So you have decided to apply for a scholarship? Congratulations!
That is the first step in the right direction.
You may have started actively searching online to find these scholarships, and may have come across so many of them!
Just to prepare you mentally, this is going to be a long tedious process. But if you are prepared, determined and positive, your hard work will bear fruit.
The scholarship application timeline can take anywhere between 3 to 8 months, depending on the type of scholarship and their application process.
However, it is possible to make this long and sometimes tasking process as smooth as possible.
How you might ask? By being prepared.
No matter what scholarship you are applying for, most of them ask for the same base documents.
This blogpost will help you identify the documents that are needed when applying for scholarships, so that you always have them ready.
Here is a list of the 7 most common documents you will have to submit when applying for a scholarship:
This shouldn’t necessary count as one of the documents but I have given it prominence here because this document is usually filled first to check your eligibility for that scholarship.
It would be a shame to have the other necessary documents, but later come to find out that you are not even eligible for the programme.
Nonetheless, if you are eligible , ensure that you fill this form accordingly and ensure it is in line with their requirements.
So please read up carefully on how they want it filled. Always remember to fill in all sections accurately.
2. Identification Documents - ID/Passport
If you are applying for an opportunity abroad or outside your country of residence, you will be asked for this.
You’ll have to scan the main page of the passport, which contains your photo and personal information.
If you don’t have a passport, I advise you to apply for one. Remember, you want to be found ready! You can get the one that expires in 10 years.
3. Copies of Transcripts and Degrees
You will have to send a copy of your transcript from the last educational institution you graduated from or are currently attending.
The transcript is a page of all your courses and grades and contains the credits/marks that you achieved for each course.
For it to be accepted, the document should have an official signature and stamp from your school or faculty.
You may also be asked for a copy of your Bachelor degree or Masters ‘ degree.
4. Language Test
This is one of the most stressful bits sometimes especially if you feel you do not need to do a language test.
For example, if you have been speaking English all your life and were taught in English, you may be taken aback when asked to take a test.
I totally understand, it happened to me.
For the scholarship I won in 2018, it was a requirement that I take an English test in order to be eligible for the award. The good thing is that I could take the test after the interviews, after I was shortlisted.
To be awarded certain scholarships, they may want you to prove your English language proficiency (or for the language that will be the medium of instruction for the study programme you choose). Be it German, French, Spanish etc
For example, if you are going to be taught in English, they may ask for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge etc but ensure you have confirmed what test they accept.
Some scholarships allow you to choose whichever test, while others only accept specific ones.
5. Motivation Letter
Be prepared to write.
Get into that mindset! This statement is usually around 500 – 1000 words.
You have to explain why you applied to the chosen degree or course, how it relates to your future studies and your career goals. Or why you are applying for that scholarship.
It has to be convincing and paint you as the best for candidate.
So be honest and think big. Present your qualities and how they would fit with the degree you selected.
You may be asked more about this when you are shortlisted for online or face to face interviews.
Again, confirm with the application criteria how many words it should be. Sometimes they ask for character limit instead of a word limit.
6.References/Recommendation
Letters
You will need to have references to give the scholarship provider more information about your qualities, skills and intellectual capacity.
Usually, it’s just one or two, but in some cases, you may be asked to provide three letters of recommendation.
It is advisable to have an academic referee who can be one of your lecturers and a professional referee; an employer or someone who has supervised your work before.
If you haven’t worked, volunteering or internships may count as work. But double check the specifics with the scholarship your are applying to.
7.Curriculum Vitae(CV)/Resume
Even if you don’t have any work experience at the moment you can still apply for scholarships.
You can simply include all your study experiences, internships, volunteer work, hobbies, interests, achievements and social skills.
Remember to add any online courses you did (even short courses), especially if they are connected with your study field or tied closely with what the scholarship is looking for.
Websites like Europass can help you come up with a good CV format, especially if you are applying for opportunities in Europe.
I also have a video on my YouTube Channel you can watch below:
Other Documents Required For Scholarships
a)Standardized Test Scores
Depending on the country you are applying to, the tests may differ.
They are mostly SAT, ACT, GRE or GMAT.
These test scores may be an important factor for gaining admission or being awarded scholarships.
Most often, high scores are encouraged.However, that shouldn’t worry you.
Most scholarships have a wholistic approach, and take into consideration other factors ther than grades.
b) Essays
This is different from the letter of motivation mentioned above.
Some scholarships may need you to write additional 1 or 2 essays that touch upon certain subjects, usually related to the scholarship.
For example the Chevening Scholarship needs you to explain how networking has helped you in your career, what are your views about leadership etc.
Follow the guidelines of the essay as requested and make sure you don’t exceed the word limit nor plagiarise.
c)Portfolio
This is a collection of your artistic work and projects.
A portfolio is requested of students who apply for art, design and other similar degrees.
KIMOLA’S TIP – Scan all these documents and store them on your Google Drive so that you always have them in a digital format for easy access.
I hope you enjoyed this post and it answered the question: ‘What documents do I need when applying for a scholarship?’
Is there anything I may have missed? Are there any other documents you have been asked for?
I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below!
I’m also happy to answer any questions you may have!
Also please share this post with a friend who would find it useful.
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