Top Exchange Student Scholarships for International Students 2025

International student exchange programs are a great way for students to travel internationally. It also helps students to pursue their education at a foreign university. Nevertheless, exchange programs can be expensive. As a result, international student exchange scholarships are extremely beneficial. From partial scholarships to fully funded ones, there are plenty of exchange student scholarships available. Keep reading to learn about the top exchange student scholarships for international students, which are available in popular study-abroad destinations.

What is an Exchange Student Scholarship?

An exchange-student scholarship funds short-term study or research at a partner university abroad under an institutional exchange agreement. Unlike full-degree scholarships, exchange scholarships usually cover a semester to an academic year (or shorter language/summer courses), and are commonly arranged via your home university’s international/ERASMUS office or national agencies. Many exchange grants cover travel, living allowance (stipend), and sometimes tuition waivers at the host university.

Scholarship Name	Provider	Eligibility	Coverage
Erasmus+ Exchange Programme	European Commission	Students enrolled at partner universities	Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, travel support
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	U.S. Government	Graduate students & young professionals	Tuition, living costs, airfare, and health insurance
UMAP Exchange Scholarship	University Mobility in Asia & Pacific	Students from UMAP member universities	Living allowance, travel grant
Global Korea Scholarship (Exchange)	Korean Government (NIIED)	Students from partner universities abroad	Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, and settlement allowance
MEXT Student Exchange Program	Japanese Government	Students at partner universities	Tuition, stipend, airfare
Endeavour Leadership Program (Exchange)	Australian Government	Undergraduate & postgraduate students	Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, and monthly stipend

Who is Eligible for an Exchange Student Scholarship?

Eligibility for an exchange student scholarship generally depends on your academic standing, enrolment status, and language proficiency. Applicants must be registered at a recognised university, meet GPA and program-specific requirements, and be nominated by their home institution or apply directly through official exchange programs. Eligibility varies by programme, but common criteria include:

• Enrollment at a recognised higher-education institution (home university).
• A valid exchange agreement between home and host institutions (for institutional exchange grants).
• Academic standing (minimum GPA) and language proficiency appropriate to the host country/programme.
• Nationality/residence requirements for national or government programmes (e.g., Fulbright applicants apply through their country’s Fulbright commission).
• Always check the exact eligibility rules on the official programme page or with your international office.

Top Exchange Student Scholarship 2025

Every country provides exchange student scholarships for international students. Some of the popular exchange student scholarships that are available are listed below:

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Exchange Students

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a scholarship offered to international exchange students from around the world. Only incoming exchange students from developing countries are eligible for these scholarships. The National Institute of International Education (NIEE) is responsible for announcing the number of scholarships granted each year to universities. The scholarship would cover the living expenses of the student, a one-time settlement aid of 200,000, medical insurance, and one round-trip airfare cost coverage.

Rotary International Exchange Student Scholarship

Rotary International and the International Canada/USA district scholarship 5020 are providing scholarships to Rotary Youth Exchange Scholars. The scholarship is provided for a duration of 1 year. The Youth exchange scholar has to live for a year with host families and attend school in a different country.  Similarly, the host club (the club that is sending the student out) will receive students coming from students from 25 partner countries. The scholarship benefits would include tuition fees, room and board, a monthly stipend, in-country orientation, and a certified administered program.

Student Exchange Support Program (Japan)

The Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) is offering exchange student scholarships for international students. The scholarships are available to students who are accepted into a Japanese university/junior college/graduate school/college of technology/professional training course. The scholarship offers a monthly stipend of 80,000 JPY. The tenure of the scholarship is from 8 days to a year between the Japanese school and the student’s higher educational institution. Mainly, this scholarship is provided to students belonging to a country that has diplomatic ties with Japan, who are eligible for student visas, and who don’t have the financial means to study in Japan.

Also Read: Central Bank of Ireland Scholarship 2025

Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program

The Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange is an exchange student scholarship offered to students to study in Germany. The scholarship is meant to encourage international students to learn about the political life of each country. The scholarship is fully funded and provides an opportunity for students to meet the German Bundestag Members and the US congressional representatives. Thus, the students are free to discuss issues related to the exchange year with the representative members. The scholarship is granted based on the financial need and academic merit of the student.

Charpak Exchange Student Scholarship (France)

The Charpak Exchange Student Scholarship is meant for Indian students enrolled on a Bachelor’s/Master’s in an Indian institution. The scholarships are meant to assist these students in undertaking an exchange semester program for a duration of 1-4 months. The scholarship beneficiaries will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 860, a student visa and an Etudes en France fee waiver, social security coverage, and assistance in finding affordable student housing. Knowledge of the French language is an asset during the selection process. However, it is not mandatory.

Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program Grants

The destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange program is an initiative of the Australian government and the Cheung Kong Group.  The scholarship is meant to assist students from Australia and identified Asian countries for short-term mobility opportunities. For example, students from India, Japan, China, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam, among others. Eligible students are considered for the grant as part of the application process. Mobility types include short-term study, research, or clinical placements.

ETH Zurich Exchange Student Scholarship

The ETH Zurich University is offering a Special Needs Scholarship through the ​Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP). The scholarship participants with special needs can apply to Movetia through their respective universities. Consequently, the scholarship would cover the additional costs that they may incur due to their impairment. However, to be eligible for the scholarship, students must submit an application form for the same. That too, 4 months prior to the exchange program.

Also Read: Top Scholarships for Indians To Study Abroad After 10th

How to Apply for Exchange Scholarships?

Applying for exchange scholarships can feel overwhelming, but you can achieve it by following a step-by-step process. Here is how you can apply for exchange scholarships:

1. Research Eligible Scholarships: Start by identifying scholarships that support exchange or study-abroad programs. Focus on country-specific scholarships, university partnerships and government or private funding options

2. Check Eligibility Criteria: Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements. These may include:

• Academic performance (GPA or percentage)

• Language proficiency (like IELTS or TOEFL)

• Age limits or nationality restrictions

• Enrolment at a partner institution

• Make sure you meet all criteria before applying.

3. Prepare Required Documents: Most exchange scholarship applications will ask for:

• Academic transcripts

• Statement of Purpose 

• Letters of Recommendation

• Passport copy

• Proof of language proficiency

• Resume or CV

4. Apply Through the Right Platform: Some scholarships are offered directly by universities, while others may be available through National scholarship portals and Exchange program coordinators. Always apply through official and verified platforms.

5. Meet Deadlines: Keep yourself updated on deadlines. Set reminders and prepare your documents well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

6. Prepare for Interviews (if any): Some scholarships include an interview round. Practice commonly asked questions and be ready to discuss your academic interests, career goals and the reason for choosing the exchange program.

Also Read: Undergraduate Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

Exchange-student scholarships open doors to international study with reduced cost and strong academic value. Start early, coordinate closely with your home university’s international office, and rely on official programme pages for deadlines and exact eligibility rules. If you want, I can now:

• Draft a sample motivation letter / Learning Agreement template for your specific programme, or
• Create a customised document checklist and timeline if you tell me your home university country and the host country/programme you are targeting.

FAQs

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International student exchange scholarships are a great way to fund your education abroad. The exchange program scholarship generally covers the travel expenses, living expenses, tuition fees, and other expenses of the student. However, the benefits vary depending on the exchange program. Some of the best exchange student scholarships include the Rotary International Scholarship and the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). To discover more articles like this one, visit the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.

Not sure how to go about it? Let the professionals at Leverage Edu take care of your academic journey! You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realise your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.