Scholarships with No Application Fee

Applying for scholarships can be expensive—not because of tuition costs, but due to the application fees required by many programs. Fortunately, in 2026 there are numerous scholarships with no application fee that allow students from around the world to apply without paying upfront charges. These opportunities help ensure that talented and motivated students are not excluded from financial support simply because they can’t afford application fees, making education more accessible and fair for everyone.

Scholarships with no application fee can be found at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, and many of them are fully funded—covering tuition, living expenses, travel allowances, and sometimes even research support. For instance, globally recognized programs like the Fulbright Scholarship, Chevening Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, and DAAD Scholarships generally do not require a separate application fee to apply, yet they can provide funding worth $20,000 to $120,000+ for the duration of the study (depending on the country, program, and level). These fee-free applications are especially impactful for students from low-income backgrounds who may otherwise struggle to pay multiple application fees for multiple scholarships.

By removing financial barriers at the application stage, fee-free scholarships help students focus on preparing strong essays, gathering quality recommendation letters, and submitting well-organized portfolios. In this article, you’ll discover the top scholarships with no application fee—including details about eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and application steps—to help you find and apply for opportunities that fit your academic and personal goals.

Scholarship Summary

Add the Courses Offered and Their Advantages

Most fee-free scholarships support a wide range of study fields including:

• Engineering & Technology — high job demand and innovation

• Business & Management — leadership and entrepreneurship focus

• Health Sciences & Nursing — global workforce needs

• Social Sciences & Policy Studies — development impact

• Natural Sciences & Research Fields — laboratory and academic research

Advantages:
✔ Eliminates upfront financial barriers for applications
✔ Encourages applications from diverse economic backgrounds
✔ Increases chances of applying to multiple scholarships without cost
✔ Promotes global diversity in higher education

Program Period – How Long These Scholarships Last

The length of scholarship support varies by level:

• Undergraduate: 3–5 years

• Master’s: 1–2 years

• PhD: 3–5 years

Many fee-free applications are also fully funded, meaning they cover living expenses, tuition, and research funding for the full program duration.

Scholarship Coverage And list Benefits – What Is Typically Included

Scholarships with no application fee may include:

• Full or partial tuition support

• Monthly stipends for living expenses

• Accommodation allowances

• Health insurance coverage

• Travel costs (often round-trip flights)

• Research funding (for Master’s/PhD candidates)

• Professional development and networking opportunities

Tip: Always check whether the scholarship is fully funded or partially funded.

Eligibility Criteria – Common Requirements

Even when there’s no application fee, most scholarships require:

• Strong academic record

• Admission or plan to apply for a specific program

• Language proficiency (sometimes waived depending on scholarship)

• Motivation and leadership ability

• Completed application form and required documents

• Letters of recommendation

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Courses Offered and Their Advantages

Fulbright supports postgraduate study (Master’s and PhD) across fields including Engineering, Business, Public Policy, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts.
Advantages:

• Access to top U.S. universities

• Global ambassadorial experience

• Research and academic connections

Program Period – Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• 2 years (Master’s)

• 3–4 years (PhD)

Scholarship Coverage and Benefits – Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• Full tuition coverage

• Living stipend (~$2,000–$3,000 USD per month)

• Health insurance

• Airfare support

• Research allowances

Eligibility Criteria – Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• International applicants with prior degree

• Excellent academic record

• Leadership or community engagement

How to Apply – Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• Apply via your country’s Fulbright Commission

• Submit SOP, CV, transcripts, research plan

Website for Apply – Fulbright Foreign Student Program

👉 https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org

2. Chevening Scholarships

Courses Offered and Their Advantages

Chevening funds one-year master’s programs in fields such as Business, Finance, International Relations, Public Policy, Environment, and Media Studies.
Advantages:

• Leadership development workshops

• UK global networking opportunities

• Access to Chevening alumni community

Program Period – Chevening Scholarships

• 1 year

Scholarship Coverage and Benefits – Chevening Scholarships

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly living allowance

• Travel and visa support

• Professional development events

Eligibility Criteria – Chevening Scholarships

• Citizenship of eligible countries

• Bachelor’s degree

• 2+ years work experience

• Demonstrated leadership skills

How to Apply – Chevening Scholarships

• Complete the Chevening online application

• Provide essays, transcripts, and references

Website for Apply – Chevening Scholarships

👉 https://www.chevening.org

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Courses Offered and Their Advantages

Erasmus Mundus programs cover a broad spectrum of fields — from Engineering, Health Sciences, and Environmental Studies to Business, Social Sciences, and Data Science.
Advantages:

• Study across multiple European universities

• Joint or double degrees

• Strong international recognition

Program Period – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

• 1–2 years (varies by program)

Scholarship Coverage and Benefits – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly stipends (~€1,000–€1,400)

• Travel and health insurance support

Eligibility Criteria – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

• Bachelor’s degree

• Competitive academic performance

• Motivation for international study

How to Apply – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

• Apply through the official Erasmus+ portal

• Provide transcripts and motivation letter

Website for Apply – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

👉 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu

4. DAAD Scholarships

Courses Offered and Their Advantages

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) supports a wide range of postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.
Advantages:

• Strong research infrastructure

• Low or no university tuition in Germany

• Collaboration with German industry leaders

Program Period – DAAD Scholarships

• 1–2 years (Master’s)

• Up to 4 years (PhD)

Scholarship Coverage and Benefits – DAAD Scholarships

• Monthly stipend (~€1,200–€1,350)

• Health insurance

• Travel support

• Research funds

Eligibility Criteria – DAAD Scholarships

• International applicants

• Admission to a German university program

• Academic excellence

How to Apply – DAAD Scholarships

• Apply through the DAAD portal or participating university

Website for Apply – DAAD Scholarships

👉 https://www.daad.de

5. Commonwealth Scholarships

Courses Offered and Their Advantages

Commonwealth Scholarships support postgraduate study at UK universities in areas like Public Health, Education, Environment, Business, and Engineering.
Advantages:

• Focus on development impact

• Strong professional networking

• Emphasis on community leadership

Program Period – Commonwealth Scholarships

• 1–3 years

Scholarship Coverage and Benefits – Commonwealth Scholarships

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly stipends

• Travel support

• Research allowances

Eligibility Criteria – Commonwealth Scholarships

• Citizen of Commonwealth developing countries

• Academic excellence

• Commitment to return to home country

How to Apply – Commonwealth Scholarships

• Apply via official Commonwealth portal

• Provide transcripts, SOP, references

Website for Apply – Commonwealth Scholarships

👉 https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

Final Thoughts

Scholarships with no application fee are powerful because they remove a financial barrier right at the start of your scholarship journey. Many of the world’s most prestigious awards allow you to apply for free and still receive full funding — including tuition, living allowance, travel, and insurance. The key to success is preparation, strong documentation, and applying to multiple opportunities early.