Quick CheckList :
There are a few things you need to consider before applying for a scholarship:
- Check the eligibility carefully.
- Stick by the application deadline.
- Transcripts should be carefully scanned and attached.
- Give absolutely accurate information.
- Some scholarships require you to write a Statement of purpose stating the clear reason as to why you are a good fit for the scholarship. Hence it is extremely important to keep your SOP real and crisp.
The burgeoning costs of college education can burn a hole in the pockets of aspiring students and their families. No matter how wealthy an individual may be, paying for a foreign university education requires substantial allocation of financial resources on a long-term basis. Arrangement of initial funds for taking care of college expenses in the preliminary stages lies primarily with the students and their families. With a view to enabling students to pursue their post-graduate courses without any financial impediments, foreign colleges and universities provide financial aids to students in the form of scholarships and financial grants.
Though the term scholarship and grant are used inter-changeably, they vastly differ. While the awarding of scholarships is based on merit, whereas a need-based criteria is attached to allocating grants. In other words, the academic credentials of a student is taken into account while awarding scholarships while the economic background of a student’s family is taken as a decisive criterion while providing grants.
Aspirants seeking admissions abroad are granted scholarships and grants to study in certain countries or cities. These kind of scholarships and grants are normally facilitated by the government / private institute of a student’s home country or the government of the destined country where the student plans to study or any university.
Students wanting to major in particular subjects like courses in specialized disciplines can opt for subject-specific scholarships and grants. These kind of financial aids are extremely specific.
Criteria such as gender, race, disabilities and religious affiliations are also determining factors for awarding student-specific scholarships and grants. For instance, scholarships are available for certain linguistic minorities wanting to pursue courses abroad.
Universities also provide financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants to deserving students. Colleges around the world provide different kinds of scholarships to aspirants from all over the world to impart a multi-ethnic campus experience to their students.
Students can also approach heritage organizations or non-profit donors for availing of scholarships and grants. Government-sponsored grants and scholarships are also available for students who want to study or work abroad. There are various scholarships that are offered by private organizations to deserving candidates, some of the top scholarships are by The Reliance Foundation, Tata Group, Sun Foundation, and Aditya Birla Group
Types of Scholarships:
- Merit Based – At the discretion of the university granting the scholarship.
- Sports Quota – Students represented their schools / city at a District / National Level.
- Religious Minority Groups – Given by religious organisations to children from their ethnicity.
- Private Institutions – Given by large corporates or corporate foundations to promote education.
- Need Based – A Grant given by the Government to needy students
