Scholarships for Non-Saudi Students: Rules Explained

Non-Saudi students who wish to study at Saudi public universities can apply for government scholarships through several channels: the Ministry of Education application route, the Saudi Cultural Attaché in the applicant's home country, or the Saudi Embassy in countries where no attaché is present.

eligibility depends on age: undergraduate study and Arabic-language institute programs are open to applicants aged 17 to 25, master's study is available up to age 30, and doctoral study up to age 35. Applicants must not already hold another scholarship from an educational institution inside the Kingdom.

The process also requires several documents and steps. Candidates must attest their certificates and supporting papers, and must pass the required medical examination. A mahram is required for female students under the stated regulations where applicable, and the educational institution may ask for additional recommendation letters.

How and When to Apply

Applications are made through the public universities and depend on the opening dates for admission at each institution, so there is no single nationwide closing date published on the Ministry page. The official portal referenced for scholarship applications is Study in Saudi at studyinsaudi.sa.

For the many expat families living in the Kingdom, these pathways matter because they open the door for children and relatives to pursue higher education locally. We note that no verified 2026 figures for fees, monthly stipends, or an exact nationwide list of scholarship benefits are available from official sources at this time, and we advise applicants to confirm current details and deadlines directly through the official channels before applying.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving