Difference between Scholarship and Freeship
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Difference between Scholarship and Freeship

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Mar 31, 2025 17:07 IST
One of the major challenges study abroad aspirants face is to arrange funds for pursuing their higher education abroad. In this article, we will inform. A scholarship is a monetary aid offered to students after recognizing their talents and academic achievements. After getting a scholarship, students can go for higher education without giving much

For many international applicants studying abroad is an expensive affair. Arranging funds to pursue higher education is a reason for worry for many students. This is where scholarship and freeship come into the picture. Both scholarship and freeship differ on the basis of merit and need. In this article, we will inform you about the difference between a Scholarship and a Freeship.

Difference between Scholarship and Freeship

To put it simply, scholarship refers to the financial grant awarded to academically meritorious students. Whereas, freeship is a financial aid provided to students who need exemption from paying the tuition fees due to financial restrictions. Scholarship and Freeship both allow students to feel motivated to pursue their higher education. Both scholarship and freeship have been invented to promote education and are used collectively to indicate financial aid to students. Read this article to learn about the differences between scholarships and freeships.

Table of contents
  • Difference Between Freeship and Scholarship
  • What is Freeship?
  • What is a Scholarship?

Difference Between Freeship and Scholarship

There is a difference between a freeship and a scholarship for international students studying abroad, thus the following table throws more light on the same:

Scholarship

Freeship

A scholarship is a financial grant aid awarded to students that help them pay for their education

Freeship is a financial aid provided to students that remit the whole or half of the institution fees.

Scholarships are given to students who are excellent in academics

Freeship is granted to needy students. It can be also offered to outstanding sportsmen, provided students meet the requirements of the concerned authorities.

Students are not required to apply for the university scholarships formally with application forms. The selection for scholarships is based on students’ academic records. However, for some scholarships, you may have to apply

To apply for Freeship, students are required to follow the eligibility terms and conditions of the concerned authority

Scholarships cover a broader range of student expenses such as their travel, accommodation and other living costs along with the college tuition fee.

The freeship is only limited to college's tuition fee. 

The application process to a scholarship (if external) is pretty competitive, you may be required to submit an essay stating your aim, achievements and a clear description of why do you deserve the scholarship. 

The application process of a freeship is pretty simple, you must check your eligibility for a freeship and then apply for one at your university in the desired format along with certain required documents such as the income certificate, mark sheet of the last exam, college fee receipt, and cancelled cheque of the student's bank account. . 

The criteria for granting of a scholarship may range from academic excellence, sports achievement and financial need.

The sole criterion for the grant of a freeship is financial need. 

What is Freeship?

Freeship is a financial grant that helps in the remission of the whole or half of the institution’s fees. In other words, it means an exemption from paying tuition fees.  Many educational institutions offer free to students who are in need. The government also grants freeship to certain categories of students. 

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What is a Scholarship?

A scholarship is a monetary aid offered to students after recognizing their talents and academic achievements. After getting a scholarship, students can go for higher education without giving much thought to the expenses. Some scholarships require students to apply, while, some others do not need a formal application. Before applying for the scholarship, students are required to meet the eligibility conditions. Oftentimes, scholarships are merit-based. However, at times, need-based scholarships are also offered. Students can use the scholarship amount for tuition fees, college supplies expenses, air travel, living and accommodation costs, etc.

Also Read:

Type of Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are financial grants that are given to students on their past academic achievements and/or extracurricular activities like sports or service to the community.

The Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are the ones that are provided to those students who are having financial difficulties. These scholarships are provided to those students who are from weak financial backgrounds and are unable to afford the tuition fees and cost of living abroad. To apply for the need-based scholarships, students are required to provide some proof such as family income proof tax statements employment documents.

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Types of Scholarships Offered Abroad Description 
Merit-Based Scholarships These scholarships are offered on the basis of the academic performance of the applicant.
Need-Based Scholarships Applicants are awarded these scholarships based on the financial need of the applicant.
Athletic Scholarships Students with athletic backgrounds and those representing the universities are awarded this scholarship.
Course-specific Scholarships Students enrolled in a particular course of study have certain dedicated scholarships available for them which can be availed.
External / Private Scholarships These are scholarships that are awarded by external agencies that may be for non-profit or may be private to international students.
Country-specific Scholarships Students going to study in a specific country can also apply for certain scholarships that are awarded to international students only.
Government Scholarships These are scholarships that are offered by the government to international students gong to study abroad. 

Read in detail about the types of scholarships to study abroad

How to apply for a Scholarship?

First of all, visit all the scholarship websites, university websites, or online communities to check the details of the available scholarships to study abroad. Keep the list of the scholarships ready before you finally sit to apply for them. Students can also reach out to the university or agency directly. By doing so, students can get the updated details of the scholarship.

After this, customize your resume for each scholarship that you are aiming to apply for. Get a letter of recommendation from your professors or direct managers as some study abroad scholarships require you to send personal references. The most important thing while applying for scholarships is to keep track of deadlines. The next step is to apply for the scholarship and submit the application.







Scholarships are offered by:

  • Governments
  • Educational institutions/university
  • Private organizations, companies and NGOs

Popular scholarships and Fellowships:

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Then, complete the Sponsorship interview and the financial declaration. International students are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 before registration. The balance can be paid in line with the liability dates related to the year and entry of the semester.

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About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat Read Full Bio
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Comments

(1)

M

Mit

4 years ago

Sir Im st candidate student plz tell how to cancel freeship form. By mistakenly I filled freeship form in place of scholarship

Reply to Mit

P

Prince Diwaker

3 years ago

Shouldn't i fill that free ship form too ?? Which one is better ? Please tell why do you wanna cancel ur form of freeship ?