How to apply for scholarships to study abroad

Imagine the nervous excitement of stepping onto the airport tarmac in a new country, ready to chase your dreams while far away from family and friends. However, there may still be some concerns given the expenses involved and the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar.

But there’s a way forward. Scholarships are a great way to fund your education without incurring hefty expenses. These are awarded to deserving students and cover tuition fees, living costs, air tickets, and more. Many universities, organizations, and governments offer several scholarships, grants, and bursaries to international students.

However, it’s a fact that searching for scholarships and applying for them can be quite challenging. Here’s a quick guide to help you learn more about applying for scholarships.

Types of scholarships to study abroad

Scholarships available for studying abroad can be categorised into the following types:

Merit-based: Given to students with excellent academic records and notable extracurricular activities.

Country-specific: Offered by specific countries or even cities to deserving students. For example, the UK offers the Chevening scholarship to students from commonwealth countries; Japan offers scholarships to students to study in Japan.

Need-based: Offered to students who need financial assistance.

Programme or subject-specific: Provided by universities for certain areas of study. For instance, language scholarships.

Student-specific: Offered to qualifying students based on gender, religion, race, family, etc. The Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship and Diversity Abroad Scholarships are examples.

University or institution scholarships: Offered by universities or institutions themselves to deserving applicants.

Sports scholarships: Offered to students who are excellent in sports and who can study and play for the college or university.

Government scholarships: Offered by governments. For example, the Indian government offers several scholarships to meritorious students for studying abroad.

Scholarships for women: Offered to women to pursue higher education in different areas like science, technology, etc.

NGO/Private/Donor/Corporate scholarships: Offered by NGOs, private companies, organizations, or donors to meritorious students. For example, scholarships offered by the Reliance Foundation, Tata Group, and Aditya Birla Group.

Research grants: Provided to students pursuing doctoral studies or advanced research.

How to find scholarships to study abroad

University websites and scholarship databases are great places to start. Here is how you can go about finding the right scholarship for you.

1. Identify your academic goals

Start by identifying your areas of interest and career goals. Chalk out a definite plan on how you would achieve it. For instance, if you are interested in biotechnology, write down specific areas you want to study and contribute to. The clearer you are about your goals, the stronger your scholarship application will be. Half the battle is won when you are sure what you want to do. This clarity will also impress the scholarship providers.

2. Research scholarship opportunities

Research the right university and scholarship. The internet is the best tool to help you with this.

a) Check university websites for scholarship info

Several universities and colleges offer scholarships to international students. Some universities may offer partial funding, others may offer full-ride or substantial financial assistance. For example, Iowa State University offers international merit scholarships for undergraduate studies in computer science. Northeastern University offers merit scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies to international students.

Contact the admissions office or the concerned department to learn more about the scholarship. 

b) Explore scholarship databases

Another method to shortlist scholarships is to search scholarship databases. The scholarship database at IDP Hotcourses – India lists more than 5000 scholarships offered by universities abroad.

c) Look for scholarships offered by governments and organisations

In addition, you can also look for government scholarships. Indian government provides several scholarships to students wishing to pursue higher studies abroad. These include need-based and merit-based scholarships. For example, Fulbright scholarships administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), or the Kerala government’s scholarships provided to students from other backward classes.

Steps to apply for a scholarship

a) Shortlist scholarships:

As you research scholarships, make a note of scholarships that you would like to apply to.

b) Check eligibility requirements:

Before you apply for a scholarship, go through the application and eligibility criteria. Some of the common requirements include:

• Having a strong educational track record or proven academic excellence
• Having a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for students pursuing master's courses
• Meeting the nationality criteria if applicable. For instance, the UK Chevening scholarships are provided to students from commonwealth countries which includes India
• Having proof of work experience, if applicable. For example, some postgraduate scholarships may be offered to students with sufficient professional experience
• Meeting the age limits - some scholarships may have age restrictions.

c) Prepare your documents

The next step is to ensure you have all the necessary documentation to submit. These include:

• Degree certificates, mark sheets
• School leaving certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Motivation letter, statement of purpose, or personal essay
• Proof of academic or extracurricular achievements
• Proof of finances
• Letter of acceptance or confirmation from the institution
• Resume or CV
• Letters of recommendation
• References
• Portfolio, if applicable (for creative and performing arts, and design fields)

d) Write a strong personal statement

A personal statement, essay, or letter of motivation is a crucial aspect of the scholarship application process. This will determine the fate of your scholarship application. Spend enough time writing a strong personal essay, that showcases you as a person, your career or future goals, interests, passion, and aspirations.

Practice writing if you must. Be as creative and succinct. Do not use ambiguous sentences. Make your case - explain what you expect to achieve by studying abroad and why you need financial support.

Some pointers on writing a good essay:

• Take enough time
• Start outlining concepts and ideas and build from there
• Structure and organise the essay well
• Be honest, truthful, and original - it’s your story after all!
• Write in your own words- use simple sentences and avoid jargon
• Proofread your work- ask someone to proofread, or use grammar checker tools available online
• Add personal touches and highlight your own experiences

e) Get a Letter of Recommendation

The primary purpose of a letter of recommendation is to gather a detailed account of your achievements from individuals who are familiar with you personally, academically, or professionally. You can ask your professors, teachers, coaches, managers, or colleagues (whom you have interacted with or closely worked with) for recommendation letters. They should be able to provide insights about you and should know you well.  Reach out to people who you know would be glad to recommend you and thank them for their recommendation later. Request recommendation letters well in advance. Give them sufficient time to work on the letter.

f) Apply to multiple scholarships

Unless specifically mentioned by the scholarship provider, there are no restrictions to the number of scholarships that you can apply to. Applying for more than one scholarship improves your chances of obtaining financial aid. Understand the eligibility requirements and personalise your application letter to increase your chances. All these may take time – staying patient is key!

g) Stay organised

Review your applications and submit them. Create a calendar to track your multiple scholarship applications and deadlines. Some scholarship providers may request interviews once candidates are shortlisted. Common interview questions may focus on your strengths, weaknesses, your academic track record, interests, and future goals. Other relevant questions might focus on your leadership and stress management abilities, extracurricular activities, and so on.

h) Follow up and track progress

Track the status of your scholarship applications - most applications can be submitted online and are easy to track. For government scholarships, visit the relevant government scholarship portals.

 

Popular scholarships to study abroad

Some of the popular scholarships that Indian students can apply to include the:

• KC Mahindra Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to Indian students who need financial aid to fund their studies. Several scholarships are offered under this umbrella, with grant amounts ranging from INR 10,000 per month to 10 lakhs (one-time).
• Commonwealth Scholarships: These are awarded to students from Commonwealth countries who need financial assistance. They cover full tuition and living expenses. Many scholarships are available under Commonwealth Scholarships, covering postgraduate, PhD, doctoral, and even distance learning programmes.
• The Fulbright-Nehru Master's and Doctoral Research Fellowships: Jointly administered by the US-India Educational Foundation, these scholarships are awarded to exceptional Indian students intending to study abroad in areas such as art, culture, environment studies, public health, and journalism. They cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs.

Remember that each application is an opportunity to showcase your unique strengths and skills to potential sponsors. By starting early and applying strategically to multiple scholarships, you can turn your international education dreams into reality without the burden of financial strain. All the best for your study-abroad journey!