European Scholarships for American Students
Studying abroad is more than just a passport stamp and a few Instagrammable moments. For American students, Europe offers a gateway to world-class education, diverse cultures, and career-changing experiences. Even better? You don't always have to pay out of pocket. With the right scholarships, you could study in Europe for free. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top European scholarships for U.S. students, including what they cover, who’s eligible, and how to apply.
Why Choose Europe for Study Abroad?
Europe isn’t just cobblestone streets and Eiffel Tower selfies. The continent is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities and offers:
- High-quality academic programs
- Multilingual and multicultural environments
- Strong emphasis on research and innovation
- Valuable global networking opportunities
- Enhanced career prospects from international exposure
Top Scholarships for Americans to Study in Europe
1. Fulbright Program (Various Countries)
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is one of the most prestigious scholarships for Americans to study, research, or teach in over 140 countries, including many in Europe.
- Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a bachelor’s degree; excellent academic and leadership record
- Apply: Via Fulbright website; requires essays, recommendations, and a research/study proposal
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
This EU-funded program lets international students pursue fully funded master’s degrees across multiple European universities.
- Covers: Full tuition, living stipend (€1,000-€1,500/month), travel, insurance
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities with a bachelor’s degree; English proficiency
- Apply: Directly through the Erasmus Mundus program of your choice
3. Marshall Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Funded by the UK government, Marshall Scholarships support outstanding U.S. students for graduate studies in the U.K.
- Covers: Full tuition, living stipend, research, books, and travel
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a 3.7+ GPA and strong leadership skills
- Apply: Online by October; personal statement, references, and transcripts required
4. American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Grants
ASF supports Americans pursuing academic opportunities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
- Covers: Up to $23,000 in fellowships and $5,000 in grants
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must secure a Scandinavian institutional affiliation
- Apply: By November via ASF website with proposal, references, and transcripts
5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers funding for graduate programs, research, and short-term studies in Germany.
- Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend (~€850), travel, insurance, and language prep
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a bachelor’s degree
- Apply: Through the DAAD portal with transcripts, proposal, and letters of reference
6. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs funds this program to attract top international talent to Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
- Covers: Monthly allowance (€1,181 for Master's), tuition, travel, insurance
- Eligibility: Under age 25 for Master’s; academic excellence
- Apply: Through French universities, which submit applications on your behalf
7. Rotary Peace Fellowship (Sweden, U.K.)
This program funds master’s degrees focused on peace and conflict resolution at select universities.
- Covers: Full tuition, living stipend, field studies, and travel
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, 3+ years relevant work experience
- Apply: Via local Rotary clubs; deadline in May
8. ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships (Switzerland)
Funded by the Swiss government, this scholarship supports short-term research for U.S. and Canadian students.
- Covers: CHF 1,600/month for up to 3 months
- Eligibility: Enrolled undergrad/grad students; demonstrated research interest
- Apply: Via the Swiss Embassy with research proposal and acceptance letter from a Swiss institution
9. Charlemagne Prize Fellowship (France)
This fellowship supports graduate students and early-career professionals working in transatlantic fields like public policy and economics.
- Covers: Monthly stipend, travel, accommodations
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens; strong academic and policy interest
- Apply: Online with project proposal, references, and academic records
10. Italian Government Scholarships
Italy provides scholarships for Master’s and Ph.D. students from around the world, including Americans.
- Covers: €900 monthly stipend, health insurance, some tuition waivers
- Eligibility: Under 28 years old for Master’s; basic Italian or English proficiency
- Apply: Via Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal with transcripts and a personal statement
11. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Ireland offers this fully funded opportunity to attract talented students to its Master’s programs.
- Covers: Full tuition waiver, €10,000 living stipend
- Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA citizens with an undergraduate degree
- Apply: Through GOI-IES portal; includes SOP, references, academic records
12. Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship
Aimed at U.S. and Canadian students, this scholarship promotes international postgraduate study in Wales.
- Covers: Up to £10,000 in tuition
- Eligibility: Offer letter from a Welsh university; academic merit
- Apply: Apply after receiving university admission; includes personal statement and references
13. OeAD Scholarships (Austria)
Austria offers scholarships through OeAD for Master’s and Ph.D. students.
- Covers: Approx. €1,050/month, health insurance, tuition waivers
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens; strong academic performance
- Apply: Via OeAD website with research proposal, CV, and references
Pro Tips to Win a European Scholarship
- Start Early: Many scholarships have deadlines up to a year in advance.
- Customize Applications: Tailor your personal statements and CV to each scholarship’s mission.
- Show Leadership: Highlight your leadership, volunteer work, and global perspective.
- Get Great Recommendations: Strong reference letters can set your application apart.
- Network with Universities: Email faculty, attend webinars, and connect with past recipients.
Your Passport to an International Future
With the right planning and preparation, studying in Europe can be an enriching and affordable reality for American students. Whether you're drawn to the research labs of Germany, the policy think tanks in the U.K., or the cultural heart of France, there’s a scholarship out there for you.
Take the leap, do your homework, and start packing your bags—Europe awaits!
