Navigating Scholarships: A-Z Guide for Graduates

Funding your studies can be challenging, especially for international students navigating the challenges of university expenses. On the other hand, institutions may offer a hand to students via, scholarships, which can be a game-changer.‌‌ They’re financial awards that not only ease the burden of tuition and living expenses but also recognize your achievements and potential. Today, we'll provide you with the necessary tools to jumpstart your search for funding. But first, let’s lay down some important context.

What are the different types of funding available?

Merit-Based Funding

Merit-based funding is a reward given by your university or organisation that acknowledges academic excellence, exceptional talent, and/or unique skills. These are typically competitive and require a strong academic record, extracurricular achievements, or specific talents.

Need-Based Funding

Need-based funding is a grant that aims to support students who may not have the financial resources required to pursue a higher education. This funding is determined by yours and your guardian's financial situation and can cover various different costs from tuition to living expenses, ensuring that students have the necessary resources required to pursue their goals and ambitions. These are typically given out by governments or universities, although some organisations might also give out a limited number of them.

Scholarships

Scholarships can fall into either category or even combine elements of both. They might be based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria such as community service, leadership, or international diversity. Understanding these differences is key to knowing where you should be focusing your efforts on.

How to Look for Scholarships Online

What to Look For

When browsing for scholarships online, it’s essential to identify opportunities that match your profile and future goals. Focus on criteria such as academic achievements, financial need, extracurricular interests, and even geographical or cultural backgrounds. Knowing your strengths and requirements can help narrow down the search significantly.

Navigating University Websites

Most universities have dedicated pages or portals for scholarship opportunities. When visiting these sites, look for things such as:

• The “Financial Aid” or “Scholarships” section: This should be on the funding, apply, financial aid or enroll sub-pages.
• Use keywords like “international scholarships” or “undergraduate funding.”
• Pay attention to eligibility criteria and deadlines: This approach not only helps you find scholarships but also gives insight into what independent institutions prioritize.

Platforms to Discover Scholarship Opportunities

For a more streamlined search, several online platforms compile scholarships from all over the world. Here are a few to consider:

• ZNotes: The ZNotes YouTube Channel is filled with videos on university guides. As a matter of fact, we've also partnered with schools across the globe to provide you with the best opportunities! Consider joining our Discord Server as well to get the latest updates on our Uni guide program.
• International Scholarship Search Engines: Websites like ScholarshipPortal, College Essay Guy and Fastweb can help filter opportunities by country, field of study, or funding type.
• University Financial Aid Pages: Often, universities will list external scholarships and funding opportunities on their official websites.
• TikTok: As wild as it may sound, TikTok is actually a great place to look for scholarships. So, make use the site's search function to look for scholarships using keywords such as the degree of your choice, country and maybe even university.
• Reddit and Other Forums: Subreddits and forums are a great place to find non-mainstream opportunities to study in multiple different countries. Take a look at this post!

Finding the right scholarship may seem overwhelming at first, but with the resources we talked about today, securing funding for your education can be much easier than you think. Whether you’re aiming for a merit-based scholarship, need-based scholarship, or a combination of the two, remember that persistence is key!

Many students give up too early in their search, missing out on life-changing opportunities. So, stay proactive, apply for multiple scholarships, and don’t be discouraged by rejections! Every application is a learning experience which brings you one step closer to securing your place at your dream university and progressing further in your career.