How to get a scholarship abroad

Since I've applied countless times and have been a successful recipient of scholarships, it might be useful at least to someone how I managed to get one. To me, there are four basic steps: 1) know what you want, 2) research and selection, 3) preparation, and 4) application. Waiting is inevitable and of course, when selected, the pre-departure process is another post.

1. Knowing what you want simply means choosing which study area (e.g. engineering, economics, social sciences etc.), which region, country or city (e.g. Europe, UK, Birmingham), which program (PhD, masters, certificate etc.), and which university. But on a more personal (or professional) aspect, knowing what you want also requires some introspection. What are your passions and interests? What are your academic and professional backgrounds? What are your reasons for wanting to study abroad? And why can't you pay for it yourself? One would certainly encounter universities and programs that do not offer or have very competitive scholarship awarding processes that it is realistic to assume, one will not get it.

This a major step that will help you narrow your search. Once you have chosen your field, a simple Google search can generate the best universities offering such programs. If you just want to study in a certain country and don't know what you really want, it would help to find their education portal (e.g. Holland) and search by different study themes. Another alternative is going directly to the scholarship provider itself and find courses that appeal to you. Examples of good and comprehensive lists would be that of the Erasmus Mundus or the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Another alternative is to wait for education fairs in your own country. Usually the European Union or Commonwealth countries host education fairs annually and invite university representatives from abroad, different embassies have their booths, and even invite former scholarship holders to share their experience. 

Both paths will present you the duration of the programs, application procedures, deadlines, and other pertinent information. If it seems straightforward now, try reading through any portal and you'll realize, knowing the degree you want to pursue is just the start. 

2. Research and selection is an inevitable part of the application process. Some aspiring students already know what they want so they do not need to research anymore. But for most, further research is needed to compare various programs and application procedures in terms of which ones are easier or more feasible. Some require English proficiency tests and some do not. Some universities have tighter deadlines from the time the application announcement is posted. Similarly, some allow the applicant to submit at their embassy in the host country (i.e. German Embassy), while some will require you to send it by courier which will cost more money. Depending on which intake (the school year the program starts), one can decide where to apply. Researching one's options will prepare for a very pragmatic application process. 

After having gathered relevant information, now you can choose where to apply. Some just apply to one university or program, some have back-up plans. Application packages often ask if you have applied elsewhere and it is a tricky decision to declare that (I learned that you can easily be wait-listed or referred to the other choice). 

3. Preparation merits an entire step to itself because this is the stage where you fix your CV, write your motivation letter, request reference letters, and perhaps, even contact the university or program coordinator for  your queries. I would suggest that you actually contact them so they are flagged of your profile as an applicant. It will also save you precious energy to find out if you are eligible to apply based on your current credentials in the first place. 

Based on what I learned from a few members of the screening committee of my most recent scholarship, apart from the CV, it is really the motivation letter that counts. It reveals the way you think, your intentions, and how much you understand the program you are applying for. The motivation letter allows you to highlight your strengths and stand out from the other applicant who graduated from the same university as you did and have the same years of work experience as you. Even more, it can show that you are best suited than a candidate from another country. Mind you, most of the applicants are qualified so you just must stand out. 

As for the CV and reference letters, one must follow whatever format is required. Some programs have downloadable forms while others are free formatted. So read instructions well and follow them. If it says reference letters must be printed onan organization's letterhead answering specific questions and submitted in a sealed envelope, do that. It's a mark of a mature student to be able to follow instructions too. 

You must also check if your documents need to be authenticated. Provide some lead time to get your official transcripts, getting them authenticated from relevant government agencies, and eventually with the appropriate embassy. All of these take time to collect. Oftentimes, it is suggested to allot one year before your intended intake. 

4. With all documents ready, now you can apply. This is a separate stage because lodging one's application is not simply submitting. For some Erasmus Mundus courses, the chosen program have online platforms where some soft copies of documents are uploaded, passwords or special e-mail addresses are given to referees, while the rest have to be sent by courier to the university.

Always be mindful of the deadline. 

Oftentimes, as long as the post stamp in the courier is the actual deadline, universities will accept your application. But it is always better not to beat the deadline. Also always note the time difference for online applications. As for DAAD, different deadlines apply to submissions made to the embassy, to the university, and eventually to DAAD itself. So if you miss the first, there are still two options. All these things you will know during the research and preparation stages. 

Also, always make sure you have soft and hard copies of what you submit and take note of the original documents you sent. It sometimes happens that they miss out a document and claim it was submitted and in fact it was. 

After sending the entire application package, wait a few days and it is advisable to contact the program coordinator if they received your application. If they did, now all you have to do is wait for the result. 

Some organizations select based on the merit of the documents submitted. Some would still require an interview by phone or video. If you get a call, at least that's a clue you have been short-listed. I wish you answer well. 

When the results arrive, usually, one would be accepted in the program but it is not always guaranteed that it will be funded. So just wait. Sometimes, you get wait-listed and become accepted on short-notice. Sometimes you get accepted immediately. 

It took me three rounds of applications (Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, and NUFFIC) and getting short-listed or wait-listed for funding until I got the full scholarship from DAAD. Since your qualifications should be a given, sometimes, it really is just about luck, timing, and the right profile mix with the other applicants they are considering.