Tips to Get Scholarship Online to Study Abroad

Getting a scholarship to study abroad is very possible, but there are criteria you must meet depending on the type of scholarship you seek.

The cost of college tuition has increased so drastically in the past years. With the cost of college continuing to skyrocket, many students will no longer be able to pay for school out of pocket. 

While many students use financial aid to offset the cost of school, this can lead to a lifetime of debt. College scholarships, on the other hand, are a great way to pay for college without taking on any debt. 

With planning, research, and careful preparation, you may be able to get scholarships to pay for part, or all, of your education.

But in any type of scholarship, there are some things you must know which include.

Tips to get a scholarship to study abroad

Getting a scholarship can be very challenging, but we have put together some ideas to help you approach it to get a positive outcome. The following are the steps to follow to get a scholarship to study abroad.

Search for Scholarships Awarded by Universities

In case you haven’t caught any yet, one of the surest ways how to get a scholarship for university is if the study opportunity is awarded to you by a reputable school outside your country.

By going straight to the source, you won't just gain reliable information about a scholarship, but you will also be able to find out what these universities really want from their applicants, as well as any preferences or specifications they might have for you the ideal student.

Some of these universities if they operate online, also have a blog section where they share insider tips on how to get a scholarship for foreign studies, which you can take advantage of when applying to them for funding, and an FAQ part you can get a prompt answer to question you have about the application process.

So, if you ever wondered how to get a scholarship to study abroad, simply visit the official financial website of your choice international university, and you'll have your answer.

Search online for scholarships. 

Begin by searching for scholarships that are specifically for your grade in school. For instance, there are many scholarships designed for high school seniors. 

The best place to begin in the US is the U.S. Department of Labor's scholarship search, which searches over 7,000 scholarship opportunities by category and other keywords.

• If you are currently enrolled in college, there should be some resources through your school's website that will help you find scholarships. You should also search for scholarships within your institution that are designed for continuing students.

• There are scholarship-specific search engines that you can use to find potential scholarships. Some of these include Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board.

Ask your counselor or teacher about scholarships!

Career or college counselors know a lot about the types of scholarships available. They may be able to direct you to scholarship options you haven’t yet considered.

If you're from a disadvantaged background, you may also be eligible to participate in TRIO, a US government program designed to help low-income families, first-generation college students, and people with disabilities get into college. 

TRIO offers guidance counseling and scholarship opportunities. Ask your counselor or teacher about scholarships. 

Think about your background!

Many scholarships give money to students with particular ethnic or racial backgrounds. 

There are even a variety of scholarships for students in military families or for students with parents in volunteer or fraternal societies. 

There are also a lot of scholarships designed for students who are returning to school late in life or beginning at a non-traditional age. 

Think about your background and search for unique scholarships that you are eligible for.

• Check the Federal Student Aid website, for information on scholarships for students from military families.

• If you're a current or former foster care child, you may be eligible to participate in the Educational and Training Vouchers program through the federal government. Find more information.

• Consider also checking websites from your church or religious organization, community organizations, and local businesses. Many offer scholarships for local students.

Utilize Opportunities Provided by Benefactors

Dear applicant, if you have ever said “I want to study abroad for free” then you should know that promptly utilizing opportunities provided by popular benefactors such as organizations, companies, and foundations is how to get a free scholarship to study abroad.

Make sure you research these scholarship awarding bodies. Going straight to the body which is responsible for awarding/overseeing a scholarship is the best move for you to make, to hear straight from the horse's mouth.

Additionally, you will be the first to know when an opportunity opens up even before the number of applicants increases and slots close. So, stop asking how can I get a free scholarship to study abroad? And start applying already.

Track Down Top Scholarship Countries

The applicant asked how can I get scholarships to study abroad? One hack to note is that if you want to know how to get a study abroad scholarship then you should directly check those top countries that offer cheap and affordable study opportunities for international students like you.

But let’s face the facts, it’s not just about knowing how to study abroad for free. A scholarship is only as good and beneficial to you as the country you are going to study in. 

Nobody wants to get a full scholarship to a country where they can't grow personally, professionally, or even academically.

