Your step-by-step guide to applying for a university scholarship

Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming for a mere pre-university student. But a sound basis to start from is by researching your ideal study destination and desired discipline.

If you’ve always envisioned a particular lifestyle for yourself during your overseas university studies, choosing a school based on the country could be the way to go. Alternatively, choosing a school based on your chosen discipline can also lead you to universities that have a niche specialisation in your desired course.

After you’ve come to a decision, take the time to research the average cost of living, tuition fees, weather, distance from home, and opportunities for part-time work, which will affect all other major decisions to come during the application process.

It is easy for one to get confused when presented with too many options. After conducting thorough research on your preferred course and study destination, the next natural step is to create a shortlist of universities in that country and the scholarships they provide.

Not only does shortlisting keep your list objective, but it also allows you to determine whether the university mission and scholarship you are applying for matches your interests, potential career opportunities, and personal values.

Think you could use the extra hand to objectively narrow down your options? Consider consulting the help of a counsellor. Most schools have academic advisors or guidance counsellors that can help students and their parents to find the right scholarship, assist with financial aid options, and even fill them in on admissions secrets at the same time.

Here at IDP, our dedicated team of education counsellors will allow you to explore the various scholarship options depending on your destination of choice, desired course, economic situation, and everything in between. If an application fails, our counsellors will continue to give you advice on the way forward.

Get to know more about what we do and how consulting with an IDP counsellor can do wonders for your application.

Undergraduate scholarships often consist of more than just filling out an application form. Some of the most common requirements expected by scholarship reviewers include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of participation in extracurricular activities, and other relevant accomplishments, among many other things.

Aside from the necessary materials, a common application mistake that could cost you your dream scholarship is failing to read the directions and instructions down to a tee. Start early, and take the time to collect and organise all the relevant information required, so you don’t miss anything.

One of the most essential components in the application process is the scholarship essay. This gives prospective applicants a chance to make their case with the scholarship committee and prove why they deserve a spot at their institution.

While the goal of your scholarship application should inform, the purpose of your scholarship essay should be to persuade. Make sure to showcase your strengths, personality, and how the scholarship would play a part in your long-term goals.

If you need help getting started on your first draft, here are 8 tips on how to write an effective scholarship letter .

Since applying for scholarships are becoming increasingly competitive now, you would want to have all of these materials down to a tee. A simple way to keep track of all the requirements is by preparing a checklist.

Now that you have everything you need, there’s only one thing left to do: submit your scholarship application. While some scholarship providers still require students to submit their applications by mail, most applications today can be submitted digitally through the university’s online portal.

Another thing to be mindful of is your application status. As you wait to hear back from scholarship providers, try your best to keep your head up and maintain a positive attitude. If you have been shortlisted for the scholarship you’ve applied for, chances are you might have to attend the interview, if there is one.

Regardless of which international university you decide on, applying for a scholarship certainly requires a significant amount of time and effort. If you want to maximise your chances of securing your spot, we are here to help you through each phase of your application process — from start to finish.

With our skilled IDP education counsellors, students can get the help that they need with their course application to study abroad and expect to be directed to scholarships that best suit their needs, along with various grant options with partner universities and institutions.

Are you ready to apply? Book your online counselling session with us today to get ahead on your scholarship journey.