Recognising how overwhelming and challenging it can be to make scholarship-related decisions, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to equip potential candidates with an insight into the Singapore scholarship process and requirements.
- 1. What Types of Scholarships Are Available?
- 2. How Do Scholarships Work?
- 3. How Do I Know if I Am Eligible?
- 4. When to Apply for Scholarships?
- 5. Which Scholarships Are Easy To Get?
- 6. What Should I Include in My Scholarship Essay?
- 7. How Do I Stand Out In My Scholarship Application?
- 8. Which Is the Most Expensive Country To Study In?
- 9. How Do I Get a 100% Fully Funded Scholarship?
- 10. Can Scholarships Be Taken Away?
- 11. Can I Still Apply for Scholarships Without Outstanding Academic Grades?
- 12. How To Avoid Scholarship Scams?
1. What Types of Scholarships Are Available?
Scholarship Guide offers the largest scholarship database with over 400+ different scholarships for your choosing. Typically, the various scholarships are provided by government agencies, public and private sectors, non-profit organisations, foundations, and schools. These scholarships include merit-based scholarships (depending on your academic, artistic, or athletic performance), need-based scholarships (to support students with a disability or financial constraints), career-specific scholarships (targeting students interested in pursuing a career in a specific sector), school-specific scholarships (offered by schools to students having noteworthy performance). Refer to the Scholarship Guide website for more information on the various scholarships offered by each provider. From local to overseas studies, including all types of courses, there is something for every student.
2. How Do Scholarships Work?
The thought of applying for a scholarship can feel overwhelming. Once you understand the mechanics, receiving one may not sound as far-fetched and out of reach. Some scholarships only require you to apply once, while others require students to re-apply for every school year.
The monetary value of scholarships can also be represented in different ways. Some are given directly to students via cheques or credited into their bank accounts, while others may be offered “intangibly” through the offset of tuition fees, housing, and study materials.
Depending on the nature of the scholarships, some come with a bond, wherein scholars are required to work in the participating organisation upon graduation, while others are bond-free. There could also be other unique requirements attached to them. Hence, it is important to read the scholarship terms and conditions carefully before applying as they vary between entities.
3. How Do I Know if I Am Eligible?
Different scholarships have different requirements and benchmarks. The only person to truly know if you are eligible to apply is yourself and perhaps a trusted teacher.
The key is to keep your options open. Browse through all available scholarships and shortlist those you are interested in. Having your eyes on a specific scholarship could serve as a motivation for you as you study.
Students often disqualify themselves from applying without additional insights because they assume they are ineligible according to their own standards. Hence, it is advisable to get your parents or a teacher involved as a third-party assessment to help you evaluate your qualification and if you are ready to comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship should you receive it.
4. When to Apply for Scholarships?
Different scholarships have different requirements and benchmarks. The only person to truly know if you are eligible to apply is yourself and perhaps a trusted teacher.
The key is to keep your options open. Browse through all available scholarships and shortlist those you are interested in. Having your eyes on a specific scholarship could serve as a motivation for you as you study.
Students often disqualify themselves from applying without additional insights because they assume they are ineligible according to their own standards. Hence, it is advisable to get your parents or a teacher involved as a third-party assessment to help you evaluate your qualification and if you are ready to comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship should you receive it.
5. Which Scholarships Are Easy To Get?
You will find that there are some scholarships more popular than others. Naturally, the highly discussed options would see more competition and be more challenging to secure as they attract top-ranking students.
For study fields that are more uncommon or unconventional, the chances of securing a scholarship in that area would be higher. Some sectors attract fewer applicants due to niche interests, and it means that there will be less competition for their scholarships.
If you have decided on a specific course or sector, you can consider looking for a scholarship from a private sector that is not as widely publicised or acclaimed. If you aim for these scholarships, you are more likely to end up with one. If you are looking for a scholarship with job security, you can consider applying for a fully bonded scholarship as this would land you a job upon graduation.
6. What Should I Include in My Scholarship Essay?
The simple answer would be “anything that makes you stand out”. Anything relevant to your studies, that is! The majority of scholarship providers want to know why they should fund you rather than another applicant, so use your essay as a chance to prove your worth—mention your academic achievements, ambitions, and interests and how they relate to the program you are applying for. Include recommendation letters, testimonials, job reviews and other interesting information you believe would add value to your application and help you stand out from your peers. Here are more tips on how to ace your scholarship essay.
