Do you want to study abroad on a fully funded scholarship? There is an opportunity for you. Niche scholarships for international students are the place to be. Just relax and see all the application requirements, eligibility criteria, scholarship worth, and how to apply.
Traveling is expensive, but moving to a new country to further your education is even more so. Every year, scholarships make international study possible for students. They’re an excellent resource for anyone who wants to travel the world while finishing their college education, but many students don’t know where to begin.
Check out these 10 scholarship tips for international students. Whether you’re an American looking to spend a year abroad or an international student hoping to spend time in America, these tips will help you get the financial assistance you need to make it happen.
Scholarships Tips for International Students
Before applying for niche scholarships and any other scholarships for international students, here are the basic things you should know:
1. Know The Importance of Scholarships
A college degree will broaden your career options and give you the credentials you need to land your dream job. You’ll also use that time to try new things, learn about yourself, and figure out what you want out of life. It all comes at a cost that is greater than just your tuition.
College students must also pay for boarding, food, and books. Americans who live in the country or state of their chosen university will pay different fees. Still, international students will pay more because they do not live in the United States. In America, the average student pays $99,417 for their degree. However, international students may pay even more, depending on which university they attend. Notwithstanding, that’s the more reason you need niche scholarships for college students.
Furthermore, Americans traveling abroad may require financial assistance. Different countries handle their educational systems in different ways. For instance, tuition at Australian universities is $4,841 per semester, whereas Finland does not charge any fees for college education. Scholarships can make or break your university experience, so keep this in mind when the application process becomes tedious or difficult.
2. Do Your Research Very Well
There are various types of scholarships available in the USA and abroad, so always do your homework well before applying. Certain college scholarships may not apply to you depending on where you want to go or what you want to study.
Look up each scholarship and read about the available options to find opportunities such as:
- Financial scholarships: These are awarded based on your financial situation/needs.
- USA University scholarships: These scholarships are available to international students.
- Country-based scholarships: Students from developing countries are eligible for these scholarships.
- Merit scholarships are awarded to students who excelled academically, worked in their community, or were top athletes in high school.
- Privately funded scholarships: Here, donors fund education for international students from marginalized groups or developing countries, as well as those who want to study in a specific field.
- USA government-funded scholarships: These scholarships are also offered to international students.
- Part scholarships: Part scholarships are one-time or staggered payments made to cover school fees or other relevant costs.
However, after choosing which university you want to attend, you’ll learn how much it will cost and which options are best suited to your financial needs.
3. Find Helpful Sources – Niche Scholarships For International Students
Every prospective student should be aware of where to look for scholarships and compare their benefits. International students interested in studying in America should first contact the financial aid offices at the universities of their choice. Following that, they can look for private and government scholarships that may provide more funding for specific study fields. These are available at banks, loan companies, and state and federal government websites. Just a little research will take you there.
American students can get direct help with scholarships by contacting their study abroad offices. You can also look for available funds on the College Board’s website or apply for financial aid for low-income or minority students. Check out these niche scholarships for college students.
If you are a university student, you can find out how to get international scholarships by contacting the financial aid or study abroad offices. They have the training and experience to point you in the right direction for scholarship opportunities and to make the process go more smoothly.
4. Apply for as many scholarships as possible
Applications can sometimes be completed in a matter of minutes. Others will take days of your time and patience. Don’t limit yourself to just a few scholarships. Increase your chances of receiving financial aid by applying to as many as scholarships possible including niche scholarships for international students.
Staggering your applications and rotating the complicated and shorter ones will make the process less frustrating and prevent you from becoming exhausted early on. Did you get that?
5. Look for Niche Scholarships Opportunities
Applying for broad scholarships is always a good idea. However, it also puts your name in a large pool of candidates. Looking for niche scholarships opportunity may help you secure funding for your international studies. Some scholarships and tuition waivers are only available to students with specific interests, experiences, or educational goals.
Mention your past military experience or family members who work for multinational corporations, if there are any. Sign up for scholarships with unusual requirements, such as the Create a Greeting Card scholarship or the Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest scholarship, to find college funding gold. How to get scholarships to study abroad is likely to be determined by your skills and interests. Apply for niche Scholarships For International Students
6. Make/Create a spreadsheet.
Spreadsheets are a huge help in keeping track of an ever-expanding list of scholarship applications. To avoid applying twice, you may need to refer to a specific essay for a scheduled interview or double-check your recent history.
After deciding on a spreadsheet program, keep track of critical fields such as:
- The scholarship name.
- The provider or organization.
- Scholarship deadline.
- The application URL.
- Scholarship amount.
- Necessary criteria, like your GPA or age.
- Included contact information for yourself or the organization (if any).
- Enclosed documentation, like recommendation letters or essays (if any).
It is best to save general documents in a separate folder. For example, you’ll need your resume and financial records for multiple forms, so save time by keeping them in an easy-to-access digital format.
7. Consider Additional Costs and Expenses
Housing can be the most expensive aspect of your college experience sometimes. Many students get around this problem by living off-campus, but they still have to pay rent. So, it is best to try all you could to land niche scholarships to save you some extra cost.
While applying for various types of scholarships, figure out your off-campus costs and apply for housing-specific financial aid. Rent in America typically costs around 30% of your income, which is a significant amount of money that could otherwise be spent on books and meals.
Depending on where you sign a lease, scholarships applied to rent could save you thousands of dollars each month. However, niche Scholarships For International Students take care of most of the expenses. So, apply now!
8. Review Writing Tips/Suggestions – niche Scholarships
Your writing abilities and skills will be crucial in convincing committees to award you a scholarship. Review basic writing tips to ensure your documents are flawless and enticing.
You should format your resume correctly by keeping it on one page and making it easy to scan. Read about how to write a cover letter before you send any, so it’s clear you know what you’re doing. Importantly, maintain a formal tone while writing about why you’re the best fit for the scholarship. No one will want to give you money if they don’t believe you’re serious about the application process because your cover letter is off-topic, too casual, or riddled with errors.
Before submitting your applications, have a friend, mentor, or teacher review them. They will provide constructive feedback and point out spelling and grammar errors that you may have missed during your final review.
9. Gather All Your References
Most scholarships require a list of references. People you include should always be made aware that you are considering them as a reference in your scholarship application. It is not proper to expect them to vouch for you when they are surprised by a call asking them to speak about you on the spot.
References should also be people who can attest to your work ethic. Previous teachers, professors, or employers are the best people you can use as your reference. However, family members and friends should not be used as references because they are biased sources who may not have seen you in your workplace or school environment.
10. Try to Get in Touch – Niche Scholarships
There is always someone willing to assist you. Therefore, contact your chosen university’s study abroad or financial aid offices. You can also communicate with the contacts listed for each of your scholarship applications. Always ask questions so you don’t miss out on a great opportunity later.
List of Websites That Allow International Students to Search for Scholarships
1. College Board
Every year, the College Board helps 7 million students prepare for college and administers the SAT college admission test. Their website provides scholarship, financial aid, and internship information from over 2,200 programs.
2. Fastweb
Fastweb offers access to over 1.5 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion. Here, students create a profile and can view their applications on the website.
4. Buddy4Study
Buddy4Study is a scholarship search engine for Indian students interested in attending schools in the United States and other countries.
5. International Student
International Student offers a scholarship search specifically for international students. Its comprehensive and searchable database of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information ensures that students from all over the world have as many options for paying for college as possible.
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