. The Chevening Scholarships supports both local and international students who perform exemplarily in their undergraduate programs. Every year, the scholarship program drafts approximately 1000 outstanding students from over 130 nations globally who wish to attain their postgraduate degrees in the U.K. The key advantage to students who win the Chevening Scholarships is that they are provided with full tuition fees, a monthly upkeep fund, and a one-off allowance to utilize in the course of their studies. The other convenience offered by The Chevening Scholarships is unrestricted travel to and from the U.K. Students under the program are at liberty to travel to and from their nations of origin on fully funded trips.
Australian Awards Scholarships (Australia)
Australian Awards Scholarships is an Australian government-funded scholarship program that provides educational opportunities to students from developing countries, especially those from the endo-pacific region. The program offers full-time funding for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarships Program (France)
The scholarship program is focused on attracting top foreign talented students for Masters and Doctorate programs to French universities. Beneficiaries of the fund receive a monthly stipend, but it does not cover tuition fees. In addition, the scholarship program caters to other expenses, including return trips, health insurance, and cultural activities.
Besides the government-funded scholarships, outstanding students are also offered university-funded international scholarships. Some of the universities that provide lucrative scholarship programs include;
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships (U.K)
- Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford (U.K.)
- Knight-Hennesy Scholars Program at the Stanford University (U.S)
- Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University (China)
