Scholarship Application Questions and Answers
Last updated: 10 Jan 2014 |
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We hear you that’s why scholars4dev.com has developed a set of answers to your most frequently asked questions related to scholarship application. You can ask additional questions in the comment box found after this post and we will try our best to answer them.
Q: Are there scholarships for [specific field of study]? Are there scholarship for [nationality]?
A: There are scholarships for most fields of study and for most nationalities. The key is just to find them. In scholars4dev.com, scholarships are categorized by fields of study and by target group (see the sitemap). Click on a particular field of study or target group to view a list of available scholarships according to your criteria.
Related Links: Lists of Scholarships in any Field of Studyand Scholarships for study in Any Country.
Q: What are the general eligibility requirements to get a scholarship?
A: The eligibility requirements vary from scholarship to scholarship. It will also depend on the level of study the scholarship supports. Based on the scholarships we have featured, some of the common qualifications include a previous University degree, proficiency in English, high academic grades, unconditional/conditional acceptance to a programme offered at a participating/host University. Aside from the eligibility requirements of the scholarship, you must also consider the eligibility requirements of the programme of study you are applying to.
Related Links: Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Q: How do I apply for a scholarship?
A: The simple answer to that is to follow the application instructions given by the scholarship provider/University. The application instructions vary among scholarship providers so there is no standard way of applying to a scholarship. The application instructions are usually outlined very clearly. Follow the the instructions step by step so you will not get overwhelmed by the amount of information presented.
Q: When is the best time to apply for a scholarship?
A: The best time to apply for a scholarship is within the application period set by the scholarship provider/University. Usually, scholarship applications (as well as admissions) should be done 6 months to one year before the academic year you plan to study.
Q: Are scholarships offered every year? If I missed the application deadline this year, can I apply for it the next year?
A: Most major scholarships are offered annually but this will always depend if the University or the scholarship provider has enough funds for their scholarship program.
From Neema Kallinga
Q: I have searched for scholarships so many times but I’ve failed to see scholarships offered to undergraduates. Most scholarships only cover PhD or MS/MA studies. Are there any undergraduate scholarships out there?
A: Although it is somewhat true that most of the existing scholarships are for postgraduate studies, there are international undergraduate scholarships that can be found (with a lot persistent searching).
Related Link: List of Undergraduate Scholarships
From FURAHA
Q: Will a scholarship allow me to study at any University around the globe or the does it require me to study only at a specific place or university?
A: It depends upon the type of scholarship. There are scholarships that allows you to study at any country (i.e. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships, Ford Foundation Fellowships, etc.)* while other scholarships only allow you to study at specified host institutions (e.g. World Bank Scholarships, ADB-JSP Scholarships). Most government-sponsored scholarships allow you study at any University in their country (i.e. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, Australian Government International Postgraduate Scholarships, etc.).
Related Link: List of Scholarships for Study in Any Country
From Aliu and Ngalim Adrian S.
Q: Do I need to gain admission into my preferred course of study in the university of my choice first before applying for a scholarship? Is it possible to get a scholarship when you don’t have admission in a university yet?
A: The application process differs from scholarship to scholarship. Most of the time, admissions to the Univeristy is required before you are allowed to apply for the scholarship. Sometimes, the application to admissions and the application to the scholarship are submitted at the same time. In some instances, your application to admission already serves as your application to the scholarship – you don’t need a separate scholarship application. Still, there are some scholarship providers that allow you to apply for the scholarship even without admissions to a programme/school or while you are still processing your application to the programme. One must then follow the application instructions set by the scholarship provider.
From Babalola, Yisau
Q: Sometimes, the application form is not found at the website of the scholarship provider. How can I find the application forms easily?
A: The application form should always be found at the scholarship website but there are a number of reasons why it can’t be found. One reason could be that the scholarship application period hasn’t started yet so the form is still not available for viewing/downloading. Another reason is that some scholarship websites don’t readily display the link to the application form. If this is the case, then you should try to visit all the relevant pages of the scholarship website. Don’t forget to look at the left or right sidebars as the download link might be placed there. When all else fails, contact the scholarship provider and request for the link to the application form.
