You’ve probably heard of fully funded scholarships — covering tuition, flights, sometimes room and board. But what if I told you there are scholarships that pay you a monthly stipend, letting you not just study abroad, but get paid to live there?
That’s not a fantasy. In 2025, more programs are offering monthly living stipends, maintenance allowances, or research grants to students abroad. These can ease your financial stress, letting you focus on studying, exploring, and building experience.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through:
- What a “monthly stipend scholarship” means (and what to expect)
- The top legit programs in 2025 that pay monthly
- How to find more opportunities
- Step-by-step strategies to win these scholarships
- Pitfalls, red flags, and FAQs
I’ve embedded credible sources so you can go straight to the originals for verification. Let’s dive in.
What Exactly Is a Scholarship With a Monthly Stipend?
Before jumping into lists, it helps to define what counts:
| Term | Meaning / Scope | What It Usually Covers | What It Might Not Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend / maintenance allowance | A fixed cash amount paid regularly (monthly or quarterly) to help cover living costs abroad | Accommodation, meals, local transport, utilities, health insurance, everyday expenses | Tuition, flights, major research costs (unless separately funded) |
| Research / graduate fellowship | Funding specifically for independent study or thesis work abroad | Monthly salary-like payment + research budget | Often doesn’t cover full tuition (if institution demands fees) |
| Teaching / assistantship abroad | Being employed by the university (as TA / RA / tutor) while you study abroad | Monthly salary or stipend + possibly tuition waiver | You might have to teach or do duties |
| Project / ambassador grants | Short-term roles (e.g. promoting abroad programs, ambassador roles) | One-time or periodic stipend | Usually not full support — more like side income |
A key point: not all “fully funded” scholarships include monthly stipends. Many just waive fees and cover travel. So when you see “fully funded,” double-check whether a monthly stipend is included.
Top Scholarships in 2025 That Pay Monthly (or Offer Living Allowances)
Here are verified programs you can apply to in 2025 that do offer monthly or regular allowances, or explicit maintenance support.
1. Taiwan Scholarship / Taiwan Monthly Stipend Program
Benefit: Monthly stipend for students studying in Taiwan
Details: The Taiwan Scholarship Program includes a monthly stipend component to support living expenses. (Wikipedia)
Ideal for: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD students anywhere in the world
Strengths: Stipend + coverage of tuition, room/board in some cases
Caveat: Competition is steep; stipend might not fully cover all your expenses depending on the city
2. Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (Taiwan)
Benefit: Monthly maintenance stipend
Details: For foreign students learning Mandarin in Taiwan, the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) offers a monthly stipend of NT$ 25,000 to help with living costs. (Wikipedia)
Ideal for: Students studying Chinese / Mandarin
Strengths: Regular monthly support; acceptance across accredited Mandarin programs
Caveat: It is for language learning, not full degree programs
3. ELES (Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Scholarship Fund)
Benefit: Monthly support consistent with German BAföG rates
Details: ELES supports gifted students and doctoral candidates; for the “student” category, they may grant up to €649/month + €300 study allowance. (Wikipedia)
Ideal for: Students of Jewish background (or those researching Jewish topics), EU / Germany based or with access to EU programs
Strengths: Ongoing support; academic and intellectual enrichment
Caveat: Niche eligibility; amounts modest by Western Europe standards
4. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Benefit: Monthly stipend for living expenses
Details: Chevening (UK government’s scholarship program) provides not only tuition but also a monthly living allowance to scholars. (LinkedIn)
Ideal for: Master’s level students globally
Strengths: Strong reputation, networking, full tuition + stipend
Caveat: Must return home for at least two years post-study
5. Jardine Foundation Scholarships
Benefit: Annual stipend + travel + full living costs
Details: While not strictly monthly, Jardine scholarships for Oxford / Cambridge include an annual stipend and all living costs (effectively broken into monthly support) for the duration. (Wikipedia)
Ideal for: Undergraduates from Asia applying to Oxford / Cambridge
Strengths: All-inclusive award; offsetting living expenses
Caveat: Extremely selective
6. IFSA Student Marketing Correspondents (Program Stipend)
Benefit: Stipend while abroad as “ambassadors”
Details: IFSA offers a $1,000 stipend (via PayPal or direct deposit) to students accepted as marketing correspondents while abroad. (IFSA)
Ideal for: Students already participating in IFSA-affiliated programs
Strengths: Adds income stream while abroad; experiential role
Caveat: Small amount; not intended to replace full funding
7. Department of Defense (DoD SMART Scholarship Program (US))
Benefit: Annual stipend paid monthly + full tuition
Details: Though a U.S.-based program, the DoD SMART Scholarship pays a stipend between $30,000 and $46,000 per year, disbursed monthly, in addition to fully funding tuition for STEM fields. (Fastweb)
Ideal for: U.S. citizens in STEM fields, including those doing part of their study abroad
Strengths: High stipend, full tuition, job guarantee
Caveat: Requires post-graduation commitment to DoD
8. Mellon / Research Fellowships & University TA/RA Roles Abroad
While not named “scholarship,” many universities abroad offer research fellowships or graduate assistantships which pay monthly. For example:
- German universities often offer DAAD research grants with monthly stipend
- In the U.S., PhD students abroad might secure an RA / TA position that pays monthly
- Erasmus Mundus joint programs often include maintenance allowances paid monthly
When you apply to a university abroad, always check whether they offer stipended fellowships or assistantships in your department.
