You must have heard about the terms fully funded scholarship on the internet at least once when most of you were daydreaming about going abroad to study. It is incredible, is it not? However, the lesson that a lot of students live to regret is that when something is said to be fully funded, it does not necessarily mean everything being paid up.

You might be rewarded with free tuition as well as a monthly stipend, but there is still the matter of having to pay out hundreds or thousands of dollars on:

• Airline tickets
• Visa fees
• Healthcare insurance
• Accommodation upon arrival

That is what introduces scholarships of relocation and insurance. Financing your classes are not the only thing that such programs do. They help you relocate, live, and be healthy throughout your studies- which may be the only thing between living and making it in a new country.

This Guide Is for You

This is the manual that is supposed to serve you during the application in a Master program or a PhD program, or a research program. Here, you will see:

• How this scholarships work
• Who gives them
• What you can do to get one step closer to the education that accommodates you as the whole person

Why Relocation and Insurance Are Important When a Student Is Overseas

Imagine you have received a full scholarship email. You become all agitated, but suddenly you come to believe:

• Your airfare is payable by you
• You need to organize your visa
• You will be required to purchase a very expensive health cover, which will be required in your hosting country

It can cost more than 2,000 dollars. That is an obstacle that many students cannot get over.

Reasons Why This Support Matters:

• Air transport is expensive, particularly when a country is in a backwater or developing country
• Visa and residence permit expenses add up and sometimes money has to be paid up before scholarships are paid out
• In most countries, health care insurance is mandatory and fees can vary considerably
• Accidents happen and you do not even want to be without insurance when you have one.

Few good scholarships do. It is such why in the most broad and fluent-to-access funding systems, relocation grants and extensive insurance covers have become an aspect of the award.

So, What Really Do Scholarships Cover for Relocation and Insurance?

No scholarships have exactly the same benefits. However, those that provide relocation and insurance are more likely to provide something more than yearly fee and monthly allowances. Something like this is what you are likely to get:

Relocation Support

This usually comes as a one- time grant or reimbursement grant and includes:

• Airline (economy) tickets to the country of destination
• Visa fees
• Health checks of the immigrants (where necessary)
• Means of transport when you arrive at the airport or shuttle services
• First week or month accommodation allowance
• Settling-in Payment (basic things like a phone, groceries, bedding)

The amount is sometimes fixed (e.g., $1,000–$3,000), while in other cases, actual expenses are covered via submitted receipts.

Insurance Coverage

This part of the scholarship is to ensure that medical emergencies or legal issues do not get out of control when you reside in a foreign country.

What is generally comprised?

• Basic medical insurance (hospitals, doctors etc.)
• Emergence and accident Services
• Promotion of mental health (in some countries) (Citation needed)
• Maternity care (this is not a requirement in every program)
• Repatriation (repatriating your body in case of severe illness or death)
• Liability insurance (as Germany requires it)

The scholarship can either give you direct cover or cover you under a national student health scheme without incurring any extra fees.

🛂 Visa and Permit Support

Numerous scholarships are also used to aid in:

• Visa fees
• Legal assistance or assistance when applying to residence permits
• Paying a registration or local ID in the host country
• Immigration authorities sponsor letters or instructions

Who Can Apply for These Scholarships?

Now that you understand what these scholarships can provide, you are likely asking yourself the question, am I eligible?

These are the people who are eligible:

✅ International Graduate Students

Majority of these scholarships are targeted at:

• Master degree candidates
• PhD candidates
• Postdoctoral researchers

The students entering a Bachelor’s degree program may have a chance to participate in some of the government-funded programs offering a relocation opportunity, however, it is less common.

✅ Students From Low-Income or Developing Countries

Scholarships usually give more priority to those places which have been underrepresented or disadvantaged in some aspects. These include:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Latin America
• Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

When you are in one of these regions, there is increased likelihood of enjoying full relocation and insurance assistance.

✅ Scholars With Academic Excellence or Social Impact Goals

You do not necessarily have to have a perfect GPA. However, you should apply one or more of the following:

• Good academic record
• Real study or research objectives
• Community service or leadership in society
• Long term future plans to give back home

Real Scholarships That Include Relocation and Insurance

So what programs are some examples? Let us consider those that are reputable and consistent and which accept foreign students.