From Nalumansi Moureen
Q: Is it possible for me to get a scholarship in the same country I am in and do i get to choose the course i want to study?
A: Most international scholarships require you to study in any country except your own. If you want to study in your own country, you should try to find national or local scholarships. The liberty to choose a particular course of study will depend on the conditions set by the scholarship provider/University.
From Mahama Alhassan and Hamidatu Salia Zakari
Q: I have applied for a scholarship and am still waiting for a reply from the University . I want to know whether it’s advisable to call them and find out how my application is doing? How will I know if I have won a scholarship?
A: As much as possible, you should refrain from contacting the University regarding the results of your scholarship application. If you are shortlisted or accepted into the scholarship, the scholarship provider/University will surely contact you. Usually, the scholarship provider indicates a specific time period when the selection results will come out. When you haven’t a received a confirmation during this time, then it would be safe to assume that you were not awarded with the scholarship.
From Alexandra Muhaya
Q: I haven’t undertaken IELTS nor TOEFL exams. Does that hinder my chances of getting a scholarship?
Related Question from Moses Byomuhangi:
I am from an English speaking country (Kenya) and i have been taught in English since i started school, would TOEFL be a requirement?
A: Not all Universities require you to take the TOEFL or IELTS. A significant number of Universities accepts a Certificate of English as Medium of Instruction in place of an English proficiency exam. When it is absolutely required by the University, then you must take TOEFL or other English proficiency exams regardless if you were taught in English during your University studies or not.
From Billy
Q: How do you write the scholarship essay?
Did the scholarship provider provide any format? If they did, you should follow that. If they have not specified a specific format, then you can follow this simple outline when making your application/motivation letter: (1) Background/Key Qualifications, (2) Intentions for studying, (3) Expectations of the Course, and (4) your plans during and after the study. In making the letter, you should not just tell them why you need the scholarship but more importantly you should explain clearly why you deserve to get the scholarship.
From Carlos Mbuta
Q: The issue to age is not mentioned in most scholarships I have come across. Is age not a criteria?
Related Question from Clement Irhiemi:
Q: Is there any age limit to obtaining a scholarship abroad?
A: Some scholarships set an age limit and some do not. If the scholarship provider did not indicate an age limit as part of their eligibility requirements then it is safe to assume that there is no age limit. When there is an age limit, scholarship providers set different age limits for different levels of study (i.e. Masters, Phd, postdoctoral fellowships).
From Charity Mbuvah
Q: Is there a way for the application fee to be waived? l cannot afford to pay for it.
Related Question:
Is TOEFL exam supported by the scholarship?
A: You should be prepared to use your own funds for the application fee because most scholarship providers don’t shoulder this cost*. Most often than not, the cost of preparing the application requirements including the TOEFL exam is not covered by a scholarship. If you are really serious in pursuing a scholarship, you must try to save up for the cost of TOEFL or the application fee.
Note: Not all Universities require an application fee, in fact, a significant number of Universities allow you to apply without having to pay any application fee. Be aware of scholarship scams and double check if the University really requires an application fee.
From Melkamu
Q: How can I find Universities that offer scholarships?
A: This is one challenging task to undertake. Luckily, we have developed a list of Universities that offer scholarships for developing countries, for your reference.
© Copyright 2023, Scholarships for Development. All Rights Reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the above content in any form is prohibited.
“Succes belongs to those with big visions to shape it.”I realy thank you all for an excerllent job of this nature.
God bless you for the wonderful work you are doing to help students seek for scholarships.
Thankz for your detailed information for us,kudoz.
this site is absolute great, i do appreciate so much………
the web information is very helpful for every body i appreciate thank you
I really appreciate what you are doing for us. This information is very useful for us
I dont even have words to explain your great work. Really well designed,helpful,problem solver web-site!. This is what many people deserves. Keep making things more easier. And have pleasant exploration time. Thanks.
