The journey to studying abroad or attending a top university can be exhilarating—but also financially overwhelming. Between high tuition costs, visa fees, and even the simple act of applying, the process adds up quickly. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of fully funded scholarships with no application fee that allow deserving students to access world-class education without any upfront costs.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we’ll highlight scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and more—with zero cost to apply. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral candidate, these opportunities could be your path to debt-free, high-quality education.
What Does “Fully Funded with No Application Fee” Mean?
A fully funded scholarship typically covers:
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100% of tuition
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Living stipend (monthly allowance)
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Health insurance
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Airfare and relocation
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Research or thesis funding
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Visa support and academic materials
When paired with no application fee, this means you can apply risk-free without spending money upfront. For many students from low-income backgrounds, this can make all the difference.
🏆 Top Fully Funded Scholarships with No Application Fee (2025)
1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
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Level: Master’s & PhD
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Fields: All major disciplines
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Eligibility: Students from developing and emerging countries
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Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend (€934+)
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Health insurance
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Travel allowance
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: DAAD is one of the most respected scholarship providers globally. German public universities also charge little or no tuition, making this a perfect fully funded package.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Stanford University (USA)
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Level: Graduate
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Fields: Any graduate program at Stanford
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Eligibility: Open to all nationalities
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Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Stipend
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Health insurance
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Travel and conference funding
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Application Fee: $0 for the scholarship; university program may have a fee, but waivers are often granted
Why It’s Great: Offers world-class education, leadership training, and a global scholar network—all without an upfront cost to apply for the scholarship.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
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Level: Master’s
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Fields: Multidisciplinary programs across European universities
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Eligibility: Open to all international students
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Benefits:
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Tuition waiver
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Monthly stipend (€1,000+)
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Travel and installation allowance
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: You study in two or more countries, gain international exposure, and finish with a joint or double degree from top European institutions.
4. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
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Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
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Fields: Research-focused fields, arts, and innovation
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Eligibility: International students from over 180 countries
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Benefits:
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Tuition fees
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Monthly stipend
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Housing allowance
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Health insurance and airfare
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: Access to top Swiss universities and research centers, with no financial risk to apply.
5. University of the People (UoPeople)
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Level: Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees
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Fields: Business, Computer Science, Health Science, Education
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Eligibility: Open to all
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Benefits:
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Tuition-free education
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Scholarships available for assessment fees
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Fully online and flexible
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Application Fee: Can be waived with scholarship request
Why It’s Great: UoPeople is the world’s first tuition-free, accredited online university—making it perfect for low-income and displaced students.
6. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships)
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Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
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Eligibility: Citizens of all countries (except Turkey)
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Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Free accommodation
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Health insurance
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Turkish language course
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Round-trip airfare
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: Offers both academic and cultural immersion with zero application cost. High acceptance for students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
7. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (UK)
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Level: Master’s
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Fields: Development-focused programs
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Eligibility: Students from Commonwealth low and middle-income countries
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Benefits:
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Tuition
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Monthly living allowance
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Airfare
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Thesis grant
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: Strong support from the UK government and top-tier universities, no fees to apply, and a focus on impactful careers.
8. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships
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Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Postdoc
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Fields: STEM, Health, Education, Agriculture, Sustainable Development
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Eligibility: Citizens of IsDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries
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Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Research and thesis allowance
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Health and travel costs
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: Ideal for students committed to social impact in their communities, especially from developing regions.
9. VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
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Level: Master’s programs in Development Studies
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Eligibility: Citizens from 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
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Benefits:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Travel, insurance, and accommodation
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Application Fee: None
Why It’s Great: The scholarship is tied to universities with a strong focus on global development, sustainability, and equality.
📝 How to Find and Apply for No-Fee, Fully Funded Scholarships
1. Use Trusted Scholarship Platforms:
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ScholarshipsAds.com
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DAAD.de
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ScholarshipPortal.eu
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OpportunitiesForAfricans.com
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University financial aid pages
2. Check for Application Fee Waivers:
If a scholarship has an associated university application, email the admissions office to request a fee waiver. Many universities automatically waive fees for students from developing countries or those applying for scholarships.
3. Apply Early and Thoroughly:
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Meet deadlines (often 6–12 months in advance)
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Prepare documents: academic transcripts, recommendation letters, motivation statements, and sometimes research proposals
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Tailor your application to each scholarship provider
4. Avoid Scams:
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Never pay to access scholarship information
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Legitimate scholarships do not require payment to apply
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Check for verified links on university or government websites
💡 Final Tips for Success
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Focus on Merit and Impact: Highlight your academic achievements, leadership, and how your goals align with the scholarship’s mission.
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Build a Strong Profile: Engage in community service, research projects, or internships.
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Practice Persistence: Rejections are normal—apply to at least 5–10 programs to increase your chances.