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Things to Prepare Before Applying a Scholarship

Getting a scholarship for an overseas study is a competitive process. This is because many people like you want the scholarship, but not all can be awarded. The cholarship money is simply not enough to fund all at once. Also, the scholarship providers want to ensure that only the best, well prepared applicants are selected and so the money is spent rightly and efficiently to what it is intended for. So, you have to be a winner!

Lots of people have won scholarship. You hear this every time. But how have they done this good job? Are they luckier or more superior or intelligent than others? No, they are not! If you ask them about the winning secrets are, they may simply give you the following lists: things to prepare or consider before applying a scholarship.

Academic certificate and transcript

Soon after graduation, do not wait. Obtain your original academic certificate and transcript, and make some copies of them. You need to certify them and, remember, that people at university are some times going somewhere when you need their signatures. More importantly, you need to translate both your academic certificate and transcript. Check around, there maybe some people have done the same. This will ease the task. If not, they are yours anyway. When you are done, it is wise to get other people to see them. They may give you valuable inputs, even correcting misspelled course names. Again, you need signatures of dean and rector on the translated version of your academic certificate and record.

Research proposal

You need to decide earlier which study route you are going to undertake – course or research or both. If you prefer a course-based study, you do not need a proposal. But if you are going to do a research, you definitely need a research proposal.

Good research proposal require time and energy to construct. So it is always better to prepare it earlier. Basically, the proposal will not be much different to the one you have done previously in your research as part of your undergraduate study. This will include background, objective, problems or questions to answer, hypothesis, methodology, and references. These are the essences of a proposal. For more on research proposal, read here and here

When you are done with those basic requirements, ask suggestions from others. When the application is open, check if the scholarship provider requires a bit more to what you have prepared.

Letter from intended university and supervisors

Download application form from the university website and fill it before send it back to the university. The university will respond you and issue you with a letter of acceptance. You may indicate in the form that you will begin your study next year, waiting for a scholarship which you are now struggling for. Most likely they will issue you with a conditional acceptance. They will keep reissuing this until you succeed with your scholarship application.

While your are in the website, go to your targeted department or school to find your potential supervisor. Even, this needs to be done first before filling in a admission form. The reason you will not studying in this university unless you have got an academic staff willing to supervise you. So get their email address, and make contacts with them. In the first time, you just need to introduce yourself, mention your academic background and your research proposal, and ask if he/she is available to supervise you. If they are busy because there are many students already under their responsibilities, don’t panic. Ask him/her if they know people around there who are still able to take additional students.

The good with the letter from university and supervisor when you have them at hand is that you can attach them to your application form and present them to the interviewers. These letters will increase your chances of winning the scholarship because the interviewers will so impressed that you are better prepared and have taken more advanced steps compared to other candidates. Read more..

Scholarship Applications that Win!

by Bill Reynolds at FreSch!

Tip #1. ATTENTION TO DEADLINES

Try and have your application arrive EARLY as possible, absolutely not after the deadline date! I like to send applications with a “return receipt requested” or “registered” to make sure they get there. I think that this also conveys a positive characteristic about the sender.

Tip #2 START YOUR APPLICATION WITH A “THANK YOU” COVER LETTER

Sample Packet Cover Letter

1111 WinOne Street

Pensacola, Fl 32503

9 September 1999

Mary Smith, President

Whatever Scholarship Committee

Orlando Central Parkway

Orlando, Florida (zip code)

Dear Ms. Smith,

This letter is an introduction of myself, (your name), and my desire to participate in the (whatever it is called) Scholarship Program. I have been accepted to (Name of your College) for the 1999 fall term.

I would like to thank you and the (whatever) Scholarship Committee for supporting college bound students with an opportunity for financial assistance through your scholarship program. Enclosed you will find my application form, high school transcript, ACT results, letters of recommendation, and other pertinent information. Again, thank you for your interest on my behalf and for the youth of our state.

Respectfully,

(your name)

Tip #3 ANSWER THE “MAIL”

While this seems obvious, you must construct your application to make it EASY for the committee to see that you have provided every thing that was required. I like to provide items in the order that they are listed in the application. If possible, do not mix items on the same page. In another tip I am going to tell you to add extra items that were not requested to give your application that something extra. However, DO NOT add extra items if you are specifically told not to add anything extra. This means that you can not follow directions if you add items when your are forbidden to do so.

Tip #4 ADD EXTRA ITEMS TO YOUR APPLICATION (if not forbidden).

This is where you get to be creative to find ways and things that present you in a positive light to the selection committee. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Write a short essay on MY EDUCATION/CAREER GOALS. Try to keep to one page but no more than two.

2. Write a paragraph or two on how this scholarship award will help you reach your education/career goals.

3. My son’s guidance counselor gave him a paper that congratulated him on being in the top 10% of his class and acknowledged his hard work to get there. We included this because it put him in a “positive light” and his hard work at his academics was recognized.

