How to Secure TOEFL Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad?

Securing a scholarship can significantly make studying abroad easier. TOEFL offers and can help you avail numerous scholarships and funding opportunities for Indian students as it is the most widely accepted English proficiency test in 13,000+ institutions across 160+ countries. Read here for all the important information about the TOEFL Scholarships.

TOEFL is accepted in 100% of the universities in the USA and in many universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and more countries. It takes less than 2 hours to complete and provides instant scores for the reading and listening sections.

How to Secure Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad?

You’re at the right place to know all about securing a scholarship abroad and the following are the things you need to know about TOEFL:

1. Aim for a good TOEFL score to increase your chances of securing competitive scholarships: Applicants can achieve a good TOEFL score through consistent and targeted preparation. This can be achieved by following the official TOEFL study plan (8 weeks) & personalised study plan by TOEFL TestReady. TOEFL TestReady is an official online portal that consists of full-length practice tests, section practice & tests, personalised study planners, daily activities, and more. The official practice and study material can be found on the ETS website. You can access the same for free by creating a free TOEFL account. The TOEFL iBT is now shorter and takes less than 2 hours to complete.

2. Early Application: Applying early for scholarships is better as the deadlines can vary significantly.
3. Tailored Application Essays: Don’t forget to highlight your TOEFL score and how it reflects your commitment to academic excellence.
4. Research-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships have specific TOEFL score requirements, so target the TOEFL score accordingly.

Importance of a TOEFL Score

The TOEFL test is the most widely recognized English language proficiency test accepted by over 13,000 institutions across 160+ countries. A TOEFL score not only increases your chances of being accepted into top universities but also qualifies you for several merit-based scholarships. Following is a list of scholarships you can secure using your TOEFL score:

 1. ETS-Provided Scholarships

TOEFL English-language Researcher/Practitioner Grant

•       Eligibility: Candidates involved in the promotion of English language learning.
•       Award: USD 5,000 - USD 10,000.
•       Purpose: Intended for educational purposes related to English language research.

TOEFL Grants for Doctoral Research in Second or Foreign Language Assessment

•       Eligibility: Doctoral students focused on foreign or second language assessments.
•       Award: Up to USD 6,000, with multiple awards available each year.

 Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award

•       Eligibility: Candidates with a dissertation related to TOEFL.
•       Award: USD 2,500.

ETS recently announced the 2nd edition of the UK-India TOEFL scholarship for 10 Indian scholars. Each selected candidate can get a chance to win a one-time scholarship of INR 2.5 Lacs. The deadline was 15th August 2024, but you can stay prepared for the next edition or any upcoming scholarships if you’re preparing for TOEFL.

Eligibility: A TOEFL test score of 75 out of 120 & an offer letter from a university in UK

These scholarships are part of ETS’s commitment to supporting students and researchers in their pursuit of excellence in English language education. Find the complete list of all the study abroad scholarships where your TOEFL score will be accepted.

 2. International Scholarships

There are numerous scholarships that require a TOEFL score and following is a list of those:

Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships:

Eligibility: Indian students pursuing a master's degree in the United States with an excellent academic record and a TOEFL score.

Award: Covers tuition, living expenses, and round-trip airfare.

Field of Study: Varies across disciplines such as arts, culture, economics, and public administration.

Commonwealth Scholarships:

Eligibility: Indian students with a strong academic background and a TOEFL score, applying for master's or doctoral programs in the UK.

Award: Covers tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses.

Chevening Scholarships:

Eligibility: Indian students demonstrating leadership potential, a TOEFL score, and an offer from a UK university.

Award: Full financial support for one-year master's degrees, including tuition, living expenses, and airfare.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships (USA):

Eligibility: Indian citizens with strong academic records, at least three years of professional experience, and leadership qualities.

Awards: Covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, and health insurance.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (EU):

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree holders (or final-year students) with program-specific criteria.

Awards: Covers tuition, travel, and monthly subsistence allowance.

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Eligibility: Indian students with a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least two years of professional experience.

Awards: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel allowance, and health insurance.

Australia Awards Scholarships

Eligibility: High-achieving Indian students with leadership potential, applying to Australian universities.

Awards: Full tuition, return airfare, living expenses, and health insurance.

 3. National Scholarships for Indian Students

Following are the Indian scholarships that can be secured by Indian students utilising their TOEFL score and meeting the required eligibility criteria:

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships:

Eligibility: Indian students with an exceptional academic record and TOEFL score, applying for postgraduate studies abroad.

Award: Interest-free loans up to INR 20 lakhs.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships:

Eligibility: Indian students with a good TOEFL score applying for master's or doctoral programs in North America or Europe.

Award: Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and one-way travel.

TOEFL Scholarships for Indian Students

Ensuring that you don’t miss information on any of these scholarships, following is a compiled list of the TOEFL scholarships:

1. TOEFL English-language Researcher/Practitioner Grant
2. TOEFL Grants for Doctoral Research in Second or Foreign Language Assessment
3. Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award
4. Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
5. Commonwealth Scholarships
6. Chevening Scholarships
7. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships (USA)
8. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (EU)
9. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
10. Australia Awards Scholarships
11. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships
12. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

You can unlock a range of funding opportunities using your TOEFL score, from ETS-specific grants to international and national scholarships. With proper planning and preparation, these scholarships can help make your dream of studying abroad a reality. The TOEFL iBT test takes less than 2 hours to complete and provides instant scores for the reading and listening sections.