MBA Scholarships: 2025 Guide to Max ROI

Housing is often the second‑biggest cost after tuition—and in many cities, it can exceed your scholarship stipend. The good news: there are scholarships for international students that include free housing (or a guaranteed dorm place) so you don’t have to hunt for accommodation or pay rent out of pocket. The challenge is knowing which awards truly cover room and board, which offer a dormitory place vs. a cash allowance, and how to prove the benefit for your visa and enrollment.

This guide maps the most reliable scholarships with free housing by region, explains what “housing included” actually means, shows how to verify benefits in 10 minutes, and gives you timelines, application tips, and copy‑paste emails to confirm coverage before you accept.

What you’ll learn:

• Scholarships that include free on‑campus accommodation or full room & board
• Programs that guarantee a dorm place or pay a housing allowance when dorms are full
• Country‑specific notes (visa, insurance, dependents)
• How to verify housing benefits and deadlines before you apply
• FAQs and templates to make the process fast

Note: Benefits change. Always confirm on the official scholarship page and request the current award letter or policy certificate before relying on housing coverage.

What “housing included” actually means (read this first)

Not all “free housing” is the same. Programs typically offer one of these:

• Free on‑campus accommodation (room provided at no cost)
  • Common phrasing: “accommodation provided in university dormitories”
• Guaranteed dorm placement or a housing allowance
  • If a dorm bed isn’t available, you receive a monthly housing stipend to rent off‑campus
• Full room & board
  • Both housing and meals covered (typical for a small set of elite programs)
• Housing subsidy/discount
  • Reduced dorm fee rather than completely free

Ask the sponsor how long the housing benefit lasts (e.g., entire program, first year only), whether meals are included, and whether dependents can be accommodated.

Scholarships for international students that include free housing (by region)

Below are widely known programs where “housing included” is spelled out in official materials. Always verify the current year’s terms.

Asia and Middle East

Scholarship/Program	Country	Degree Levels	Housing Benefit	Other Coverage Highlights
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)	China	Bachelor/Master/PhD	Free on‑campus accommodation or housing allowance	Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, medical insurance
Yenching Academy (Peking University)	China	Master’s (Humanities/Soc Sci)	Accommodation in the Yenching residential college	Full tuition, stipend, travel
Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua)	China	Master’s (Global Affairs)	Room & board (housing + meals)	Tuition, stipend, travel, study tours
KAUST Fellowship	Saudi Arabia	Master’s/PhD	Free furnished housing on campus (often family‑eligible)	Full tuition, stipend, medical, relocation
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Scholarships	Saudi Arabia	Master’s/PhD	Free accommodation	Tuition waiver, monthly bursary, health care
Islamic University of Madinah	Saudi Arabia	Undergraduate	Free accommodation (dormitory)	Monthly allowance, health care, airline ticket
Qatar University (QU) Scholarships	Qatar	Undergrad/Grad (select schemes)	Free university accommodation in dorms (for eligible awards)	Tuition exemption, textbook fee exemption, annual airfare (varies)
Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)	Türkiye	Bachelor/Master/PhD	Accommodation in public university dorms or allowance if unavailable	Tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, one‑off travel

Notes:

• CSC and many Chinese host universities either assign a free dorm bed or provide a cash allowance if you live off‑campus with university approval.
• KAUST housing is a major benefit and can include family units (confirm eligibility).
• Türkiye Scholarships explicitly state accommodation provision; where dorm space is limited, a stipend replaces it.

Europe

Scholarship/Program	Country/Region	Degree Levels	Housing Benefit	Other Coverage Highlights
Stipendium Hungaricum	Hungary	Bachelor/Master/PhD	Dormitory place (free/subsidized) or monthly housing contribution	Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, medical insurance
Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS)	Brunei	Diploma/Bachelor/Master	Accommodation at the educational institution’s residence	Tuition, monthly allowance, travel
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships	Switzerland	PhD/Postdoc/Research	Housing allowance or arranged insurance; some hosts facilitate accommodation	Monthly stipend, insurance, tuition/fees (varies)
Romanian Government Scholarship (verify yearly)	Romania	Bachelor/Master/PhD	Often free or subsidized dorm accommodation subject to availability	Tuition waiver, monthly stipend

Notes:

• Stipendium Hungaricum is clear: a dorm bed or cash to rent off‑campus (amounts differ by city).
• Brunei’s scholarship typically includes on‑campus accommodation and a subsistence allowance.