🇩🇪 DAAD Scholarships – Germany

One of the most recognized scholarships organizations in the world. To the master students and the PhD students:

• Travel allowance on basis of country origin
• Full insurance with accident and personal liability
• Wages to live on monthly
• Optional family relocation assistance

Website: daad.de

🇬🇧 Chevening Scholarships – UK

The scholarship is funded by the UK government and is offered in more than 160 countries.

• A round trip economy travel to the UK
• Arrival allowance visa fees
• Full coverage health insurance under Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• Stipend (discount)

Website: chevening.org

🇺🇸 Fulbright Program – USA

One of the oldest and longest-standing well-known scholarship systems.

• Travel and relocation benefits
• Accident and health insurance (ASPE plan)
• Orientation and Visa support
• Cost of living based monthly stipend

Website: foreign.fulbrightonline.org

🇪🇺 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – European Union

Several universities in Europe have joined together to deliver a two year funded degree.

• Travel costs
• Installation costs
• Full coverage insurance
• Monthly allowance which can cover living costs

Website: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu

🇦🇺 Australia Awards – Australia

Granted by the Australian Government to students of developing countries.

• Economy travel by aircraft
• Establishment allowance (~AUD 5,000)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• To facilitate visa and pre-departure briefing

Website: dfat.gov.au

🇳🇿 New Zealand Government Scholarships

Less competitive in comparison with other international scholarships but no less generous

• Travelling to and fro New Zealand
• Major medical insurance
• Establishment grant
• Family relocation support in other cases

Website: nzscholarships.govt.nz

🇨🇳 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Covers more than one hundred universities in China at undergraduate, masters and doctorate level.

• Resettlement allowance (¥1,500–¥3,000)
• Full medical cover insurance
• University free tuition or housing

Website: campuschina.org

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Scholarship with Relocation and Insurance Support

Step 1: Identify the Right Program

• Visit only authentic scholarship sites
• You can type in such words as relocation grant, travel allowance, or medical insurance included
• Check the Terms & Conditions or the FAQ section very carefully
• When in doubt, email the scholarship coordinator and ask him or her about it

Example Email:

Subject: Scholarship Benefit Clarification

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am thinking of obtaining your scholarship. I am asking you to confirm that there is relocation support and medical insurance is provided to international students.

You are welcome.

Once you receive confirmation, make a note of the same in your records- it can help you create a more meaningful application.

Step 2: Ready All the Required Documents

All scholarships will be different and most of them will require one of the following:

Scholarly Papers:

• Academic records of former schools/ colleges
• Original degree certificates (translated where necessary)
• English proficiency test results or language of the country of study results (IELTS, TOEFL, and others)

Personal / Identification:

• Passport scan
• Visa-size photo
• Identity document (Passport)

Motivation Materials:

• Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
• Letters of Reference
• PhD / PostDoc Proposal

To Be Considered for Relocation / Insurance:

• Letter of financial need (as may be necessary)
• Any previous insurance (to be used in comparison or waiver)
• Promise that you would go there and live in case you are accepted
• Family documents (in case of application with dependants)

Step 3: Apply on the Right Portal

There is now a multiple number of scholarships where you are expected to apply through a centralized government or institutional site.

Examples include:

• DAAD Portal (Germany)
• UK Chevening Online Application System
• Erasmus Mundus formal EMJMD application websites
• CSC Online Portal (China)

Don’t forget to enroll on time. Through these systems, scanned documents usually have to be uploaded and in some actual cases, there are pre-screening quizzes.

Step 4: Write a Good Statement with Emphasis on Stability and Purpose

This is your opportunity to shine.

Besides listing your grades and plans, show the reviewers that you are prepared to study in the foreign country and that relocation services, health insurance will allow you to do it successfully.

What to Devote Your Attention to in Your Personal Statement:

Your Motivation

• Why and at this time?
• How this program can enable you to achieve long term goals?

