Conditions for obtaining scholarships abroad
Obtaining a scholarship abroad depends on various factors and conditions and may be different for each country and each university. But in general, some of the common conditions and steps to receive a scholarship are:
- GPA and strong academic records: one of the most important conditions for receiving a scholarship is to have a high GPA and good academic performance. Many universities and educational institutions give priority to students who have strong academic records and academic achievements for awarding scholarships.
- Knowledge of English or the language of the destination country: Most universities require foreign students to have a valid language certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL in order to grant scholarships. For some countries, the language of the destination country may also be required, such as DELF or DALF for France, TestDaF for Germany, etc.
- Letter of motivation (Statement of Purpose): One of the important documents for applying for a scholarship is the letter of motivation, in which you must explain your goals and motivations for studying and choosing the desired country or university. The letter of motivation should show why you deserve the scholarship.
- Recommendation Letter: Recommendation letters are also from professors or employers as a reference for the university and show your abilities and qualifications. Universities usually require two or three letters of recommendation.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A CV that includes your education, work experience, projects, academic papers and achievements is essential for many scholarship applications.
- Research Proposal: For postgraduate courses, especially in master’s and doctoral degrees, you may need to submit a research proposal related to your field of study. This proposal shows in which field you intend to research and what plan you have to conduct your research.
- Financial conditions and need for scholarships: Some scholarship programs give priority to students who need financial support. For these types of scholarships, you may need to prove your financial status.
- Entrance tests and interviews: Some universities and institutions may conduct entrance tests or interviews to evaluate your academic ability and motivation for granting scholarships.
- Having scientific achievements and honors or research and social activities: participating in scientific competitions, conferences, having research articles, and social or voluntary activities can help you have a higher chance of receiving a scholarship.
- Identity documents and study visa: After accepting the scholarship, you must prepare your identity documents and study visa to travel to the destination country.
Scholarship resources and programs
Many universities, government institutions and international organizations have different scholarship programs. You can visit the website of reputed universities, institutes and organizations like DAAD (German Scholarships), Chevening (UK Scholarships), Fulbright (US Scholarships) and Erasmus+ (EU Scholarships).
Finally, careful planning and regular follow-up of the steps and requirements of each scholarship can help you in the path of success in obtaining a scholarship.
How do I get a scholarship?
To receive a scholarship, you must go through various steps and prepare the necessary documents. Below are the general steps and important tips that will help you get a scholarship:
- Research and identification of scholarships
• First, you need to research and find scholarships that suit your field, level of study, and country of interest. For this purpose, you can refer to the websites of universities, international institutions and government scholarship programs (such as DAAD for Germany, Chevening for UK, Fulbright for USA and Erasmus+ for Europe).
Pay attention to the type of scholarships; Some scholarships are full and cover all fees, while others cover only part of the fees.
- Check the conditions and requirements of the scholarship
• Each scholarship has its own conditions; These conditions may include minimum grade point average, language proficiency, desired majors, or applicant’s age. Make sure you’ve read all the terms and conditions and are eligible.
• It is usually necessary to have a language certificate (such as IELTS or TOEFL for English) for most scholarships.
- Prepare the required documents
The required documents may vary depending on the type of scholarship, but the main documents include the following:
• Resume (CV): including your education, work experience, skills and academic and professional achievements
• Statement of Purpose: In this letter, your reasons for choosing your field and country of destination, your motivations and educational goals are mentioned.
• Recommendation letters: letters of recommendation from professors or employers that confirm your abilities and talents.
• Academic certificates and transcripts: including certificates of previous academic degrees with official translations.
• Research proposal (for master’s and doctoral courses): If you intend to continue your studies in graduate studies, a research proposal is required.
• Language certificate: Most universities and scholarship programs require a valid language certificate.
- Writing motivation letter and strong proposal
• Your motivation letter and research proposal should be clear and convincing. In the letter of motivation, explain why you are interested in this field and university and how this scholarship will help you achieve your professional and academic goals.
• The research proposal should state exactly what topic you intend to research and why this topic is important.
- Registration of scholarship application
• Submit your application online or by email. Make sure you submit all the documents correctly and completely.
• Pay attention to the registration deadlines and try to submit your application early so that you have enough time to follow up and fix any problems.
- Preparing for the interview (if needed)
• Some scholarship programs require an interview. In these interviews, you will usually be asked about your educational background, motivations, and goals. Before the interview, try to have enough information about the university, field and scholarship programs and prepare convincing answers.
- Request follow-up
• After sending the request, track its status. Some universities or institutions may require additional documents or require more information from you.
- Accepting and completing visa procedures
• If your scholarship application is accepted, you must complete the study visa procedures. Prepare the necessary documents and apply for the visa on time so that you don’t have any problems with the travel schedule.
Final remarks
• In the process of receiving a scholarship, planning and persistence are very important. Getting a scholarship may take time, so be patient and try.
• Apply to several different scholarships and universities to increase your chances.