Your ultimate guide to securing a Scholarship while studying abroad

Your Ultimate Guide to
Securing a Scholarship to
Study Abroad!

INTRODUCTION
Did you know that in ancient India, kings used to sponsor the education of poor
and needy students in universities like Taxila and Nalanda! These are amongst
the earliest recorded instances of scholarships being granted to students.
Similarly, well-to-do Romans supported students in ancient Rome as well.
In the current scenario, dollar and euro values keep fluctuating, and institutions
across the world increase tuition fees and the cost of accommodation on-campus;
so it becomes essential that students plan their finances accordingly.
Most international universities and colleges offer a limited number of scholarships
and bursaries to students. Additionally, a number of private charitable
organisations and leading philanthropists offer scholarships to deserving and
meritorious students who wish to go abroad and study.
As a student planning to go abroad for higher studies, does the cost factor give
you sleepless nights? Do not worry; we, at Hotcourses India, have put together
this guide to offer you information on some popular scholarships that will help
you fund your studies.
Take your time to go through this guide and apply for a scholarship that caters
to your requirements.
Hotcourses India – making your study abroad dreams come true!

CONTENT
What is a Scholarship? - 6
Types of Scholarships - 8
Scholarship Sources and Eligibility Criteria - 11
Common Myths About Scholarships - 13
Popular Non-Subject Scholarships to Study Abroad - 15
Indian Private Bodies and Trusts Offering Scholarships - 19
How to Apply for Scholarships - 22
Do’s and Don’ts – Tips to Apply for Scholarships - 25

CHAPTER 1
What is a Scholarship?

Your ultimate guide to secure a scholarship 6
The ‘Oxford Dictionary of English’ defines the word ‘scholarship’ as: ‘a grant or
payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of
academic or other achievement’.
A scholarship is a reward of financial assistance for students to further their
academic endeavours.
A scholarship is a gift of academic financial support that does not need to be
repaid by the recipient, which makes it the most desirable form of financial aid!
Get free advice on study abroad  Call us @ 1-800-103-9634(toll free)

CHAPTER 2
Types of Scholarships

Scholarships are primarily one of three types:
• Merit-based
• Need-based
• Student-specific
Merit-Based
Generally people think that ‘merit scholarships’ are just for those students who
have high grades or are excellent in academics. Merit scholarships are definitely
given to top-scoring students, but that's not all, ‘Merit’ means ‘to be worthy of or
to deserve’.
So, if you are a brilliant athlete and excel in a specific sport, or you are a
talented singer, musician, or dancer and you excel in a specific performing art
you may still get a ‘merit scholarship’
Top scores in standardised tests such as SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS and TOEFL
etc. are also taken into consideration for academic eligibility. Merit scholarships
are offered by educational institutions and by private organisations. A consistent
top-ranking performance from senior school or class ten onwards ensures that
applicants have a good chance of obtaining a scholarship.
Check this link for more information on TOEFL Scholarship
Check this link for more information on IELTS Scholarship
Need-Based
Need-based scholarships are given to students who cannot afford to pay their
college tuition fee. Students coming from a less well off family can apply for
these scholarships. Students who have financial/economic problems and are
consistently good at their studies are eligible for need-based scholarships. Some
institutions also offer need-based scholarships to single parent students.

Student-Specific Scholarship
Student-specific scholarships are provided to a specific category of the students.
This can be based on the student’s race, sex, religion, family, medical history and
many other factors. Minority scholarships for African, Latin-American and
aboriginal students fall under this category.
For example: ‘The Gates Millennium Scholars Programme’ is a minority
scholarship funded by Bill and Melinda Gates for excellent African American,
American Indian, Asian Pacific Islander American and Latino students who enroll
in college. Meanwhile Commonwealth scholarships are offered to students from
countries who are part of the British Commonwealth countries.

CHAPTER 3
Scholarship Sources and
Eligibility Criteria

Who awards scholarships?
Scholarships are available for both graduate as well as undergraduate
education.
Scholarships come from a number of sources which includes:
• Colleges/Universities
• The Government
• Corporations or Non-profit Associations
• Individual donors and Philanthropists
What are the requirements to apply for a scholarship?
While the eligibility for a scholarship will vary from one programme to another,
there are some general requirements that all students will be expected to meet.
• Good GPA
• Scholastic & Co-Scholastic Activities
• Exam scores such as SAT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL
• No disciplinary action taken against candidate in previous schools /
colleges

CHAPTER 4
Common Myths About
Scholarships

Common Myths About Scholarships
Only academic stars win scholarships
It is a misconception that only top-ranking students get scholarships. Scholarships
are not just awarded for academic merit but also for excelling in sports, the
performing arts or for displaying an act of valour or courage. Some institutions
also offer monetary support to students who are victims of war-crimes.
Heavy competition minimises my chances of winning a scholarship
It is true that competition is fierce but that does not mean your application is
immediately rejected. The best option is to apply to all those scholarships whose
eligibility requirements are met by you.
I am an academic star - I will easy secure a scholarship!
Remember the old saying ‘Pride goeth before a fall’? Being a top-notch student
helps but does not automatically ensure that you will win a coveted scholarship.
Remember that there will be many other students who are academically better
than you, who would have applied for the same scholarship. So remain humble
and apply to all relevant scholarships.
Applying for a loan lessens my chances of securing a college scholarship
Parents often assume incorrectly that if their children get study loans, colleges will
reduce any scholarship money that might have been awarded. Each institution
has its own policy towards the disbursal of scholarships, so please remember to
read all relevant information before applying for a specific scholarship. In most
cases a bank loan does not impact the scholarship amount offered by an
institution.
Scholarship applicants require exceptional talent
Try and be honest with yourself when it comes to your talent, skill or expertise
which will dictate any scholarship you are applying to. While you may excel in a
certain area within your small community or group of friends, you have to be
excellent to compete with others from around the country/world. Whether or not
you have doubts about your abilities, always practice and try to improve them.