4. Before my son reached his 18th birthday, he registered for the Military Draft as required for all males when they reach the age of 18. He received a letter from the draft board congratulating him for doing his civic duty prior to his 18th birthday. You guessed it, this was also one of our “extra items”. A lot of scholarship committee members have military backgrounds or see this as good citizenship for this applicant.

5. One of the best extra items is a letter of acceptance for admission to “any” college. If the scholarship application is not for a specific college, you will be able to use the award at “any” college. You do not have to use it at the college you used in your application. Later you can get more college acceptance letters and when your make your selection you can notify the scholarship award committee of where to send the award. Therefore, any letter of acceptance shows that your are serious but it does not “lock” you into using the award at that college.

These are just a few examples to get you thinking. I would limit my extras to three or four at the most. Too many and you “sour” your application. Again, MAKE SURE you are not forbidden to add extra items before you do so.

Be creative to find things that make you look good and share them with the committee.

Tip #5 PERSONALIZE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

This is a tip that conveys you took the time to make this application special. When you have a letter of recommendation addressed to the specific organization or person that is administering the application process it says that you took the time and effort to make this letter “Special” for them. If all you have is a letter that starts “To Whom It May Concern”, it is better than nothing. But if you can personalize the letter it says you cared to send the very best.

SUB TIP #5a Offer to do the work for the writer of your letter of recommendation. For example, you want to apply to twenty scholarship programs. When you ask someone to write you “1″ letter of recommendation they say sure. When you say you need twenty letters they say “sorry” I don’t have the time. Once they write you one letter, ask if you can put it on the computer so the TO ADDRESSEE can be personalized for each application and your writer only has to “sign their name twenty times”. Now your writer is happy to help you because you have done the work and make it easy for them to help you. If they have nice letter head, ask for blank copies to be used in this process.

SUB TIP #5b This is an “ADD EXTRA ITEM/s” when the application does not require a letter of recommendation.

SUB TIP #5c Try and get three to five letters of recommendation in your files. This will let you pick and choose which one or ones to send in for a specific application. I would never send more than three for an application unless the directions ask for more. I will cover some tips to give your recommendation writer in a later TIP.

TIP #6 – PROOF READ ALL MATERIALS and NEATNESS IS A MUST When you write anything you must use correct grammar and spelling. If you have a problem in this area ask your English teacher to help you with proofreading your essay, cover letter, extra items you have included, and even letters of recommendation prepared by others. When there are hundreds or thousands of applications to review, correctness and neatness become the first screen out factor. Only when the “pile” is smaller does the content of your application start to become a factor in the selection process.

TIP # 7 – SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION IN A CLEAR PLASTIC FOLDER

Now that your application is complete, the final “presentation” tip is to place all of your items in a clear plastic folder, with a slide locking binder. I like the cheap clear ones so that your “Thank You Cover Letter” (Tip #2) is on top. For that final “touch” I also like to include a wallet size picture of the student in the lower left side of your packet. The next item/s in you application packet are those required in the application (Tip #3 Answer the mail). Next I add any extra items (if not forbidden) and finally I place any letter(s) of recommendations.

If “extras” are forbidden, you should consider NOT using a plastic folder, however, this can be a judgement call on your part. Read the application carefully again regarding extras. Some judges feel the plastic folders “give them more work” (to remove the applications from the plastic folder) while others have no problem with it, even though they may forbid extras. I know, this can be confusing!

Your application packet is a great looking presentation of YOU, don’t mess it up by folding it to fit a small envelope. Use an 8X10 type envelope so your application arrives looking great. Consider sending it “Return Receipt Requested” so you know it arrived!

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19 Responses to “ Australia 2009/2010 Swinburne Research Scholarships ”

1. samuel
   October 27, 2008 at 6:34 am

   please bring me scholarship in Australian thanks
2. Fetene
   November 14, 2008 at 4:33 am

   how are you
   i am from ethiopia .and i was gradueted at Adama university with bachler of business eduation.i want your organization to help me find scholarships related to my profession.
3. Eshetu Zewdu
   November 14, 2008 at 5:55 am

   My Name isEshetu Zewdu from Ethiopia.I am a universty student and graduate at the end of june-2009in meteorology science.As education is acontinous way,Ialso to do my Msc in metmeteorology and related courses.SOplease help me as you can to fulfil my wish.
   thank you
4. endalk
   November 16, 2008 at 6:52 am

   I an ethiopian and I want to pursue my education. I have graduated with M.A degree in social psyhology.
5. Raghad Alfaisal
   January 26, 2009 at 7:21 pm

   Dear sir:

   My name is Raghad Alfaisal, 27 years old. I hold MA in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from Yarmouk University / Jordan with excellent degree. I am very interested in conservation of cultural and historical textile objects, in addition to my concern in Museum studies and Preventive Conservation. My thesis was in a title “The Conservation of Dyed Textile Artifacts in Museum of Jordanian Heritage”. I am looking for a fully funded free PhD scholarship in the same or relevant field that because it was very difficult to me to continuo my study without a scholarship.

