International students seeking fully funded education in China are being urged to finalize their applications immediately, as Zhengzhou University (ZZU) releases its official guidelines for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026-2027 academic year.
The Zhengzhou university has confirmed a strict online application deadline of March 30th 2026, with paper documentation required to arrive on campus no later than April 10th 2026. Officials are advising prospective students to pay close attention to specific “Agency Codes” and program categories to avoid automatic disqualification.
A Two-Track Application System
According to the admissions office of Zhengzhou university, the CSC scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend. However, applicants must navigate two distinct pathways depending on their degree level and program type.
1# The Bilateral Program (Type A)
University officials have issued a specific advisory for Master’s degree candidates. Due to limited seats in the direct university program, Master’s applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through the Bilateral Program (Type A) via the Chinese Embassy in their home country.
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Procedure: Applicants must submit documents to the ZZU online portal first to request an Acceptance Letter, which strengthens their embassy application.
2# The Chinese University Program (Type B)
This track is primarily reserved for specific subjects and research positions (often PhDs).
- Advisory: Applicants for this track are expected to contact a supervisor at Zhengzhou University prior to application.
- Constraint: Seats are described as “very limited.”
Critical Data for Applicants
To successfully lodge an application, students must register on both the Zhengzhou University portal and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) portal. Errors in the “Agency Code” are the most common cause for rejection.
- ZZU Agency Code: 10459
- University Portal: https://zzu.17gz.org
- CSC Portal: http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn
Eligibility and Financial Coverage
Zhengzhou University has clarified that the scholarship is available for non-degree (scholars) and degree (Bachelor, Master, PhD) programs. However, it does not cover students already currently enrolled in Chinese universities—it is strictly for new entrants or fresh graduates.
- Academic Thresholds: Applicants must demonstrate a minimum academic performance of 70%, a GPA of 2.8/4.0, or 3.5/5.0.
- Expense Breakdown: While the scholarship covers major costs including tuition and housing, the university clarified regarding hidden costs:
“Students should note that the scholarship does not cover HSK and HSKK examination fees during the preparatory year, nor does it cover fees incurred for oral defense or graduation. These costs must be borne by the student.”
Zero Application Fee Policy In a move to make education accessible, Zhengzhou University confirmed it does not collect any application fees for Chinese Government Scholarship applicants.
Next Steps for Students
For the direct University Program (Type B), hard copies of application documents must be mailed to reach the university before April 10th. The university warns: “It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all paper-based documents reach Zhengzhou University before the deadline.”
Call of Invitation: http://international.zzu.edu.cn/en/scholarship/detail?cid=49&pid=5&detail=4