One of the biggest barriers for international students pursuing higher education abroad is the high cost of living. Tuition fees, accommodation, and daily expenses can add up quickly. Fortunately, many prestigious fully funded scholarships in 2025 offer a monthly stipend and free housing, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top global scholarships that cover tuition, monthly living allowance, free accommodation, and other essential benefits.
🎓 Top Scholarships with Monthly Stipend and Free Housing in 2025
1. DAAD Scholarships – Germany
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Level: Master’s and PhD
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Benefits: Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300), free student accommodation or housing allowance, travel grants, health insurance
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Eligibility: Students from developing and transition countries
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Fields: Engineering, Computer Science, Public Health, Economics, and more
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Deadline: Varies by program (usually between October 2024 and March 2025)
2. Chevening Scholarships – United Kingdom
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Level: Master’s (1 year)
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Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend, free housing or housing allowance, round-trip airfare, visa fees
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Eligibility: Open to over 160 countries
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Deadline: August–November 2024 (for 2025 intake)
Chevening places students in top UK universities while covering all living expenses.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – Europe
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Level: Master’s (Joint programs at multiple universities)
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Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend (€1,100–€1,200), travel allowance, free or subsidized housing
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Eligibility: Open to students worldwide
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Deadline: Program-specific (typically between October 2024 and February 2025)
4. Turkiye Burslari Scholarships – Turkey
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Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
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Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend, free university dorm housing, health insurance, Turkish language course
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Monthly Stipends:
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Undergraduate: 3,500 TRY
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Master’s: 5,000 TRY
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PhD: 6,500 TRY
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Deadline: January–February 2025
5. MEXT Scholarships – Japan
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Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
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Coverage: Tuition fees, monthly allowance (¥117,000–¥145,000), free university housing or allowance
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Offered By: Japanese Government via embassies
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Deadline: Embassy route opens April–May 2024 (for 2025 intake)
6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
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Level: Master’s and PhD
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Benefits: Monthly stipend (~CHF 1,920), free university housing or accommodation support, tuition fee waivers
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Eligibility: Open to students from 180+ countries
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Deadline: September–December 2024
7. Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Stanford University (USA)
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Level: Graduate programs at Stanford
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Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend, free housing on campus, relocation allowance, travel stipend
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Eligibility: All nationalities
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Deadline: October 2024
8. University of Alberta Scholarships – Canada
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Level: Master’s and PhD
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Scholarships:
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
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UAlberta Graduate Entrance Scholarship
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Benefits: Monthly living allowance, free or subsidized university housing, full tuition
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Eligibility: Open to international students applying for graduate studies
🏠 Why Housing and Monthly Stipends Matter
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Free housing eliminates a major financial burden for students living abroad.
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Monthly stipends allow you to afford food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses.
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Combined, these benefits make a massive difference, especially in high-cost countries like the UK, USA, Japan, and Switzerland.
📋 Common Eligibility Requirements
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Strong academic background
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Proof of English or host country language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or JLPT)
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Statement of Purpose or research proposal
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Letters of recommendation
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Commitment to return to your home country (in some cases)
📅 Application Timeline for 2025 Scholarships
| Scholarship | Applications Open | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD | Aug 2024 | Oct 2024 – Mar 2025 |
| Chevening | Aug 2024 | Nov 2024 |
| Erasmus Mundus | Sep 2024 | Feb 2025 |
| Turkiye Burslari | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 |
| MEXT | Apr 2024 | May 2024 |
| Knight-Hennessy | Jul 2024 | Oct 2024 |
🧠 Pro Tips for Applicants
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Start researching at least 6–12 months before your intended program start date.
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Personalize your motivation letter to show passion and relevance to your future goals.
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Secure strong references from academic or professional mentors.
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Prepare for language proficiency and standardized test requirements early.
✈️ Final Thoughts
If you're looking to study abroad without the burden of high costs, these scholarships with monthly stipends and free housing in 2025 offer golden opportunities. Not only do they make education more accessible, but they also allow you to live comfortably while gaining world-class knowledge and experience.
Whether you're pursuing a master's in Europe, a PhD in Canada, or a leadership fellowship in the U.S., there's a fully funded opportunity waiting for you.