Nigerians, especially people looking to move overseas to start or continue their education may find financial relief a jackpot. This jackpot is usually a fully funded scholarship that covers essential bills necessary to study abroad. While some people care less about scholarships because they can afford the tuition fees and other expenses, it’s a different story for others, so they try their luck with fully-funded scholarships.
What are fully-funded scholarships?
While some scholarships cover just a part of the tuition fee, other scholarships settle all of the costs associated with a student’s admission to the university. International fully-funded scholarships may include tuition fees, travel expenses, monthly stipends, accommodation, and many other freebies depending on the school of the scholarship body. Considering how good of an opportunity this is, the scholarship becomes very competitive because all students would want to relieve themselves of the financial burden. This is why the scholarship body/institutions come up with certain criteria and qualifications that every student who wants to take part in the scholarship must meet. Reviewing the benchmarks of each of these scholarships is where your journey begins if you are looking for a fully-funded scholarship.
Who can get a fully-funded scholarship?
Usually, scholarship providers outline the specific eligibility criteria for individuals who can receive the scholarship. So, while it looks like anyone can be lucky to get a fully-funded scholarship, they must also take note of what the scholarship providers prefer. Also, these criteria can vary depending on the program you are looking to study, the institution, and the scholarship itself. However, some of the common grounds on which students are being awarded fully-funded scholarships include impressive academic performance, financial needs, field of study, disability, citizenship, and research proposals among many others.
Deciding on the country you want to study
Planning is important and if you want a fully-funded scholarship, it is important to put things in place. To increase your chances, you can start by creating a list of countries you are interested in, say 3, 4, or 5 as this can provide you with options to explore. Also, deciding on the countries you would love to study can help you search for your scholarships in the right place and weigh your options. For instance, a scholarship provider in a certain country can request qualifications that you do not have while a scholarship provider in another country can have more flexible criteria. Identifying multiple countries of interest can help you find scholarships that align better with your goals and communications.
Important Documents you need before applying to a fully-funded scholarship
It is very easy to get into the application process if you have your documents ready. The qualifications needed to apply vary across programs and scholarship boards, and so do the documents. You may miss out on a fully-funded scholarship if you have not taken the time to gather the essential documents which can include the following:
- International Passport
Most scholarship applications will that you to scan your international process for identification and verification purposes. This is usually done to help the scholarship provider confirm your identity, citizenship, and eligibility. So, it is advisable to apply for your international passport before any fully-funded scholarship creeps in on you. Also, while scanning, ensure that you do a good job of including all relevant information to avoid any form of application issues.
- Academic Results/Transcript
A transcript is a document that contains a comprehensive history of all of your academic performance and achievements. It carries vital information such as course names and numbers, grades per semester, credit hours, grade point average, degree earned, and cumulative results. Your academic results/transcript serves as evidence to say that you have the required GPA or minimum grade required of all applicants. If you have a very strong grade, it may significantly increase your chances of getting the scholarship.
- Statement of Purpose
This is a very important document that must be written with so much intention to convince the scholarship providers that you need and deserve the scholarship. A statement of purpose also known as the letter of motivation allows you to “persuasively” highlight your academic and career goals, reasons you want the scholarship, and why you are a deserving candidate. Don’t go the cliche way if you don’t want to bore whoever is going to read, instead tell a story with your letter of motivation. Be sure to grab the reader’s attention, talk about your strength, and hit every part that you think they may want to read. Also, don’t forget to be as authentic as possible.
- Letters of Reference
The letters of reference mean that the institution is requesting that someone or at least two people must be able to vouch for you and your academic performance. These letters should give an idea of your character, abilities, and potential. Therefore, whenever you are picking who your referees should be, select people who can give an all-round and positive view of your character and capabilities. Also, before they send out the letters, you may have to provide them with information about your scholarship goals, achievements, and any other area you want them to discuss. During your application, make sure that your referees send in the reference letters before the application closes. So, if you have to always send a reminder, don’t hesitate.
- Academic CV
An academic CV gives a summary of your academic and professional background which is supposed to be related to the course you are looking to study. So, list your educational qualifications, and the degrees and awards you earned. Nigerian final students conduct research, so this can come in handy if you are applying to study for a master’s degree abroad; include detailed information about your research, the title of the project, dates, and supervisors you worked under. You can also give a brief explanation of your findings and contributions. If you held any position in school, maybe you were a student union president or a class representative for years, include them in the CV. Your academic CV, apart from the motivation letter is another opportunity to shoot your shot well.
- Letter/proof of English Proficiency
While TOEFL and IELTS are English proficiency bodies that can issue you a result that is presentable to the scholarship body, there are other ways to prove that you can speak and write in English language. For candidates who already have a degree or a significant portion of their education in English Language, you can request a medium of instruction from your previous institution to prove that you understand the language. Another alternative is to provide letters from English-speaking organizations where you’ve worked.
When can I apply for a scholarship?
Most of the time, to apply for a scholarship, you must have been offered an unconditional admission by an international institution of your choice. So, you must apply to receive an admission before you apply for a scholarship. At the same time, you must also take note of the scholarship deadline and have all you need before then to avoid any form of complication.
Finding Fully-Funded Scholarships
Finding fully-funded scholarships may be a challenge for many people, so it is important to leverage social media for important opportunities. You can find these scholarships on social media when you follow scholarship providers or engage and network with social media users who share these opportunities with their network. Here are some fully-funded scholarships currently ongoing:
- Hansen Summer Leadership Program 2024 in the USA
Link: https://scholarshipscorner.website/hansen-leadership-institute/
- International Exchange Program in the USA
Link: https://t.co/5iPjyKsW6d
- Wageningen University= Africa Scholarship Programme
Link: https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/master/practical-information-masters/schola
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2024-25 in UK | Fully Funded
Link: scholarship corner. website/gates-Cambridge
- Stanford University Scholarships 2024 in the USA | Fully Funded
Link: scholarshi p corner. website/knight-Henness
- Chevening Fellowships in the UK 2024 | Fully Funded
Link: https://scholarshiproar.com/chevening-scholarships-uk
- OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2024 in Switzerland | Fully Funded
Link: https://www.scholarshipscorner.website/ohchr-indigenous-fellowship-program/
Fully-funded scholarships are usually competitive but this should never be a reason to back out. Put in the work, and be hopeful that you can get one.