North America

Scholarship/Program	Country	Degree Levels	Housing Benefit	Other Coverage Highlights
NYU Abu Dhabi Scholarships	UAE (NYU Global Network)	Undergraduate	Tuition, room & board for top admits	Travel, health insurance (varies by package)
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson	Canada	Undergraduate	Full residence support (housing)	Tuition, books, incidental fees for 4 years
American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL)	USA	Undergraduate	Room & board (plus tuition)	Does not cover non‑billable extras; very competitive
Berea College (International Program)	USA	Undergraduate	Housing and meals (room & board)	No‑Tuition Promise; work program requirements

Notes:

• These are highly selective and often require separate, early applications and nominations.
• At some North American universities, other full‑ride merit awards also include room & board—check each school’s “full‑ride” pages.

Africa and MENA (selected partner programs)

Scholarship/Program	Country/Region	Degree Levels	Housing Benefit	Other Coverage Highlights
Mastercard Foundation Scholars (partner universities)	Multiple (AUB, AUC, others)	Undergraduate/Master’s	Many partner campuses include on‑campus housing for scholars	Tuition, stipend, mentoring; eligibility by region
KAUST, KAU, QU (above)	Gulf	Varies	See Asia/Middle East table	Fully funded coverage

Notes:

• The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is delivered via partner universities (e.g., American University of Beirut, American University in Cairo) and often includes accommodation as part of a comprehensive package for eligible regions; confirm per campus.

Top program snapshots (what they offer and how to apply)

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – on‑campus housing or allowance

• Coverage: Tuition, medical insurance, monthly stipend, and either free on‑campus accommodation or an off‑campus housing subsidy.
• How to apply: Either via bilateral program (through your country’s education authority/embassy) or university‑specific channel (admitted by the host and nominated).
• Timeline: Generally December–April depending on track; results in summer.
• Tip: If you prefer to rent off‑campus, get written approval to switch to the housing allowance.

Yenching Academy (Peking University) – residential college living

• Coverage: Full tuition, on‑campus accommodation at Yenching, stipend, travel.
• How to apply: Online application with essays, recommendations, and a writing sample.
• Timeline: Typically August–December (confirm current cycle).
• Tip: This is a humanities/social sciences program with a global leadership focus—tailor your statement accordingly.

Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua) – room & board included

• Coverage: Tuition, room & board (housing + meals), in‑country study tours, travel.
• How to apply: Apply directly; requires leadership resume, essays, recommendations, and (optionally) test scores.
• Timeline: Two cycles per year for global and Chinese applicants.
• Tip: Structured interviews are rigorous; practice a 60‑second impact pitch.

KAUST Fellowship (Saudi Arabia) – family‑friendly housing

• Coverage: Full tuition, generous monthly stipend, free on‑campus housing (family options), medical/dental, relocation.
• How to apply: Direct to KAUST; obtain faculty interest, submit transcripts, CV, research interests.
• Timeline: Rolling admissions; year‑round.
• Tip: Ask early about family accommodation (availability and unit size).

Türkiye Scholarships – dorm or allowance

• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, Turkish language course, and accommodation in public dorms or a housing allowance if unavailable.
• How to apply: Centralized online portal (evaluation includes GPA, statements, and interviews).
• Timeline: Typically opens Jan–Feb; interviews in spring; results mid‑year.
• Tip: Rank universities strategically; your program fit matters as much as GPA.

Stipendium Hungaricum – dorm bed or cash contribution

• Coverage: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, medical insurance, and either a dormitory place or housing contribution for renting.
• How to apply: Nomination by your sending partner (ministry/agency) + Tempus Foundation portal.
• Timeline: Calls usually open late fall; results in spring.
• Tip: In Budapest, housing contributions may not fully cover market rents—apply early for dorms.

Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship – housing at residence halls

• Coverage: Tuition, monthly allowance, book allowance, and accommodation at the institution’s residential college; travel.
• How to apply: National online portal + document submission.
• Timeline: Annual call (check Ministry of Foreign Affairs website).
• Tip: Universities include UBD, Politeknik Brunei, and UTB—review program lists before applying.