I’m so glad to know about the whole process of applying scolarship. This is very very important for students thank you.
it’s a really good website for the information. thanks to all who working for this site. Again it’s the best .
Thank you so much for the help. It really mean a lot to me. I am one of the scholarship seeker. I learn a lot from your website. Thank you so much.
Thank you for all your information,your website is very good to in inform or aware about scholarships for unknown person. Generally it is the public media awareness. So continue, such good task.
Special thanks for your efforts. I think It’s one of the best website for all students. I want start my education soon in foreign country.
Congrats admin !really important information ,which will help lots of students to achieve their goals!
i have one question to ask that i am in final year of my graduation program and not get my pass certificates yet , so my point is that can i still apply on the basis of my previous academic transcripts ?
Thanks Ali! In most cases, you would need to have finished your studies to apply for a scholarship for the next level of study. For example, if you are applying for a Masters scholarship, you must have finished your Bachelors studies first before you can be considered.
I sincerely appreciate the assistance that is been rendered here through this website,your efforts and information are duely appreciated.Thanks
Be blessed for the nice work, really you have helped me solving out many questions that clicked into my head. This is a good thing. I appreciate what you are doing. Thanks a lot. (Tanzania)
this website provide a lot of information for those scholarship seekers and i wanna say 10Q so much.keep it up!!
The information given for scholarship seeker is very essential. I thanks the site very much!!
It is such an amazing opportunity to see updates in your websites. YOU ARE OUR BACKBONE. Keep it up. Thank you.
Best scholarship search website! But one request, could you provide more info on O/A level study an scholarship. Thanks a lot!
Thanks the website is so helpful i will keep trying my luck
Hi, let me also join the rest of the world in giving thanks to this website. Infact it has assisted me in a very big way.
I have received university admission ok, and im on my way processing scholarship application.
Once again i say thank you.
Samwel – kenya.
This website has been so helpful to me in seeking for scholarship.
Bravo to the team.
thank u so much for Ur information
thank you very much for your elaboration. really I appreciate your website.
i admire every single information i get from that site, i do realy apreciate it all
Thanks a lot for a great website. I really appreciate the rich scholarship resources you frequently sent to my inbox! Looking forward to winning a scholarship to advance my career in the near future!
Thanks for this help,it really opened to what we need most in our studies.
Hello there, from Awassa Ethiopia. This website means a lot to me because it has shown me the way that leads to success. I thank you for that.
Really the information provided in scholars4dev.com is very good.
This is one of the most serious sites in the internet for scholar who wants to make a difference in their lives. Kudos for the good work.
What will happen if you apply to three different countries for a scholarship?
It is okay to apply to different scholarships in different countries at the same time. However, if you get offered multiple scholarships to study in different countries, you must choose only one.
Hi from Tanzania Dar es salaam, i really appreciate the way you guide those people who are in need of scholarships, many students they been being bury their dreams of going study abroad due to the lack of information on how to get those chances so many thanks to you for keeping us conscious on these matters.
Thanks a lot!!!!
Tnx admin for this website..its really informative..i am now studying b.sc and in future i want to study M.sc in usa or uk universities…within the period of my undergraduate study which english language courses like IELTS OR TOEFEL should i complete first ?
It would depend on the university you are applying to but both are generally accepted by colleges and universities.
Please tell me that is it possible to get a scholarship even if your academic performance is not good at all. I am able to think and do the best in future.
If possible, please tell me.
Thank you.
It is possible but since most scholarships awards are quite competitive, it would be hard if you have poor academic performance. Even need-based scholarships require you to have good if not exemplary academic performance. What you can do is to join scholarship competitions where you can compete based on your skills and special talents.
We thank you very much for the information you provided to us.
Please I will like to ask you if my age is 25 and I have an Excellent result in West African Examination council ( WAEC ). Do I have a chance to secure a full undergraduate scholarship ?
