Every year, many students appear for competitive exams to acquire a seat in their dream college. But unfortunately, many of them did not succeed in obtaining a good rank in JEE 2022, NEET-UG 2022, or CUCET NTA 2022. Such students should not lose hope as they can opt to study abroad. A study abroad opportunity opens doors to a myriad of opportunities for a student. Overseas education opportunities pave the way for finding professional career prospects and better life quality. However, it is not a piece of cake. Studying abroad is an expensive procedure and demands proper planning.
Luckily, several sources can aid in facilitating the study abroad process. One such factor is International Scholarships. These help the students by minimising their financial burden to a great extent. Hence, the student can manage the high cost of living. For this, students must know how to apply for international scholarships. So, today, we will discuss the major things that students should keep in mind while applying for an international scholarship.
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Many talented students prepare & appear in popular competitive examinations like JEE Main 2022, NEET 2022, CUCET NTA, NTSE, etc. But, many talented minds fail to secure a good rank due to hard luck. After all, there is a cut-throat competition in these national-level exams. Such students can still pursue their dream careers by opting to study abroad.
However, most students find it challenging to incur the high tuition fee and cost of living abroad. In such cases, Scholarships act as a boon for the students. It aids the students financially and lessens their burden to a larger expanse. There is a wide range of scholarship opportunities available for international students throughout the globe. Let us first briefly discuss the variety of international scholarships available for students.
Types of International Scholarships
There is a general misconception that scholarships are only meant for deserving students as far as scholarships are concerned. But many scholarships and financial grants have a variety of eligibility criteria other than merit. Notably, scholarships are being offered to international students with different criteria. They could be merit-based, requirements-based, subject-based, geographical (i.e., country-specific), or student-based. Moreover, International Scholarships could be State-funded, offered by Universities/colleges, or offered by welfare institutions.
Besides, considering the scope of coverage, scholarships can range from partial to full scholarships. The partial ones cover partial tuition fees, whereas full scholarships cover the entire duration of studies.
| Fact to Consider:
Most scholarships only cover the tuition fees for the students and leave the other expenses. The students have to bear the food & accommodation costs by themselves. |
Also, there are some scholarships for international students based on specific regions or students studying in a specific domain of study (e.g., scholarships for medical students).
So, international scholarships are highly competitive. Why not? Numerous students from different countries are trying to obtain financial help for their dreams.
To obtain an international scholarship, the students must provide a valid and deserving application.
Now, we will discuss the things to keep in mind while applying for their candidature in international scholarships to ensure higher chances of selection.
Draft a Solid Portfolio
Scholarships are not just for the students having high academic excellence. Even though it is crucial to have a considerable academic aggregate, it is equitably significant to have some extracurricular achievements. It helps the students to create a solid portfolio. A student’s portfolio can include everything he has pursued, i.e., achievements or accomplishments in academics, sports, music, painting, drama, and more. All aspects carry some value. Ultimately, the universities prefer multi-skilled students and are inclined to grow comprehensively.
| Fact to Consider:
Concerning GPA for merit-based scholarships, a student should have a score of 8.0 to 9.0 for a UG course and beyond 7.0 for a PG course program. |
Be Honest and Keep it real
Students should keep in mind that everything should be real, not fake. They should write their application honestly by mentioning only the facts & figures in their profile. The universities want to know that you are minded to put dedicated effort as required for their learning and development to assure a fruitful future.
The students are advised not to exalt themselves too much. They should soberly talk about their interests, hobbies, skills, and achievements.
Early to beginning is Good to begin
Students should start planning for their scholarship application around 1.5 years before the commencement of their course. First, they need to review the relevant scholarships exhaustively. They have to draft the applications and arrange the documents to be submitted. After all this, the applications are reviewed by the officials. Then, the applicants get a reply. Each step requires time, so students should not wait till the last minute to submit their applications.
Moreover, when a student starts in advance, he gets considerable time to add new things to his portfolio to make a solid one. For instance, if a student comes to know that a specific certification is worthwhile for his selection, he can pursue such certification to add it to his portfolio before applying.
Research About the University Scholarships
After a student has reviewed different universities/colleges and has selected the most appropriate one, he can research the university scholarships. Students can check their official websites and identify the available scholarships. Usually, each notable university has its scholarships for students. Some scholarships cover different fields, whereas some are specific to fields or programs.