You need these three things as a student which is why when searching for scholarships, important things to consider are the necessity of studying in a country that has a standard level of education, a feasible option for you to work while studying, and one which can pave the way for you to gain easy access to other countries you would like to go to in future.

While searching for how to get an international scholarship, some countries for your consideration are any of the top countries for studies on our list:

Top Countries for Studies

• Germany

• Spain

• France

• Italy

• Sweden

• Netherland

• Finland

• Poland

• Denmark

• Ukraine

• Hungary

• United Kingdom

• Canada

• United States

• Australia

• Argentina

• Taiwan and many more

Visit a Reliable Scholarship Website

Most times, scammers can take advantage of students, by offering them fake financial assistance, that is why you should follow a reliable site like the Scholarship tab for tips on how to find legit scholarships.

The good thing about using a scholarship site like ours when looking for funding is that these sites usually have the best and latest scholarships for international students.

The scholarship opportunities on our site are usually tailored based on things you already want to know about qualifying for one, like the eligibility criteria you need to meet, and the intended level of education you need to be pursuing for you to be considered for admission.

We also clearly indicate if the scholarship is partially, or fully funded if it's a loan or grant, and the duration of sponsorship. Or the country /institution of study and if it is international or national (home country).

Basically, we simplify the process of how to search for scholarships online and even show you how to find good scholarships. Another good thing about using our site is that you can apply for scholarships online for free.

Search for Education – Specific Scholarships

Calling on all the students, who have been wandering around on Google aimlessly searching for “how can I get a scholarship to study abroad?” search no more, because depending on your degree level, we have cracked the code on how to find scholarships for undergraduates and how to get a scholarship for postgraduates.

All you need to do is keep an eye out for funding opportunities that are related to your educational qualification, program, and subject. For example, applying for scholarships that are just for science students.

Find the Suitable Scholarship Types for Your Studies

One great way to get a scholarship to study abroad is to search for scholarships online, to find a scholarship type that suits your study needs perfectly without qualms.

Some common scholarship types that are catered to specific study needs and applicants are:

Partial Scholarship

Partial scholarships are funded in part by the awarding body and you. Or it can be shared between the body, your home government, or anyone that is sponsoring your education.

Partial scholarships can also be in form of early payment discounts or waiving the fee for a particular semester.

Fully funded Scholarships

Fully-funded scholarships foot all the bills for your studies for the duration of your course. This type of scholarship doesn't require your contribution, the entire cost is borne by the awarding body.

You can ask the university you are applying to how to get a fully funded scholarship.

Research Scholarships

A research-based scholarship is funding that is awarded to students who are undertaking research in various programs.

It is usually granted to Ph.D. students who are taking crucial research positions or jobs like Ph.D. assistantships or studentships. 

Side note, if you were wondering how to get a scholarship for a master's, then you should know that in rare cases, research scholarships also fund master's students who are undertaking a master's by research/thesis.  

No need to go too far to search for research scholarships, find relevant opportunities on our site, by clicking on the link above.

Grants

Grants or Bursary is a non-repayable monetary support, which is awarded by a university to assist students who meet specific financial criteria. 

Grants are usually more need-based than merit-based and are awarded to students who have proven that they don't have enough income to finance their studies.

Loan

A loan is an agreed amount of money that is given to students to assist them for the duration of their course. 

Please be advised that if your intent is how to get a free scholarship to study abroad, then you should know that loans are not scholarships, and you have to repay them after you graduate.

You should apply for other scholarship types on the list.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are granted to students who have excellent academic achievements. Awardees for this type of scholarship are selected by the awarding body based on their result.

First-Generation Scholarships

First-generation scholarships are usually awarded to outstanding students who were the first in their families to attend higher education.

These are high academic achieving students who are from low-income families or minority groups.

Sports-Based Scholarship

If you're athletic and have numerous sports achievements and awards, then you can qualify for a sports-based scholarship. Usually, sports like basketball and football offer full-ride scholarships.

Consider Eligibility 

Eligibility is very important when searching for a scholarship. Not every scholarship is for everybody. Some are designed for specific groups. 

It is one thing for you to be aware of all the scholarship opportunities which you are eligible to receive and another for you to find the best ones.

