How to Fund Your Studies Abroad in 2026: Scholarships, Loans and Foundations
Your budget and the funding available depend on the country, the program and your circumstances. Distinguish between scholarships and fee waivers, which reduce what you pay out of pocket, and loans, which must be repaid. Here are eight options to explore, along with their conditions. No funding percentage or combination of awards can be guaranteed for every student.
Eight funding options to check against your situation
1. Erasmus+ mobility grants
Mobility: Erasmus+ can support a study period or traineeship arranged through your institution. Long-term mobility generally lasts 2 to 12 months per study cycle, and shorter formats also exist. The amount depends on the project and the destination. Contact your international relations office about partner agreements, the timeline and any top-ups that apply. A full degree abroad does not automatically qualify for this funding. Source: Erasmus+ France.
2. International Mobility Grant (AMI)
In 2026-2027: the AMI is €400 per month, up to a maximum of 10 monthly payments in total across your higher education. Subject to conditions, it is open to students who receive a means-tested grant or an annual specific aid allowance and are studying for a national degree, and covers an international exchange or internship. You apply through your institution’s international relations office, which selects applicants and sets the number of monthly payments awarded. Official AMI conditions.
3. Need-based aid at US universities
Need-based refers to aid calculated from the resources and needs assessed by the university. Need-blind describes a separate admissions policy. At Stanford, applying for aid may be taken into account in the admission decision for international applicants; the demonstrated need of admitted, eligible students can be met. Don’t apply one university’s income thresholds, forms or rules to another. Source: Stanford, international applicants.
4. University merit scholarships (USA, UK, Canada)
Merit scholarship amounts, criteria and application procedures vary by institution. Check whether a separate application or a specific deadline is required; strong grades do not guarantee an award. USC keeps its merit scholarship process separate from its need-based financial aid process. USC guidelines.
5. Fulbright Commission (USA)
For the 2027-2028 cycle, the Fulbright France student program offers a non-renewable award of $40,000 for eligible master’s or doctoral study in the United States. The stated deadline is December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Paris time. Scholarship and admission applications run in parallel, and the award remains conditional on final admission. Full Fulbright France conditions.
6. French private foundations
Foundations may offer scholarships or interest-free personal loans based on field of study, financial resources, your project or other criteria. Each call for applications has its own rules, amount and deadline. Use the Fondation de France scholarship directory to identify schemes that match your situation, then check the relevant call directly.
7. State-guaranteed student loan (France)
The total cap is €20,000. Eligibility requires, among other things, enrollment at an institution in France to study for a French higher education degree, being under 28, and meeting the specified nationality and residence requirements. The scheme therefore does not automatically fund direct enrollment at just any foreign university. The bank may turn down your application. The guarantee means you don’t need a personal guarantor, but the principal, interest and fees must still be repaid under the terms of the loan agreement. Official conditions and how it works.
8. Country-specific scholarships
Netherlands: the NL Scholarship, formerly the Holland Scholarship, is aimed at non-EEA nationals; its €5,000 applies to the first year and does not cover all costs. United Kingdom: Marshall Scholarships are reserved for US citizens who meet the eligibility criteria. Italy: Bocconi4Access to Education offers fee waivers based on economic need and the rules of each application round. Check the nationality, program and year-of-entry requirements for each scheme.
Related article: Tuition fees and scholarships: which university should you choose for your budget?
Building your funding plan
| Step | What to check | What to include in your budget |
|---|---|---|
| List your expenses | Tuition, housing, travel, insurance and administrative fees | A total cost for the full length of your stay |
| Identify available funding | Eligibility, deadline, required documents and renewal | Amounts awarded, kept separate from pending applications |
| Check which awards can be combined | Each award’s rules and confirmation from the awarding body | No assumed combinations and no expense counted twice |
| Consider a loan if needed | The bank’s offer, total cost, deferral period and repayment schedule | A debt to repay, kept separate from scholarships |
Frequently asked questions: funding
Can you combine Erasmus+ and the Crous AMI?
You may be able to combine them for an eligible mobility period, but each grant keeps its own eligibility conditions. Ask your institution to confirm your situation and the number of monthly payments you can receive. AMI rules.
Is the state-guaranteed student loan really “guarantor-free”?
This scheme does not require a personal guarantor, but the bank still assesses your application and may turn it down. The state guarantee does not exempt you from repaying the loan. Check the interest rate, fees, deferral period and early repayment terms in the loan offer. Source: Service Public.
Are need-based US university scholarships really open to international students?
Some universities award financial aid to international students under their own rules. That does not mean their admissions are always need-blind: at Stanford, applying for aid can be a factor when an international application is reviewed. Your out-of-pocket cost cannot be worked out from your annual income alone. Stanford’s official guidelines.
When should you start looking for scholarships?
Start before the first deadlines in your plan and build a timeline for each funding scheme. Admission and funding applications can have different deadlines. For example, Fulbright France has set December 1, 2026 as the closing date for its 2027-2028 student program, so don’t wait for universities to reply before you apply.
My profile isn’t exceptional: can I still get scholarships?
Some funding depends on financial need or on criteria specific to the project, the field of study or the applicant’s circumstances. Check the conditions of each call for applications: no award is automatic. YDS helps you identify the 5-10 scholarships that YOU are eligible for, rather than the 2-3 that everyone applies for.