Fully funded vs tuition-only scholarships: what's the difference?

The components of funding

A scholarship can cover some or all of: tuition fees, a living stipend, accommodation, health insurance and travel. Official pages usually list these separately. Read each one rather than relying on the title.

How this site labels funding

Fully funded: the official source confirms full tuition AND substantial living support, such as a stipend or accommodation.

100% tuition: tuition is fully covered, but living costs are not. You still need to show you can pay for rent, food and insurance, which visa authorities often ask you to prove.

Partial (25%, 50%, 75% or another share): a published percentage of tuition is covered.

Tuition waiver or other funding: a fee reduction or grant of a published amount.

Do the real cost calculation

Take the official tuition fee, subtract what the scholarship covers, then add living costs for your city for the full duration. Where you can, use the official living-cost estimate from the university or the national study portal. That total is what you actually need to fund.

Study in Finland, for example, notes that university scholarships there usually cover tuition only, not living costs. It's a useful reminder to check what a waiver leaves you to pay.