First, find out if you are eligible for the scholarship before starting your application. Knowing your limit is also very important during your application. 

Once you know your eligibility status and limit, then you can proceed to the next stage where your application will be read.

Check Eligibility Criteria

Sometimes, you may find a scholarship that is too good for you to pass up, but when you get ready to apply for it, you find out that you don't meet the eligibility criteria. Heartbreaking right?

To save yourself from further heartbreak, it is better for you to carefully check all the criteria for qualifications and take note of them. Check off the ones you already meet, and see what can be done to acquire the ones you don't.

Please keep in mind that most aspects of qualifying for a scholarship like country of birth or tribe are fixed and if you don't have them then you don't qualify. 

E.g: applying for a scholarship scheme that is just for African students from Ghana when you are a Nigerian student. Or applying for a postgraduate scholarship when you are studying at an undergraduate level.

On the other hand, some aspects of eligibility criteria like English Language proficiency can be made flexible for applicants under special circumstances or the possibility of an equivalent being accepted.

To be safe, get the exact requirements and policies from the awarding body without making assumptions.

Some common eligibility criteria for you to meet our

Level of education: Postgraduates, Undergraduates, and PhDs 

Educational Qualification: HND, OND, bachelor's or master's Degrees 

Country of birth: your country of birth should be on the list of those eligible for the scholarship.

Place of Origin: This is for scholarships that are restricted to indigenes from specific tribes.

Grades / Results: scholarships that are based on academic achievements usually request this from you.

Gender: Most gender-based Scholarships are usually awarded to women as a way to encourage women's empowerment.

Preparing Your Application

In preparing your application, there are specific steps to take and things to note down to be able to produce a suitable application.

Apply For Targeted Scholarship Opportunities

The common question on your lip as a foreign student may be how to get a scholarship to study overseas. But what if the scholarship was specifically requested for you instead, wouldn’t that be easier?

Let’s break it down for you.  As an African or international student, a sure way to get an abroad scholarship would be to apply for scholarships for only African or international students.

Gather important documents. Many scholarship applications will ask for academic records, financial information, and other details about you. 

Try to gather these materials well in advance, as documents such as transcripts and test scores can take a few weeks to arrive.

• In general, plan to have these documents on hand when applying for scholarships: transcripts from every high school and college you’ve attended, test scores (SAT, ACT, etc.), financial aid forms, financial information (tax returns, etc.), and proof of eligibility (birth certificate, passport, etc.).

Type up a resume outlining your extracurricular activities. Make a list of every activity that you’ve participated in during high school and college. This will include school activities, community and volunteer activities, and work experience.

Type up your resume on the computer. Many universities and colleges now use online applications, so you will probably need an electronic copy of your resume.

Be specific with details on this resume. Include the name of the organization that you worked with, the dates that you worked or volunteered there, the position you held, and the tasks that you completed.

Include scholarships and honors that you’ve received. If you have any special skills, such as bilingualism or computer coding knowledge, list those too.

If you have a lot of activities or experience, consider making a long version and a short (one-page) version of this resume. Different scholarship organizations may have different preferences.

Fill out a practice copy of the application form

You want to make sure your information fits on the application form, so fill out a copy before you fill out the official version. If the application form is not online, make a photocopy of the form.

Type your information into the form. Typing your information into the form is best, as it will be more legible than handwriting. 

Many scholarship forms are available online in PDFs, so typing your information into these forms is simple. Some forms may be available only in hard copy.

• Handwriting the form is fine if you don’t have access to a typewriter. Be sure to write in blue or black ink and write neatly. If your handwriting is messy, ask someone else to fill out the form for you.

Writing a Scholarship Essay

This is one part you must not skip when searching for a scholarship or after you must have gotten one. You must be able to write an essay suitable for the type of scholarship you are seeking or have gotten.

Determine the audience for your essay

Each scholarship organization has particular goals. This can influence how it wants to spend its scholarship money. Do a little research on the organization so that you understand who is giving out the money.

• A good place to start is by looking at the mission statement of the college, university, or institution. Every higher education institution should have a mission statement and it should lay out the priorities of the school. Most philanthropic organizations will have mission statements too. Be sure to address its mission statement directly in your essay.