How Much Can You Earn? (Stipend Benchmarks)
To help you budget and evaluate offers, here are some rough benchmarks:
| Country / Region | Approx Monthly Range* | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (Scholarship) | ≈ NT$ 25,000 | Around USD $800–900 depending on exchange rate. (Wikipedia) |
| Germany (ELES) | Up to ~€649 + €300 | For student-level support. (Wikipedia) |
| UK (Chevening) | £1,000–1,500 | Depends on your host city & cost of living. (LinkedIn) |
| U.S. (DoD SMART) | $2,500–3,800 | Corresponds to annual ranges of $30,000–46,000 (Fastweb) |
* These are approximate and may change depending on host city, cost of living, and exchange rates.
When you’re evaluating a scholarship, ask:
- Is the stipend enough to cover housing, food, transport in your host city?
- Is the stipend net (after taxation / deductions)?
- How is it disbursed (monthly / quarterly / lump sum)?
- Are there strings attached (e.g. teaching, service obligations)?
Step-by-Step: How to Find & Win a Monthly Stipend Scholarship
Here’s a 7-step actionable process you can follow:
1. Define Your Target (Country / Level / Field)
Don’t cast too wide initially. Start by asking:
- Which country do you want to study in?
- What degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)?
- What field (STEM, humanities, social science, language)?
This narrows your search and lets you find stipend-eligible scholarships relevant to you.
2. Search Official Scholarship Platforms
Use trusted databases and government or university sites:
- Scholarships.com for U.S. programs (Scholarships.com)
- University “Funding & Scholarships” pages (e.g. UTK’s funding page) (programsabroad.utk.edu)
- National scholarship agencies of your target country
- Program-specific websites (Chevening, DAAD, Fulbright, ELES, etc.)
Filter for “maintenance / stipend / living allowance / monthly support.”
3. List & Compare the Top 5 Options
Use a comparison table to weigh deadlines, stipend, eligibility, and extra duties (e.g. teaching).
Example Comparison Table:
| Scholarship | Country | Monthly Stipend / Benefit | Eligibility | Extra Requirements | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Monthly living allowance + full tuition | Bachelor’s/Master’s applicants globally | Service obligation, return home requirement | Nov (varies) |
| Taiwan Scholarship | Taiwan | Monthly stipend | All levels, global | Maintain academic performance | Annual cycle |
| ELES | Germany / EU | Up to €649/month + extra | Jewish students or research in Jewish topics | Seminars, publications | Rolling / fixed dates |
| DoD SMART | U.S. / global ties | $30,000–46,000/year paid monthly | U.S. citizens in STEM | Work with DoD after graduation | Varies yearly |
| IFSA Correspondent | Various | $1,000 stipend | Students in IFSA programs | Write, blog, social media posts | Invitation-based |
Creating a table like this helps you focus on the highest-value, reachable options.
4. Prepare Strong Application Materials
Essential documents & strategies:
- Personal statement / essay: Focus on your unique story, research goals, “why this place matters.”
- Letters of recommendation: Ask professors or supervisors who know your work well and can speak to your potential.
- Academic transcripts / CV / portfolio: Keep clean, updated, and well-formatted.
- Language test / certifications (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE) if required.
- Project proposal / research plan (especially for graduate-level or research stipends).
