3 simple steps on how to get free scholarship to study abroad

3 simple steps on how to get free scholarship to study abroad

Study abroad is a great way to make new friends, explore more than one culture and challenge yourself academically.

One of the major hindrance to education is funding. This is especially if you are looking to further your education abroad. While such a dream may seem far fetched initially, it is definitely achievable. Just like thousand of students who study abroad, you can also make this dream a reality. 

If you know that have the passion to study abroad, but you do not have the financial capacity to pay for it, then you need to try applying for a scholarship. This is not as difficult as it sounds. There are various scholarships/ grants for studies abroad. You only need to find the one that suits your profile best.

There are thousands of scholarships for international students in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia and many other leading countries available for you, provided you meet their criteria/ qualifications. The government offers a number of great scholarships and grants that can help you pay for college. The government is not the only one give away free money; there are also a number of businesses and non-profits that offer scholarships to help people attend college. 

Whether you are trying to pay for school yourself or looking for some help from the government, it is important that you know how to correctly use the resources available to you. These scholarships may have varying requirements, so you would have to pay proper attention to their requirements to ensure your application is accepted. 

Here are the 3 simple steps to get scholarship to study abroad

 1. Research for scholarships

 Scholarships are financial aid that students receive from their schools to help pay for tuition costs. Before you apply, remember to do your research for scholarships that suits your profile or play to your strength.  Here are some the different types of scholarships you should use as a guide in your research for the appropriate scholarship type for you:

Location-Specific Grants/Scholarships to Study Abroad: These funding were originated to encourage students to study in specific countries, or even certain cities, such as scholarships particularly for students looking to study in Germany. 

Program-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships/Grants: Such scholarships or grants are mostly for students who decide to study abroad through a specific program. 

Subject-Specific Grants/Scholarships for Studying Abroad: A lot of grants or scholarships are offered to students who plan to focus on a certain field of study or course while abroad, for example Foreign Language Scholarships. This type of funding can be extremely specific, not just focusing on the subject, but also a specific subject to be studied in a particular country. 

Student-Specific Scholarships/Grants: These are scholarships awarded based on the students themselves, owing to certain parameters such as gender, race, religion, disabilities, or sexual orientation. For example, the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship or Diversity Abroad Scholarships are especially helpful for students abroad searching for financial support.

University-Provided Study Abroad Scholarships/Grants: Many institutions and colleges offer scholarships or grants based on merit to be applied for qualifications for any student applying to study  

Organization-Provided Scholarships/Grants: Ensure to perform adequate research for nonprofit, chapter, or heritage organizations that may provide scholarships or grants to qualified students who match their requirements. Take for example: scholarships for LGBT students or students of Italian or Hispanic descent. There are numerous opportunities like this. You just have to find them!

Government-Funded Scholarships/Grants for Study Abroad: There are some government-funded grants or scholarships that supports students to study or do work abroad. For instance is the Fulbright Program, or Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships, which are funded by the UK government specifically for international student leaders looking to study in the UK.

 You can find scholarships through many different websites. Scholarship search engines like Fastweb.com provide a list of scholarships based on your criteria. Other sites include StudyInUSA.org, 

2. Get in touch with the Scholarship Board

To ensure you are updated on the requirements or just be in the know of every minute important detail for a successful application, it will be wise to contact the scholarship or grant body.

3. Application

• Update your resume: After your research on the scholarships you wish to apply. And after contact the scholarship board to get more information, you will need to update your resume according to the requirements. such as experiences or awards you have that will favour you according to their requirements
• Write a Cover letter: This is where you tell a bit about how great of a student you are and how you intend to use lessons learnt to impact your life and those around you
• Get Recommendation letter: Get in touch with your professors or authority figures that you have worked with to write a letter recommending you for the scholarship. 

Remember that you should apply early to ensure that you have enough time to complete applications, submit supporting documents, and find out if you’ve won any awards or grants.

Get funding

 If you do not win any scholarships, you may still be able to fund your studies through student loans, work-study programs, and private scholarships. Student loan options include federal Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans, Federal Work-Study Programs, and Private Loan Programs.