CHAPTER 5
Popular Non-Subject
Scholarships to Study
Abroad

Students are funded through scholarships, grants and fellowships on a regular
basis by the government and non governmental institutions.
Given below is a list of popular scholarships, which are available for students to
study in USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Ireland and Hong Kong.
Scholarships to Study in the USA
• Fulbright Foreign Student Programme
• The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme
• Humane Studies Fellowship
• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
Scholarships to Study in the UK
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
• Charles Wallace India Trust Awards and Fellowships
• Hornby one year MA Scholarship Programme
• Felix Scholarships
• Brendish Family Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships to Study in Australia:
• Australian Leadership Award
• International Postgraduate Research Scholarships
• JASON (Joint academic scholarships online network)
• CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarship Programme
• Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships
Scholarships to Study in Singapore
• A*STAR India Youth Scholarship
• MOE Secondary and Pre-University Scholarships
• SIA Youth Scholarship
Scholarships to Study in Malaysia
• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
• And Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MCTP)
• Commonwealth Scholarship And Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
Ref: http://www.mohe.gov.my/portal/antarabangsa/penajaan.html
Scholarships to Study in New Zealand
• New Zealand Educated
• Commonwealth Scholarships
Ref: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Tertiary
Education/ForTertiaryStudentsAndParents/ScholarshipLinks.aspx

Scholarship to Study in the Netherlands
• Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP)
Scholarship to Study in Ireland
• Irish University Scholarship for Indian Students
Ref: http://www.icosirl.ie/eng/irish_aid_fellowships
Scholarship to Study in Sweden
• The Swedish Institute Study Scholarships
Scholarship to Study in Hong Kong
• HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund

CHAPTER 6
Indian Private Bodies and
Trusts Offering Scholarships

Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships are PhD level scholarships offered to
researchers with excellent academic record and leadership qualifications.
R.D. Sethna Scholarships are awarded to students irrespective of any caste,
religion or creed. Loan scholarships start from Rs.10, 000 and more.
JN Tata Endowment is an interest free loan given to students pursuing
undergraduate, graduate and research programmes. The JN Tata Endowment
loan ranges between Rs. 60,000 to 4, 00,000.
Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarships are awarded to women with
an exceptional academic record or work experience.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships are awarded to graduate and
research students with good academic record.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships are awarded on a 50%
grant and 50% loan basis through application once a year around June or
July.
BD Bangur Endowment Scholarships are loan scholarships offered to
students pursuing graduate and research programmes in the fields of
medicine, engineering, technology, humanities, science and business
administration.
K. C. Mahindra Scholarships are loan scholarships provided to students
pursuing graduate degree. The loan amount ranges from Rs. 2, 00,000 to Rs.
8, 00,000.
Vishwa Konkani Student Scholarships are awarded to students from
Konkani communities for higher education abroad, with scholarship
amount of Rs 1 lakh per year per student.

CHAPTER 7
How to Apply for
Scholarships

Scholarship policies differ from institution to institution. Some cover entire
education fees, while others will cover accommodation, food and other charges
as well. When researching colleges, read up on scholarship programmes and
gather information gradually on how to apply.
Some institutions might insist on specific documents, while others might need a
letter from the bank. Please ensure that you submit all necessary documents
mandated by the institution and the scholarship awarding body.
Do your research
Check if you are
eligible
Prepare all
relevant
documents
Write winning
essay(s)
Get good
referees to
recommend you
Prepare for
scholarship
interview

It is extremely important to be organised and have all necessary documents
with relevant photo-copies arranged neatly in a folder or file. If you are filling
an online application then all the documents should be converted into a PDF
format. If you are sending a printed application, then all the documents
prescribed in the application form should be attached to the form.
Documents that are to be submitted:
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae
• SAT / GRE / GMAT and TOEFL / IELTS / PTE Scores
• Essays or Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Cover Letter

CHAPTER 8
Do’s and Don’ts – Tips to
Apply for Scholarships

There are many scholarships available, and not all of them require you to
prove you’re the most academically gifted person on earth. But they are
incredibly competitive. So how do you make sure you get the scholarship or
bursary you deserve?
• Apply for as many as you can
• Be confident
• Avoid scholarship scams
• Allow plenty of time
• Keep a record of all the documents
Avoid these mistakes:
• Not knowing the type of scholarship you are applying to
• Not following instructions properly
• Not answering the essay question properly
• Forgetting to do a spell-check and proofreading the form and essay
• Sending sloppy applications
• Not including information such as transcripts or recommendations
• Missing the deadline
Further Reading:
How to Avoid Scholarship Scams?

Scholarships checklist:
 Are you eligible?
 Do you know the deadline?
 Have you got all the necessary information? This will vary
depending on the scholarship application, but usually includes:
academic records, proof of financial circumstances and
confirmation of your study plans.
 Do your referees know what scholarship(s) you are applying for?
 Have you and a friend/family member proofread your scholarship
application?
 Have you submitted your application before the deadline?
Remember that you are not the sole applicant for a scholarship;
numerous applicants apply for the same scholarship and only the most
suitable applicant wins it. Hence it is important that you apply for all
relevant scholarships. Also remember to apply for a bank-offered student
loan as a back-up plan.
All the best for your studies!

Your ultimate guide to securing a Scholarship while studying abroad

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Your ultimate guide to securing a Scholarship while studying abroad