Fully Funded vs Partial Scholarships: What You Need to Know Before Applying

BySergio

Not all scholarships are created equal. Before you invest weeks preparing an application, you need to understand exactly what a scholarship covers — and what it does not. This guide breaks down the key differences between fully funded and partial scholarships, and explains what to look for in every listing you consider.

What Does ‘Fully Funded’ Actually Mean?

A scholarship described as ‘fully funded’ should, in theory, cover everything you need to study abroad without any out-of-pocket expenses. In practice, what ‘fully funded’ covers varies significantly between programmes. The most comprehensive fully funded scholarships include:

  • Full tuition fees (all programme fees paid directly to the university)
  • Monthly living stipend (typically ranging from £800 to £2,500 per month depending on country)
  • Return economy airfare (one flight to the host country and one return flight home)
  • Visa fees and immigration health surcharges
  • Health insurance for the duration of the programme
  • Research or academic development funding (for conference attendance, field research, etc.)

Examples of gold-standard fully funded scholarships include the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Chevening Scholarship, and the DAAD Scholarship.

What ‘Fully Funded’ Sometimes Leaves Out

Even with a ‘fully funded’ scholarship, you may still need to budget for: visa application fees before the scholarship begins, flights for trips home during term time, personal expenses not covered by the stipend, and books or course materials beyond what the university provides. Always calculate your total cost of living alongside the stipend offer before accepting. If you are applying for Fully funded scholarships for 2026, this guide is for you.

Partial Scholarships: What to Expect

Partial scholarships cover a portion of your costs — typically tuition only, a specific percentage of fees, or a fixed cash sum. These are still highly valuable, but you must have a clear plan for covering the gap. Common partial scholarship types include tuition waivers (fees reduced or waived, but no living costs covered), merit bursaries (a fixed cash award toward your studies), and department-specific grants.

Questions to Ask Before You Apply

  • Does this scholarship cover tuition fees in full, or only partially?
  • Is there a monthly stipend? If so, is it enough to live on in the host city?
  • Are flights covered? At what stage of the award?
  • Does the scholarship cover visa and health surcharge costs?
  • Is there a family allowance if applicable?
  • What happens if the programme is extended — does funding extend too?

Some Opportunities:

How Student Crest Labels Opportunities

Every scholarship listed on Student Crest includes a clear Financial Coverage label. Opportunities labelled ‘Fully Funded’ have been verified to include at minimum: full tuition, a living stipend, and travel coverage. Where coverage is partial or varies by applicant nationality, we note this explicitly in the benefits section of each listing.

Always click through to the official programme website to verify current funding terms before beginning your application.

Sergio is the founding editor of Student Crest and a passionate advocate for accessible international education. With 10 of experience researching global scholarship and fellowship programs, he has helped thousands of students navigate the often-overwhelming world of educational funding. At Student Crest,he leads the research team responsible for verifying and publishing opportunity listings for students worldwide.