Hoping you will get back to me soon.
Thank you once again.
Only the university can assess if you are qualified for an undergraduate scholarship at their university. Try to apply to one and you will know if you are eligible or not.
great website that provides more information about scholarships
nice website for providing best advice for finding scholarship every where
i would like to give my greatest thanks for you because i had never got scholarship information like this website. there for i am appreciating you to continue in this manner.
I would like to thank u for arranging this chance to discuss on scholarship related issues and So i am looking for a full funded scholarshipin English,i need a masters by environment scholarship.
I hope that day comes soon.
Great article!You really managed to answer all the questions I had about scholarship.Thank you!I’m going to subcribe.
Hello!Thanks for answering all the questions I had about scholarship.And I didn’t even get to ask.I learned all I needed from your article and now I can apply for a scholarship.Great article!
Best scholarships information ever!!!
The best of the web: a guide to some of the most information-rich resources for scholarships on the internet, especially for us living in resource constrained countries.
Much love!
This website is really a bridge people in need of scholarship. Especially,from the developing countries! Carry on this your blessings!
thank you this is very informative
it is a nice program you doing and I appreciate the information provided
its really a lovly site for students…thankyou soooooooooooooo much….(“_”)…
See the list of medical scholarships.
Good information,i highly appreciate it
I really commend you all for the well-articulated and detailed information, you provided us with. You, guys are doing a great job. Keep it up, may God be with you all. Thanks, cheers.
The guidelines you provided here are rather precious. It had been such a pleasurable surprise to have that waiting for me as i woke up this very day. They are constantly to the point plus easy to learn. Thank you for the clever ideas you have shared right here.
hi every 1 u guys are doing great job and it is very useful sites for deserving students and i appreciate the information you provide thanks
I would to say, I appreciate the information that you provided to us as fellow student
i appriciate the information you gave me i felt to continue my studies again!
God bless you!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am from a developing country (Brazil), but i’m currently living in Australia. Now, that I want to apply for a scholarship for delevoping countries, can the fact that i’m living (temporary) in a first world country be a disadvantadge?
i look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Vivianne Lins
i sincerely appreciate the information. thank you
I really appreciate what you are doing for us. This information is very useful for us
hi, i would first to thank you for this stunning website and for the great job you are doing.
So i am looking for a full funded scholarship either in English or French lgges…thans a lot
please we appreciate all that you are doing but I personally hope I would one day get sponsored as well. God bless you for the services.
I appreciate that the information that you are providing are very help to me.
well you are doing a good job and i do appreciate that very much for your services. is there a possibility that i can get full scholarship without paying any amount?
This is possible. There are a lot of scholarships that pays for all related expenses for your studies. However, you might have to spend some of your own money in the process of preparing your application (e.g. application fees, mailing of documents, TOEFL, etc.)
Human beings cannot live in isolation, therefore cooperation with others is needed. Thanking this website for assistance with knowledge seekers, Good luck!
First of all i want to express my special thanks to you for helping me to know about the many scholarships in many universities, i appreciate it. My intention is to study undergraduate through Distance learning or Online, but i have tried to get these scholarships in vain, most of the scholarships is for postgraduate studies. For my age that i have now it will good for me to study when i am at home. Please help me continue to find a Distance or Online scholarship.
Hi!
Thanks a lot for giving good news to many people, this website helps me to know how to apply for sponsorship.
I appreciate you for the kind effort of updating me with the current scholarships..i find it rather difficult to find a scholarship in Masters of mining Engneering in Rockmechanics or geotechnics..Hope something comes up.
thankyou
Eng Sampa Ng’andu
Hi,your website is wonderful! I just got an offer to study Human rights and international relations in the UK but i need a scholarship in that direction..please!
After seeing this site my hopes and dreams have not died, am believing that surly i will get a Masters scholarship some day. keep up the good work.
we treasure you!
Thank for very useful website. Recently I just got Letter of Acceptance for University that I qualified enough to study at that Uni, so it time for me to find fund. I just wonder how can I ask to get fund or scholarship from other sources ( website ….. ?)
thank you
best regard
I must start by thanking you for the wonderful work you are doing, please keep it up. I am a nigerian planning to study Msc Animal Breeding in the uk, the netherlands, canada or australia; a list of the institutions that offer the course in the above countries would therefore be appreciated.
thanx for the information, its realy a battle to get a scorlarship have spent like an eternity searchin for one. what about certain scolarships demanding for deposits of money as to secure the scolarship, is this kind genuine?
Beware of these types of scholarship requesting for money. Most often than not, scholarship granting bodies does not ask for money. Although sometimes, an application fee is required by Universities in order to be considered for admissions. If they do require some form of payment, do some research on the institution/university offering the scholarship and determine if the scholarship offer is legitimate or not. Good luck!
I accidentaly came across this website and I must say it has given me hope of one day getting a scholarship to do a master in development or financial Economics, I hope that day comes soon.
For the undergraduate scholarships, are those taking their second degree eligible?
Like me, I just graduated from my Bachelor but I want to take a second degree (I was forced by my parents, and I don’t like the degree I graduated). Parents now gave me the freedom to choose my career but they will not support anymore. I’m unemployed; can’t find/get into a job with my Bachelor.
Do I have a chance to get a scholarship for undergraduate?
Sally, it is up to the scholarship giving body if they would consider giving scholarships to students pursuing their second degree. The next time you come across an undergraduate scholarship, inquire if they consider cases such as yours. Good luck!
Never before has a site been this organized to cater function like this.keep up the good work
Womderful, I appreciate this website for the information and chances provided for the needy and unable people to support themselves to pursue in their studies. Keep up the spirit and God bless you so much.Through this foundation we stand in unity as one. Thanks in advance for your updates.
thanks so much,for all the valluable information u are providing to us through this site. i hope i will one day find a scholarship that will help me acheive my dream.
it’s a good and aooreciable initiative for the developed countries as they provide scholarship in different fields of university. here, i need a masters linguistic scholarship in English.
wonderful!!!, Africans are dying because of poverty in the land.Corruption has made so many Africans not to advance further.Please,can you help me on how to get scholarship to doing my masters in project management.I have being searching for this opportunity for almost eleven years now. I am very happy about this information. I will spread the good news to other friends who are interested. More grease to your elbow.God bless you for this message.
Most of the application forms I’ve come across do not suit my specific needs. I have acquired certificates and diplomas over the years and would like to be considered for the MBA with a specialisation in training and development – I’m not sure if entry requirements would consider a person like me who has worked their way up with no formal degree at all. In other words, can one be considered at an institution with age and experience entry-eligibility.
I am very gratefull to this website and i fell lucky to link up with you. My only worry is if other brothers and sisters from french speaker countries are also having this kind of opportunity!
In most of these, also developing countries, you easely find young people willing to go far with studies and loving english but, just stuck on low lever of education, lack of financial capacity.
Also, we are not always aware of these additional internetional diplomas mostly requiered for admission as toefel or others for us from french learning schools/ countries. Is there anyway for us to benefit even with an other substutate text of admission in case you would like to evaluate the lever before to admite?
Thank you very much.
While the information provided in this website is articulating,It is very difficult for the citizens of the developing nations to fully benefit from the alleged scholarships. Reasons being the cunning measures of some universities to admit international students with the lure bait encapsulated in the inscription SCHOLARSHIP. First, most universities will require applicants to first apply to the university. But it is generally known that the process of apllying will entail a strong financial base (among others). Before one actually fulfils the basic requirement for the offer of admission, it is as quite frustating as never seeking for scholarships. iikpoemugh@yahoo.com
Helo
It is wonderful going through the info about scholarships.
