A scholarship is a sum of money awarded to students in order to support their education. Scholarships are awarded based on several criteria, such as academic performance, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholarship specifications frequently reflect the goals and ideals of the award’s maker or donor. Although winners of scholarships are not forced to pay back their prizes, some may have ongoing conditions that must be followed throughout the duration of support, such as maintaining a minimum grade point average or taking part in a particular activity. Scholarships can provide a monetary award, payment of tuition or housing expenses, or a combination of the two.
Scholarships Vs. Grants
Both scholarships and grants are types of financial aid, therefore beneficiaries are not required to pay the money back. However, because grants are based on need, they are often provided to young people who cannot pay the cost of their studies. In contrast, the majority of scholarships are awarded based on a student’s aptitude in the arts, athletics, or academics.
Scholarships Vs. Loans
Unlike scholarships, student loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid—possibly with interest. Both good and bad things could come from student debt. For instance, the US had a whopping 1.5 trillion USD in student loan debt as of 2020.
Who Can Apply For Scholarships?
Anyone who meets the requirements may submit an application. Yes, it’s a “Captain Obvious” answer, but different scholarship programs target different student demographics. Always check your eligibility, the deadlines, and whether the scholarship is open to domestic, international, or both types of students.
The following are some of the prerequisites for scholarship applications:
- Forms for applications or registration
- A referral letter
- A university letter of admission
- Financial need evidence and official financial statements
- Evidence of exceptional achievement in the classroom or the athletics
How To Submit An Application For A Scholarship?
Work on your application materials as soon as you’ve found a scholarship for study abroad that you can submit an application for. A typical application process looks like this:
- Apply for the scholarship by submitting a form online, as is customary.
- Check your inbox to make sure you received the confirmation email.
- Write a personal statement or essay. There are many models available online, so be unique and stand out by sharing your unique experiences and perspectives.
- Obtain accreditation for your achievements in academics, athletics, and the arts. The majority of the time, translating the paperwork is necessary.
or receive proof of your nationality or modest income through formal means (for region-based scholarships). Again, a translation could be necessary. - Once the documents have been thoroughly examined for errors, send them to the scholarship sponsor.
provide the letter of acceptance from the school (or another official document from the university attesting to your acceptance). You will not receive the scholarship unless you declare that you will begin your studies.
Wait for the result. If you were selected, congratulations; you won! Typically, they pay all your tuition directly to the institution or college if it is fully funded (or a part of it). Universities provide scholarships and bursaries to attract international students and assist them with the high cost of relocating far from home to pursue a degree. The following scholarship options are open to students from outside the EU and abroad:
Types Of Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Academic, merit, and excellence scholarships are given to students who have excelled in the classroom, including earning high marks on school exams. It’s not necessary to achieve the best grades to achieve this. One university, for instance, automatically awards overseas students who earn CCC or above an international merit prize worth between $1,000 and $2,000 per year (or equivalent).
Other merit or excellence scholarships could be more competitive, requiring you to discuss in your application your extracurricular accomplishments, interest in your subject, future aspirations, as well as any personal challenges you’ve faced. You might also receive an interview invitation. But the effort is worthwhile. For instance, a merit grant offered by one university reduces tuition for international students by half.
Subject-Specific Scholarships
Similar to academic scholarships, subject-specific awards are given to students taking a particular course or discipline. They may be given by an outside organization or in honour of a previous professor, and are often managed by the relevant school or department at a university. Your enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience in that field, as well as any pertinent work placements you’ve completed, are often the main considerations in the eligibility requirements and application procedure. It might resemble your personal statement in certain aspects.
There can be a subject-specific assignment or project to do as part of the application process, such as delivering a presentation on a subject or submitting a portfolio of work. Additional perks like funding for field excursions or specialized equipment may be allocated to your subject or course as part of the monetary prize. A subject-specific scholarship is another something you can highlight when applying for graduate or internship positions in competitive fields.
