By Stella Owala
Scholarships are offered to students to help them offset their education expenses. These scholarships are offered by different bodies – Governments of countries, non-profit and private organizations, and academic institutions. They award these financial aids using different criteria. Funds are given for academic excellence, sterling attributes, talent, and for a particular area of study.
There are different kinds of scholarships.
Getting a fully-funded scholarship can set you on the road to financial freedom while studying if you do not lose focus.
Knowing that you do not have to worry about tuition fees gives you peace of mind to concentrate on your studies. No doubt, scholarships provide the needed economic aid to see you through school.
Fully funded scholarships especially the global ones accord you a certain degree of prestige and help you explore opportunities that you never envisaged.
Scholarships are littered in the world. And these scholarships are waiting to be explored. The funds have been earmarked and awarded to those who dare to apply. They are distributed in the form of stipends to those who apply and are qualified to receive such funds. Sometimes, it comes in form of tuition waivers.
Although getting fully funded scholarships has been attributed to good grades or CGPA, while this may be true, it is not always the case. There is a general misconception that scholarships are awarded to students with the highest CGPA. However, some scholarships look for other attributes of the students rather than focusing only on the GPA.
One of the major problems encountered by scholarship seekers is finding different kinds of scholarships that are available in the world, and knowing how to apply for them.
Types of Scholarships:
💥The Full Ride Scholarships: These are the global scholarships funded by the Government of a country or a well-established funding organization. Full-ride scholarships are awarded to students without demanding any form of service other than to study and get good grades. You enjoy *free money. 😀
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (UK), Chevening Scholarship (UK), DAAD (Germany), and SI Scholarship (Sweden) are examples of full-ride scholarships.
Once you are awarded any of these scholarships, you do not need to worry about losing them. You enjoy free monies while studying but it is important to maintain a certain grade throughout your study.
💥Academic or Merit Scholarships: This is awarded by the academic institution. This scholarship is based on academic performance. Merit-based scholarships are mostly awarded based on students’ academic prowess and high cumulative grade points.
Those with high brainpower, excellent mental aptitudes, enjoy this type of scholarship. The academic record of the student is put into consideration with a whole bunch of other attributes. Schools consider the student’s community service, leadership qualities, and the strength of the scholarship essays.
However, schools have specific criteria for awarding merit scholarships. Sometimes, this scholarship is not applied for. The school uses its discretion in granting exceptional students the scholarship.
Other times, it may require a separate application from the student. It all depends on the University. Thus, scholarships and how they are awarded vary from school to school.
Some merit-based scholarships require students to maintain a certain grade and GPA to remain eligible to receive such awards subsequently.
💥Sports Scholarship: If you are a good sports person with a track record in sporting activities, you may be eligible for some sort of funding too. This scholarship is awarded for sports / athletic excellence.
There are other categories of talents that attract scholarships but that will be a subject for another day.
So, whether you have a high GPA or a not-so-high grade, you might be eligible for a scholarship if you possess other sterling qualities that stand you out in the crowd.
💥Graduate/Research Assistantship:
Graduate /Research/Teaching Assistantship is not the same as a full-ride scholarship. It is important that you know the difference. Know the type of funding you apply to and what they entail or demand of you.
💥Teaching Assistantship in the US/Canadian Universities means being an assistant to a Professor. Mostly, Professors have lots of work to do besides teaching. The Assistant helps the Professor teach undergraduate courses. They help to award marks or grade exams in some cases. They help with other duties too.
A graduate research/teaching assistantship position in the United States of America is not a full-ride scholarship. You need to maintain good academic standing, and you need to render certain services (carry out research for the Professor, teach classes or grade exams) in exchange for free tuition and a small stipend for your maintenance.
💥Graduate Assistant – GA: Expect this when you seek fully-funded scholarships, especially in the USA and Canada. This is a graduate assistantship position where you are paid a salary. Graduate Assistants work for some stipulated hours per week and they get a tuition waiver, and, or a monthly stipend.
GTA or TA – Graduate Teaching Assistant or Teaching Assistant: When you are enrolled in the Graduate School and assigned some duties by the Professor.
So when you crave full funding, especially in the USA, understand that it may come with some workload too. Nothing is free after all. There is always a price to pay for anything.
Where do you find Scholarships?
💥Fully funded scholarships are littered in the world. Most schools have one form of scholarship or the other. It could be a full or partial scholarship. It could come in form of free tuition or tuition waiver. It could be awarded at the beginning of your studies or after the first year of study if you display academic excellence in your exams. This means that you have performed well in your exams and obtained a certain grade.
There are plenty of opportunities in the USA, Europe, and Canada. But knowing your eligibility for them is crucial. Also, besides globally advertised scholarships, there are internal scholarships that are fully funded. So when you talk about scholarships, know exactly what you are looking for, know whether you qualify and if you are not eligible, it is better to explore low tuition fees.
Some people are clueless about scholarships or how they are administered. They do not know where to explore or which scholarship to apply to.
To excel in life, you must be thirsty for success. If you are naïve about funding and scholarships that you are eligible to explore, get a mentor or a coach or a guide for your travel goals and accelerate the process.
You will be amazed to discover the plenty of opportunities in the world. You will take advantage of these opportunities and increase your chances of securing admission to schools that provide funding.
Finally, scholarships are awarded based on different criteria. It could be merit-based, need-based, sport-based, or a combination of all. It is awarded by governments, universities, and private and civic organizations.
If you need scholarships but do not know your eligibility, seek help. Find a mentor, and a travel advisor, and get started in the right direction. Do not delay your progress by trying to navigate through the process blindly.
Send me a DM if you want to study abroad or relocate with your family. Or if you are dedicated to finding full funding. We will guide you on this.
Get help if need be to achieve your travel goals in good time.
© Stella Owala
FOUNDER and CEO, TAAC
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