   I will be grateful if you send me your replay about my request if you can help me to obtain a PhD scholarship .
   Therefore I wait at your genuine and hopeful response
   raghood81@yahoo.com

   Thanks in advance.
6. Md. Injamamul Arief
   January 28, 2009 at 9:26 am

   Dear Sir,
   Most respectfully I beg to state that recently I am in my final year of my M.Sc in chemistry at the University of Jadavpur ,Kolkata, India.I mam keenly interested in persuing researches in australia with fully funded studentship especially in bioinorganic chemistry.I will be highly oblized if you send me your response in this regard .
   thanking you
   Md.Injamamul Arief
7. raj
   January 29, 2009 at 6:52 am

   sir,
   how i get this scholarship?
   Rajaul Karim
   From Bangladesh
8. dushantha
   January 30, 2009 at 9:44 am

   Dear Sir,

   i am Dushantha Mahesh Wijenayake of Production Manager of manufacturing Company in sri lanka. i am 31 years Old. i am successfully completed Chemical Engineering, NDT conduct by University of Moaratuwa in 2003, Sri Lanka. and i am Associated Member of Incorperated Engineering Sri Lanka (AIIESL).

   i hope to complete my Higher Education in you Institute. dear sir please make arrange send me a information for the scholarship and acadamic detail to my mail address.

   D.M.Wijenayake,
   291/6, Mandawila Road,
   Piliyandala.

   SRI LANKA

   thanking you,
   yours faithfully,

   D.M.Wijenayake
9. naveet kaur
   February 8, 2009 at 12:04 pm

   myself naveet kaur 4m panjab, i m doing msc chemistry in banasthali university rajasthan india i want do my phd 4m australia .is there any schoalarship for this ?if not ,will be the expenses for one year including living expenses?
10. Chombe Naod
    February 11, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Am an ethiopian and am graduated in Advanced Diploma Electrical technology with a CGPA of 3.59 and more than 10 years experience in Telecommunication Engineering Area .I am looking for a fully funded free scholarship in the same or relevant field .
    Thank You
    habesha_h@yahoo.com
11. Tigist
    February 26, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Dear sir/Madam;
    I am Tigist from Ethiopia graduated with Bsc degree in statistics. My ambition for the coming years is to learn my Msc in statistics, so would you please help me.
12. N'zinga Andrade
    March 5, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    Dear Sir,
    My name is N’zinga Andrade I am Heritage Technician who holds a post-graduate in Artistic Heritage and Conservation. I am interested in a MA in Textiles Conservation Unfortunately, in Portugal there aren’t any courses or scholraships in this field, which saddens me a bit…
    Are you able to provide me information of where I can get a scholarship in this field?
    Thank you
13. Ahmed Seid
    March 26, 2009 at 6:02 am

    i am from ethiopia .and i was gradueted at with diploma of electricity.i want your organization to help me find Bacher degree scholarships related to my profession.
    Don’t for get me

    asmhkom@gmail.com
14. Yonatan Garkebo
    March 30, 2009 at 5:46 am

    Dear Sir,

    I am yonatan Garkebo from Mekelle University, Ethiopa. I hold my first Degree with Appilied geology. Now i am highly intersted to up grade my educational level to masters degree with Exsploration Geophysics so as to realize my dreams.

    Thank you!
15. mohmeed hus?n
    April 12, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    ? need to th?s scholarsh?p.thank you
16. xtinelala
    June 27, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Good day. I’m from the Philippines. I am an agricultural engineer and licensed teacher. I have work with the Environmental Management Bureau for a year. Presently, I am working at INTERVIDA Foundation Philippines as an Environmental Officer. I want to enroll in a masteral degree on Environmental courses unfortunately I do not have financial resources to pursue my dreams to help protect our environment. Hope someone could help me out. Thanks and Godbless
17. Thushari Wijesinghe
    August 7, 2009 at 9:54 am

    I’m a Srilankan and an agricultural graduate. . Presently, I am working as Science and technology Officer. I want to enroll in a masteral degree on Environmental courses since my final year project is related to the anaerobic digestion. unfortunately I do not have financial resources .. Hope someone could help me out. Thanks and Godbless
18. mamat petruchi
    September 15, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I’m an English literary teacher in Islamic State University in Indonesia. I want to get a post graduated degree on English Literature. Hope someone could help me out. Thank you.
19. farid
    November 19, 2009 at 10:54 am

    God bless you all! I’m 38 english education degree holder looking for scholarship issued by Ausaid or any provider tu study in Australia. Guys, is there any one todo me a favor …