Scholarships that pay a living stipend
A stipend pays you to live rather than reducing what you are charged. In a low-tuition destination that is worth considerably more than a fee waiver, because living costs are the binding constraint there rather than fees.
At a glance
| Awards we list in this group | 4 |
|---|
When a stipend beats a waiver
| Destination type | Worth more |
|---|---|
| High tuition (US, UK, Australia) | A fee waiver, usually by a wide margin |
| Low tuition (much of continental Europe) | A stipend — fees are already small |
| Research degrees anywhere | A stipend, because it is what makes the years affordable |
Comparing two awards by percentage is meaningless across these cases. Compare them by what each leaves you to fund.
What to check about a stipend
- When the first payment arrives. Often after you have arrived, which is the hardest month.
- Whether it is monthly or in instalments, which decides your cash flow.
- Whether it is taxable in that country.
- Whether it reduces the visa financial requirement, which several routes allow.
Budget the first two months as though the stipend has not started. For most awards it has not.
Awards paying a stipend
4 awards, each with its own deadline, eligibility and the source we read it from.
With a living stipend — FAQs
2 questions
It depends entirely on the destination. Where tuition is low, a stipend is worth far more; where tuition is high, a waiver usually is.
Commonly after arrival and enrolment. Plan the first weeks without it.
Want help shortlisting? A counsellor matches your marks, course and budget to the awards you can actually win — free.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 1 October 2026.