Follow the instructions 

If the essay directions ask for answers to particular questions, make sure you answer them. If the essay instructions call for 500 words, don’t write 700. If it asks for double-spaced paragraphs, make sure to format your paper like this.

Double-check the instructions after you’ve finished writing

 This will help make sure you’ve covered what you need to cover in the essay.

Write something original

 College scholarship essays are sometimes boring because writers often use cookie-cutter answers to the assigned topics. 

Make sure your essay has passion and a personal voice. This will help your essay stand out to the scholarship committee.

• For example, tell a story to start out your essay. If you are writing about an influential person in your life, start out by telling the story of when you first met this person. If you are writing about an influential book, talk about the first time you read it. Describe how you couldn’t put the book down, or how you stumbled through it, looking up every second word.
• Keep things personal. The scholarship committee is interested in getting to know you, not “modern society” or “humanity.”

Use specific examples. 

Avoid vague statements that don’t say much. Go for vivid imagery to paint a picture for your reader. Incorporate specific examples of your volunteer work, detailing how you helped a certain person, for example. Use descriptive phrases that paint a picture of your contribution.

·      For example, instead of writing, “I helped a homeless single mother by gathering donated school supplies for her children,” you could write, “Sharon, a single mother of two, teared up when I presented her with a backpack full of notebooks and pencils for her children.”

·      Avoid fluff language that doesn’t say anything. “I’m a people person” or “I’m devoted to learning” are not specific or personal. They communicate nothing about you.

·      Consider how much more descriptive these are: “Since I can remember, I have never met a stranger. Whether it’s at my job bagging groceries or serving as class president, I can easily strike up a conversation with anyone.” or “Finishing high school with a chronic illness wasn’t easy, but I took distance learning courses and studied on my own because I value learning and am devoted to pursuing it.

Ask someone else to edit your essay

Once you’ve finished your essay, ask someone else to read it and give you feedback. Getting someone else’s eyes on your work will help you figure out whether your points are clear, what you need to improve, and what works well.

Achievements And Worth 

To get the attention of the people reading or previewing your application, you must share or tell them about your achievements so far and your worth. 

It doesn't matter if you are saying too much about yourself or not. You just have to talk well about yourself and be proud of yourself. 

Just Diana recently completed her master’s in Education, Inclusion, and Special Needs at the University of Hull, says: 

‘Don’t be ashamed to talk about all of your achievements and the extra activities you have engaged in over the last few years. 

I wrote a lot about different activities that I’d done in school. I was wondering if I should, but then I decided there’s no harm in sharing what you’ve done. 

It could be something as simple as being part of the school dramatics association. Just make sure you show how this has been beneficial, how being involved has given you different skills, and how you want to embrace them. 

So, you can write as many activities and achievements as you can remember to boost your application.

Try Other Mediums for Finding Scholarships

Most times if you want to find opportunities, you have to go outside your comfort zone. Almost the same thing applies to findings scholarships, sometimes you have to try other mediums to get good scholarships.

So, thinking about stepping outside the familiar?  How can you get a scholarship, then? These are other methods of finding scholarships:

Talk To Your Advisor

Your school’s guidance counselor, placement officer, or student advisor can help you with tips on how to find scholarship opportunities that you can qualify for.

Search for Merit-Based Scholarships

If you are an academically sound candidate, then you might be up for a merit-based scholarship. Your teacher can help you with getting one. Most universities offer merit-based scholarships to international students.

Contact Your Friends Outside the Country

Having someone who is outside the country that is on an international scholarship is a smart way how to get easy scholarships. 

Since they have experience, they know what the best scholarship opportunities are and how they work, so you won’t be confused about how to apply.

Getting Letters of Recommendation

Find people who know your work

Most scholarship applications will ask for at least one letter of recommendation. The letter can come from a teacher, employer, or other people familiar with your work. 

The letter should focus on your work, grades, community service, talents, and so on.

Don’t choose a relative for this role. Friends usually won’t work either. However, a volunteer coordinator, your pastor, or another figure in your community who knows you could work.

Ask the person if he or she will write a letter on your behalf

Don't assume that your teacher or another referee will write you a letter. You must ask to make sure that he or she is familiar with your work and the time to write a letter for you.

