No products in the cart.
Are you a student looking to get a scholarship to study at any university abroad? The most important decision you need to make is to figure out your future academic and professional plans and align them with where you want to study.
Booklab24 has made the job easier for you with this comprehensive guide, which will help you understand and navigate the scholarship process. We will detail the essential steps you must follow from conception to application.
Choose Your Preferred Program
Intention precedes action. Students must decide on their course of study, which is narrowed down to “research interests,” before studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree abroad.
As an undergraduate applying to study abroad, you will need your (IGSCE/WASSCE/GCE/NECO) O’Level subjects. To get a master’s degree, you would have to develop a research interest. For example, if you have studied chemical engineering, your research interests could be in material chemistry, environmental engineering, or petroleum (oil and gas); if you have studied zoology, your research interests could be cell biology, genetics, computational biology; if you have studied physics, your research interests could be photonics.
However, some underrated courses such as sociology, philosophy, zoology, chemistry, arts, and humanities are highly promoted abroad. So, if you have studied social work, fisheries, aquaculture, or ecology, you have little to worry about when it comes to funding options.
1. Identify Your Career Goals
Make a clear plan for the jobs and careers that interest you. For example, if you love helping the environment, think about what specific parts of environmental science excite you.
Proceed to write down the area of study and the names of the universities you like. This is important because it shows scholarship providers that you have a well-thought-out plan for your studies and future work.
Having a clear goal will strengthen your application. It’s not just about wanting a scholarship to study abroad. It’s about showing clear plans for your studies and future work.
Doing so will make you look serious and committed. When scholarship providers see that you know exactly what you want to do and where you want to study, you will stand out as a strong candidate.
Don’t hesitate to talk to those around you, such as your professors, supervisors, study abroad offices at your university, and scholarship offices. Ask them about any study abroad scholarship programs they know about. You can seek expert advice online or offline to help choose the right scholarship for your study abroad. Expert advice makes the most challenging part of the process easier.
2. Conduct Research
It cannot be overemphasized that you must thoroughly research the scholarship you want to apply for. This means the more scholarships you apply for, the more financial aid you will receive.
Do your research to find sponsors who can provide you with a scholarship to study abroad. Go through the guidelines, fill out the application form, and show that you deserve it.
There are various types of scholarships available for students abroad.
- Region-based scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships
- Program-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Subject-based scholarships
- University scholarships
- State-funded scholarships
- Institution-funded scholarships
3. Contact Scholarship Provider
Direct communication with the scholarship provider is essential for studying abroad. Contact them if you are confused about any of the requirements and instructions, get the latest information on application requirements, or express your interest in the program.
This step shows your proactive approach and creates a personal connection with the study abroad scholarship provider, which can set you apart from other applicants.
4. Prepare Your Resume
Once you have compiled a list of universities and scholarships you want to apply to, you must create a resume to ensure you are selected as a recipient. Highlight all your achievements, projects, international experiences, campus activities, extracurricular activities, and foreign languages you speak, and more importantly, keep everything sweet and straight to the point.
You should have a cover letter, as this is an important part of your application. It should explain why you are a good candidate to be considered for the study abroad scholarship program.
Tip:
Don’t be too general about how great a student you are in your cover letter.
Describe your achievements in more detail.
Find out how universities organize resumes for selection.
5. Check References
Most essays and study abroad scholarship applications require personal references, which refer to people you’ve worked with in a professional or academic environment. You can reach out to your high school teachers, college professors, trainers, or employers and ask them to write you a letter of recommendation.
Tip: It’s important to choose people who know you well and that you have some sort of cordiality or close relationship with so that they can recommend you.
6. Keep Track
Ensure you keep an organized calendar that updates you on the deadlines and application requirements for the scholarships you are applying for abroad. Being organized ensures you do not miss any opportunities and demonstrates your commitment and responsibility.
Create a systematic approach to managing your applications and ensure that you submit everything on time and according to the specific criteria of each scholarship for Indian students to study abroad.