Your Situation in Life

• When you come with a rough background, give a short account of it
• Are you the first one in your family to study abroad? Talk about it
• In case of any financial problems, discuss it respectfully and politely

Your Preparation and Research

• Add that you have found out about healthcare cost, living costs, etc.
• Convince the reader that you are willing to schedule your life, relax, and succeed

Your Thankfulness and Your Aspiration

• Explain that this scholarship will not only assist you, but also your community or country once you come back
• Find a definitive ending in a happy and dedicated manner

What to Do About Planning Once You Have Been Accepted

Winning is not everything. Once you have been accepted, you ought to prepare yourself based on the realities of a relocation.

Reserve Airlines and Claim Reimbursements

And, should your scholarship include relocation, then ensure that:

• Flight booking is a prepay method or repayment after the flight purchase
• You have to fly with particular airlines or in specific classes
• There is a capacity to weight of baggage or the ticket price
• To demand the refund, you are to keep the receipts and boarding pass

Safe Insurance Coverage

The scholarship body is highly likely to send you letter of insurance confirmation or insurance policy document.

Make you sure you know:

• Insurance dates
• In case of waiting period
• What can be covered (visits to the hospital, dental, and emergency)
• Ways of finding doctors or clinics in the new city
• What will be the emergency number?

Preparea hard copy and carry one on your cell phone.

You Can Get Your Visa With the Correct Documentation

Your scholarship organizations are likely to go ahead and offer you:

• Admission or sponsorship letter
• A guarantee that your expenses are covered
• A visa support letter from the university or government

You must upload them together with the visa form and recheck country specifics requirements when it comes to health insurance and entry time slots that should prepare you to be accepted to arrive.

Pack Smart and Get Ready to Go the First Month

The first few days in a foreign land can be intimidating even when they are provided with relocation assistance.

Plan for:

• A short-term housing (unless you place directly in a dorm through your scholarship).
• A cheap phone contract or SIM card
• Local travel (transit card, bike, apps are offered)
• Visa or cash in addition to the budget you plan to spend on small and sudden purchases

Use a check list, don’t leave your paperwork at home, and have your confirmation letters by scholarship as well as carry your print out of confirmation letters, in your carry-on baggage.

The Typical Errors to Prevent

We must make sure that you do not fall into the pitfalls of avoidable issues.

Fine Print Ignoring

Majority of scholarships repay only economy-class air tickets or a fixed amount of insurers. Then know what you are going to get before committing.

Delays in the Time to Apply

Prior to starting date, there are 9-12 months deadlines. One does not have to wait till admission to apply funds, application should be made as soon as possible and maintained concurrently.

Supposing That Everything Is Insurance Insured

Be consciousness of what you are insured about. Other scholarships do not cover maternity, dental or vision care. Budget out these, or request top-ups in places where they are needed.

Turning in Incomplete Applications

One of the mistaken behaviors is turning in incomplete applications. You can have your application rejected on the basis of a single sheet of missing paper, especially financial need or ID verification. Check everything three times and then submit it.

Real Story: How Andres Got Awarded a Scholarship and Moved to Finland

Andres is a graduate of a software engineer in Bogota who has pursued a course in Artificial Intelligence that is under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. He chose a program that is Finland and Spain-based.

These were the factors that got him victory:

• He stated the changing role of rural places in technology development and his desire to develop AI solutions in such regions
• He had conducted research on cost details and had presented all that was required on relocation and insurance
• His letter of motivation was a sign that he was willing to move on and be a useful person

Erasmus gave him a full scholarship:

• The allowance is $1,000 per month
• Full insurance
• Relocation and travel allowance waiver of 3,000 euro

He shared:

“Without insurance, the uninsured relocation would not have enabled me to relocate to Europe since both the expense and relocation were high. Now with this scholarship they do not just bring me an education, they bring me a real future.”

My Opinion

You do not have to put your life on the line as a foreign student alone or uncovered.

A good scholarship will not only cater to your studying expenses but it will also help you to:

• Move safely
• Live confidently
• Keep healthy though out your study period.

Be prepared to attempt and do at a young age, work smart, and enquire where you are in need. The journey is worth the sacrifice–and because the moving expenses and insurance will be provided, you will receive the right gear to be able to succeed on day one.