One of the biggest hurdles for students planning to study abroad or attend academic programs in other countries is the cost of travel. Airfare, visa fees, and related travel expenses can quickly add up—often reaching into the thousands. While many scholarships focus on covering tuition and living costs, a growing number specifically include travel and flights, making international study far more accessible.
These travel-inclusive scholarships are especially valuable for students from low-income backgrounds or regions with high travel costs. Whether you’re attending a semester abroad, a full degree program, or a short-term exchange, here’s how these scholarships work—and where to find them.
1. What Travel-Inclusive Scholarships Cover
Scholarships that include travel expenses typically fall into one of two categories:
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Fully Funded Scholarships: These cover everything—tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and round-trip airfare. They’re usually awarded by governments or international organizations and are highly competitive.
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Partial Travel Grants: These provide a set amount to cover flights or visa-related costs. They may be awarded as stand-alone travel grants or as part of a broader scholarship package.
In either case, travel coverage helps reduce the up-front cost and makes it easier for students to take advantage of global opportunities.
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2. Popular Scholarships That Cover Flights
1. Fulbright Program (USA)
The Fulbright Program, funded by the U.S. government, provides full scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists from around the world to study or conduct research in the United States. It includes round-trip airfare, tuition, living stipends, and more.
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Chevening Scholarships are for outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. The award includes flights to and from the UK, tuition fees, and a monthly living allowance.
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a variety of scholarships for international students. Many DAAD awards include travel allowances for flights to and from Germany, especially for graduate programs and research stays.
4. Erasmus+ (Europe)
The Erasmus+ program provides funding for students studying or doing internships in European countries. In addition to tuition and living support, Erasmus+ often includes a travel allowance based on distance between the home and host country.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
5. Australian Awards Scholarships
Funded by the Australian government, these scholarships support students from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East to study in Australia. The package includes airfare, tuition, establishment allowance, and living costs.
6. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
This scholarship supports students from developing countries to study development-related programs at selected universities around the world. It includes round-trip airfare, tuition, a monthly stipend, and health insurance.
7. Rotary Foundation Global Grants
These grants support graduate-level coursework or research abroad in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. Funding can cover tuition, travel, housing, and supplies, depending on the individual program and partnership.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
3. How to Find and Apply for Travel-Inclusive Scholarships
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Start Early: Many of these scholarships have early deadlines—up to a year in advance of your intended start date.
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Check Government and University Sites: Look at official education ministry and university pages for scholarships that include travel support.
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Use Scholarship Search Engines: Platforms like Scholarships.com, DAAD’s database, or the European Funding Guide allow you to filter by travel coverage.
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Read the Fine Print: Some scholarships reimburse travel costs after arrival, while others provide funds up front. Make sure to understand how the funding is disbursed.
4. Tips to Strengthen Your Application
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Demonstrate Financial Need: Clearly explain why travel funding is crucial for your participation.
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Highlight Global Impact: Emphasize how your international study will benefit your career, community, or home country.
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Tailor Each Application: Align your goals and values with the scholarship’s mission to stand out.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
