Top 20 Scholarships for Armenian Students

Armenian students have a wealth of scholarship opportunities to pursue higher education both at home and abroad, but finding the right one can be overwhelming. This guide covers the top 20 scholarships for Armenian students, ranging from fully-funded programs in the US and Europe to local grants supporting study in Armenia. Whether you are a high school senior, an undergraduate, or a graduate applicant, these opportunities focus on academic merit, financial need, and community involvement. Below, you will find practical details on eligibility, award amounts, and how to apply.

1. American University of Armenia (AUA) Scholarships

AUA offers several merit-based and need-based scholarships for Armenian students. These cover partial to full tuition for undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Merit Scholarships: Awarded based on high school or undergraduate GPA and entrance exam scores.
• Need-Based Grants: For students demonstrating significant financial hardship.
• Graduate Assistantships: Provide tuition waivers plus a stipend in exchange for teaching or research work.

2. UWC Dilijan College Full Scholarships

United World Colleges (UWC) in Dilijan offers full two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) scholarships for talented Armenian students. These cover tuition, room, board, and travel costs.

• Eligibility: Ages 16-18, strong academic record, and active community involvement.
• Selection: Based on national committee interviews and essays.
• Value: Full cost of attendance (approx. $50,000 per year).

3. DAAD Scholarships for Armenia

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships for Armenian students at all academic levels. These are ideal for those seeking master’s or PhD programs in Germany.

• Study Scholarships: For master’s degrees in any subject.
• Research Grants: For doctoral candidates and postdocs.
• Language Support: Includes a German language course before the program.

4. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

The UK government’s Chevening program is open to Armenian citizens for one-year master’s degrees in any field at any UK university.

• Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, airfare, and visa fees.
• Eligibility: Minimum two years of work experience and a strong academic background.
• Required: Return to Armenia for at least two years after the scholarship ends.

5. Fulbright Program (USA)

Fulbright offers fully funded scholarships for Armenian students to pursue master’s or PhD degrees in the United States. It is one of the most prestigious international awards.

• Fields: Open to all disciplines, with priority for STEM and social sciences.
• Benefits: Full tuition, health insurance, living stipend, and round-trip airfare.
• Application: Requires strong academic records, a research proposal, and English proficiency.

6. Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Scholarships

AGBU has been supporting Armenian students for over a century. They offer multiple scholarship programs for study in Armenia, the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

• AGBU Global Scholarship: For undergraduate and graduate study at partner universities.
• AGBU Armenian Scholarship Program: For students enrolled in Armenian universities.
• AGBU Graduate Scholarship: For master’s and PhD students abroad.

7. Erasmus+ Scholarships (European Union)

Erasmus+ provides full funding for Armenian students to study for a semester or a full degree at European partner universities. Joint master’s programs are particularly attractive.

• Coverage: Tuition, travel, insurance, and a monthly living allowance.
• Duration: 3 to 24 months depending on the program.
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree for master’s programs; good academic standing.

8. Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Scholarships

This foundation supports Armenian students in the Armenian diaspora and in Armenia itself. Their programs focus on higher education and research.

• Priority Areas: Science, technology, arts, and Armenian studies.
• Types: Undergraduate, graduate, and research grants.
• Value: Varies by program, often covering partial to full tuition.

9. University of Oxford – Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships

Armenian students can apply for the prestigious Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship at Oxford, which covers full tuition and living costs for master’s degrees.

• Eligibility: Applicants from developing and emerging economies, including Armenia.
• Leadership Focus: Candidates must show leadership potential and commitment to public service.
• Coverage: Full course fees, college fees, and a generous living stipend.

10. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships (Germany)

This foundation offers scholarships for international students, including Armenians, for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies in Germany.

• Focus: Green politics, sustainability, and human rights.
• Requirements: Strong academic record, social engagement, and German language skills (B2 level minimum).
• Benefits: Monthly stipend, tuition support, and non-material benefits like mentoring.

11. Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Scholarships

The ARS provides need-based scholarships to Armenian students worldwide, with a focus on those pursuing higher education in Armenian studies or community service fields.

• Eligibility: Armenian descent, financial need, and enrollment in an accredited institution.
• Amount: Typically between $1,000 and $5,000 per academic year.
• Renewable: Can be renewed based on academic performance.

12. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Armenian students can apply for these scholarships to pursue PhD or postdoctoral research at Swiss universities. They are also available for master’s degrees in some cases.

• Fields: All academic disciplines are eligible.
• Benefits: Monthly stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance, and housing allowance.
• Language: No Swiss language requirement, but English or French proficiency is needed.

“The best investment you can make is in your own education. For Armenian students, the abundance of scholarships means that financial barriers should never stop you from pursuing your dreams.” – Ani H., scholarship recipient.

13. Rotary Foundation Global Grants

Rotary clubs in Armenia sponsor graduate students for study abroad in one of six Rotary areas of focus, such as peace, disease prevention, or water sanitation.

• Eligibility: Must have a sponsoring Rotary club in Armenia.
• Coverage: Up to $30,000 per year for tuition, room, and board.
• Service Component: Recipients must complete a local service project.

14. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary offers full scholarships to Armenian students for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs at Hungarian universities. Over 500 courses are available in English.

• Benefits: Free tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and health insurance.
• Application: Through the Hungarian Embassy in Yerevan or the Tempus Foundation.
• Quota: Armenia has a reserved number of places each year.

15. ITU (Istanbul Technical University) Turkish Scholarships

Turkey’s Türkiye Bursları program covers Armenian students for full-time study at Turkish universities, including ITU and other top institutions.

• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and Turkish language course.
• Eligibility: Open to all levels; no age limit for graduate applicants.
• Selection: Based on academic achievement and interview.

16. Luys Foundation Scholarships

The Luys Foundation specifically supports Armenian students to study at top international universities, including MIT, Harvard, and Cambridge. It also offers mentorship and career support.

• Eligibility: Armenian citizenship, excellent academic record, and admission to a partner university.
• Value: Covers tuition and living expenses.
• Post-Graduation: Recipients are expected to contribute to Armenia’s development.

“Receiving the Luys scholarship changed my entire trajectory. It wasn’t just about the money—it was about joining a community of Armenian leaders.” – Davit K., Luys alumnus.

17. Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD) Scholarships

OeAD offers scholarships for Armenian students for one to four semesters at Austrian universities. These are great for short-term research or exchange programs.

• Eligibility: Current university students or recent graduates.
• Monthly Stipend: Around €1,100 to €1,500.
• Insurance: Health and accident insurance included.

18. Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

Armenian students with excellent academic records can apply for these merit-based scholarships for master’s programs at Leiden University.

• Coverage: €10,000 to €25,000 towards tuition fees.
• Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students, including Armenians.
• Requirement: High GPA (top 10% of graduating class preferred).

19. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

Armenian students from low-income backgrounds can apply for this program to study development-related fields at partner universities worldwide.

• Fields: Economic development, public health, education, and infrastructure.
• Benefits: Full tuition, round-trip airfare, monthly living stipend, and health insurance.
• Commitment: Must return to Armenia to work in development for two years.

20. CAF Ulysses Program (USA)

The CAF Ulysses Program specifically supports Armenian students from the diaspora to study in the United States at the undergraduate level. It is a competitive, need-based program.

• Eligibility: Armenian descent, U.S. citizen or permanent resident not required.
• Value: Up to $15,000 per year.
• Renewable: For up to four years, contingent on academic performance.

Conclusion

Armenian students now have more opportunities than ever to access world-class education through these 20 scholarships. From fully funded master’s degrees in the UK to local grants in Yerevan, the key is to start early, prepare strong applications, and tailor your essays to each program’s values. Do not limit yourself to one option—apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances. Your future in higher education is bright, and these scholarships are the bridge to get you there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes, you can and should apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. Many students combine a full-funding scholarship with a smaller grant to cover additional expenses. Just ensure you read each program’s rules about accepting multiple awards.

2. Are these scholarships only for students from Armenia?

No. Many of these scholarships are open to Armenian students from the diaspora as well. For example, AGBU and Fulbright accept applications from ethnic Armenians regardless of country of residence. Check each program’s eligibility criteria carefully.

3. Do I need to speak Armenian to apply?

No, most scholarships for study abroad require English or the host country’s language. However, some local scholarships (like AUA or ARS) may value Armenian language skills. For international programs, strong English is usually sufficient.

4. What GPA do I need for a competitive scholarship?

For most competitive scholarships, a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) is recommended. For top-tier programs like Chevening or Fulbright, a GPA above 3.7 is common. However, some scholarships also consider leadership, community service, and financial need.

5. Can I apply if I am already studying at a university?

Yes, many scholarships accept current university students. You can apply for exchange programs, full degree transfers, or graduate scholarships while enrolled. Just check if your current institution allows external funding.

6. How long does the application process take?

Most scholarship applications require 2 to 6 months of preparation. You need time to gather transcripts, write essays, obtain recommendation letters, and take language tests. Start at least 8 months before the deadline.

7. Do these scholarships cover living expenses?

Many do. Full-funding scholarships like Chevening, Fulbright, and Stipendium Hungaricum include a monthly living stipend. Others, like AUA merit scholarships, may only cover tuition. Always check the specific benefits list.

8. Is there an age limit for these scholarships?

Some scholarships have age limits. For example, UWC Dilijan is for ages 16-18, and Chevening has a preferred age range (usually under 35). However, many graduate scholarships (like DAAD) do not have strict age limits. Check each program’s FAQ.

9. Can I work while on a scholarship in another country?

It depends on the visa and scholarship rules. In the UK, Chevening allows part-time work during studies. In the US, F-1 visa holders can work on campus. Always verify with the scholarship provider and your host country’s immigration rules.

10. What if I don’t get a scholarship in my first attempt?

Do not give up. Many successful applicants apply two or three times before receiving funding. Use the feedback to improve your essays, retake language tests, or gain more work experience. Persistence is key in competitive scholarships.