Performance Based Scholarships
Scholarships that are based on performance are given to people who excel in extracurricular activities like sports, music, or performing arts like dance or theatre. Furthermore, you don’t need to get a related degree. However, you can be required to fulfil specific obligations, such as participating on a school team or giving a performance at campus events. There is typically an interviewing process before you can apply, or you might need to submit further proof of your skills, such as a video of you performing or a recommendation from a qualified party.
These scholarships are frequently designed to aid students in the development of their ability or talent, even though they may lower tuition prices or help with normal living expenses. For instance, one university offers international students who major in music regular lessons and a £300 subsidy for solely relevant expenses like sheet music.
For refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their native country, there are equal access or sanctuary scholarships available. A maintenance award or a reduction in tuition fees are two examples of this. Your immigration status often determines your eligibility. If you have access to additional money, such as through government or corporate sponsorship or student loans, you won’t be eligible.
Disability Scholarships
International students with a disability, a chronic mental health condition, a learning challenge, or any specific need may be eligible for disability scholarships. These could help offset any additional expenses you have because of your disease. The Disabled Students’ Allowance may be available to you if you are an EU student and you have resided in the UK for five years prior to the start of your study (DSA). This covers the price of any specialised tools and materials you require while attending college. This is evaluated based on your particular needs and is not refunded.
In such cases, bursaries (one-time payments) may also be given out.
How To Qualify For International Scholarships
When applying for scholarships, you have to check the type of scholarship being awarded and see which of them you qualify for. Full scholarships are the best form of financial aid because they pay practically all of a student’s expenses for the full three or four years of college. The supplier will pay for your living expenses and tuition, allowing you to concentrate on your education and social life without having to worry about money. Unfortunately, there aren’t very many of these “dream” scholarships available. Full scholarships are hard to come by and extremely competitive when they do. Even so, you should still apply for them. Continue reading to learn how to improve your chances of receiving one of these coveted scholarships.
Understand Where to Look
Where can you find fully funded scholarships? Your first stop should be the official website of the university of your choice, as they may list external scholarships you may apply for or offer their own financing possibilities for students in your area or studying your field.
In addition to your university, you could check websites scholarsify.com and studyabroad.com, which list financial aid opportunities in various study destinations, scholarships targeted at specific student groups, and scholarships focused on particular subjects (e.g. African students).
Make Preparations
It’s crucial to start planning as soon as you realise you’ll require a full scholarship to support your attendance at university. This is crucial if you find yourself in a situation where you have to attend an interview. For example, some universities host special “scholarship weekends” where 50–100 students are invited to campus for an interview with a faculty member. During the interview, they are asked about their goals and motivations and how they relate to the institution and the course. If you must attend a scholarship interview, you should approach it as you would any other formal interview: dress formally, arrive prepared with solid responses to any questions they may have, and be ready to ask them questions when asked to do so at the end of the interview.
Work Hard And Remain Optimistic
Despite the fact that some full scholarships will be given solely to individuals who demonstrate remarkable merit, others will consider both factors. It goes without saying that you should study hard in your studies, but if you want to receive a full scholarship—the majority of which go to the most deserving students—you’ll need to work especially hard. High grades are essential since colleges may automatically consider candidates for full scholarships using your standard university application. Despite the fact that pushing yourself intellectually can be mentally draining, strive to stay motivated by remembering your goals and taking occasional breaks to unwind (particularly before and after exam season!).
Make a Strong Impression on Potential Applicants.
Given the fierce competition for full scholarships, it’s critical to distinguish oneself from the other applicants by showcasing a genuine desire to develop personally. To demonstrate your passions and interests outside of the classroom and provide examples of times you’ve gotten involved with the local community, perhaps by participating in volunteer work for a worthwhile cause, you must have a few extracurricular activities to showcase to scholarship providers.
One excellent technique to demonstrate your leadership skills to scholarship providers is your capacity to lead projects in your extra – curricular activities or volunteer work. Building strong relationships with your academic mentors is important because they’ll be able to provide a more accurate and personal reflection of you in their letter. Another thing that could really set you apart from the competition when it comes to scholarship applications is a glowing report on your academic and personal qualities through your letters of recommendation.
