7 Excellent Hints on how to get a scholarship for studying Abroad.
Studying abroad has often been the dream of every scholar all over the world. Education as we all know is best enjoyed in a cool, serene and conducive atmosphere and environment that offers the scholar all he needs to excel all round; be it physically, emotionally, academically, financially and even spiritually. Many international students all over the world today are looking forward to every means to leave the country, especially in Nigeria ,where the undergraduate and graduate educational system has often being bedeviled by the popular Asuu strike that makes a student’s study year, longer than it ought to be. For this singular reason, many Nigerian students are looking forward to getting every means to study abroad. In most cases, it is often the most intelligent students that get scholarships and privileges to study abroad, while the average students are left with the task of figuring how they could get theirs by other justifiable means.
A mindset that so many people have today is that study abroad is only for the elites in the society, and this often overcome them with fear and anxiety. Do not allow the cost to weigh you down as it is not as expensive as you think. A current study by International education professionals has seen an increase in student migration. Their analysis shows that Africa especially Nigeria, recorded the most migration of students. The reason is not far from you and me
Are you a students seeking a scholarship to study abroad and has often found it a herculean task to come by? Think no further. In this article, I shall take you through the steps on how to land yourself a fully funded scholarship to study in any country of your choice, as an international student. I shall also walk you through some steps you need to take in order for you to better position yourself as a top candidate to land yourself your desired scholarship. The truth
is, you might have to make some sacrifices to land yourself your desired scholarship.
Think of a resume as a tool for marketing yourself. It’s more than just a document. It outlines your background, your skills, and your education so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success. Think of a resume as a tool for marketing yourself. It’s more than just a document: It outlines your background, your skills, and your education so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success. Think of a resume as a tool for marketing yourself. It’s more than just a document: It outlines your background, your skills, and your education so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success. Think of a resume as a tool for marketing yourself. It’s more than just a document: It outlines your background, your skills, and your education so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success.
Before we go into full details, let us take a look at the type of scholarships that are available for international students. They include but not limited to; Merit-Based Scholarships, Need-based Scholarships, graduate and undergraduate scholarships, fellowship, and a host of others.
The merit based Scholarships are majorly based on educational qualifications and achievements. For one to be qualified to get this scholarship, one must be an excellent scholar and must maintain excellence in academics. For the Need based scholarship, criteria is obviously based on the financial need of the person going for the scholarship. The applicant must express unapologetically the financial need to be given this type of scholarship. On the other hand, the graduate and undergraduate scholarship is meant solely for those going for the university and post graduate studies. The last on the list is the fellowship based scholarship. This type of scholarship is reserved for those seeking research funding. Those in this category are the PhD students.
Other scholarships to look out for are based on the following classifications below
Scholarships based on program grant – This type of scholarship grant is offered to students who must study abroad through a particular program. This could be the independent study abroad program or through a particular program instituted by your university, and only students who plan to study through that program are selected.
Scholarships based on specific subject grants – These are granted to students who plan to study on a particular field of study abroad. For instance, a school could open up a scholarship and say anyone who studied linguistics is qualified to apply. This simply means that, if you studied mass communication or any other art related course that is not linguistics, you are obviously not qualified to apply for that scholarship.
Scholarship based on geographical location– This type of scholarship is made to help students study in a particular country, especially countries that most students do not know about. This may include study in Ukraine and china scholarships or even study in Egypt kind of scholarships. All with the view to encouraging students to move to those places. Your university, government or even corporate bodies and agencies sponsor these type of study abroad by location scholarships. All hopes to educate you as well as foster international relations and unity through study.
Scholarships provided by non-profit organizations – A lot of scholarship grants are out there provided by non-profit or non-governmental organizations who put them out there as a way to encouraging smart students who may not have the necessary fund to travel abroad for study. All you need to do like I have established is to make your research and see available one you can get hold of. Examples of such scholarships include but not limited to scholarships for LGBT students or students of Italian or Hispanic descent.
Now, let us take a look at how to land on the available scholarships for 2022 and other years, with the steps below
- Embark on your research to find available scholarships
A popular adage has rightly said that anyone who asks questions does not miss his way. One mistake most students and scholarship seekers do today is to assume scholarship would come knocking at their door steps. As a student, you are expected to cultivate the habit of research. That is why the Google space is available for you to ask any question you need answers to and satisfy your different curiosities. There are series of scholarship opportunities online that are always open to international students. The only way you can get to know about them is through research. Take time to do your research on them compare, find out how it suits your desire, and evaluate your possibility of getting it when you apply. Apply as much as possible, bearing in mind that the more scholarships you put in for, the more monetary assistance you will get. You can start by exploring GoAbroad’s Scholarships Directory.There are also a number of other resources, such as NAFSA, that compile lists of scholarships for study abroad students,
- Get connected to International Education Agencies
Another way to land yourself a great scholarship opportunity is through the help of trusted and reputable international education agencies who in most cases have tight links to a host of schools abroad. Their services are usually not free, but you can be rest assured that when you meet the right agency, you not only get assurance of a scholarship, but would also receive necessary help to see you all through your admission process. A reputable international agency I can boldly recommend to you is Light Heights Global services. It is an international education agency that is located in Lagos, Nigeria. They have helped a lot of student achieve their dreams of getting a scholarship that have landed them in their dream countries abroad for the purpose of study and even with a work permit. The agency renders services like admission processing, scholarships, travel documents processing, visa processing, international examinations like IELTS, GRE, TOEFLE, SAT and lots more. You can indicate at the comment section down below, to know more about Light Heights. Agencies are indeed one of the ways through which you can land yourself a sure scholarship to study in your dream country; be it Canada, United States of America, London or even Australia. But of course, you are advised to be mindful of the kind of agency you work with. This is why I have taken time to recommend a reputable obey for you.
