How To Get Scholarship To Study Abroad?

Scholarship to study abroad is a dream for many Indian students, since the financial cost of covering tuition fees and living expenses becomes too costly to afford, and many students are unable to pursue their education. There is a road map to study abroad for free, like in countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, UK, USA, where you can secure a full-ride scholarship to study abroad that covers the tuition fees and a living stipend to live in the new country.

Difference Between Scholarship And Grants

While both of them are gift-aids, where the student is not supposed to pay back the money they have received, grants are usually provided to students who do not have a strong financial background, and that they won’t be able to afford the cost of their studies. Scholarships to study abroad are provided irrespective of the background, awarded on the basis of academic, athletic or artistic abilities of students.

Explore the Living Expenses in Different Countries:

What Are The Important Documents Required For Scholarship Application?

While the documents can vary from case to case, these are the most common application requirements for scholarship to study abroad. They include:

• Registration or application form
• Personal statement
• Letter of recommendation
• Letter of acceptance from a university
• Financial documents, including proof of low income
• Updated Resume
• Proof of extraordinary academic achievement or an extra-curricular achievement.

Steps To Write An Application For Scholarship To Study Abroad

Build A Strong Application

Your application develops and consolidates your case, and it can be gruesome and time-consuming, but it is worth every bit, as they are the most important part of attaining scholarship to study abroad. It is important to note that the stronger the student’s profile, the better the chances to impress the committee, and substantiate your argument of why you are an optimal candidate.

The four ways to improve your CV, and increased chance of getting a letter of acceptance:

• Internship: An ideal candidate will have internship experience in a relevant field. A research internship at a reputed organization will augment your profile.
• Projects: build a relevant project with your peers, or under the guidance of a mentor or a professor.
• Published Papers: writing a research paper, or articles, which are published at credible academic journals will prove your rigor at research.
• Have good grades, because academic matters. You need to strive to be ideally at the top 10% of your class.

Check Our Article: Conditional Letters and Unconditional Letters

Importance Of Statement Of Purpose

A well-drafted statement of purpose (SOP) is an integral part of the application process, as it provides insights into the applicant’s motivations, goals, and qualifications for a given program. A well-written SOP demonstrates why the applicant thinks that the program is the right fit for their career, and how they can prove to be a valuable asset to the university. This document also is a manner to show the applicant’s understanding of the field, passion for the subject and how their past experiences and qualifications as well as future plans shape their interest in the discipline, and align with the modules and coursework of the program. This helps the admission committee to see the applicant’s potential to make a valuable contribution to the program of the university and the field of study.

Writing Tips For SOP:

Choose The Country You Want To Study In

When you are moving to a new country, you need to learn about the common culture, working in cosmopolitan teams, or even immigration policies of the country. As a prospective student, you need to understand the employment regulations of respective countries,after completing education.

Organize The Required Documents And Information

Create a spreadsheet where all the exhaustive information is cataloged, and list available scholarship to study abroad in Excel with all the important information (deadline, scholarship amount, docs required, academic transcripts, you get it).

Here’s how you can classify:

1. Shortlist universities based on the parameters including ranking, professors, course content, employability, startup incubators, etc.
2. Thoroughly assess and study the university website, where you can retrieve information regarding your course, and financial assistance to the students.
3. Reach out to professors whose letter of recommendation will be required to complete the application, as they increase the chance of getting a scholarship to study abroad. Here are a few steps to outreach the recommenders:
   • Start by researching the professor whose past experiences and works align with your interests and goals. Therefore, it is essential to build a good rapport with your professors.
   • Reach out to the professors by email, and make a request for a letter of recommendation. You can also schedule an appointment and meet at their office hours and request for the same.
   • Offer to provide your academic transcripts, resume or other relevant documents that will help them to create a comprehensive letter of recommendation.
   • It is important you thank the professor for their valuable time and effort to draft a letter of recommendation for you.
4. Get your statement of purpose proofread from your peers, friends and professors.

These points lay out the groundwork for your application process.

Apply To The University

This is dependent on the nature of coursework you are willing to pursue: taught or research.

• For coursework programs: Gather the required docs and prepare a high-quality SOP. Remember to adhere to the word limit, and highlight the achievements.
• For research-based programs: – write compelling emails to the concerned professor with an expression of interest. Include your introduction, background, motivation to work on that project, and relevant experience in your email.

Continuous Application Despite Rejection

Rejection is part of the application process. But you need to buckle up, and keep on applying until it's an acceptance letter. Remember, sending out emails can be frustrating, the response rates can be discouragingly low. But you need to put on a brave front, stick to a weekly goal, and apply.

Finally, WAIT!

This waiting period can be nail-biting, but you need to be patient, and wait for a positive response. If you follow the guide, there is no guarantee of acceptance, but it will surely your increase your chances.

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FAQs

Ques. How long does the scholarship application process take?

Ques.What are scholarships available for Indian students in different countries?

Ques.What are different types of scholarships available?

Ques.What are some common requirements to apply for a scholarship?

Ques.When should I apply for a scholarship?