The Republic of Croatia (shortly referred to as Croatia) is located between Southeastern and Central Europe. It is a popular destination for summer vacations, with the country relying heavily on tourism. Its stunning beaches and coastlines attract travelers from around the world. Besides the beautiful vistas, spending holidays in Croatia is more affordable compared to its neighboring European countries.

Besides lying under the sun on its pristine beaches, you can also explore other hotspots in Croatia. Another famous landmark here is the ancient city of Dubrovnik. Its old-world charm attracts global celebrities and even Game of Thrones fans as it is one of the show’s filming locations.

From sightseeing to summer holidays, Croatia has more to offer, including your destination to study abroad. You can fulfill your academic goals through some of the best scholarships in Croatia for international students.

Best Scholarships in Croatia

1. Bilateral Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: up to full tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.

The Ministry of Science and Education of Croatia offers Bilateral Scholarships, the best scholarship in Croatia for international students. With these scholarships in Croatia, qualified applicants have the chance to acquire more experience in Croatian higher education institutions. There are two options for international students to apply to this program: through bilateral agreements and language studies.

The signed bilateral agreements between Croatia and other countries allow international students to apply for this scholarship. Meanwhile, students looking to study Croatian language and literature, or Slavic studies, can choose the language studies option. While international students can submit their applications for both options, it is essential to note that the ministry will offer scholarships to those nominated by partner institutions in their home country or a Croatian language fellow.

The scholarship offers up to full tuition coverage and around US$250 monthly stipend for bachelor’s and master’s studies. Meanwhile, recipients in the Ph.D. program will receive around a US$280 monthly grant on top of the full tuition coverage. Postgraduate and research scholars also receive a monthly allowance of US$475. The scholarship also provides subsidized housing and meals.

2. Erasmus + Grant

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition costs exemption
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

The Erasmus + grants provide funding for international students from European Union countries. As an Erasmus + scholar, you can study in an eligible Croatian higher education institution for up to 12 months. The program exempts you from tuition and related fees and provides you with grants for travel and living costs.

To qualify for this scholarship in Croatia, you’ll need to be a registered and enrolled tertiary-level or degree program student first. Then, check if your home and target institutions have the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. It proves that both institutions are in agreement to send and receive international students.

If you are applying for Erasmus + for your bachelor’s studies, you’ll need to be in your second-year undergraduate studies. Also, make sure that your studies abroad are relevant to your degree program. Along with Erasmus +, you can get more funding for your studies in Croatia through other government and private institutions.

3. RIT Croatia Scholarships

RIT Croatia, located in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, is a global satellite campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, USA. It is the only higher education institution in Croatia that offers Croatian and American degrees. The institute provides financial support and scholarships to qualified international students.

While financial aid depends on the students’ financial needs, the institute selects scholarship awardees based on academic achievements. Additionally, RIT Croatia organizes contests to choose the scholarship recipients. Some of the contests are the Information Technology challenges, the English Language contest, and the Entrance Exam Scholarship contest.

To apply for this Croatia scholarship, you’ll need to submit your application upon contest announcement. You can join multiple scholarship contests and apply for financial aid at the same time. Then, you can choose the scholarship that offers the highest aid or grant. With the financial aid, you can get as much as US$11,800 towards your tuition costs. If you’ve achieved a grade of A in your first three years of high school, the institute will also provide you with a US$4,700 scholarship.

4. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides opportunities for American students to study abroad, experience various cultures, and acquire skills for their career and academic development. To be eligible, applicants must be American citizens and undergraduate students at a US accredited institution. Also, applicants must be recipients of the Federal Pell Grant.

Successful applicants will receive US$5,000 that they can use for study-related costs, such as tuition fees, books, and housing and meals. Moreover, recipients may only accept the award once. If they decline a scholarship, they can apply again subject to eligibility requirements.

Application for this scholarship requires essays and transcripts. Also, you’ll need to get your documents certified by the program’s appointed advisor. Make sure to complete your requirements and reach out to your advisor for certification before the deadline.

5. Boren Awards

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: up to US$25,000
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D.

Boren Awards provides financial support for international studies of American undergraduate and graduate students. Besides being a US citizen, applicants must be a high school graduate or a GED holder and at least 18 years old during application. If applying for graduate studies, they should have completed bachelor’s studies in the US.

Besides the eligibility qualifications for this scholarship in Croatia, Boren Awards considers applicants based on their selected program duration, preferably over 25 weeks, focus on learning a preferred language in their destination country, and their study field.

Successful applicants will receive funding based on their proposed study duration. STEM majors with a proposed eight to 11 weeks study plan will receive US$8,000. For 12 to 24 weeks, the award amounts to US$12,500, and the 25 to 52 weeks study plan is at $25,000.

