For many students dreaming of studying abroad or pursuing higher education, tuition is just the tip of the iceberg. Housing, meals, books, and daily living expenses often make up a significant portion of the total cost of a college degree. While tuition-free or fully funded scholarships are becoming more common, those that also cover accommodation and food can make a life-changing difference—especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
In 2025, several scholarship programs go beyond just tuition waivers by offering full support packages, including housing and meals. These scholarships help reduce financial pressure and create a stable, focused learning environment. This article explores the best international and local scholarships that include free housing and meals, giving you a truly comprehensive financial aid experience.
Why Housing and Meals Matter
While scholarships that cover tuition are incredibly helpful, they often leave students scrambling to cover:
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Rent and utilities
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Meal plans or groceries
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Transportation
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Health insurance
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Personal expenses
By covering these essentials, scholarships that provide room and board help students:
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Focus on academics without the distraction of part-time work
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Maintain mental and physical health through stable living conditions
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Engage more fully in campus life and community activities
Top Scholarships That Include Free Housing and Meals
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
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Who It’s For: International students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in the United States
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Coverage:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Health insurance
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Free on-campus housing or housing allowance
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Meal allowance or full meal plans
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Round-trip airfare
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Why It Stands Out: The Fulbright Program not only funds your education but ensures your basic living needs are met, making it one of the most comprehensive scholarships available globally.
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
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Who It’s For: International students applying for a one-year master's degree in the UK
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Coverage:
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Full tuition at a UK university
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Monthly living allowance
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Accommodation and meal expenses included in the stipend
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Travel costs to and from the UK
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Visa and health surcharge fees
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What’s Special: Though technically provided through a living stipend, the amount is designed to cover decent housing and food throughout the academic year in the UK.
3. Türkiye Burslari Scholarships (Turkey)
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Who It’s For: International students at all academic levels
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Coverage:
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Full tuition fees
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Free housing in state dormitories
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Monthly stipend (includes meal allowance)
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Health insurance
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Free Turkish language course
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Return airfare
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Key Benefit: Türkiye Scholarships are especially generous in terms of student support, offering fully subsidized student dorms and daily meals through campus canteens.
4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
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Who It’s For: Outstanding international students pursuing postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge
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Coverage:
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Full cost of study (tuition and fees)
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Maintenance allowance (~£20,000/year)
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College-provided accommodation
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Meals via dining halls or allowance
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Visa and health-related costs
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Family allowance (for dependents)
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Highlight: Gates Cambridge not only ensures financial support but also fosters leadership and research excellence.
5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
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Who It’s For: International graduate students pursuing master's or PhD programs in Germany
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Coverage:
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Full tuition (or tuition-free in public universities)
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Monthly stipend (~€934 or more)
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Housing support through university dorms or allowances
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Health insurance
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Travel allowance
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Language course support
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Note: Though DAAD does not “directly” offer meals, the stipend amount is calculated to cover food and accommodation in Germany’s affordable student housing system.
6. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA)
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Who It’s For: Graduate students accepted to any degree program at Stanford University
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Coverage:
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Full tuition and associated fees
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On-campus housing through Stanford’s graduate residences
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Living and meals stipend
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Academic enrichment and travel funds
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What Makes It Unique: In addition to generous funding, scholars benefit from a vibrant leadership development program.
7. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (Canada)
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Who It’s For: International undergraduate students at the University of Toronto
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Coverage:
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Full tuition
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Books
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Full residence support including housing and meal plans
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Incidental costs
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Why It’s Ideal: This is one of the rare undergraduate-level scholarships that offer such complete financial support for international students in Canada.
8. Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
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Who It’s For: Students from ADB member countries pursuing postgraduate studies in select Asian and Pacific countries
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Coverage:
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Tuition
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Monthly allowance for living expenses
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Housing subsidy
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Meals covered through stipend
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Books, materials, health insurance, and travel
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Partner Institutions: Prestigious universities in Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, and more.
9. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (UK)
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Who It’s For: Students from eligible Commonwealth countries
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Coverage:
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Tuition and exam fees
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Monthly stipend (including housing and meals)
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Arrival allowance
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Warm clothing allowance (if needed)
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Thesis grant
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Travel to and from the UK
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Benefit: Stipends are regionally adjusted to ensure fair living support across UK cities.
10. Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships (Italy)
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Who It’s For: Highly qualified PhD students from any nationality
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Coverage:
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Tuition and fees
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Free room in university housing
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Meals at university canteens
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Monthly scholarship for personal expenses
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Bonus: This elite Italian institution ensures scholars pay nothing out of pocket during their study.
Tips to Win a Scholarship With Housing and Meals
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Start Early: These scholarships are competitive and often have early deadlines.
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Apply to Government or University-Funded Programs: These tend to offer more comprehensive benefits.
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Tailor Your Application: Highlight how full financial support would help you maximize your academic potential.
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Maintain Excellent Grades: Most of these scholarships require strong academic records.
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Craft a Strong Statement of Purpose: Explain your goals, motivations, and why you are a strong fit.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, more scholarships than ever are recognizing that tuition alone isn’t enough. By covering housing and meals, these programs ensure students—especially those from underserved communities—can study with stability, dignity, and focus.