I enjoy and share with others
Regards
Hello,
I really appreciate you posting all the scholarships we can choose from. I was wondering if scholarships to study in ur home country exist? I want to start my masters but would like to do so in my home country. you have masters degree courses but they are very expensive.
Many thanks,
Peggy
This site is very useful to all the applicants
Thanks. This will help alot of needy students
Thanks for the information provided in this website. It really helps me a lot!
I would like to thank for your good information provided in this website
Thanks for your update of scholarship providers, May the Lord bless you for such a wonderful job that you have took upon yourself to educate the whole world especially africa been the third world country.
I really apperciate this site.
Can I get scholarships without taking SAT,TOFEL and other tests?
See the answer to this question above.
I am happy to see this information .then if the God says I my get this chance neer in the futer.Sinse I am in the third world country it is imposible to learn our masters degree in side or out side the country .Then if you help me the God may bless you.I graduate with physics from Haramaya University and now Iam teaching in Ambo secondery school. I want to learn my masters with any field.
thank you
this is an interesting idea keep it up .
I am happy to see this!
I realy greateful for giving scholarship opportunity to students of diffrent background across the globe and also would like to know how to write a succesful application letter since I have spent more than 4 years searching for scholarships .
I again appreciate your such blessed gift for poor nations.
How are you doing?
Iam a Tanzanian by nationality, I would like to share views with you on how to provide scholarship details in our coutry. I is well and good if sometimes first priority is given to other regions a part from few cities found in the country like Dar-es-salaam. Most of Tanzanians who wish to get scholarship in other regions fail to get information as well as the cost. But, thank you too much for giving us consideration to advance our knowledge for our country and the world at large.
Can I get MA-Literature scholarship? In July this year I do expect to finish my Bachelor Of Education Languages(Major-English, Minor-Kiswahili).Iam a third year student at Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU)
Thank you for your inputs but we must clarify that scholars4dev.com does not offer any kind of scholarship instead we help you find the right scholarship for you. Start with your scholarship search by looking at the list of international scholarships for any field of study.
Thanks alot for your updates. Keep the spirit.
i really appreciate the notices that are put forward for various students whose wishes are to study abroad it really means especially to those who need the scholarships but my main query is what does it take for one to get a scholarship? thank you!
Very grateful for your kind updates.
This is a resourceful site indeed. Keep it up.I will keep trying my best too. Now in Costa Rica on Masters Course but not on full scholarship.Abit hard to manage the cost of living but trying.
Sincere regards
Moses
University for Peace
MA. International peace Studies
Costs Rica
Can you please provide a more comprehensive list on Distance Learning Scholarship?
I will really appreaiate it!
Thanks
Rahi
We will soon update our list of distance learning scholarships.
Hello providers, I realy appriciate your information, but please may you notefy us on the kinds of costs that are covered and those which are not covered in the scholarship. But again, will those costs covered in the scholarship need to be re-payed, if yes through which mechanisms?
Machiwa, that information is provided under the section “Scholarship value/inclusions”. Most scholarships don’t need to be repaid unless otherwise stated. However, some awards are in the form of loans which you need to pay after your studies. Some scholarships require you to return to your home country right after the scholarship. You should also read the scholarship’s terms and conditions for complete details on how the scholarship is awarded.
Hi Dr. Wilson, there aren’t a lot of scholarships for Veterinary Medicine but i think this list of scholarships in any field of study can help you in locating one.
In fact i appreciate that the information that you are providing are very helpful to many people including myself.
Hello Sir/Madam
I would like to thank u for arranging this chance to discuss on scholarship related issues.
Currently i am investing my time in searching free scholarship wether it is distance or not for my MA Degree.But mostly it is difficult to get free scholarship which the tution fee might be componsate by the student after graduation through using whatever possible mechanisms due to low income of applicants form developing countries like my country Ethiopia.Besides,how i can get the exam like TOEFL and IELTS becuase almost all universities use it as one of the needed criteria.
Thank u
the information provided in this website are very good, I appreciate for that