Planning to study abroad? You have come to the right place. There are plenty of things to take into account before moving to a whole new country, one of the main being scholarships. Scholarships become an essential part of regulating your learning experience. Manage and invest your finances correctly to avoid any complications that may affect your study experience abroad and we are here to help you! This blog will be your personal guide on how to get a scholarship to study abroad.
There are a lot of factors to take into account before applying to a university abroad. Financial support for any international student becomes the biggest driving factor shaping their learning experience. Scholarships are one of the biggest financial aid for any international student as it helps cut the cost of their expenses and thus it’s important to know how to apply for them. So, before we begin let us look at who can apply for scholarships.
Who can Apply for Scholarships?
Any student who meets the scholarship requirements can apply but keep in mind that some scholarships target different students. It is important to know the difference when applying to increase your chances of getting a scholarship.
3 Key Factors to Remember While Applying for a Scholarship
1. Starting & Planning Ahead
- Thorough research is important to explore various scholarship options and ensure timely application submissions before deadlines.
- Some scholarships have early deadlines, while others are up to one year before your study program begins.
- You will have plenty of time to gather the necessary documents, polish your applications, and also apply for multiple scholarships.
- Ensuring you meet the eligibility requirements for each scholarship you apply to will also be manageable.
2. Do Your Research on Available Scholarships
- Start your research by checking out government-funded scholarships in your chosen study abroad destination.
- Check the scholarships provided by universities for international students—many institutions have exclusive international student scholarships.
3. Academic Performance & Extracurricular Activities
- Remember your academic performance and your achievements in extracurricular activities play a major role while applying for scholarships.
- Extracurricular activities matter as they showcase your skills, leadership, volunteer work, and internship experience.
How to increase the chances of bagging a scholarship?
Getting a scholarship might seem like a challenge especially when you cannot charm your way through it. So, instead of doing that let’s look at the best possible way you could maximize your chances of getting a scholarship.
1. Write a Compelling Motivational Letter
Yes, you heard that right! Pen is mightier than a sword and in this case, it could even be your trump card. While applying for a scholarship there’s an area to demonstrate- your personality, qualities, life aspirations, career goals, etc. Make use of that and turn it into a motivational letter that no one can refuse!
Remember to be original and honest about the things you write.
2. Share your Personal Life Experience
If you’ve faced hardships in life or been part of something unique then this might be the biggest opportunity to make it count! Interesting personal experiences are your biggest strength. Talk about your hobbies, travels, achievements, or even inspirations and how they helped you grow.
Share what you’ve learned and how you were able to become who you are right now.
How to find Scholarships for International Students?
There are plenty of websites you could refer to while searching for a scholarship that is suitable for an international student like you. Some of them are listed below:
- The Studyportals Scholarship search
- University Websites
- Official Country Websites (for example Edu Canada/ Study Australia)
- Scholarships for Development
- Official EU Scholarship Page
- Commonwealth Scholarships
Types of Scholarships Available for International Students
There are different types of scholarships available for international students and not all of them are focused on academic performance. Yes, it is a factor but if you excel in the other requirements it should lessen the burden on your academic result. Listed below are the types:
- Scholarship for excellent academic results
- Scholarships for research, artistic, or athletic achievements
- Scholarships for international students with a low-income background
- Scholarships for all international students
- Scholarships for underrepresented groups
There are also:
- Location-specific scholarships
- Subject-specific scholarships
- Programme-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Pro Tip – Don’t bet it all on just one, instead apply to several relevant scholarships to increase your chances.
If you are still wondering how to apply and if you think you need help, feel free to contact us at RBS Intellect.
Let our study abroad experts go through all the trouble of finding the best scholarship options for you so that you can focus on what’s truly important — Learning! Contact us at RBS Intellect to book a session with our experts who can guide you through the whole process and help you obtain what you truly deserve.