Each year, more students apply for the same bursaries grants and scholarships, increasing the competition. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of selection, however, there is no way to ensure it. In this blog, we will discuss how you can boost your chances of securing a grant, bursary or scholarship.
Check University Websites for Scholarships
When seeking scholarships, cast a broad net. The institutions you wish to attend may have additional financing listed on their websites, and other universities don’t centralize funding, with several departments and schools giving their scholarships. Although this might be unpleasant, it’s worth looking around for! The most important step is research; take the time to speak with individuals who may have submitted successful scholarship applications in the past as they may be a reliable source of information.
Apply as Early as Possible
Take our advice and apply early. Everyone typically waits until the last minute to apply for scholarships. You will be less anxious, have more time to prepare, and ensure that the application is perfect. You won’t miss any deadlines as a consequence. Additionally, this allows the scholarship sponsors plenty of time to get in touch with you if additional information is required to support your candidacy.
Don’t Miss the Application Deadline
Speaking of which, we should not have to remind you that the deadline is approaching, but we will. The biggest error you can make is this. Since most scholarship sponsors only have one deadline each year, you’ll have to wait a full 12 months if you submit your application after the cutoff date.
Build Relationships with your Teachers
A letter of recommendation or reference from your teacher is required for many scholarships. Keeping up with your homework, participating in class, and speaking with your professors one-on-one may all help you establish a rapport with them that can lead to a glowing, tailored recommendation.
Volunteer in your Community
Community participation is sometimes included as a criterion for scholarships, or at the very least as a feature that makes a candidate desirable. Find a job that fits your interests. Consider teaching or providing free classes to children at a community centre.
Stay on Top of your Grades
Since most scholarships are awarded based on merit, your academic performance has a significant impact on your chance of acceptance. Many need a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above, so if you barely cut, you probably won’t get accepted. If you’re struggling with a class, consider going to tutoring or asking your teacher for help. And finish as many additional credit tasks as you can to earn bonus points.
You may distinguish yourself from other scholarship applicants by diversifying your scholarship applications, being involved in your community, and being engaged in your classes. We believe we have answered all of your questions on how to increase your likelihood of receiving a grant, bursary, or scholarship. Planning to study abroad contact Leverage Edu specialists now at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling consultation.