Fulbright Benefits 2028–29: The Full Picture
Benefits vary by country, tuition caps can leave you with a funding gap, and the stipend covers one person only. Here is what you actually get.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Fulbright is generous, but it is not a blank check. Official commission materials describe the award as covering tuition, a living allowance and round-trip travel — but the details vary by country.
Tuition & Fees
Amounts →Coverage is full or partial, with country-specific caps (a cap of around $32,500 a year has been reported). If your university doesn't waive the rest, you pay the gap. An $80K+ program would leave a $47K+ annual gap.
Tuition caps vary dramatically by country. Always verify with your commission.
Monthly Living Stipend
For IIE-administered grants, the standard monthly rates since autumn 2025 run from $2,831 (Zone A, lowest cost) to $4,300 (Zone E, highest cost), set by the cost of living in your host city. Some commissions pay less or a fixed grant: Switzerland, for example, gives about $20,000 for an academic year. The stipend covers rent, food and transport for one person only.
In high-cost cities, rent can take most of the stipend, even at the higher zone rates. Budget before you accept.
Health Insurance (ASPE)
The Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) covers basic medical care, hospitalization and emergencies. Grantee only — no dependents. Dental and vision are not covered, and it may not satisfy your university's insurance requirements.
Dependents need separate insurance plus proof of support. IIE’s J-2 funding rules for 2026–27 ask for 50% of your monthly rate for the first dependent ($1,416–$2,150 a month) and 25% for each additional one ($708–$1,075). Some programs, such as MENA, do not allow dependents at all.
Additional Benefits
- Round-trip airfare: economy class, booked for you (not reimbursed).
- Settling-in allowance: a one-time payment; $1,000–$2,500 has been reported. Not enough for most security deposits.
- Book allowance: $500–$1,000 a year has been reported. One STEM textbook can cost $200+.
- Pre-academic English: for selected nominees only; MENA’s Long-Term English program runs six to eight months.
- Visa costs: as a U.S. government-sponsored exchange visitor you pay no J-1 visa application fee and no SEVIS fee.