Alternative Scholarships
With a 2-5% acceptance rate, putting all your eggs in the Türkiye Burslari basket is risky. Here are 9 other major scholarships you should apply to simultaneously. Many have overlapping or compatible timelines.
Scholarship Comparison Matrix
| Scholarship | Country | Monthly $ | Accept Rate | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Burslari | Turkey | $83–167 | 2–5% | Feb 20 |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | $120 | 10–15% | Jan 15 |
| DAAD | Germany | $1,050–1,500 | 15–25% | Oct–Nov |
| Erasmus Mundus | EU | $1,100+ | 2–5% | Jan–Mar |
| Fulbright | USA | Varies | ~20% | Oct |
| MEXT | Japan | $950 | 10–20% | Apr–Jun |
| Campus France (Eiffel) | France | $1,300–2,300 | ~15% | Jan |
| Chevening | UK | $1,600+ | 2–3% | Nov |
| Commonwealth | UK | $1,500+ | 5–10% | Dec |
| Holland Scholarship | Netherlands | $5,500 total | 30–40% | Feb |
Monthly amounts in USD at approximate exchange rates. Actual values vary by year and programme.
Detailed Comparison
Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
The most similar scholarship to TB. Government-funded, covers 100+ countries, full tuition + dormitory + stipend. The stipend is slightly higher in real terms due to lower Hungarian inflation. 900+ programmes. No mandatory language year (many programmes in English).
DAAD (Germany)
World's largest scholarship organization. EUR 992-1,400/month is genuinely livable in Germany. Multiple programme types. Stronger university rankings globally. Competitive but significantly more transparent process with clear criteria.
Erasmus Mundus (EU)
Study in 2-4 EU countries on a single Master's. EUR 1,400/month for non-EU students. Similar acceptance rate to TB (2-5%) but a fundamentally different experience: you study across borders. 200+ joint programmes.
MEXT (Japan)
Japanese government scholarship since 1954. JPY 143K+/month (~$950) which is livable in Japan. Includes Japanese language training (similar to TOMER). Rigorous selection but transparent. 7 programme types.
Strategy: Apply to Multiple Scholarships
The smartest applicants apply to 5-8 scholarships simultaneously. Here's a suggested timeline for 2027: