As a student at any level, one of the most important things you can do is to find ways through which you can fund your studies. Of course, this does not mean that you need to rob a financial institution or sell a body part! You can find better ways to pay for your education.
One of the best ways for any student to fund their studies is through scholarships. However, it is important to note that scholarships are not easy to secure. They are the best options for international students because they do not qualify for government stipends or loans.
In addition, scholarships are stable and secure means through which a student can fund their studies. When looking for a scholarship, you need to understand the kind of scholarships to look for, where they can be found, and how to avoid getting conned.
Here are a few ways through which you can secure a scholarship to fund your studies:
Government scholarships
Governments in different countries around the globe offer scholarships to help students fund their studies. In the U.S., for instance, students with financial need might be eligible for the Pell Grant. In some countries, these scholarships cover tuition fees while in others they cover the entire fees including accommodation and other expenses.
However, the issuing governments require students to meet certain requirements for them to qualify for scholarships. For instance, you have to meet the education qualification the chosen institution requires.
Others might require you to be of a certain age and be fluent in a certain language. If you manage to secure a government scholarship in the UK, you will get return airfare, a monthly allowance for your expenses, and other grants to ensure that you are comfortable.
Sports scholarships
Are you a good performer in a certain sport such as basketball or American football? Well, this can just secure you a scholarship. Some universities, colleges, and junior schools offer scholarships to students who are good in certain sports and can join their teams.
You do not even have to be very good in academics for you to secure these kinds of scholarships. Again, some universities, colleges, and junior schools will not require you to be a top performer in your sport.
Some of them might look at things such as community service, students interested in becoming social workers, and the kind of life you lead before offering a sports scholarship. Some American universities known for sports scholarships include Yale University, Harvard University, and Stanford University, among others.
Need-based or grant scholarships
These scholarships are also known as gift aid scholarships. This is because they are meant for students who are in a certain financial situation and they never have to pay back any aid given to them.
In some countries, these scholarships are also known as bursaries. Unlike all other scholarships discussed in this article, these scholarships are given based on the needs of the applicants.Â
You do not have to participate in a competition, be good at a certain sport, or meet certain academic requirements for you to secure these scholarships.
Write a winning scholarship essay
Yes, you heard it right! You can secure a scholarship that funds your studies by simply writing an essay. Essay scholarships are offered by different education institutions to students from different backgrounds.Â
Sounds easy, right? Well, most of these scholarships come with certain requirements apart from writing the essay. For instance, some of them might require you to meet certain academic qualifications while others require you to show that you are in financial need.
At the end of the day, you have to write a winning scholarship essay. So, if you are a good writer, you can start looking for educational institutions that offer these kinds of scholarships. This is one of the simplest ways to fund your studies.
University scholarships
You can secure a scholarship from a university (of course if you are looking to fund your university education) based on your academic excellence at lower levels of education. To succeed, you need to meet their requirements and be of a certain age.
Different universities have different requirements for students looking to secure a scholarship. In addition, different levels of degrees come with different types of scholarships, meaning that you have to be clear on what you want to study.
For instance, Switzerland universities have special and better scholarships for Ph.D. students compared to students going for a Bachelor’s degree. Other universities even cover health insurance and accommodation. The only thing you need to secure these scholarships is academic excellence.
Looking at all the options discussed in this article, you have different scholarships you can apply for and fund your studies. Get started now and you might just secure yourself a scholarship!
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