Qatar University Scholarships – free dorms for selected awards

• Coverage: Tuition exemption, textbook fee exemption, free accommodation in university dorms, and annual airfare (depending on scheme).
• How to apply: Apply to QU and specific scholarship tracks; some require high GPA and recommendation.
• Timeline: Application windows vary by semester intake.
• Tip: Dorm eligibility can depend on gender and program; confirm availability early.

University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson – full residence support

• Coverage: Tuition, books, fees, and full residence support (housing) for four years.
• How to apply: Nomination by your high school + apply to U of T + separate Pearson application.
• Timeline: Opens early fall; school nominations typically due by November.
• Tip: This is one of the most competitive undergraduate awards globally—showcase leadership and sustained impact.

American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL) – room & board

• Coverage: Full tuition and room & board for high‑achieving international students committed to civic leadership.
• How to apply: AU admissions + EGL application; early deadlines.
• Timeline: Apply well before January; award often decided by February/March.
• Tip: Demonstrated community impact is crucial—quantify your outcomes.

How to verify the housing benefit in 10 minutes

Use this checklist before you accept any award.

1. Find the official page

• Search: “[Scholarship name] housing” or “[Scholarship name] benefits accommodation PDF”.

2. Download documents

• Award terms/handbook, FAQ, and (if admitted) your offer letter detailing “accommodation provided” or “dormitory place”.

3. Clarify the form of benefit

• Is it free on‑campus housing, a dorm guarantee, or a cash housing allowance? Are meals included?

4. Duration and breaks

• Does housing cover the full academic year, summer, or only term time? Are you required to vacate during breaks?

5. Availability and priorities

• Is housing first‑come, first‑served? Are there gender/graduate family housing constraints?

6. Off‑campus option

• If you decline the dorm, will you receive a housing allowance? How much? What proof is needed?

7. Dependents

• Can spouses/children live in university housing? What are the policies and costs?

8. Documents for visa/enrollment

• Ask for a letter that explicitly states “accommodation provided” and the period covered to present at your visa appointment and during check‑in.

Copy‑paste email to confirm housing:

• Subject: Housing Coverage Confirmation – [Scholarship Name], [Your Full Name]
• Body:
  • Dear [Scholarship/Admissions Office],
  • Could you please confirm whether my award includes free on‑campus housing (dormitory) for the period [dates]? If dorms are unavailable, is there a housing allowance? Are meals included? May I have a PDF letter stating the housing coverage and dates for my visa?
  • Thank you, [Your Name], [Application ID]

Cost-of-living math: why housing included can be worth more than a bigger stipend

Estimated monthly housing costs (single student, shared accommodation):

• Beijing/Shanghai: US$400–800 (on‑campus dorms lower)
• Budapest: €250–450 (dorms lower; private rent rising)
• Riyadh/Jeddah (on‑campus): Free if provided; off‑campus US$500–900
• Doha: US$500–1,000 (dorm free if included)
• Toronto/DC: US$1,000–1,600 (room & board coverage is huge)
• Istanbul/Ankara: US$200–400 (dorms often free/low)

A scholarship that includes dorm housing can be worth an extra US$3,000–US$10,000+ per year compared to stipends alone—sometimes more than the difference between two competing awards.

Breakeven example:

• Award A: US$900 monthly stipend + free dorm (worth US$450) = effective US$1,350/month
• Award B: US$1,200 monthly stipend + no housing = lower effective value if you pay US$500/month rent

Application strategy: target awards with housing early

• Shortlist smart
  • Filter for programs that explicitly list “accommodation provided” or “room & board”.
• Contact admissions/scholarship teams
  • A quick email can confirm whether dorms are guaranteed and what happens if space is limited.
• Apply early
  • Dorms and housing‑linked awards often have earlier deadlines or priority windows.
• Consider campus lifestyle
  • On‑campus housing improves community and reduces commute costs—often worth more than a slightly higher stipend.

