In recent years, more and more students are opting to study abroad because of the benefits and opportunities it brings to one’s career and personal development. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) found that the number of international students has increased from 2 million in the year 2000 to 5.3 million in 2017.
However, studying abroad is not cheap, and for many students, the only way to get an international education is through scholarships or other financial aid. Getting a scholarship abroad can be difficult because of the competitiveness, eligibility criteria, and other requirements needed.
Nevertheless, applicants may find that there are scholarships that offer more flexibility and involve attainable requirements. There are also various strategies students can apply to boost their chances of getting a scholarship abroad.
Make a List of Your Qualifications
There are a lot of scholarships students can actually apply for. In fact, there are thousands, if they only know where to look. Scholarships and other financial aids are usually being offered by the government, non-government organizations, both national and international, and institutions.
To make your work of finding a scholarship abroad easier, create a list of your qualifications, and then from there, look for scholarships where your qualifications fall under. This way, you can already determine which scholarships you are eligible for.
After filtering, create a table that includes the name of the scholarship, the requirements, and the deadline, then work on your application.
Details, Details, Details
When sending your requirements and application form, double-check everything and be very particular with details. For example, if you are applying for multiple scholarships, be sure that the application forms and letters are submitted to the right institutions.
If you are not careful, you might submit requirements to the wrong institution, or address your application with the name of another institution. According to US News, one of the most common reasons why applications get rejected is incomplete requirements or multiple errors in the documents submitted.
Be Realistic
Most of the time, international students usually flock toward what is popular, like a course, school, or even the type of scholarship program. However, if something is really popular, it also means the competition is also high. The thing about international education is that no matter where it is, the goal of expanding your opportunities and furthering your knowledge and experience is the same.
Try to look for less competitive choices. For example, instead of looking for a scholarship in Europe, look for one in Asia. You’ll find that there are many great universities offering world-class education in Asia too.
Write an Impressive Motivation Letter
An impressive motivation letter is usually one that can set you apart from other applicants. An impressive motivation letter should be unique to you, your experiences, the reason why you are a good fit for the scholarship program (you can highlight a mutual connection to the program), and so on.
Try to avoid using generic reasons because your application will not likely get the attention of evaluators. Make it personal, be honest, and present your true self in your motivation letter. This way, evaluators will really get to know you and deem you a worthy candidate for a scholarship abroad.
Want to learn more about financial aid for international students? Check out MSM Unify’s articles about scholarships and grants to know more.
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