How To Get A Study Abroad Scholarship

How To Get A Study Abroad Scholarship

Hey Travelers! So you want to win a study abroad scholarship and have the time of your life overseas? Well, before you live your best life studying abroad, you have to pay for the experience. One way to pay for your study abroad experience is by getting a scholarship. Below are 13 ways to win a study abroad scholarship!

1. Visit Your Study Abroad Advisor And Use Your Favorite Search Engine 

When you make the decision to study abroad, visit your study abroad advisor. This person will know about different scholarships you can apply for. They should be able to tell you about scholarships offered at your school and with program providers. They might also have location or major-specific scholarships as well.

Also, check with your academic advisor. While their specialty may not include study abroad, they might know of scholarships you can apply to.

Your favorite search engine will also be your best friend when it comes to finding scholarships for study abroad. A quick search will offer hundreds to thousands of results.

2. Get Good Grades To Win A Study Abroad Scholarship

While some scholarships will not require a certain GPA, many will. If you want to study abroad in the future, make sure your grades are up to par. It will give you more flexibility on the types of scholarships you can apply for. 

3. Be Specific/Apply To Nontraditional Places

Sometimes, the more specific the scholarship, the better. When you apply for a niche scholarship, competition goes down. The majority of students studying overseas choose to go to western Europe. Many choose to go during the summer. Getting a scholarship to study in the U.K. as a business major may be more difficult than if you studied sociology in São Tomé and Príncipe during the winter, for example. This is because the competition is greater for the U.K. than for São Tomé and Príncipe.

4. Apply Early To Earn A Study Abroad Scholarship

Starting your study abroad application early is one of the best things you can do. It gives you time to research, ask for recommendations, and draft a well-thought-out essay. Also, you won’t be stressed. Because let’s face it, when you’re a student you already have enough on your plate. And when it’s midterms season or at the end of the semester, the last thing you want to worry about is applying for a scholarship. Give yourself time and apply early so you won’t pass up free money.

5. Make A List Of Study Abroad Scholarships And Their Deadlines 

To keep organized, it might be a good thing to keep a list of study abroad scholarships and their deadlines. This will not only keep you organized, but it will help you be able to take advantage of every possible scholarship that you meet the requirements for. There’s nothing worse than finding out an application is due tomorrow and you haven’t started.

When you decide you want to study abroad, make a list of the deadlines and put it on a calendar or somewhere safe. Then you’ll know when you need to start the application process.

6. Rewrite Your Study Abroad Scholarship Application

In most cases, your first draft is usually not your best version. The process of writing and rewriting your study abroad application may help you draft your best essay. 

7. Make Sure You Research The Organization And See If You Meet The Eligibility Requirements 

Researching the organization can help you know if you’re a good candidate for the scholarship. By researching the organization you should also check the eligibility requirements. It might seem like a no brainer, but you don’t want to waste time applying for something you are ineligible for. 

8. Contact The Study Abroad Scholarship Site Directly

If you’re applying for a scholarship and are unsure of anything, including the essay, be sure to contact the scholarship provider directly. Doing this will help you get the information you’re looking for. Also, if they provide webinars, be sure to attend them to get all the information you need to fill out your application.

9. Make Sure You Tailor Your Essay

And on a similar note, make sure that you tailor your essay based on what the organization is looking for. Aside from your essay question, you should look at the organization’s about me page, mission statement, as well as the overview and eligibility page.

If you use the same essay and send it off to the different scholarship organizations, the panel reading your essay will be able to tell you did not tailor your essay to their organization. Just changing the name of the scholarship program in the body of your essay will not get you money to study abroad.

10. Check To See If Your School Offers Study Abroad Scholarships 

Some schools offer scholarships to study abroad. These scholarships can be program or major-specific, for those with financial need, or for students studying specific languages. Because they are school-housed scholarships, your odds for getting one may be increased compared to national scholarships because fewer people are applying. Be sure to check in with your study abroad advisor for more information.

11. Be Sure To Tell Your Story 

When it comes to applying for study abroad scholarships, the panelist wants to hear your story. You are the only one with your own story and it’s what sets you apart from other candidates with similar grades and experience.

Click here for tips on how to draft a memorable statement of purpose/tell your story visit. 

12. Include A Way To Give Back 

Yes, you’re hoping to get money to go abroad. But don’t forget the saying, to whom much is given, much will be required. Adding this component to your essay will show that you believe your study abroad experience is much larger than yourself. You are showing that if the scholarship program invests in you, you will take the initiative to invest in others. 

13. Don’t Give Up 

If you don’t get the scholarship, apply for another one. And keep applying. Applying for scholarships is a marathon, not a sprint.

Sources

For sites I referenced in this post, click here and here.

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