Fully Funded Scholarships: What Is Usually Covered
What fully funded scholarships usually cover, what they often leave out, and how to check exactly what a specific award pays for before you apply.
By ScholarPortal Editorial Team · Published
About fully funded scholarships
"Fully funded" is a description, not a standard
There is no single definition of a fully funded scholarship. Providers use the phrase to suggest that the main costs of study are paid, but what counts as a main cost differs between awards. Two scholarships that both say fully funded can cover quite different things, so the label alone tells you very little. To compare real options, search fully funded scholarships and read the funding section of each official page.
What fully funded awards often include
- Tuition and compulsory university fees
- A regular living allowance, sometimes called a stipend
- A travel contribution, such as a flight to the study country
- Health insurance, or a contribution towards it
- Settling-in, research, thesis or study-material allowances in some programmes
- Language courses before or alongside the degree in some programmes
What may not be covered
Items that are commonly left out or only partly covered include visa and residence permit fees, accommodation deposits, family members and dependants, return travel, living costs during holidays, and costs incurred before the award starts. Some awards fund tuition but not living costs, or the reverse. Treat each of these as an open question until the official terms answer it.
How to check what a specific award covers
- Open the official programme page or guidelines document, not a third-party summary.
- Find the section on benefits, funding or what the award provides, and list each item exactly as written.
- Note the duration: which degree stages and how many years or semesters are funded, and whether renewal depends on progress.
- Check whether payments go to you or directly to the university, and how often.
- Look for conditions such as work limits, return-to-home-country requirements or reporting duties.
- Compare the list with your own budget for the destination, using the university's published cost information.
- If anything is unclear, email the contact address on the official page and keep the reply.
Next steps
Once you know what an award covers, check that you meet its rules with our guide to reading eligibility and deadlines, then follow the step-by-step application method. You can also compare degree programs and their official funding information.
Frequently asked questions
Does fully funded mean everything is free?
Not necessarily. It usually means the main costs such as tuition and a living allowance are covered, but items like visas, dependants or travel may not be. Check the official terms.
Is a stipend the same as a scholarship?
A stipend is typically a regular payment for living costs. It may be one part of a funding package alongside tuition coverage, or it may be offered separately.
Are fully funded scholarships only for PhD students?
No. Funding structures vary by programme and degree level, so read each award's page to see which levels it supports.
Where is the most reliable source for what is covered?
The official programme page or guidelines from the funder or university. Third-party summaries can be out of date.