You want to study abroad. That dream does not come cheaply, and for many international students a scholarship is the only way to get there.

So why are so many scholarship applications sent straight to the bin?

In this article, we’ll share the ten most common mistakes students make with their scholarship application. They may seem like commonsense – so make sure you avoid them if you want your application to succeed!

1. You don’t qualify for the scholarship
Let’s set some realistic expectations. Every scholarship – and there are a gazillion of them out there – has very specific requirements. So don’t bother applying if they require a straight-A student and you generally get C’s. Or if the scholarship is for Nigerian citizens, and you are from Singapore. Or if the scholarship is for post-grad students and you’re studying a diploma. It’s just not going to happen, and you’ll be wasting your time.

And of course, there’s no point in applying for a university scholarship if you haven’t yet been accepted for that program!

2. You forgot to research all the options
It takes time to prepare a good scholarship application, and the first step is research. You need to know all the options available to you and get as much information as you can on what each scholarship is looking for.

Almost every university and college has some kind of scholarship or bursary system – usually based on merit and always very competitive.

There are many other scholarships available, including private foundation ones (such as the Fulbright), international government agency ones (such as British Council) and your own government. Contact your local Department of Education for more information.

3. You only applied for one or two scholarships
Apply for as many as you qualify for! That gives you more chance of success. Yes, it takes time, as you need to write each application specifically for that scholarship – but you want the money, right?

4. You left it until the last minute
As well as research, you need time to get organised. Find some appropriate referees and let them know what you need them to do and say. Arrange for the required documentation such as transcripts – they may need to be certified. There’s no point in sending off the application unless it is complete, so don’t run the risk of forgetting something important.

5. You missed the deadline
This is surprisingly common. Every scholarship has a different deadline, so don’t assume they all fit to the same intake schedule. Once that deadline passes, it’s over. And if you do submit it late, it doesn’t reflect well on your organisational abilities.

6. You didn’t answer the question
The scholarship committee has designed the questions to find out whether you have the abilities they are seeking. So don’t answer a question about how you overcame an obstacle with a comment about your amazing high school results. If you fail to follow the specific directions or answer the questions fully, the committee assume you have just submitted the same copied and pasted application to every scholarship. Straight to the bin, I’m afraid.

7. You fell for a scholarship scam
Yep, you didn’t win the scholarship because it never actually existed. Beware of online sites offering ‘guaranteed’ scholarships for a small fee, or agencies that want your bank information or money in advance. You should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship. So don’t do it.

8. You lost your audience on the first page
If you’re applying for a post-graduate or research grant, don’t assume your reader will understand every technical detail of your planned PhD. Avoid the jargon and acronyms – unless you’re willing to explain them. Ask yourself, would my mum understand it? And if you’re not sure, get her to read it first.

9. You forgot to check your grammar
And your spelling too. Some committee will put your application on the reject pile if it has just one spelling mistake. It needs to be perfect, and it demonstrates your language ability too.

10. You didn’t get it proof-read
As some friends and family to check it over for spelling mistakes, structure and whether the questions are answered. It’s also good to show it to your referees, as they’ll then know what abilities to emphasise if they are asked for a referral.

If you need any more advice on scholarships, chat to one of our student counsellors. You’ll find more articles on available scholarships on this blog.

Oops!
Here are some real mistakes students have made with their scholarship applications:

Mailed the envelope, without the application
Used impossible-to-read fancy font
Used completely illegible handwriting
Sent their arrest record in as a referral
Submitted a baby photo as their ‘recent’ picture
Forgot to include their name and address

APPLY:
Rhodes Scholarships >> https://ukaid.org/2018/06/01/rhodes-scholarships-for-postgraduate-study-at-the-university-of-oxford-2018-19/
Daad Hemult-Schmidt Programme >> https://ukaid.org/2018/06/01/daad-helmut-schmidt-programme-2019-masters-scholarships-for-public-policy-and-good-governance-ppgg/
IBM Coding challenge to win $200,000 >> https://ukaid.org/2018/06/02/ibm-call-for-code-global-challenge-2018-for-developers-win-200000-and-more/

All these so called scholarships has too many requirements, that why world statistics says only 20% of scholarships worldwide are utilized.

To aid the discourse:


Getting a scholarship to study abroad as a 2.2 graduate

Tips on getting a scholarship to study abroad

10 secrets of first class graduates

Helpful tips for a 2.2/third class graduate

My own problem was leaving virtually all my scholarship applications halfway. Laziness I guess God help me













How about a rejuvenating Swedish Massage this weekend? You'd love it right? Give us a call then if you live in Jos and environs

Thanks for sharing!

Ok noted

It's a matter of who you know

Iie lie , you just want to find a way to escape from the country

czarina:
My own problem was leaving virtually all my scholarship applications halfway. Laziness I guess God help me













How about a rejuvenating Swedish Massage this weekend? You'd love it right? Give us a call then if you live in Jos and environs

You are not alone in that..... Mine is more of finding it hard to bribe this immigration people to renew my passport plus I am too busy lately.... Wish someone apply continually on my behalf

11. Poverty

hmmm nice write up

ok

OK

ok

more

is scholarship meant for only first class?

Too many criteria, why can't they give others a chance? It has to be always 2.1 or First class

Spygadgets19:
Too many criteria, why can't they give others a chance? It has to be always 2.1 or First class

Why is it called a scholarship if you don't have proof of being a good scholar

Alejoc:




You are not alone in that..... Mine is more of finding it hard to bribe this immigration people to renew my passport plus I am too busy lately.... Wish someone apply continually on my behalf

you said it all

Who do you know should be added

JARUSHUB:
To aid the discourse:


Getting a scholarship to study abroad as a 2.2 graduate

Tips on getting a scholarship to study abroad

10 secrets of first class graduates

Helpful tips for a 2.2/third class graduate

Thank you for this information.

MartinCorridon:
Good tips. I have made MOST of these mistakes.

But I try to learn from each and every application.

I remember a certain year when I applied for 3 scholarships and a friend applied for 10-15.

His was eventually successful. NEVER GIVE UP!

what normally discourage me is the TOEFL and IELTS exams

skarlett:



Why is it called a scholarship if you don't have proof of being a good scholar

Doesn't matter. These people should do like Actress Ruth Kadiri who help non-scholars to get through school. According to her, she was an average student and noticed all scholarships kept going to the scholars, leaving the Non-scholars behind. she decided to assist.

Non-scholars can also excel better in other practical stuff if given the chance, but the problem with the most of these scholarships is that they are looking for 2.1 and first class up and down, which shouldn't be so.

Okay

Spygadgets19:

Doesn't matter. These people should do like Actress Ruth Kadiri who help non-scholars to get through school. According to her, she was an average student and noticed all scholarships kept going to the scholars, leaving the Non-scholars behind. she decided to assist.

Non-scholars can also excel better in other practical stuff if given the chance, but the problem with the most of these scholarships is that they are looking for 2.1 and first class up and down, which shouldn't be so.

It matters a lot babe, nobody is going to give you anything if you don't work for it or prove that you deserve it. Just like the other rigorous conditions, the class of your degree matters a lot in your scholarship application. There are even some scholarships that 2:1 cannot apply for yet you don't see them whining about it.