Research on Scholarships Other Than University Scholarships
The students should also review the scholarships and grants by institutions or bodies other than the university. Many government bodies and non-government organisations (NGOs) offer financial grants for students. The home country of a student has scholarships for students studying abroad. There are scholarships by central & state governments. Further, the country you are migrating to for studies will also have scholarships for international students.
| Fact to Consider:
The ideal way to gain information about the available government-funded scholarships is through the Department of Education of both countries. Students can visit their official website. |
Applying for Multiple Scholarships
The scholarships will vary, but students should remember that they can apply for multiple scholarships. They do not have to select only one scholarship. They can apply for more than one scholarship offered by the university, private institutions, and the government. The scholarship grant may be a small one or a considerably large one. As it may be, it all aids the students financially.
Students should keep in mind that overseas study does not only include tuition, but it also includes food, accommodation, utilities, travel, & recreation to be accounted for expenditure. So, even small grants contribute to decreasing the financial incurrence.
Review of Application by a Professional
Usually, it is for the first time that students will be applying for international scholarships. So, even if you have done everything correctly, there is no harm in having your application & documents reviewed by a professional. Many education consultants are there who can review students’ applications and provide feedback regarding modifications (if any).
FAQs
1. Why is getting a scholarship significant for a student’s study abroad?
A major mistake that some students make while devising a financial plan to study abroad is not applying for international scholarships. The cost of studying or interning overseas might be higher than what the students have expected. So, the students must review the scholarship opportunities available. They can apply for multiple scholarships to maximise their chances of selection. Though most scholarships are competitive, several other easier to obtain scholarships are available. Students should remember one thing: every small chunk of aid towards funding their study abroad is worthwhile.
2. Which study abroad destinations or countries are mostly preferred by students?
The leading countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, & Germany, are some most preferred study abroad destinations. These attract numerous students across the globe due to their top-notch education system and job prospects. The US & the UK are the top two most promising study abroad destinations for international students due to their ultra-modern technology and high-class infrastructure. Australia stands as the third most promising study destination offering top-grade learning opportunities for international students. There are several open and university-specific scholarships for study in these countries.
3. How to get successful in obtaining a scholarship?
Obtaining a scholarship is not as easy as many students might think. To gain an international scholarship for studying abroad calls for careful research. How a student applies for a scholarship has the most crucial role, considering all the steps involved. The students who follow the correct procedures and do not neglect little things get successful in obtaining a scholarship. They consider the small & simple things that can have a great influence. There are many scholarships offered by the government and NGOs for Indian students. Before applying for any scholarships, students should keep the significant factors in mind.
4. What are some of the easiest international scholarships to obtain?
Here are some popular & easy international scholarships opportunities to obtain:
1. Fulbright Scholarship: Available in over 155 countries, it is a popular scholarship for international students. Every year, this US-based scholarship is awarded to more than 4000 students. The students selected for this scholarship get their most expenses covered, including tuition fees, accommodation, and travel expenses.
2. Chevening Scholarship: It is a UK-based scholarship. The British embassies themselves select the candidates for this scholarship across different countries.
3. Australia Awards Scholarships: Students who aspire to pursue further studies in Australia can apply for these short-term scholarships.
5. How can a student improve his chances of getting an international scholarship?
We all know that many scholarships are merit-based scholarships, i.e., based on excellence in academic studies. However, the chances of selecting a student are often determined by the qualitative aspect of his application & his financial needs. The students can do several things to improve their chances of getting an international scholarship. Students should ensure to arrange all the necessary documents while applying for scholarships. They should dedicate enough time to writing their application. They should convey how getting a scholarship will support their dreams. A student should show that he has the capabilities to perform outstandingly in the respective fields. Lastly, submit within the deadlines.
6. How could the students beware of scholarship scams?
Various Scholarships are provided to the students based on their merit, extracurricular achievements, hobbies, or geographic, ethnic, or financial miseries. However, students should be aware of not falling prey to scholarship scams. Whenever a student gets information regarding a scholarship opportunity that demands registration fees, the student should not take the step of registration. Such offers are mostly fraud. Also, the students should consider applying for the scholarship from its official platform. Do not move forward with unknown or untrustworthy sources.
Conclusion
Today, scholarships are the ways to achieve the dreams of many students. The students who want to pursue a satisfactory career but remain unable to secure a seat in reputable Indian colleges or universities can opt to study abroad. They can pursue graduation abroad in their preferred domains of study. Students should chiefly focus on gaining high-standard education at an economical price.
Moreover, studying abroad facilitates the students to become independent and adapt to new cultures & environments. Notably, scholarships help students to attain their goals. International scholarships aid the funding for tuition fees, accommodation, and other requirements. Hence, students must apply for international scholarships to gain financial aid. They must refer to the significant things to keep in mind before applying for a scholarship to enhance their chances of selection.
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