7. How Do I Stand Out In My Scholarship Application?
Whether you are applying for athletic or merit-based scholarships, personal administration is critical. Keeping all important documents such as transcripts, testimonials, certificates, and recommendation letters organised is a definite part of the process. Instead of compiling them at the last minute (which can be stressful and cost you missing documents), start ahead of time and plan a filing system that works for you.
- Mark your calendar for scholarship deadlines to stay on top of things and meet the criteria and timelines. Set reminders closer to the application date so you can double-check if you have all the necessary documents at hand.
- Read the requirements carefully and answer all the questions. Share who is behind the paper through your writing skills and proofread your work to ensure accuracy and excellence.
- Emphasise a unique trait or quality about yourself that will distinguish you from others. Be professional yet personal, and share your passions in a manner that will allow your personality to shine through. Share fun, interesting, or quirky details about yourself that will grab your reader’s attention. (Learn to write an engaging and memorable personal statement.)
8. Which Is the Most Expensive Country To Study In?
According to an article by Top Universities, the U.S. was ranked as the most expensive country to study in. This is followed by New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, Lebanon, and Cuba. It is important to note that tuition fees are only one aspect of the expenses accrued when studying overseas. Other factors such as the standard of living, housing, utilities, transport, and other necessities abroad could vary widely and should also be accounted for. Weigh the pros and cons of studying abroad
9. How Do I Get a 100% Fully Funded Scholarship?
Not all scholarships are equal. Some providers offer full scholarships, where all expenses are taken care of, including tuition fees, hostel fees, overseas exchange program expenditure, and the cost of a laptop and books, while other providers offer partial scholarships, where only a portion of the expenses or part of the tuition fees are paid for. Scholarships also vary in the generosity of their monthly allowance, ranging between $200 to $1000/month. Besides scholarships, you can consider looking into tuition grants and other financial assistance schemes for Singapore students here.
10. Can Scholarships Be Taken Away?
Receiving a scholarship is a great achievement, no doubt, but maintaining it may also be quite a feat. Many students become complacent after receiving a scholarship, and they lose focus on their studies. As such, their scholarships get terminated.
To reap the maximum benefits of a scholarship and ensure that the scholarship provides a good stepping stone for a great career, you need to work hard and maintain a good grade point average (GPA). Many agencies state the minimum GPA students need to attain every semester to maintain the scholarship, and you should keep note of that throughout your studies. In addition, some organisations require students to work as interns during their undergraduate or postgraduate education in order to maintain their scholarships.
Hence it is important to study the scholarship conditions carefully before applying for one. (Here’s a checklist of 10 questions to ask yourself before you apply for a scholarship.) And when you finally earn it, you must exercise discipline throughout your studies to ensure that you continue to meet the scholarship conditions so that you will not lose it!
11. Can I Still Apply for Scholarships Without Outstanding Academic Grades?
Absolutely. Although many scholarship providers set minimum grade requirements, there are others who do not. While everyone should strive to excel in school and get good grades, your GPA does not bear your full admissions story. Candidates should be passionate about the organisation’s mission and vision and/or demonstrate ‘soft’ skills like initiative, leadership, and communication skills, amongst others. This could compensate for average grades and display promising potential that future employers seek.
12. How To Avoid Scholarship Scams?
A common way of determining scholarship scams is to ask yourself if the scholarship sounds too good to be true. If the application process seems strangely easy or if you have to pay to apply, you should be wary. If a website offers a ‘guaranteed scholarship’ or you receive an unsolicited email, you have every reason to be sceptical.
In the event that you are worried about the authenticity of a scholarship, conduct an online search to see if there is any more information online about the same scholarship. If there is very little information or the information provided is somewhat vague or unclear, walk away. To minimise your chances of being taken in by a scam, stick to official websites belonging to schools, government, or reputed organisations or use a free scholarship search service such as Scholarship Guide.
While the questions regarding scholarship matters are non-exhaustive, we hope that the above information sufficiently arms you with the confidence to apply for a choice scholarship regardless of your doubts or queries. There are a plethora of benefits and opportunities worth exploring. We certainly encourage all students to apply simply because you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
For more information on scholarships in Singapore, look up Your Complete Guide to Scholarships in Singapore.
Works Cited
https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/united-kingdom/uk-fifth-most-expensive-study-destination-world
https://students.1fbusa.com/college-life/10-ways-to-stand-out-when-applying-for-scholarships