Applying for a scholarship can be a necessary step for a graduate student, Reducing the burden of tuition fees, accommodation, and other educational expenses. Furthermore, it is essential to understand the types of scholarships based on field of interest, demographics, or research interests.
Moreover, there are many things to know as a Graduate student before you apply for Scholarships, i.e. do research for Scholarships, check eligibility criteria, prepare required documents, attain a letter of recommendation, forward the Application before the mentioned deadline, and lastly, prepare on how to Answer Popular Scholarships Interview Questions to boost your chance of selection.
In this article, we will Discuss in Detail on How to get Graduate School Scholarships and How to Find and Win Graduate School Scholarships so you can plan a better strategy to achieve your career goals and get your dream Scholarship.
The Difference between Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships
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Grants
This is a form of financial aid in which you don’t need to repay them. But if you want to withdraw in the middle, you have to repay the part of the grant. Grants are usually given on need-based. The grants are offered by the federal government, state government, and nonprofit organization
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Scholarships
In the Scholarship, you don’t usually need to repay, but it’s awarded based on Academic achievement, athletic ability, etc., so basically, its merit based. The federal government, state governments, schools, and some private or nonprofit organizations offer it.
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Fellowships
A Fellowship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship that provides funds for Research, education, or Professional development. It can be awarded to scholars in any discipline and at any career level, from undergraduate to executive.
How to apply for scholarships as a graduate student
Following is the list of things to know as a Graduate student before you apply for scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
These are the specific requirements that determine whether a person can participate in a particular study or Program. These criteria ensure that participants must fulfill criteria like
- GPA or academic personal
- Nationality
- Demographics or personal Characteristics
- Field of study, etc.
Make sure you meet those criteria before applying.
Research and search strategies
Many resources are available to search for scholarships, so do your research through universities’ official websites, join communities and social media groups related to scholarships, search online database websites (e.g., Fastweb, Cappex, Unigo, GoGrad, etc.), and talk to community foundations and Nonprofit Organizations offering Scholarships.
Application Process
Thoroughly read the documents mentioned for any specific scholarship, then prepare all necessary documents in advance, such as a letter of recommendation, copy of transcripts, copy of national ID card or passport, etc., and submit them before the mentioned deadline. Following the application timeline can help you stay organized and boost your chances of selection.
Interview Preparations
Prepare for any Specific Scholarship interview by practicing Common interview questions. Do research on the scholarship Organization to increase your chance of selection. Show enthusiasm and confidence during the interview.
How to Find and Win Graduate School Scholarships
- You can search for scholarships on their official websites or online database websites like Fastweb, Cappex, Unigo, and GoGrad.
- Pursue opportunities all Year round.
- Invest your time in making scholarship applications, gathering transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proofreading essays to avoid grammatical mistakes and boost your chance of selection or winning the Scholarship.
- Keep track of deadlines and requirements.
- Look for scholarships that align with your passions.
- Keep track of the requirements for winning when applying for fellowships, grants, and scholarships.
Common Mistakes to avoid while Applying for any Scholarship
Avoid these scholarship mistakes to boost your chances of selection.
- First, carefully check the deadline for any scholarship you are willing to apply for to avoid any last-minute mishap
- Please check the eligibility criteria carefully, and if they don’t match you, don’t make any effort.
- Please make sure to send all the required documents mentioned in the Application. If the scholarship committee finds the Application incomplete, it will be moved to the disqualified pile.
- To avoid grammatical or spelling mistakes, always proofread your application before submitting it.
You May Also Like: How to get letters of recommendation for scholarships
Scholarship Scam
Every Year, many students become victims of fraud in the name of Scholarships and pay hefty amounts to scammers. So here we will guide you on how to spot scholarship scams.
- In most scholarship scams, fraudulent charges involve some kind of fee, but legitimate scholarships do not charge any fees.
- Beware of sharing personal information like credit card numbers, social security numbers, account numbers, etc.
- Scammers guarantee that you will win a Scholarship.
- Scammers always show urgency when applying for Scholarships, although scholarships have deadlines. However, they are not given on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Scammers offer one-on-one interviews or a free seminar, which is nothing more than a high-pressure pitch.
So, if you encounter a scholarship scam, report it to the NFIC at www.fraud.org. The NFIC shares information with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state attorney general.
Moreover, to report fraud involving federal student aid funds, such as FAFSA fraud rings, contact the Office of the Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Education by calling 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733) or filing a report using the OIG Hotline.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed how to apply for scholarships as a graduate student. We highlighted the important points to keep in mind while applying for any scholarship and also mentioned the common mistakes to avoid. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of securing a Scholarship and better fulfill your dreams.
Read Also: Scholarships Application Tips For Students