- Tailor every application — don’t reuse generic essays without editing for each scholarship.
5. Strengthen Your Profile Before Applying
Before deadlines hit, work on:
- Publishing or presenting a paper / attending conferences
- Volunteering or relevant internships
- Learning languages or local context of your target country
- Getting involved in clubs, societies, or community work
Scholarship committees love candidates who are active, curious, and show leadership.
6. Apply Early & Apply Wide
- Many monthly stipend scholarships have early deadlines (e.g. Chevening often closes months before program start).
- Submit multiple applications — the more you apply, the higher your chance.
- Keep a spreadsheet with application deadlines, required materials, and status tracking.
7. Follow Up & Negotiate
Once you’re shortlisted:
- Ask questions about how and when the stipend is disbursed
- Clarify tax / deductions
- If accepted, negotiate modest enhancements (e.g. extra poverty allowance, travel stipends) — some providers are flexible
- Plan your budget and set aside buffer funds
Case Study: A Student from Nigeria Looking to Get Paid to Study Abroad
Let’s imagine “Chiamaka,” an undergraduate student in Lagos, wants to study a Master’s in the UK in 2026 and get paid a monthly stipend.
- Target choice: UK, master’s, public policy
- Scholarship shortlist: Chevening (monthly stipend + full tuition), British Council scholarships, university TA/RA roles
- Comparison:
Option Benefit Competition / Caveats Chevening Strong stipend + full tuition Very competitive; need leadership, experience University RA role Monthly salary + waiver Must secure role from professor post-admission Embassy / national scholarships Supplement stipend Often smaller amounts or conditional - Application strategy:
- Write a compelling essay on how her policy work in Nigeria informs her goals
- Get professors to reference her research and leadership
- Volunteer locally for relevant NGOs, publish an op-ed
- Apply early (Chevening often closes early in the cycle)
- Backup plan: Apply for smaller maintenance stipend scholarships concurrently (e.g. Taiwan, ELES, if eligible)
This multi-pronged approach increases her odds of securing funding that pays her monthly.
Tips & Best Practices You Should Never Ignore
- Read the fine print — some “stipends” are lump sums or quarterly, not monthly
- Ask past applicants — student groups, social media, LinkedIn
- Budget ahead — see if stipend covers housing, transport, health insurance
- Keep eligibility and deadlines flexible — criteria may change year to year
- Be honest in application — committees sometimes verify claims
- Don’t ignore tax issues — some countries tax stipends
- Maintain eligibility during study (GPA, enrollment status, reporting)
Red Flags & Avoid Scams (Stay Alert!)
When a “scholarship” seems too good to be true, check:
- They ask for an application fee with no verifiable source
- They demand bank account or credit card details upfront
- There’s no clear institutional affiliation or official website
- They want you to recruit others or pay for referrals
Reputable scholarships are administered via universities, governments, or trustworthy organizations — they don’t operate in the shadows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are scholarships with monthly payments legitimate or scams?
A: Many are legitimate, especially from recognized governments, universities, and foundations (e.g. Chevening, ELES, Taiwan). Always verify via official sites.
Q2. Can I get a monthly stipend if I’m an undergraduate student?
A: Yes — programs like the Taiwan Scholarship or language-specific grants (Huayu) cater to undergraduates too.
Q3. Will the stipend cover all my expenses?
A: Rarely. In high-cost cities, the stipend may cover only part of your expenses. Always budget carefully.
Q4. Do I have to teach or do extra work?
A: Some programs (like TA/RA roles) require work. Others (like pure research fellowships) may demand publication or seminar duties. Always check terms.
Q5. When should I apply?
A: Ideally 6–12 months before your intended start date. Many stipend scholarships close early.
Q6. Can you lose your stipend mid-program?
A: Yes, if you violate terms (drop below GPA, misconduct, failure to maintain enrollment). Always be diligent.
Final Thoughts: You Can Get Paid to Study Abroad in 2025
A scholarship that pays you monthly isn’t a myth — it’s just rarer and more competitive. But with careful search, a strong profile, and persistence, you can find one. Here’s your checklist to get started:
- Focus on country / degree level
- Use trustworthy scholarship databases
- Build a strong, unique application
- Apply early and wide
- Stay organized and follow up
- Watch for red flags
If you want, I can build a custom list of monthly stipend scholarships specific to your country (Nigeria) and field (e.g. STEM, humanities). Do you want me to do that for you now?