Read And Understand The Application Guidelines Thoroughly.
Despite how apparent it may sound, you don’t want to accidentally forget to submit a required document or piece of information, which could ruin your chances of receiving the scholarship. To ensure you don’t miss anything, read the application advice thoroughly and often. If you have any questions, email the provider.
Send in a standout scholarship essay.
Your application essay and cover letter must unquestionably be of the highest quality. This is another obvious point. This entails ensuring that it is crystal clear and succinct, properly formatted, captures the reader with a compelling start, maintains focus on its main issue or topic, and has perfect spelling and grammar. Ask a friend to read it over and look for mistakes and any sentences that don’t read as well as they could to ensure that it is perfect rather than just proofreading it hundreds of times.
Eligibility For International Scholarships
International students typically have to meet the following requirements when it comes to scholarships from a university, in addition to any special criteria that corresponds to the purpose of a particular scholarship, for example, attaining certain grades for an academic merit scholarship:
- You either live in an EU or international country, which may be a specific country, and you pay overseas fees.
- You may be an EU or international student who may be from a particular country or continent.
- You are paying for your own education rather than having it paid for by your government, your employer, etc.
You’ve accepted a full-time undergraduate course offer from that university; you may have to make this decision official if you meet the prerequisite grade standards and other terms of your offer.
These scholarships for international students could be listed on a university’s website. The eligibility requirements and application process for scholarships might vary greatly because there are so many different award sources.
Guidelines for Obtaining A Scholarship, Grant, or Bursary For EU and International Students
- Before applying, make sure you meet all of the conditions for the scholarship to ensure your eligibility. The higher your qualifications, the better your chances are of actually winning a scholarship.
- Documents and other supporting materials may need to be translated into English so that the admissions committee at a UK university may easily understand them.
- Keep all of your documents, including backup digital copies and original print copies, organized and in a location that is both secure and convenient for you to access.
- Be persistent because there aren’t as many scholarships available for international undergraduate students as there are for postgraduates. Even more so if they promise a significant cost reduction or are being offered by a prestigious university, those that are are quite competitive.
- Don’t lose heart if you don’t succeed. Continue to be upbeat and move on to the next scholarship. Set objectives for yourself, such as applying for one scholarship per week.
- Additionally, ask your parents or teachers for feedback to prevent you from making the same mistakes.
- Ask inquiries; even though individuals who are evaluating scholarship applications are frequently really busy, they will be pleased to assist you if you have a legitimate query. Check to see whether your inquiry isn’t too generic or wide (such as “What scholarships do you offer?”) or if the solution isn’t already readily available.
- Your message needs to be written in good English. Before you hit “send,” have someone you trust double-check it.
- Beware of scholarship frauds. If a scholarship or bursary seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may use these opportunities to steal your money or personal information. This frequently occurs online if a monetary prize is promised.
- Be on the lookout for red flags include being approached by an unknown party, receiving messages with errors in syntax, spelling, or punctuation, or being required to pay a charge up advance.
- Visit the official website of the institution you’re researching rather than relying just on information you find on social media. Ask your parents or a teacher to take a look if you’re unsure whether anything is real or not.
- Find out more about extra financing that you can receive without paying it back.
Conclusion
Last but not least, as we briefly said earlier, the terrible reality is that there aren’t many full scholarships available, and those that are, are highly competitive, so many applicants who meet and surpass the requirements for a full scholarship wind up losing out. Don’t let this stop you from applying, but keep your expectations in check.
Also, keep in mind that there is no restriction on the number of scholarship applications you may submit or the number of scholarships you can receive, so you may be able to combine two or more smaller awards to create your own full scholarship. Make sure to confirm with the service providers that you are eligible to apply for and receive funds from other sources. If you do experience rejection, try not to let it depress you; instead, get back up, dust yourself off, and keep trying until you achieve your goals.