How do you know if you have chosen the right scholarship? How to win a scholarship? Pursuing international higher education could be pretty costly, but universities and organizations offer scholarships to promote access to higher education. As a student, you should also be ready to apply for scholarships when preparing for school admissions.
Becoming an ideal scholarship candidate can be competitive and challenging, but it does not mean that you cannot win it. As you have to invest time and effort preparing the scholarship applications, you want to make sure the scholarship you are applying for is well fit for your personal and professional goals.
There are different types of scholarships, but we will look at the five common international scholarships: merit scholarship, need-based scholarship, university scholarship, government scholarship, and organization scholarship. Now, let’s learn more about the scholarship options you can choose from and their differences in applicant selection criteria.
Merit scholarship
Merit scholarships are typically awarded to students with academic excellence, athletic, or artistic achievements. They also consider other factors such as the ACT or SAT scores, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles in the school community.
Need-based scholarship
The selection criteria emphasize the student's financial needs and their demonstration of academic merits and commitment to positive civic engagement. Applicants are usually required to show evidence of their financial needs. Some universities or organizations require students to provide parents' tax returns or meet with the family to agree on providing financial aid for a particular student. Opening soon, Parami University will also offer a need-based scholarship to students with financial needs.
University scholarship
This scholarship is offered directly by universities/colleges to the admitted students, and it can be partially or fully funded. The university usually awards a scholarship to candidates whose works reflect the identity and value of the university.
Government scholarship
A government scholarship is a type of scholarship fully funded by the respective governments to enable students to attend higher education.
Organization scholarship
The private organizations provide this scholarship award, usually offering fully-funded financial aid.
Five essential tips for winning a scholarship
1) Plan ahead and source all documents for the scholarship application
2) Know the type of scholarship you are applying for.
3) Read all of the frequently asked questions about the scholarship
4) Know the eligibility criteria for the scholarship
5) Apply for different scholarships
With a good understanding of different scholarship types and tips, you can now search for a scholarship that meets your needs and abilities. When selected for the right scholarship, there is a higher potential to win the award.
