For many students, the dream of doing a Ph.D. seems impossible due to the cost of some programs and lack of funding, But in this article, we are going to discuss some tips on getting a Ph.D. Scholarship abroad without stress.
Here are some tips for study abroad scholarship applications that can help make your international dreams a reality.
Ask for Help
First and foremost, don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you for help. Contact your university’s study abroad office, your professors, the financial aid office, and your academic advisers to ask about scholarships or grants they may know of.
If possible, go to these offices in person to ask for advice on getting a scholarship to study abroad, rather than just emailing or calling.
Not only will this make it easier for your professors or study abroad office to help you, but they’ll be impressed with your clear determination and initiative in arriving to discuss financial aid in person.
The hardest part of getting study abroad scholarships is simply finding them, so be sure to ask the professionals if they know of any!
Make a List of Everything You Qualify For
Start with your home university, then move on to external providers. Meet with folks at the career center or study abroad office. Find out what’s available, who’s eligible, the requirements, and when the deadline is. Make a spreadsheet in Google Drive.
Then move on to the bowels of Google. Search “study abroad + undergraduate + scholarship + country/language/major” and add those to the list. You’re going to wind up applying to as many as possible.
Research, Research, Research
It cannot be said enough: do your research! The more scholarships you can apply for, the more financial aid you will get.
You can start by exploring GoAbroad’s Scholarships Directory! There are also several other resources, such as NAFSA, that compile lists of scholarships for study abroad students.
Still, this list is not exhaustive, and there are many different types of scholarships to study abroad that you should also explore, including:
Location-Specific Grants/Scholarships to Study Abroad
These scholarships or grants are created to encourage students to study in specific countries or even certain cities, such as scholarships specifically for students looking to study in Japan.
You might find these scholarships provided by your university, by the government of the country you plan to study in, or even by your home country, which hopes to foster international relations through the exchange of study abroad students.
Program-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships/Grants
These scholarships or grants are often offered to students who decide to study abroad through a particular program.
This could be the independent study abroad provider or through a particular program crafted by your university, and only students who plan to study through that program qualify to apply.
Subject-Specific Grants/Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Many grants or scholarships are awarded to students who plan to pursue a certain field of study or major abroad, such as Foreign Language Scholarships.
This financial aid can be incredibly specific, zeroing in on the subject and a certain subject to be studied in a particular country.
Student-Specific Scholarships/Grants
Some scholarships are awarded based on the students themselves due to factors such as gender, race, religion, disabilities, or sexual orientation.
For instance, there are specific study-abroad scholarships for high school students! With a demand for more diverse study abroad students, programs such as the Benjamin
A Gilman or Diversity Abroad Scholarship is especially helpful for students searching for financial aid. Study abroad scholarships for minorities are out there, and you just have to find them!
University-Provided Study Abroad Scholarships/Grants
Many universities provide scholarships or grants on a merit basis to be applied to any students looking to study abroad.
However, don’t just research financial aid provided by your home university! Study abroad grants for undergraduates can be available from different institutions depending on your affiliations.
Also, look at the university you will be studying at while abroad; many higher education institutions worldwide provide scholarships for international students to encourage a more diverse student body to attend their university.
Organization-Provided Scholarships/Grants
Be sure to research nonprofit, chapter, or heritage organizations that may provide scholarships or grants to deserving students who match their criteria.
Prime examples include scholarships for LGBT students or students of Italian or Hispanic descent. The possibilities are endless!
Government-Funded Scholarships/Grants for Study Abroad
Aside from assuring that your FAFSA financial aid will carry over for your study abroad semester, several government-funded grants or scholarships encourage students to study or work abroad.
Good examples include the Fulbright Program, or Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships, funded by the UK government specifically for international student leaders looking to study in the UK.
Contact the Scholarship/Grant Funder Directly
The best way to know all the nitty-gritty details of the scholarships you will be applying for and up-to-date application requirements is to contact the funder directly — they practically wrote the book on how to get a scholarship to study abroad!
Not only will this ensure that you have all the correct information, but you will also be showing the scholarship or grant funder/provider that you are not afraid to take the initiative and actively pursue the scholarship you are applying for.
Apply For The Scholarship
It may seem tiring but apply for study abroad scholarships as quickly and thoroughly as possible. This bit WILL require considerable time and patience, but every little bit counts.
Since you’ve already done a lot of legwork, your process should run smoothly. Even smaller awards all add up and ultimately will allow you to have a much more affordable and less stressful summer, semester, or year abroad!
Also, customize your applications whenever possible, and avoid the temptation to copy and paste from one application to another simply.
Scholarship providers know when you’ve researched the values of their foundation or the focus of a specific scholarship. Customizing each application will give you a much better chance of becoming a pro at figuring out how to study abroad with a scholarship.
Conclusion
We hope you find this article helpful and that you will use the tips mentioned above whenever you are looking for Sure Ways Of Winning A Ph.D. Scholarship Abroad
Using those tips will enhance your chances of getting your dream scholarship.
Leave a Comment