Prepare yourself before you apply for a scholarship!

Following all comments and requests for help/assistance from our visitors who wish to apply for a scholarship, here are few tips, for future applicants. Here are just a few tips to help you prepare, it does not pretend it will make you get a scholarship.

First of all: be patient.

Applying to a scholarship does not mean that you will be awarded this scholarship automatically. You might need to apply several times before you can be given the opportunity you are looking for.

Prepare yourself!

Scholarships are not attributed out of the blue. You also need to prepare your application carefully.

Target a scholarship that match your profile

• Take time to reflect on:
  – your studies track, so that you can identify the university you would like to enroll yourself and the course that will match the best your studies profile:
  – your study level (undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate etc…)
  – your study field (current / future)
• Take time to have a look to the programs / courses offered by the University of your choice.
  Make sure you understand the conditions of application, including language requirements, and tuition costs.
• Have a look on the scholarship eligibility criteria: if the scholarship is offered to master students, you will not be considered if you are undergraduate, so do not lose your time.

Documents

See below a list of documents that are commonly requested to applicants:

• Copy / Scan of your diplomas/certifications: Keep track of your past studies and have always a soft copy of the diplomas already obtained.
  You might need as well to present a translation of your diplomas (english or other language depending on where you are applying). Most of the time, you will have to get your diplomas translated in an official / authorized translation company, and have the translation certified by local authorities.
• A justificative document of your current studies (if you are currently enrolled)
• Academic transcripts, especially for students applying for Merit / Excellence based-scholarships.

• A CV (resume) that will contain your personal information, your education and professional history and achievements – including internships and training as well.
  You might like to mention as well any additional skills (language, computer skills…)
• Motivation Letter – A short letter in which you present yourself and explain why you wish to be integrated in the program you selected and why you should be selected.
• Recommendation letter / Reference – Some request for a recommendation letter (referent teacher / department or school head…). It must always include the contact information of the referent.

Please always read carefully, the list of documents given above is a sample list, you might me required to produce more documents for your application.

Before you apply

• Make sure you have read in detail the information on application process given for the Scholarships.
  If you do not understand some points and after you have double-checked the information is not given, please try to clarify (search on internet) or contact the relevant person to ask for clarifications. It is better you list down all the points you are not clear with in 1 email only.
• Remember: most of the scholarship attributions are competitive and being awarded a scholarship is not a due. You must be pro-active and demonstrate your capacities, this includes reading the instructions given and following them. This includes as well solving difficulties, so please try to understand by yourself how to proceed before asking for external help.

Good Luck!