The Top Ten Pieces of Advice for Securing That Scholarship

In order to cover the costs of your study abroad, so many of you will get some form of financial assistance in form of Scholarships.

For some students, receiving a scholarship could make the difference between going to school and not going to school. For some people, it simply helps with the expense of living, while for others, it provides a little more for to enjoy their life as a student.

There is a wide variety of financial assistance offered, and not all of it requires you to demonstrate that you are the most intellectually bright person on the face of the planet.

However, there is a great deal of competition among them. The question now is, how can you guarantee that you will be granted the scholarship or stipend to which you are entitled?

1. In most cases, you won’t be able to submit an application for a scholarship until after you have been officially accepted into the program.

You need to be sure that you are able to pay for your education and travel costs even if you do not receive a scholarship, even though it may appear that this is the wrong way around. If you do end up winning a grant, you will be able to either repay the loan you took out at the local bank or have some additional money for other uses.

2. It will not be sufficient to cover all of the aspects.

Repeat after me: there is no such thing as free education. Even if you are awarded one of the extremely few full scholarships available, you will still need to find money for things like transportation, food, books, health insurance, phone calls, and entertainment.

3. Consider options outside of your alma mater.

You can find a comprehensive list of available scholarships on many different websites. These scholarships may be awarded by private foundations (such as a Fulbright Scholarship), or they may be awarded by government bodies in either the host country or your own country (such as the British Council) (such as the Department of Education). Be sure to check carefully to see if you qualify for the program; many of them have restrictions based on your nationality, the classes you take, or your age.

4. Even the smallest contribution is useful.

It is well worth your effort to submit an application for a grant, even if it would only provide a modest contribution toward the price of your textbooks. When you are there, you won’t have to worry about that particular issue anymore!

5. Submit applications for as many jobs as you can.

Yes, it takes time. But this money is completely free! Therefore, compile a list of all of the available scholarships for which you are qualified.

Check that you have all of the necessary documentation to substantiate your case, and have another person read through the supporting essay or letter that you have written. It’s helpful to look at things from a different perspective every once in a while.

6. Be confident

Don’t be afraid to put your best foot forward if the scholarship program asks for a letter or essay from you outlining why you should receive the award. Include not only your academic performance but also your activities in the community, your professional experience, and any accolades that you may have received.

7. Stay away from scholarship frauds.

There is no such thing as a “guaranteed scholarship,” and you should not expect to receive one. There should never be an application fee associated with applying for a scholarship. Unluckily, there are some shady scholarship companies that will just take your money and run.

8. Make sure there is enough of time.

At the very least, you need to give some consideration to your financial situation eighteen months before you want to begin your program. However, once you have been accepted into the course, you may only have a limited amount of time during which you can submit an application for a scholarship that is particular to the course. Therefore, ensure that you do not miss your deadline and maintain communication with the international office of the university.

9. Ensure that a record of each of the documents is kept.

In order to have your visa straightened out, you are going to require proof of funds, and this includes the scholarship offer or agreement.

10. Always have a contingency plan ready.

Don’t give up hope if none of those applications turn out to be successful. There are several routes you might take to pay for your education. Consider applying for financial aid in the form of student loans, assistance from family and friends, and sponsorship from local businesses.