The burning desire to study abroad consumes every student. Whether at the undergraduate level or postgraduate level, everyone asks the same question How to get a fully-funded scholarship abroad. The reason is to study in a civilized country where the standard of education does not depreciate but appreciates yearly.
Most times, these dreams are not usually actualized due to one reason or the other. It is usually more expensive for one to study abroad than in his home country. Hence the question “How to get a fully-funded scholarship abroad” pops up on every search engine. Fully-funded scholarships abroad are organized for students from less privileged homes, war-disrupted countries and who cannot meet the financial demands of studying abroad.
It is no surprise why some global organizations, governments, schools and NGOs organize these scholarships to make the visions of these students come true. This fully-funded scholarship abroad ranges from research grants, need-based, merit-based scholarships, stipends etc.
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What Are Fully-Funded Scholarships?
Fully-Funded Scholarships are scholarships that cover all necessary expenses such as tuition fees, health insurance, cost of living expenses, travel expenses, and research costs and still give the beneficiary some allowances. These are highly sought-after scholarships abroad and are usually given to a few people. Due to the scholarship benefits, they are highly competitive
Steps On How To Get A Fully-Funded Scholarship Abroad
1. Getting Aware
There is a popular saying, “Information is power, and hence if you are not informed then you are deformed”. Awareness is the first thing on this list because you cannot apply for a scholarship you know nothing about. Many students miss out on the latest scholarships update and hence do not know when the call for applications is out.
Those who get to know about these opportunities abroad learn about them a few days before the application deadline. At this time, they may not successfully submit their applications because all necessary documents are unavailable.
Getting aware of these scholarships abroad can be actualized by visiting scholarship blogs such as this.
2. Getting Application Documents Handy
Apart from being aware of a scholarship on board, students who wish to get fully-funded scholarships abroad are advised to have their application documents handy. This is to ensure that you don’t run out of time while trying to get these documents ready. Fully-funded scholarships are most times based on a “first-come-first-served” premise. Therefore, you should keep every necessary document needed in place.
Some of the documents required to apply for these scholarships are:
- International Passport
Your passport is the basic requirement for every scholarship abroad. This is simply because you cannot travel out of your country without it. You need to have it handy as it will also serve as a means of your identity to the scholarship board.
Your passport indicates your date of birth (age), marital status, country of residence or origin etc. Which are also included in your application form. Of all the required documents for a scholarship application, a passport is inevitable… GET IT READY!!!
- Academic Transcript:
This is a very important document to keep handy if you have plans of applying for postgraduate studies abroad. Most universities require that the applicant submits/supplies a student copy of his/her transcripts. Some other universities also require that the applicant’s school sends the transcript themselves.
However, there is less time for candidates who are told to submit themselves, this is because it is assumed they already have it.
- Certificates/Qualifications
The next thing to get ready is your certificates. The certificates to get ready are dependent on the particular scholarship level you are applying for.
- Undergraduate Scholarships
- MBA Scholarships
- Masters Scholarships
- PhD Scholarships
- Post-Doctoral Scholarships
- Research Scholarships
Undergraduate Scholarship requires that your basic and high school documents should be handy. Masters scholarships demand getting all documents listed in Bachelor’s and also Bachelor’s certificate. Ph.D. on the other hand requires all documents listed above with a Master’s certificate.
- Recommendation Letters
These letters are required from people who have known you and can vouch for your good character. Most times, recommendation letters are required from one, two or three persons. Although this is dependent on the level of study, school and field of study.
It is advisable to get three recommendations handy and then submit to the university or board the required number.
- Motivation letter/Statement of Purpose
A statement of purpose and a motivation letter are two things that you have to keep handy as well. Although, there are no permanent formats because some universities give guidelines on how they want it. Nevertheless, getting a copy that you can always edit to suit the requirement is important.
NB: While there may be additional time for you to submit these documents on the application portal, you may forget. This will result in you missing the scholarship opportunity and it is one of the Reasons Scholarship Applications Are Rejected. At best, get these documents handy and submit them immediately. This way, you’ll get into the “first-come-first-serve” crew.
Your applications will also be submitted and reviewed in time, then you can be notified of missing documents. You also get ample time to resubmit the missing documents because you have most of these ready. This is a good way on how to get a fully-funded scholarship abroad
3. Checkout Eligibility Criteria
Every scholarship has its eligibility criteria. These criteria are clearly stated on the application portal. Most of the eligibility criteria are based on
- Nationality
- Study area
- Research Interest
- Age or
- Sex
Studying the eligibility criteria carefully will enable you to know which scholarship opportunity you are qualified to apply for. Crosscheck if your country is eligible to apply if the study area interests you and also if you are underage/overage to apply. Different ages apply for different scholarships.
Once you have checked all these, then you can tell yourself if you measure up to the criteria. Hence the last stage.
Related: 7 Reasons Why Your Scholarship Application Was Rejected
4. Finally, Apply
Having followed the above steps diligently, you have arrived at the last but not the least point. It is time to apply. Here are a few things you need to know about applying for a fully-funded scholarship abroad before you start your application process:
- Application Procedures
This is quite a simple, yet difficult process to undergo. Most times some application portals are a bit difficult to maneuver so being extremely careful during application is necessary.
- Visit the official portal for the scholarship application and fill out the application form. Ensure to fill in your details as they appear on your passport. Supply valid contact addresses (Permanent address, Phone number, email) so that you could be reached when need be.
- Submit the necessary/required documents and ensure they are rightly uploaded on the portal.
- Take note of exam dates (oral or written exams) and prepare at all costs to meet the minimum score requirement
- Finally, crosscheck the form you filled out for errors and then submit it.
NB: It is very necessary to submit your application before the deadline. Following the steps listed judiciously means you have done your part. It also that you will get a full-funded scholarship abroad.
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