Fully funded bachelor’s scholarships are not very common. Most are funded by governments, meaning there is a list of eligible countries, age limits, and an application process for each. Other options include a limited number of universities offering need-based funding to all admitted students. However, fully funded does not necessarily mean everything is covered. As stated in one guide, the stipend for Hungary is not enough to cover all living expenses. In 2026/27, the Chinese undergraduate stipend was RMB 2,500 per month.
There are several deadlines fast approaching. United States Regular Decision processes begin to close on 1st January 2027. Hungary and Türkiye should open and close in January and February. The Chinese Government Scholarship is currently open. These dates were verified in November 2026, and dates are subject to change each year. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
What Is Typically Covered by Fully Funded Scholarships?
No Tuition Fees: Hungary, Türkiye, and China.
Monthly Stipend: Hungary offers 43,700 HUF per month, along with a dormitory bed or 40,000 HUF towards rent.
Housing and Insurance: Türkiye offers tuition, housing, a stipend, airfare, health insurance, and a Turkish language course.
Language Preparation: Türkiye and Korea offer one year of language preparation. Korea offers one year of language training followed by 4–6 years of degree studies.
Need-Based Funding: US universities will bridge the gap between the university’s costs and how much your family can pay. Funding will depend on your family’s financial situation.
Scholarship Deadlines
Need-Blind US Colleges:
Regular Decision deadlines for Harvard, Dartmouth, and Princeton are 1st January 2027. Yale and MIT/Amherst are 2nd January. Financial aid forms have different deadlines.
NYU Abu Dhabi:
Early Decision II deadline is 1st January 2027. Regular Decision is 5th January 2027.
Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary):
The call for 2027/28 has not yet been published. The expected deadline is 15th January 2027 by 14:00 CET, following last year’s pattern.
Türkiye Scholarships:
Expected between 10th January and 20th February 2027. Check the official website.
Chinese Government Scholarship:
Currently open. The deadline varies depending on your embassy or university.
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship:
The call for 2027 has closed in Spring 2026. Plan for next year.
Open / Soon to Be Open
1. Need-Blind Colleges (International Students)
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst, Dartmouth, and Bowdoin.
Deadline: Regular Decision deadlines for Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Princeton are 1st January 2027. Cornell and Yale are 2nd January. MIT and Amherst are 5th January 2027. Early Decision rounds closed on 1st November 2026.
Coverage: Bowdoin joins Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Yale, Dartmouth, and Amherst in offering fully funded scholarships through need-blind admissions. Princeton states that it will cover 100% of your demonstrated financial need through grant funding.
These are need-based awards, not scholarships. Financial need is determined by the university. Harvard does not offer merit-based funding. Many more schools have recently joined this list, so check each university’s financial aid page.
2. NYU Abu Dhabi
A four-year Liberal Arts degree in the UAE with a large international community.
Deadline: According to the NYU 2026–2027 Bulletin, Early Decision II was 1st January and Regular Decision was 5th January. Financial aid forms were due on 10th January and 1st February. However, on the NYUAD website, financial aid is due later (15th January and 20th February). Check which dates apply.
Coverage: NYUAD accepts applications from all students, regardless of citizenship. Those who are eligible will be informed of their financial aid upon admission.
You must apply via the Common Application. Everyone is encouraged to complete the CSS Profile. Funding is need-based and is not guaranteed to be fully funded.
3. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Government-funded scholarship for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes.
Deadline: The deadline in 2026/2027 was 15th January 2026 by 2:00 p.m. CET, according to the Hungarian Embassy in Abuja. The 2027/2028 call has yet to be published. Following last year’s pattern, the 2027 deadline is expected to be 15th January 2027 by 14:00 CET. The portal opened around 17th November 2026. Both dates are unconfirmed.
Coverage: No tuition fees. Monthly stipend. Dormitory bed or contribution towards rent.
Your partner institution in your home country must also nominate you. You will need to sit entrance exams between March and May. The minimum score is 56/100.
4. Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
Government-funded scholarship for undergraduates, master’s students, and PhD students.
Deadline: According to one guide using the YTB standard calendar, the deadline is between 10th January and 20th February 2027. Another source states that the 2027 deadline has yet to be officially confirmed. Check the official portal.
Coverage: Tuition, housing, stipend, airfare, health insurance, and a Turkish language course.
Only one application can be submitted per cycle. If you apply multiple times, you will be disqualified. The undergraduate age limit is set each year. Check the current call.
5. Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
Government-funded scholarship for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes.
Deadline: The 2027/2028 call opened on 27th October 2026. According to one guide, the deadline is between 15th December 2026 and 30th April 2027. However, deadlines vary depending on your embassy or university. Check your deadline.
Coverage: Fully funded. Free dormitory accommodation or a housing subsidy. Undergraduate stipend of RMB 2,500 per month (2026/27).
Undergraduates must apply separately for the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). You must sit this exam before your embassy deadline. The undergraduate age limit is below 25, according to one guide.
6. Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduates (GKS-U)
Government-funded scholarship for bachelor’s degrees.
Deadline: The embassy process ran between 15th September and 30th September 2026. This has now closed. The university process varies by university. Check university pages.
Coverage: 286 awards available. 156 through the embassy process and 130 through the university process.
You can only apply through one process. The first year is dedicated to language training.
Closed for 2027. Plan for Next Year
7. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for Undergraduates
Fully funded undergraduate degree at Japanese national universities.
Deadline: Embassy deadlines for the 2027 intake were in Spring 2026. The Toronto page states that applications closed on 29th May 2026. The scholarship starts in April 2027 and lasts four years. The next call will be in Spring 2027. Dates are yet to be published.
Coverage: Fully funded. Monthly stipend.
Applications are made through the Japanese embassy in your country. Deadlines vary by country.
How to Find the Correct Scholarship
Country: Hungary, China, Korea, and Japan have country lists or quotas. Make sure your country is eligible.
Age: China and Korea have age restrictions for undergraduates.
Financial: The US offers need-based funding. This depends on your family income. Government scholarships depend on academic performance.
Language: Korea and Türkiye offer a language year. China and Hungary offer English-taught options.
Common Mistakes That Can Ruin a Good Application
1. Assuming Fully Funded Covers Everything
Hungary and China only offer basic stipends. Check how much you are receiving per month and compare it to local living costs.
2. Missing the Second Part of the Application
Hungary requires you to be nominated by its partner institution in your home country. China requires you to sit the CSCA if applying for a bachelor’s degree.
3. Assuming Last Year’s Deadlines Apply
Türkiye and Hungary have not been officially confirmed for 2027. NYUAD shows different financial aid dates on different pages.
Conclusion
The closest deadlines are Harvard, Dartmouth, and Princeton on 1st January 2027. Hungary is expected around 15th January, and Türkiye from 10th January. The Chinese Government Scholarship is currently open. Speak to your school counsellor today to obtain your transcripts and two teacher references. Ask for these by 20th November.