Scholarship Finder

Complete Guide to Scholarships for Nepali Students 2025-2026

Finding the right scholarship can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education in Nepal. Our scholarship finder quiz is designed to match your personal profile, academic background, and eligibility categories with the most suitable scholarship opportunities. Whether you're looking for government-funded scholarships, university merit awards, quota-based assistance, or international opportunities, this tool helps you discover scholarships you may not have known you're eligible for.

Understanding Government Scholarships in Nepal

The Government of Nepal provides various scholarship programs through agencies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST). These scholarships are designed to support meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalized communities. The UGC scholarship program is one of the most significant, providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education at recognized institutions across Nepal.

Government scholarships typically cover tuition fees and may include monthly stipends for living expenses. Applications are usually submitted through the respective university or directly through the UGC portal (ugcnepal.edu.np). Key requirements include citizenship certificates, academic transcripts, income certificates from local authorities, and category certificates for quota-based applicants.

University-Specific Merit Scholarships

Major universities in Nepal offer their own scholarship programs based on academic merit and financial need. Tribhuvan University (TU), Kathmandu University (KU), and Pokhara University (PU) each have distinct scholarship schemes. IOE (Institute of Engineering) under TU offers merit-based scholarships to top-performing students in engineering programs, covering a significant portion of tuition fees.

Kathmandu University is known for generous merit scholarships, with some programs offering up to 100% tuition waiver for exceptional students. The KU Geomatics Scholarship specifically targets students in geomatics engineering, while PU offers Master's level scholarships for students pursuing postgraduate studies in various disciplines.

Quota-Based Scholarships and Reservations

Nepal's inclusive education policy reserves scholarship seats for historically marginalized groups. The quota system allocates 27% of seats for Janajati (indigenous nationalities), 33% for women (including 3% for Dalit women and 2% for Muslim women), 25% for economically weak families, 9% for Dalit communities, 4% for residents of remote areas like Karnali, and 2% for persons with disabilities.

To apply for quota scholarships, students need category certificates issued by local authorities or relevant government bodies. These certificates verify your eligibility for specific reservation categories. The application process typically involves submitting these certificates along with standard academic documents during university admission or through UGC portals for government scholarships.

International Scholarships for Nepali Students

Several prestigious international scholarships are available for Nepali students seeking to study abroad. The JDS (Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship) program is particularly notable, offering fully funded Master's degree opportunities in Japan for Nepal Government civil servants with at least three years of service. The program covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and includes a monthly stipend of approximately ¥145,000.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship provides opportunities for Master's and PhD studies in Germany, offering €934/month for Master's students plus tuition waiver, travel allowance, and health insurance. The Chevening Scholarship from the UK is another prestigious option, fully funding one-year Master's programs at UK universities for emerging leaders and influencers.

Application Tips and Best Practices

Start your scholarship search early, ideally 6-12 months before your intended start date. Gather all required documents including academic transcripts, citizenship certificates, income certificates, and recommendation letters well in advance. For quota-based scholarships, ensure your category certificates are current and properly verified by local authorities.

When writing personal statements or essays for scholarship applications, focus on your achievements, future goals, and how the scholarship will help you contribute to your community or field. Be specific about your plans and demonstrate a clear understanding of the scholarship program's objectives. For international scholarships, highlight any leadership experience, community involvement, and your commitment to returning to Nepal after completing your studies.

Our scholarship finder quiz considers your education level, eligibility categories, academic standing, preferred field of study, and whether you want to study in Nepal or abroad. Use the quiz results as a starting point for your scholarship search, then thoroughly research each recommended scholarship to understand specific requirements and deadlines. Remember that many scholarships have limited seats and competitive selection processes, so apply to multiple opportunities that match your profile.