IDP Education and Flywire have launched the 2026 Fly Higher Awards, a global scholarship initiative designed to give international students a financial boost as they begin their study abroad journeys.
The program will support 30 students with a US$3,000 award each, funded by IDP Education, to help cover the wide range of costs associated with relocating and studying internationally. These expenses can include tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and the everyday costs that often place pressure on students adjusting to life in a new country.
Now in its second year, the Fly Higher Awards continue to build on the long-standing partnership between IDP Education and Flywire Corporation, both of which play a significant role in supporting international education pathways through recruitment, admissions and secure global payment infrastructure.
Eligibility for the 2026 intake is open to international students who make an eligible education-related payment through the Flywire platform between 1 June and 30 September 2026. Students who meet the criteria will be entered into the selection process for one of the 30 awards.
Harmeet Pental, Chief Operating Officer at IDP Education, said the initiative reflects a deeper commitment to students beyond the point of enrolment.
He said the organisation is focused on supporting students across the entire journey, from initial consideration through to arrival on campus and beyond.
Students have told us that financial concerns and day to day expenses in a new country are among the most common sources of stress when planning overseas study, Mr Pental said.
The Fly Higher Awards are one way we are responding to what students are actually telling us, and making sure the support we offer reflects the reality of their experience.
Flywire Corporation Senior Vice President of Sales APAC EDU and Global Agents Mina Fakhouri said the program reflects a shared belief that the student relationship extends well beyond a single transaction.
Fakhouri said ‘Flywire aims to remove friction from the payment process while supporting students more broadly through their international education journey.’
‘Over our eight year partnership, IDP Education and Flywire have shared a deep commitment to simplifying the study abroad journey through reliable technology enabled services’, Fakhouri said.
‘This award program is a way to give back to students by providing financial support when it is needed most, while ensuring tuition payments are handled securely and seamlessly’.
A past recipient of the award, Junico Boribor, said the support carried meaning beyond its financial value.
He said studying abroad comes with challenges, particularly when living independently for the first time, and the award helped him approach the academic year with greater confidence and focus.
Beyond the financial support, recipients will also be invited to share their experiences, contributing to a wider pool of student stories that highlight the real-world impact of international education funding and support.
The Fly Higher Awards sit within a broader trend of education providers and service partners expanding their role in the student lifecycle, moving further into areas of wellbeing and financial support rather than focusing solely on enrolment and payments.
Further details on eligibility and applications are available at Fly Higher Awards application page.