6. Zagreb School of Economics and Management Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 20%, 30%, and 50% tuition exemption depending on your rank and HRK 200,000 for all scholarship grantees
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s

Zagreb School of Economics and Management, located in Zagreb, Croatia, is a business school for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in the fields of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management. They offer scholarships for undergraduate programs for qualified students.

Students are required to submit an essay and take the online entrance exam to qualify for the scholarship. For the essay, you will need to answer a few questions about what you plan to do in the future. To qualify, the applicants also need to submit their grades in high school.

Three scholarships of 20%, 30%, and 50% tuition exemption are available for chosen undergraduate students depending on their rank. Also, if the scholars are able to maintain a GPA higher than 4.0 every year during their studies in ZESM, they will receive a scholarship for the following school year. The application for this scholarship is only for a limited time so if you wish to apply for this scholarship in Croatia, make sure to prepare your requirements early.

7. IUC Southeast European Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Half dormitory or monastery accommodation in Dubrovnik, partial travel expenses for students from selected countries
  • Eligible Degree: Ph.D.

The Inter-University Center of Dubrovnik is an independent institution for advanced study in Croatia. The IUC promotes inclusivity in education by providing opportunities for higher education to students who lack financial support. Scholars from around the world will benefit from this Croatian scholarship with the help of subsidized accommodation and travel costs.

To be eligible, students must be from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Only graduate school students, Ph.D. students, and young faculty members below the age of 35 are allowed to apply. Candidates should submit their application forms to the IUC Secretariat at least a month before the start of the academic year for their chosen course. In some cases, you will be interviewed by the Evaluation board through online platforms.

The IUC Southeast European Scholarship Fund is only available for limited slots, and only one scholarship will be granted per course. Successful candidates will receive half dormitory accommodation and travel expenses for selected countries. Students from Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, and Turkey will also receive partial compensation for travel expenses and visas. To know more about this scholarship, kindly visit the IUC website.

8. Central European Exchange Program for University Studies

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full living and housing costs, medical insurance, and full coverage of tuition fees
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D.

The Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS) is an international exchange program for CEEPUS member countries. Students and teachers from Central Europe are offered opportunities for international education at partner universities. The applicants must be from the following countries to be eligible: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia.

A candidate may choose to be a CEEPUS network student or a freemover. CEEPUS network students are enrolled in partner universities and are nominated by the home institution to be forwarded to the universities in the host country. Freemovers are students from non-partner universities who are interested to join a CEEPUS program only for the second semester.

Student applicants are required to follow the application procedure online and submit a mobility report according to their desired time of stay. For teacher applicants, the application procedure is identical but you must submit a detailed report of your teaching at the partner university. Successful applicants will receive free accommodation and housing, medical insurance, and a full-tuition scholarship.

9. Rijeka School of Croatian Studies

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: A monthly grant of 1,600 HRK, covered accommodation and meal costs
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Masters

The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia is offering scholarships to foreign students and teachers who are interested to learn the Croatian language at the Rijeka School of Slavic Studies. The selected candidates will stay for a semester at these schools to master their Croatian language skills.

To be eligible for this Croatian scholarshis, the candidate must be a student of Slavic Studies or the Croatian language and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Masters degree. They must complete two semesters in their home countries before applying for the scholarship. The course is also suitable for beginner learners who are seeking to enhance their knowledge of the Croatian language.

Chosen candidates will receive a monthly grant of 1.600,00 HRK and free accommodation with meals at student dorms and restaurants. To apply, you must submit the application form, Curriculum Vitae, Letter of Interest, and other required documents in the online application system. You may view the list of all requirements in the scholarship link above.

10. Croatian Government Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Monthly allowance of 1,800 HRK, sponsored accommodation with meals
  • Eligible Degree: Ph.D.

The Croatian government offers full scholarships for postgraduate students from Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and China. This program is for those who are interested in learning any course at a Croatian university. However, keep in mind that only candidates below the age of 35 are allowed.

Aside from the eligibility requirements listed above, the candidates are also required to have a Masters degree in any program. Those with an intermediate level of Croatian language competence will be prioritized for this program.

Successful applicants will receive monthly funding for their personal allowance and subsidized accommodation and meals from the Croatian government. However, the personal allowance will not cover all the expenses made by the scholarship holder. It is only given as a contribution to the living costs during the student’s time of study. To apply, submit the application form, list of publications, copy of highest degree, work plan, and other required documents to the online application system. For more information regarding this scholarship, visit the website of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia.

 

We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Croatia for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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