Expert Voice: Weigh your eligibilty before applying

Dear counsellor, I’m a high school graduate with a great desire to study abroad. I have worked hard all my school life, but I’m wondering how I can earn a scholarship to get a university abroad. What’s your advice? Yours, Mutavu -- Dear Mutavu, Scholarships play a pivotal role in contributing to a wide range of students’ academic achievements. Majority of students rely a lot on scholarships to fund either 100 per cent of their tuition or a major component of their total university costs. Scholarships come in a variety of forms and dimensions. Some are offered by the governments, others by private charitable organisations and companies or individuals and the most common ones are offered by the universities/institutions. There are scholarships that are offered on a need-based or merit-based criterion, while some are offered to students coming from specific regions and countries. Finding scholarships may seem quite challenging especially with the cut-throat competition for the few available offers. Nevertheless if you utilise the following tips, they can help you to obtain an overseas scholarship opportunity and accomplish your career goals successfully. The first thing is to identify the kind of universities which you are interested in applying to and then focus on the various scholarship offers listed on the institutions’ websites. You should check out their entry requirements to see if you are eligible for application. Most universities post their scholarship offers on different communication channels including websites, newspapers, international student support fora, and social media. Ensure that you complete the scholarship application form properly, provide all relevant details and send the form well in time. Explain clearly why you deserve the scholarship and be sure to list all your relevant achievements – not just academic results but also community work, career experience and awards. Don’t miss out if you have the chance. Apply to as many as you can and you’d be amazed at how many sponsors just love students who can demonstrate such a well-integrated set of knowledge skills and competences. So never give up on your search for a scholarship. You may be turned down many times just don’t lose heart soon, fortune will present itself and you will obtain a scholarship.

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Expert Voice: Weigh your eligibilty before applying