Eligibility and documents (what these programs ask for)

• Common requirements
  • Academic transcripts and diplomas
  • Proof of citizenship and passport
  • Language proficiency (English; local language where relevant)
  • Recommendation letters (2–3)
  • Personal statement/motivation (and leadership essays for leadership‑oriented awards)
  • Program‑specific forms (e.g., supervisor endorsement for research awards)
• For China/Türkiye/Hungary/Brunei
  • Medical form (foreigner physical exam for China)
  • University application + government portal (CSC, Türkiye, SH)
  • Scholarship application photo + CV
• For NYUAD/U of T/AU EGL
  • Separate scholarship applications and school nominations (U of T Pearson)
  • Early deadlines; competitive test scores and leadership profile

Timelines and typical deadlines

Program	Window (indicative)	Notes
CSC (China)	Dec–Apr (varies by track)	Start early to secure supervisor/university
Yenching/Schwarzman	Aug–Dec (check exact)	Structured essays and interviews
KAUST	Rolling	Year‑round; aim early for housing preferences
Türkiye Scholarships	Jan–Feb	One central portal; interviews in spring
Stipendium Hungaricum	Nov–Jan	Nomination by sending partner + Tempus portal
Brunei Govt Scholarship	Jan–Feb (varies)	Ministry portal; select institutions
Qatar University	Varies by intake	Check QU scholarships page
U of T Pearson	Sep–Jan (nomination by Nov)	Separate nomination + application
AU EGL	Fall–early winter	Early decision track recommended
Mastercard Foundation (partners)	Campus‑specific	Read each partner’s timeline carefully

Always check the official site for current dates.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Assuming “housing included” means meals too
  • Many scholarships cover housing but not food. If meals are included, the term “room & board” appears.
• Missing dorm deadlines
  • Even with housing included, you may need to reserve your room—watch for housing portal invites and deposits (often waived for scholars).
• Declining a dorm without confirming an allowance
  • If you plan to live off‑campus, get written confirmation that you’ll receive a housing stipend and the amount.
• Ignoring breaks/holidays
  • Some dorms close during long breaks; clarify storage and alternative housing arrangements.
• Dependent housing assumptions
  • Family housing is limited; confirm unit availability, eligibility, and any extra costs.

FAQs: Scholarships for International Students Including Free Housing

Q: Which scholarships reliably include free housing?

A: Strong examples include the Chinese Government Scholarship (on‑campus accommodation or allowance), Yenching Academy and Schwarzman Scholars (room & board/college housing), KAUST and King Abdulaziz University (free on‑campus housing for grad students), Türkiye Scholarships (dorm or allowance), Stipendium Hungaricum (dorm place or housing contribution), Brunei Government Scholarship (residential college housing), Qatar University scholarships (free dorms on select schemes), and select undergrad full‑ride awards like NYU Abu Dhabi, U of T Lester B. Pearson, AU Emerging Global Leader, and Berea College.

Q: Does “free housing” include meals?

A: Not necessarily. “Room & board” means housing plus meals (e.g., Schwarzman). Many programs provide housing only; you cover food from your stipend. Read the benefits list carefully.

Q: What happens if dorms are full?

A: Many programs (e.g., CSC, Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye) provide a housing allowance if on‑campus rooms aren’t available. Get the allowance amount and eligibility in writing before signing a lease.

Q: Can my spouse/children live in university housing?

A: Sometimes. KAUST and a few campuses offer family housing; many dorms are single‑student only. Ask about family eligibility, unit size, and any extra costs early in the process.

Q: How do I prove housing coverage for my visa?

A: Request an official letter stating “accommodation provided by the university/scholarship” with dates and any meal provision. Bring it to your visa appointment and keep it for check‑in.

Q: Are Erasmus Mundus programs included here?

A: EMJM/Erasmus usually pay a monthly allowance that covers housing, but they don’t typically offer “free housing” as a separate benefit. Some consortia arrange dorms; verify per program.

Q: Do US/Canada full‑ride scholarships include housing?

A: A small number do. Notable examples: U of T Lester B. Pearson (residence support), AU EGL (room & board), some NYU Abu Dhabi packages, and Berea College (room & board). Most North American awards cover tuition plus a stipend rather than explicitly free housing.

Q: Is accommodation guaranteed for the entire study period?

A: Usually yes for the award duration, but check break policies and whether you must re‑confirm annually. Some programs guarantee housing for the first year and prioritize scholars afterward.

Target housing‑inclusive awards to lower real costs

Scholarships for international students that include free housing can slash your true cost of attendance by thousands per year and remove the stress of apartment hunting in a new country. Prioritize programs that explicitly list “accommodation provided,” verify whether it’s a dorm bed or full room & board, and confirm the allowance policy if you need to live off‑campus. With the right shortlist and early applications, you can secure both funding and a place to live from day one.