Scholarships & Funding: How to Find and Win Them

Financing your study abroad is often the biggest hurdle. Fortunately, hundreds of scholarships and grants exist for international students. This post covers where to look and how to increase your chances of winning. With strategy and effort, these funds can make global study affordable.

Key Scholarship Sources

1. University/Program Scholarships: Many universities (and study abroad programs) offer their own scholarships or assistantships. For example, specific programs like IES Abroad or SIT provide need-based and diversity scholarships. Always check your host institution or program provider for funding.
2. Home Institution: Your college or university’s financial aid office often lists study abroad scholarships (sometimes discipline-specific or country-specific). Ask a study abroad advisor like us or financial aid office about available grants or departmental awards.
3. Government & External Scholarships: Look into scholarships from both your country and the destination country. Examples include Fulbright, Erasmus, Chevening (UK), DAAD (Germany), or Australian Endeavour. Government-sponsored awards often cover tuition and living costs.
4. Professional & Cultural Organizations: Some local groups (e.g., Rotary, Rotary International, cultural clubs, or heritage societies) offer study grants. If you belong to a minority group, gender, or field association, check their scholarship funds.
5. Work-Study and Loans: Although not a scholarship, don’t forget federal or private student loans can cover study abroad costs (if done through an approved program). Also, some countries and universities allow international students to work part-time.
6. Scholarship Databases: Use online databases like Fastweb, Cappex, GoAbroad, or CollegeBoard’s Scholarship Search. These match your profile with opportunities. The Go Overseas guide emphasizes leveraging multiple sources to build a list.

Winning Strategies

Use these proven tips from scholarship experts:

• Apply to Best-Fit Opportunities: Focus on scholarships where you meet the eligibility. Reserve your time for applications that you have the best chance of winning. Look at requirements (GPA, country of study, field, extracurriculars) and prioritize accordingly.
• Tailor Your Application: “Speak to the values of who is awarding the scholarship”. Study the mission of the scholarship funder (academic merit, leadership, cultural exchange, etc.) and highlight how you embody their goals. If it’s a STEM scholarship, emphasize your research plans; if it’s a diversity award, highlight your background and community involvement.
• Craft a Compelling Essay: Your personal statement should tell a story. Clearly explain why you chose this study plan and how it fits your future. Show passion and specific goals. Avoid just listing achievements; instead, connect them into a narrative about your dreams (e.g., tackling climate change because of your background, not just your grades).
• Follow Instructions Meticulously: Essays and applications must directly answer prompts. A top tip: if the prompt asks “How will this scholarship help your goals?”, don’t ignore it. Many applicants lose points by not addressing the actual question. Also, meet all formatting, word count, and deadline requirements – even small mistakes can disqualify.
• Gather Strong Recommendations: Many scholarships ask for one or more letters. Choose referees who know your strengths (professors, mentors, employers) and give them time to write. Provide them with your resume and essay drafts so they can tailor their letter to the scholarship’s theme.
• Proofread & Review: Errors stand out. One advice is to proofread thoroughly and have someone else review your application. Ensure clarity and check spelling/grammar. Many guides stress that sloppy applications get rejected, no matter how good the candidate.

Types of Scholarships

Funding comes in different flavors:

1. Merit Scholarships: Based on grades, test scores, or achievements. Typically require evidence of academic excellence (GPA transcripts, awards). These often have many applicants, so emphasize unique accomplishments.
2. Need-Based Grants: Awarded for financial need, regardless of merit. Often require a FAFSA (for U.S. students) or proof of income. If applicable, honestly document your need and how the scholarship makes a difference.
3. Field/Location-Based Awards: Some scholarships target specific study fields (STEM, arts) or destinations (e.g. scholarships for studying in Spain or Asia). These can be less competitive if narrow
4. Diversity & Special-Interest: For example, minority scholarships, women-in-STEM, first-generation student grants, or those for students with disabilities. These highlight background and experience.
5. Research/Assistantship: For graduate students, teaching or research assistantships often come with tuition waivers or stipends.

Example: Suppose you’re applying for a scholarship to study engineering in Germany. You would:

• Highlight your strong math and physics grades (merit).
• Explain why Germany is your goal (its strong engineering programs).
• Connect with the scholarship’s mission (e.g., Germany-EU cultural exchange).
• Follow their essay guidelines exactly, and get a professor to recommend you.

Final Tips: Start your scholarship search early; some deadlines are a year in advance. Keep a checklist of documents (transcripts, essays, letters) and deadlines. Even if individual scholarships seem small, multiple awards together can cover a large part of your costs.

Note, thousands of dollars worth of scholarships go unclaimed every year simply because no one applies. Be proactive in finding and applying; the investment of time can pay off greatly.

With diligent research and polished applications (focused on values, fit, and storytelling), you can win scholarships to fund your global education.