·      Meet in person to ask about a letter. This is a more personalized approach than an email and it will reflect positively on you. 

Bring a copy of your resume or the work you did in his or her class to help this person remember your accomplishments. This is especially important if you have not worked with this person in a while.

·      If the person says no, try not to take it personally. It’s better to have someone who can write you a good letter than someone who writes a vague, impersonal letter.

 

Give your application materials to your referee well in advance

You want to make the letter-writing process as easy as possible for your referees. 

Give them any forms they need to fill out as early as possible. Provide them with a copy of your personal statement or essay as well, if the application calls for one. 

This will help them draft a letter that supports the statements you made in your application.

Be sure to give your referees a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Many scholarships ask that your referees mail their letters to the organization rather than giving them to you. It’s impolite to expect your referees to pay to send their letters.

Send a reminder

As you get closer to the application deadline, send a reminder to your referee about writing a letter. Don’t remind them every day, but a reminder at least a week ahead of the deadline is a good idea.

Send a thank you note afterward 

Regardless of whether you win the scholarship or not, send a handwritten thank you note to each of your referees. 

They deserve thanks for the time they took to write on your behalf thanking them for that time will make it more likely that they will do it for you again.

Finalizing Your Application

Proofread your application

Go through each page of your application and carefully proofread it. If it’s an online application, it helps to print out the entire application and read through it. Ask someone else to read through it too.

Assemble your application in order

Put all the pages of your application in the order that the scholarship application asks for them. 

For example, place the cover page first, then your scholarship essay, then your resume, and so on. Each application will have its own specific instructions, so be sure to follow them closely.

• Make sure you have all the parts to your application. Missing one part might make you ineligible for the scholarship.

Make copies of your application

It’s a good idea to have a record of the information that you send in for your application. Some scholarship organizations might need an interview. 

It will be helpful to remember what you’ve already turned in as you talk to the organization.

Send in your application early

Don’t wait until the deadline to turn in your materials. If you assemble all your materials ahead of time, you will have time to proofread your application. Don't forget to send a reminder to those writing your letters of recommendation.

Keep track of deadlines

Deadlines for scholarship applications are firm 

This means that you can’t send in your application late and expect you will get the scholarship. 

Keep track of deadlines by using a spreadsheet or your personal calendar. Then you won’t miss an important deadline.

Make a note of whether the scholarship deadline is when your paperwork needs to be received or if it is a postmarked deadline. 

If the deadline is when your paperwork needs to be received, you should send in your application at least a week before it is due. This will assure that it's received on time.

Apply At the Right Time

It is said that "the early bird catches the worm", you should strive to be amongst these early birds so you don't miss out on opportunities because of lateness.

Apply for scholarships once they start and be sure to submit your application before the deadline.

If you are applying for school scholarships, then you may be required to apply before a new school year or at the start of the semester after you have been accepted for studies.

Just keep your ear on the ground for news about when you can start applying for scholarships. If you are applying for multiple scholarships, then keep track of all of them so that you don’t get them mixed up.

Found your dream scholarship? To gain suitable financial aid, you can either apply for scholarships online or make an application for a scholarship in school.

Avoid scams

While there are thousands of legitimate scholarship opportunities out there, there are also plenty of people who would be willing to take your money or steal your personal information. 

Use the following tips to keep your search smart.

Don’t pay for scholarship information. Most of the time, the information that financial aid “services” provide is already available for free elsewhere. 

Furthermore, these services may promise to “guarantee” financial aid or lock in a scholarship if you just give them a credit card number. This is a scam.

Be careful of application fees. In most cases, “scholarships” that require an application or processing fee are fraudulent. Reputable scholarships are there to help you out, not milk your money.

Don’t pay someone else to file a FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used in the US to help the government determine your eligibility for aid.

It’s free to file and very easy. Save your money and don’t hire someone else to pay to file it for you. These companies are never associated with the US government.

Be wary of “winning” contests. You may receive notification that you’ve “won” a contest or been “selected” for a scholarship that you never applied for. 

If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Usually, you will have to pay money to claim this “scholarship,” which kind of defeats the point.

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