How to find scholarships to study abroad

In most cases, schools, governments and external organisations will list their scholarship opportunities online, alongside details of how to apply. You’ll usually be able to submit your application online, along with supporting documentation. In some cases, you may also be able to apply by post.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply?

You will know if you are eligible to apply for a particular scholarship by reading the details on the provider’s website. Eligibility may depend on nationality, the programme you’re applying to, and other criteria.

In most cases, university scholarships are only open to students who have already been accepted to study a program at that particular university. Government scholarships will usually have separate schemes for domestic and international students, so make sure you apply to the right one.

Other common eligibility requirements include good grades at prior level of study, a degree from a reputed university (for postgraduate scholarships), and proficiency in the language of study.

When is the best time to apply?

Many study abroad scholarships have similar deadlines, linked to the start dates of the academic year in the relevant country. If your studies are due to commence in autumn/fall, you’ll often be able to apply for scholarships up until the late summer months.

If your programme starts in January, you’ll often have until late in the year to apply. However, you should start searching and applying much earlier than this, and always check the deadlines set by each scholarship provider.

Make yourself a schedule, keep a calendar of key dates and start each application in plenty of time, to avoid any missed deadlines or last- minute panics.

Supporting documents

The materials required will vary depending on the scholarship, but you’ll often be asked to submit:

• A transcript of grades
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• An essay on a given topic
• For some need-based university scholarships in the US, applicants will also be asked to submit a ‘Free Application for Federal Student Aid’ (FAFSA) to establish whether they are in need of financial aid.

If you have any specific queries about applying for scholarships, contact the scholarship provider using the contact information on the official website.

If you’re asked to write a scholarship essay as part of your application, this is your chance to convince the judging committee to choose you.

Make sure your essay follows the question or topic set, and use this opportunity to highlight your academic achievements, ambitions, interests, and how these relate to the programme you are applying for.

You should:

• Carefully read the essay statement you are being asked to respond to, and identify the key themes.
• Read the guidelines on how essays will be assessed, and remind yourself of the overall criteria and ethos of the scholarship scheme.
• Make a clear plan for your essay, which answers the essay question and allows you to show how you match the criteria for the scholarship.
• Try to capture the reader’s interest with an engaging opening, and ensure your essay is easy to read and memorable throughout.
• Stick to the stated word count and any other guidelines provided.
• Ask a friend or tutor to read the essay before you submit it, to check for errors and identify any relevant information you’ve missed out.
• Submit the essay within the deadline, and take the time to create a separate essay for each scholarship you’re applying to – your chances of success will be higher if your essay is closely matched to the essay question and scholarship criteria.

Search for as many opportunities as you can

There are plenty of scholarships out there; the tricky part is finding all the opportunities that are relevant to you. Use a variety of online searches and resources to create your own list of scholarships that match your profile.

Consult the websites of universities you’re interested in, government agencies, independent scholarship database sites, and other online listings.

To stay up to date, it can also be useful to join relevant social media groups, which regularly post new information about scholarships for students in your own location, demographic or subject area.

Manage your time well

Apply as early as you can, but don’t rush your application. Time management is especially critical if you’re juggling multiple scholarship applications.

Make a calendar of all the deadlines and give yourself plenty of time to work on each one, ensuring you submit all the required documents. Some of these – such as academic transcripts or letters of recommendation – could take several weeks to obtain, so start to gather everything as early as you can.

Pay close attention to the application essay topic

Once you’ve identified relevant scholarships to apply to, the next stage is to ensure each scholarship application you write is well-targeted for the opportunity in question.

Don’t be tempted to simply submit the same application essay each time. Instead, ensure your essay is closely matched to the topic, and makes reference to the specific criteria and aims of the scholarship programme in question. This is much more likely to impress the scholarship committee.

Get someone else to read your application

As well as helping you identify typos or other errors, constructive feedback can also help you ensure the essay is a good reflection of your strengths.

If you find it difficult to write about yourself, ask a friend or teacher what they see as your best qualities and achievements. Make sure these are highlighted in your essay, through examples and through the quality of your writing.

Apply, apply, apply!

Finally, try and give yourself enough time to find and apply for as many scholarships as possible, and be ready to persevere if your first applications are unsuccessful.

Most successful scholarship recipients have to go through lots of unsuccessful applications before they finally succeed, so don’t let a few rejections deter you.