Topics covered
Studying abroad is always the dream of many students who want to pursue an international education system in a foreign country, also give them the opportunities to step out of their comfort zones. University tuition, especially for out-of-state or private universities, can be expensive. Luckily, no matter your background, interests, or where you’re from, there are always scholarships available to you.
So, what can students do to save money when studying abroad? How do you know that you are qualified for a scholarship? This article will list out many useful tips when applying for scholarships!
Scholarships are quite diverse according to levels, majors and attractive values. For those who choose to study in high-ranking universities, the competitive rate is much higher. Read below for for a summary of scholarship eligibilities:
When it comes to scholarships, one of the most criterias that universities often look for is your academic achievement and the way you present them. There might be many people with similar scores but the question is, how are you different?
An impressive GPA is a must if you want to get a scholarship for studying abroad. Besides that, leadership skills and creativity in several school projects are also the important aspects which lead to excellent evaluation.
You need to identify your motivation to study abroad and try to explain what you aim to get out of the programme. All study abroad programmes are designed to help students learn about a different culture, language, society and way of living. Admissions officers want to know that you plan to make the most of your international experience and that you set goals to help yourself grow along the way.
The second thing you need to consider is the type of scholarship. Therefore, it is better to research all the scholarship application conditions before deciding to apply.
For example, students need to have an average score of 8.0 or higher when applying for scholarships in some Australian universities. The requirements for an IELTS score is 6.5 as your overall band or higher. Full scholarships for postgraduate programs are often provided by the Australian government.
For the Young Leaders Scholarship in the US, you must have at least 1 year of working in several government agencies.
Having an impressive mix of high academic achievement and proven leadership capabilities will increase your chance in getting a scholarship. Besides, you also need to sharpen your life skills and critical thinking ability because they will be of great help when completing your essay or interviewing directly with a university representative.
For study abroad, the most important international entrance exams are IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, PTE, MCAT and LSAT. These scores are necessary for skill assessments and admission to universities & colleges across the globe.
These exams prove your ability and proficiency in a certain area, for instance IELTS is for validating your English skills, while GMAT is to prove that you have the acumen to take up business and management studies.
One more requirement when applying for a scholarship is your cover letter. A letter of recommendation - LOR, is a type of asserting letter that students need to get from their previous education or working organization if applicable. It is a letter explaining the student’s eligibility for the course and studying abroad. The LOR helps the students gain admission to foreign universities.
If you’ve been working in an industry which is closely related to the university program that you want to apply for, you can also have the reference letter written by your managers or employer. A recommendation should come from someone who has the authority and designation, which would add weightage to the letter.
Depending on each type of scholarship, you will have to meet different requirements. Usually, you will find popular scholarship levels such as full scholarships, scholarships, or bursaries throughout your studies.
For those who are cherishing the dream of studying abroad, you should be well prepared. Preparing early gives you plenty of time to make decisions on the most suitable country, school and courses. During this time, you can make a detailed plan for your finances, then seek generous scholarships to save money on studying abroad.
Normally all candidates will expect to receive a scholarship. However, the most outstanding applications with impressive achievements will leave a good impression on the admissions department. Preparing your application at an early stage will give you more opportunities and advantages than others.
Choosing the country you want to study is the first and most important factor you need to keep in mind. It’s better to make decisions based on several criteria such as your interests, relevant majors and life experience. In addition, having a good financial plan is also one “important filter" when choosing your future destination.
Some popular English speaking countries:
Finding a scholarship will depend mostly on your education level and your study plan. Universities always evaluate scholarship criteria based on academic results from high school. You need to determine your preferred destination, your favorite major/ industry which helps meet the requirements from the school.
Some scholarships from countries that you may want to take a look:
Chevening Scholarship - United Kingdom
Fulbright Scholarship – USA
In addition, you can search for scholarships from colleges and universities, and even full scholarships from the government. If you have any specific queries about applying for scholarships or unanswered questions about any scholarship programs, contact IDP for more advice.
Please check your scholarship application carefully to make sure you have not missed anything. A complete set of documents with correct information will result in a faster and smoother offer. This also shows your professionalism towards the university department.
Each school will have different requirements and application methods (submitted by post or online mail box), you should read this carefully.
Hopefully, these tips will help boost your confidence and advantages in receiving a generous scholarship. For more information about the universities, scholarships as well as any scholarship eligibility, feel free to reach out to our counselors who are more than willing to help you out.
IDP provides a wide range of services to support you with your international education journey. If you are dreaming of studying overseas, IDP will get you there. From course information to career advice, we are dedicated to you and your international future.
Also, to help international students prepare for life in your new country, IDP always hosts a number of pre-departure sessions throughout the year. Come to one, and we’ll make all your apprehensions ward away.
So what are you waiting for? Contact our counselor at IDP right away!
Create your profile and unlock a wide array of features including personalised recommendations, fast-tracked applications and much more.
Dive into our extensive collection of articles by using our comprehensive topic search tool.