- Contact the Scholarship Sponsors
It is not just enough to make a research about scholarships and schools that offers them. You should take the next bold step by reaching out or contacting the schools or sponsors of those scholarships. When you do this, you get the opportunity of getting to know from the horse’s mouth, all the information there is, about the scholarship. It will also give you an edge above others who have not tried reaching out to the sponsors of the said scholarship. It also sends a signal to the sponsors that you are a serious student and hence, will eventually turn in to your favor. Never underestimate the power of communication in every human relationship as it is very pivotal and powerful in a day to day human existence.
- Work on your Social Media Handles
It is no longer news that people have gotten scholarship in this 21st century because of their activities on the social media space. Aside scholarships, several persons have landed themselves great job opportunities simply because of their great activities and profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media platforms. Invariably, others have lost opportunities of traveling abroad due to the careless lives they show on their social media platforms. Post and share only things that speaks well of you, as it is not only what you post that matters, what you share also revels the extent of your personal values. So, work on your social media handles to fit in for available scholarships.
- Decorate your CV or Resume Aesthetically
After you have made your research, the next is to work on your resume. Try finding out what the country you are applying for calls ‘an individual personal summary.’ Is it a resume or a CV? According to Ginger writing center, resume is also known a as job resume. A resume is a brief written summary of a job applicant’s past employment history, education, and other important information. The term resume, is used primarily in America, where it has taken the place of the Latin expression curriculum vitae, or CV. This simply suggest that resume and CV both mean the same thing, but it is referred to as CV by the Latin speech community. Start by finding out what your prospective host country calls it. In Nigeria for instance, it is called a CV while America calls it resume. The question you may ask is, of what essence is the CV? Read along, as you will definitely find out. Think of a resume as an avenue for marketing yourself. For Ginger writing center, it is more than just a document: It reveals your background, relevant skills, and education, so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your, individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success.
Resumes are used to make a first time analogy and impression on a job seeker or even a scholarship seeker. Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you. For this reason, it is often referred to as one of the most crucial steps taken during a job search. So, you have to be sure to have decorated it beautifully or what I call aesthetically, for you to stand a chance. But, should you go about writing experiences you have not had before, or internships you have not undergone? Definitely not. A lot of people make the mistake of filling their resumes with a bunch of experiences they cannot even defend. In the long run, it makes them appear as dishonest. Such people are denied job opportunities and important scholarships that can make them study abroad. What then do you do not to fall victim of such? It’s simple! While you are busy looking for scholarships, take time to develop yourself. Volunteer for an organization, pick up internship roles in companies or anywhere that can benefit you. Learn digital skills. All these would better position you during your scholarship interviews. Do not just stay idle. Another thing you should note is, try writing in the language of your host country if you are confident of your ability to speak their native language. For instance, if you are applying for a scholarship in Germany, writing in German language when compiling your CV would definitely be an added advantage for you as Germans value their language a lot and would extend such value to a foreigner who is interested in their language.
- Make good grades in school
You will agree with me that students who do well in school and have good grades have a better chance of getting special attention than those with an average result. It is not to say that only students with first class and second class upper get scholarships, but it is advisable that you strive to be at your best grade while in school so that it would be an added advantage for you when you start applying for your study abroad scholarships. It shows your scholarship host or, sends a signal to them that you are serious, and would be a good asset to their country and your country when you are done with study and go back home to your country.
- Show a strong desire that you really need the scholarship
Scholarship givers are always on the lookout for students who really needs the scholarship, those who knows the value of the scholarship they offer and really appreciates it. This is because, it is not everyone who apply for scholarships to study abroad that really needs it. Some just want to apply because others are applying, while some wants to travel abroad to constitute nuisance or for other ulterior motives. So, it is your duty to let them know how much you really need the scholarship and that you are going to be of a good behavior.
“Now that you have gotten the needed hints and tips on how to bang that scholarship”
To study abroad, the ball is now in your court to make yourself and family proud
By playing your own part to seeing your study abroad dream a reality.
