Studying abroad is a life-changing opportunity, but it comes with financial and emotional challenges—especially for married students. Unlike single students, those with spouses (and sometimes children) face higher living expenses, visa complexities, and the challenge of balancing academic goals with family responsibilities. Thankfully, several universities, governments, and organizations around the world recognize these unique needs and offer scholarships designed to support married students and their dependents.
This article explores the top scholarships that provide financial relief, living allowances, and even accommodation benefits for married students abroad.
Why Scholarships for Married Students Matter
While international education is a significant investment for anyone, married students face extra costs:
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Family Housing: Student dormitories often cater to singles, meaning married students need larger, often more expensive apartments.
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Healthcare: Dependents require medical coverage, which adds to expenses.
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Childcare and Schooling: Married students with children often need support for schooling or daycare.
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Travel Costs: Flights and relocation costs multiply when moving as a family.
Scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and family-related benefits can make the difference between financial struggle and a successful academic journey.
Scholarships That Support Married Students
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright program is one of the most prestigious scholarships worldwide. While it primarily funds tuition, living stipends, and health insurance for students, it also offers dependent allowances in certain cases. Spouses and children can accompany the student, with healthcare support included.
Highlights:
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Covers tuition, travel, and living expenses.
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Health insurance available for dependents.
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Family-friendly cultural exchange opportunities.
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the UK government, Chevening supports students from over 160 countries. Although the scholarship mainly covers the student’s costs, married scholars can bring their spouse and children to the UK. The award doesn’t pay for dependents’ expenses directly, but the living stipend for scholars is generous enough to help support family life.
Highlights:
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Full tuition and monthly stipend.
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Travel costs covered.
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Family visas available, though dependents’ living costs must be managed independently.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (Europe)
The Erasmus Mundus program funds international students to study in multiple European universities. It includes full tuition coverage, a generous monthly stipend, travel costs, and sometimes housing assistance. Married students often find this scholarship ideal because the stipend can reasonably support a spouse or children in many European cities.
Highlights:
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Monthly stipend of €1,000–€1,200.
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Covers tuition, travel, and insurance.
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Flexibility for married students relocating with families.
4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships that are among the most family-friendly worldwide. They explicitly support married students by offering family allowances, dependent support, and rent subsidies. This makes Germany one of the most attractive destinations for married students.
Highlights:
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Tuition-free universities in Germany.
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Monthly stipends plus family allowance.
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Rent subsidies for family housing.
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Health insurance for dependents.
5. Australia Awards Scholarships
Funded by the Australian government, these scholarships are designed for students from developing countries. They cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel. Importantly, recipients can bring spouses and children on dependent visas. While the scholarship itself doesn’t always cover dependents’ costs directly, the living stipend and health coverage often extend to families.
Highlights:
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Full tuition and living allowance.
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Dependent visas available.
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Opportunities for families to settle temporarily in Australia.
6. New Zealand Government Scholarships
New Zealand offers scholarships for students from developing countries, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. These awards are notable for their generous family support, allowing students to bring spouses and children with provisions for dependent visas and sometimes living stipends.
Highlights:
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Full tuition and living allowance.
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Dependent support for spouses and children.
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Healthcare and accommodation benefits available.
7. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
Administered by Global Affairs Canada, this program covers tuition, travel, and living costs for international students from Commonwealth countries. Married students benefit because the scholarship includes provisions for dependents, making it easier to relocate with family.
Highlights:
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Tuition and travel covered.
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Monthly living stipend.
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Dependent allowances in certain cases.
8. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia)
KAUST offers one of the most comprehensive packages for married students. All admitted students receive full tuition coverage, free housing (with family options), medical and dental coverage, and a generous monthly stipend.
Highlights:
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Free housing for families.
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Full tuition and stipend.
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Healthcare benefits for spouses and children.
Tips for Married Students Applying for Scholarships
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Check Dependent Policies Carefully: Some scholarships cover only the student, while others extend support to families.
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Budget for Additional Costs: Even family-friendly scholarships may not fully cover dependents’ expenses.
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Apply Early for Housing: Universities with family accommodations have limited availability.
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Highlight Family Stability in Applications: Scholarship committees often value mature candidates with strong commitments.
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Consider Destination Country Benefits: Countries like Germany and New Zealand offer broader family support, even beyond scholarships.
Why Family-Friendly Scholarships Are Increasing
Governments and universities recognize that international students with families often bring stability, maturity, and long-term commitment. Supporting married students:
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Attracts more diverse talent.
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Strengthens global partnerships.
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Encourages permanent migration of skilled graduates.
Conclusion
Studying abroad as a married student comes with unique challenges, but scholarships that consider dependents make the journey far more achievable. Programs like DAAD in Germany, New Zealand Government Scholarships, KAUST in Saudi Arabia, and Fulbright in the U.S. stand out for their generous family support.