Did you know that education costs in the US are rising 8 times faster than wages, as reported by Forbes? However, the USA is not the only country with this problem. The tuition fees of colleges and universities around most of the world are skyrocketing, making it next to impossible for students to study at good educational institutes.
Many students rely on loans to pay for tuition and spend years repaying the debt. If you want to study at a good school and can’t afford it, you’re in the right place.
Find opportunities on our website and our mobile app, Full Opportunities.
How to Find Appropriate Scholarships?
You should start by deciding which type of funding you’re looking for. There are 3 common types of scholarships.
Fully Funded Opportunities
If you need a scholarship that covers all costs, look for fully-funded opportunities.
Partially Funded
If you can pay some of your educational expenses and want a scholarship to help, this is the type you need.
Short Exchange Program Scholarships
You might be looking for a short summer or winter exchange program. Decide what it is that you need and then look for scholarships in that domain.
Full Scholarships Source:
Browse the Internet. In the digital age, you can find scholarship opportunities online. Many websites and apps offer info on scholarships worldwide. Our website, Full Opportunities is one of them.
You need to go through those websites thoroughly. Usually, there’s a search bar at the top left or right-hand side of scholarship websites. If you know what scholarship you want, type the keyword in the search bar and search.
To find undergraduate scholarships, type ‘undergraduate’ in the search bar. A list of available opportunities will appear on your screen.
If you want a scholarship in a certain country, type the country name and study level, e.g. ‘masters scholarship China’. ‘masters scholarship China’. You will then get a list of all the scholarships available in China at the Master’s level of education.
Check Scholarships Post:
Read the scholarship post thoroughly. Once you have the list of scholarships for your desired level, read it carefully. Be sure to note down the deadlines so you remember to apply within the given time frame.
Now that you know how to find scholarships, the next step is learning how to increase your chances. Here are 7 ways to increase your chances of getting a scholarship.
How to Write an Excellent SOP:
The SOP is vital for scholarships. It’s a statement of purpose in your application. SOP is sometimes called a ‘Letter of motivation’ in certain applications. It can help you stand out from other applicants.
Fahad Pervaiz got scholarships for his master’s and is now doing his Ph.D. In the USA, a strong statement of purpose is crucial for your application.
Basic Points of SOP:
The basic points of writing a winning SOP are the following:
- Be concise.
- Make sure you answer the questions asked by the admission committee.
- Make the beginning interesting.
- Pay attention to formatting.
- Answer the whys. Why do you want this scholarship? How will it help? Why should they choose you?
How to Choose Your Recommendation Letter People Wisely?
Note: Your references will be contacted by the scholarship provider. So it is extremely important to choose the right people.
You can get any one of your teachers and sometimes even an employer to write them for you. The person writing your letter should be able to vouch for you and your qualities. Choose an efficient person who will respond to the committee’s contact.
This is a poorly written recommendation letter example. The teacher hurriedly completed it.
Dear Admission Committee,
I am writing to you to recommend Tom to your undergraduate program on one of the fully funded seats. Tom took his 10th-grade history class with me and showed interest in the subject. He was always on time and participated in classroom discussions. I am confident he will add value to your college.
Sincerely, Jon Hill, History Teacher, Cambridge High School.
Here’s what is wrong with the letter:
The teacher did not write about Tom or his abilities enthusiastically. He did not take the time to talk about his good qualities, as a student or as a person. The letter doesn’t say anything bad about Tom, but it still feels forced. It seems like the teacher didn’t care to talk about Tom’s accomplishments or qualities.
The committee may doubt the letter, and it could hurt Tom’s scholarship chances.
Impress with a list of achievements; that the professor can incorporate in the letter. Talk to your professor first to ensure they’re willing to write your letter.
Have a Good Social Media Presence:
As you fill out scholarship forms, you’ll need to share social media links and basic info. The committee will check your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to know you better. So you must have a good and respectable social media presence.
Social media is checked for scholarships, especially in Canada, the UK, and Finland. The schools want positive students, not those who spread negativity in society.
If your social media has disrespectful content, you won’t get a scholarship. Don’t hide your social media activities but be respectful to go far.
Step Up your Extracurricular Game:
Noor spent a year in America with a fully funded Yes Exchange scholarship. Extracurricular activities impress.
Noor says having a great academic record alone reduces the chances of selection.
The institute considers your activity level when assessing you as a student. This will help them determine who can add the most value to their institute or country.
Here are a few activities to boost your chances of getting a scholarship.
- Debating societies.
- Adventure clubs.
- Volunteer Activities.
- Writing platforms.
- Athletics.
Do Adequate Research on the Field of Study You Choose:
Some scholarships in Australia and other countries will require you to apply for a scholarship after you’ve applied to a program at the university. The scholarship app will be open after you are admitted or applied to a program.
If you are asked about why you chose your field of study, it will likely be part of the application. Research your chosen field to confidently answer the “Why this field” question.
If you’re changing fields, make sure you have a good answer for why you made the switch. If you chose a different field, have a good answer as to why. It could be the realization of your interest or an incident that made you believe it’s what you should be doing.
Keep Applying:
Apply to as many different scholarships as you possibly can. You might not be granted the first-ever scholarship you apply for but you should not lose hope.
There are plenty of scholarships out there offered by different organizations/institutions. There are scholarships offered by governments of different countries, scholarships offered by different universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, and those offered by other organizations.
Apply for more scholarships to increase your chances of getting one. You can identify and improve upon mistakes made in the initial applications.
Here’s a list of some scholarships that you should be on the lookout for:
- Full Scholarships in the UK.
- Full Scholarships in Australia.
- DAAD Scholarships.
- Turkish Scholarships.
Conclusion:
Follow these 7 ways to increase your chances of getting a scholarship, be it in your country or abroad. Make sure to maintain a good academic record and follow our mentioned tips. There are many scholarships worldwide, so now is your chance to make the most of them.
