ProdiSHE: Supporting women from application to funding

For many women, the journey to studying abroad starts with a simple question: where do I begin?

The path from researching universities to paying tuition can feel long and uncertain. Application fees add up. Choosing the right university takes time. Funding an international degree can become the biggest hurdle of all.

That’s where ProdiSHE comes in.

Created through a collaboration between NovaGrad and Prodigy Finance, ProdiSHE supports women at different stages of their study abroad journey. Whether you’re still exploring universities or already holding an admission letter, the programme is designed to meet you where you are.

Because success rarely comes from one big leap. It grows through momentum, support and the right opportunities at the right time.

What is ProdiSHE?

ProdiSHE is an initiative designed to support ambitious women in STEM as they move forward with their study abroad plans.

The programme brings together two forms of support:

• NovaGrad will award application fee waivers to 10 women applying to selected partner universities

• Prodigy Finance will support 2 women with USD 1,000 each towards their tuition or living costs through the ProdiSHE Impact Award*

Together, these opportunities address two common barriers students face:

• The cost of applying to universities

• The challenge of funding international study

The initiative is built on a simple belief: talented women deserve practical support and access to opportunities that help them move forward.

One journey, two entry points

Students reach different stages at different times. Some are still deciding where to apply. Others already have an offer and are working out how to pay for their degree.

ProdiSHE reflects that reality through a dual-entry model.

You can enter through either NovaGrad or Prodigy Finance, depending on where you are in your journey.

The goal is simple, support women earlier, support them later, and support them wherever they begin.

Entry path 1: Start your journey with NovaGrad

If you are still exploring your options, NovaGrad helps you take the first step with more clarity.

Applying to international universities can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of programmes, different admissions requirements and application fees that can quickly add up. NovaGrad is focused on making this stage easier to navigate.

Through NovaGrad, eligible applicants can access:

AI-powered university matching

Discover programmes aligned with your goals, profile and career ambitions.

Application guidance and support

Get help preparing strong applications and understanding admissions requirements.

Application fee waivers

Ten women will receive waivers for selected partner universities, helping reduce the upfront cost of applying.

Entry into the ProdiSHE Impact Award selection

Applicants who apply through NovaGrad can also be considered for the ProdiSHE award later in the journey.

This route is designed for students asking questions such as:

• Which universities fit my profile?

• Where should I apply?

• How do I navigate the admissions process?

NovaGrad helps turn uncertainty into a clearer starting point.

Entry path 2: Already admitted? Let’s look at funding

Some students are already further along.

You may have received an offer from your university. You may already be preparing for your visa and planning your move abroad. At that stage, the biggest question often becomes financial.

How will I pay for my studies?

Prodigy Finance offers loans for eligible international postgraduate students studying abroad.* Eligible students from India can apply for funding that can help cover tuition and living costs, within approved limits.* Applications are assessed using a broader approach that can consider factors such as your academic background, chosen programme and potential career outcomes.*

When your loan is approved, we send the funds to your school, helping approved tuition and related costs reach your university on schedule.*

For students entering through this route, there is an additional opportunity. Two women studying STEM who apply for a Prodigy Finance loan through the ProdiSHE campaign will receive the USD 1,000 ProdiSHE Impact Award towards their approved loan.*

It is a practical financial boost that recognises ambition and supports the next step in your education journey.

Why initiatives like ProdiSHE matter

International education can open doors to global careers, new perspectives and valuable professional networks.

At the same time, the journey can be more complex for women navigating global mobility, financial planning and career decisions. Costs such as application fees, relocation and tuition can make the process feel even harder.

Programmes like ProdiSHE aim to reduce those barriers in practical ways.

Instead of focusing on one moment, this initiative supports students across several stages of the journey:

This approach recognises that studying abroad is not one moment. It is a series of decisions and steps.

Supporting each stage helps students build momentum.

From application to arrival: What the journey can look like

To understand how these pieces come together, imagine the experience of a typical international student.

Stage one: Exploration

You start by researching universities. You compare programmes, career outcomes and locations. Choosing where to apply can take weeks of research.

With NovaGrad’s AI matching tools, you can narrow your options more quickly and focus on programmes aligned with your goals.

Stage two: Applying

Application deadlines approach. Preparing essays, transcripts and recommendation letters takes time and focus. Application fees can add up when you apply to several schools.

A fee waiver through the ProdiSHE programme can ease some of that early pressure.

Stage three: Admission

You receive an offer from a university abroad. The excitement is real. The next question arrives immediately.

How do you pay for tuition and living costs?

Prodigy Finance provides an online loan application for eligible international postgraduate students.* If approved, the funds are sent directly to your university when we send the funds to your school.*

Stage four: Preparing to study

With finances arranged and admission secured, you can focus on preparing for the move, finding accommodation and planning for life during and after your degree.

ProdiSHE supports this journey at the moments where support can matter most.

Building momentum, not only opportunity

Many initiatives focus on celebrating success once students reach the finish line.

ProdiSHE focuses on the earlier stages, the moments when someone is still deciding, when uncertainty feels highest, and when relatively small support can make a meaningful difference.

By combining university application support with access to funding, the initiative creates a smoother path from ambition to action.

It reflects a broader truth about education. Progress rarely happens through luck alone. It happens when opportunities appear along the way and people have the support to act on them.

Who should consider applying?

ProdiSHE is designed for women who want to pursue postgraduate study abroad in STEM and are currently in one of two situations.

You are exploring or applying to universities

NovaGrad’s tools and application fee waivers may help simplify your next steps.

You already have an admission offer

Applying for a Prodigy Finance loan may help cover tuition and living costs while also making you eligible for the ProdiSHE Impact Award.*

Conclusion: Success is built through momentum

Studying abroad is rarely one decision. It is a chain of choices, applications, financial planning and preparation.

Each step can feel challenging on its own. Initiatives like ProdiSHE exist to make those steps easier.

By offering application support through NovaGrad and funding opportunities through Prodigy Finance, the programme helps women move forward wherever they are in their journey.

Because success is not magic. It is momentum.

Ready to move forward?

If you’re planning to study abroad and exploring ways to fund your degree, the next step can begin today.*

*The ProdiSHE campaign includes eligibility requirements, selection criteria and award conditions for both opportunities. Please review the full terms and conditions before participating. Terms and conditions

**Loan and promotion offers are subject to our eligibility, funding and credit assessment criteria. Loan amounts are subject to the cost of attendance limits set by schools.