Singapore is known for its high-quality education and academic rigour from primary school all the way to our world-famous universities. So it’s no surprise that scholarships are competitive, with applicants facing stiff competition and tight deadlines.
Every year, we at Scholarship Guide lend an ear to students’ concerns and give as much advice as we can. So much, in fact, that we can confidently condense most student worries into ten main topics. The good news: we also have the solutions. But the most important news? You must, as the applicant, do the work yourself.
So, what do students face in scholarship applications, and how can they overcome these challenges? Find out below.
1 “I Need a Single Place Where I Can Find All The Scholarships Available for My Specific Course and Academic Level in Singapore.”
Scholarship information is scattered, even with services like Scholarship Guide attempting to consolidate it all. One way to explore, discover and pinpoint the scholarship for you is through our filters, conveniently available at the top of the Scholarship Guide page. Use these to narrow down the possibilities!
2 “I Wish the Eligibility Criteria For Scholarships Were Explained in Simpler Terms, Without So Much Jargon.”
As with any application, (trust us – when you sign up for a BTO, you’ll face the same thing), scholarship details are full of technical terms and specific rules and conditions. Students find it hard to wade through the sea of information, only to discover that the scholarship doesn’t even cover the field of study they want to pursue.
That’s why the Scholarship Guide offers all pertinent info with handy icons, for easy tracking and searching. You can even refine it further by directly searching for qualifications you have or what you want to study, e.g., “Tenable Universities / Institutions: NP, NUS, NYP, SIT, Renowned Overseas Universities”.
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Use quotation marks (“”) to search for exact strings of words in that exact order, like, “Student Level: an ‘O’ Level Student, a Polytechnic Student”.
3 “I Want To Know if I’m Even Qualified for A Scholarship Before I Spend Hours Filling Out The Application.”
Only applying for scholarships you qualify for is a smart strategy. At the shortlisting stage, keep an eye out (or use AI to help you identify) for minimum grades and expected status. Some scholarships are only available to Singaporeans and PRs, for example.
However, don’t give up if a scholarship looks out of your reach! Scholarship providers often tell us that they look beyond grades to an individual’s potential, creativity and drive. If your grades are just a little off the mark, or the sponsoring organisation focuses on one area but is open to others, we’d encourage you to apply anyway.
“Thinking back, I had put a lot of pressure on myself to find my true passion. I wanted to engineer my own life – to have a goal and work my way towards it. But life should not be taken so seriously. Go out and explore!”
Saw Han Mei
Singapore Sustainability Scholar
4 “I’m Not a Top Academic Performer. I Need More Information About What Scholarship Providers Are Actually Looking for Beyond Just Good Grades.”
Firstly, scholarship providers are not always looking for good grades. While there tends to be a minimum score, it can be negotiated internally within the organisation for a particularly strong candidate. This means that if you shine in other ways, you can still be considered as a candidate.
So if not good grades, what else is the sponsor after? This is where open houses, talks, webinars and networking events really help. These are places where you can meet organisation representatives and ask more specific questions. Their answers can guide you as to where to focus your efforts. Research past scholars and their achievements, and see how they compare to yours.
“I think that the panel could witness my passion, and that made the difference!”
Raeanne Wong
NUS Performing & Visual Arts Scholar
5 “I Wish There Was More Transparency About The Selection Process for Scholarships.”
The process by which scholarship applications are evaluated and decisions are made can often feel opaque to students. This lack of clarity can lead to uncertainty about what factors are most heavily weighted and how students can best present their qualifications.
Keep in mind that there are very good reasons for this. Most sponsoring organisations are government agencies that must prioritise security. And if everyone knew the selection criteria, they would all work towards it or even try to “game” the system. To prevent such unfairness, certain aspects must remain secret.
6 “I Want To Hear From Other Students Who Have Successfully Gotten Scholarships, To Learn From Their Experiences.”
The experiences and testimonials of students who have successfully navigated the scholarship application process can provide invaluable guidance and practical advice for prospective applicants.
Look no further than Scholarship Guide’s very own archives for stories of scholarly success! We also have our magazine, which is full of practical advice and tried-and-true recommendations.
7 “I Need To Understand the Implications Of the Scholarship Bond Before I Commit to It.”
While there’s no way to know for certain what the future holds, you can certainly investigate what it might be like. Reading interviews with scholars, or meeting them at networking events, is key here. Hearing from scholars themselves will give you an idea of what to expect.
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You can also ask your interviewers, normally at the end of an interview. This will show you’re engaged and thinking seriously about the future and what you can contribute to the organisation.
8 “I Wish There Was More Guidance on How To Write a Compelling Scholarship Essay Or Personal Statement.”
At Scholarship Guide, we offer a full suite of services to help students craft standout applications. Our resources cover everything from what to include in a portfolio to tips for writing an impressive scholarship essay and even strategies to ace the interview.
Another avenue for students to get help on their personal statements is by asking their teachers to review drafts and provide feedback on the final version.
But don’t just rely on us. There are numerous excellent writing resources available. And no matter what, don’t use AI to generate your statement!
9 “I Need More Information About Mid-Term Scholarships That I Can Apply for While Already In University.”
Simply search the word “Mid Term” in Scholarship Guide to filter out mid-term scholarships, and start researching!