Things to Keep in Mind When Applying for a Scholarship

With the growing demand for studying abroad, requirement of scholarships have also cropped up. Since, there are several scholarships available, students who wish to study with a scholarship must check with the respective department as to what funding is available or what could be relevant for their purpose.

When applying for study abroad scholarships, proper planning must be made beforehand. The instructions should be read carefully before completion of the application. See to it that the aim you mention, matches with your scholarship program. Highlight your strength and clarify your area of weaknesses. Extracurricular activities, community services if any, and academic achievements need to be emphasized upon. Any issues probing a disadvantage should be properly explained. Update your resume before attaching with the application as this is also being scrutinized thoroughly. Request from people you know for recommendation letters. Ask for help if required from study abroad scholarships helpline but be sure you submit the application much before the deadline.

Certain points that should be considered while preparing this note: How is your education being financed at the moment? Mention the source of your financial help or if you have taken any study loans? If you are doing any part-time job parallel to your studies? How would you be benefited from the scholarship? All the afore-mentioned probable questions have to be clarified in the note.
Keeping in mind the specifications for application, create your scholarship essay.

It should be at par with the application context. It is important to tell your capability to work as a team, stating your ability to motivate people. Be honest about yourself, your capabilities and what you want to state, your qualities and drawback.

The members of the committee sanctioning your letter for a donation have to keep in mind the donor’s intention. It is therefore necessary to read the application with care and writing it accordingly. Do your own research about the donor. Knowing the donor’s motivation behind the funding will help you in writing your essay, covering the areas where your interest matches with the one who is sponsoring your scholarship.

Be yourself, but neither casual nor overtly formal. Try to strike the right chord with your genuineness. You can read it out to others for a feedback. Sometimes feedback from others really works well.

Thoroughly check and revise it before submitting. Keep it for a day to see if anything strikes you that is worth mentioning.

Remember every scholarship is different and has its own process. Check on the deadlines and the rules when you are applying. It is advisable that you submit your scholarship requests without waiting for confirmation of any exchange program, research project or placement. Most of the scholarships do not bear the entire cost. In such cases other scholarships can also be applied at the same time. Study abroad scholarships websites that are available in the internet will provide the overall estimate of the cost. Choose what is best suited for you from among thousands of scholarships available. Make a team with your parents, mentors and educators to form a search team and can as well take the assistance of someone who has already gone through similar procedures and acquired a scholarship for himself. The right understanding about the donor’s motive and writing the aptly suitable scholarship application for yourself will definitely be rewarding in the end.