Defining Scholarships – Knowing the Meaning
What is a scholarship?
The word scholarship originates from the Latin word ‘scholaris’, which means a learner, followed by the suffix. In its literal sense, it is a grant-in-aid offered to students. A scholarship can be simply defined as a form of financial assistance given to students to help them further their education, usually based on merit, need, or a set of criteria established by the awarding institutions. Unlike educational loans, they do not need to be repaid. Hence, they are an extremely sought after resource among the students who want to alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees, living expenses, books, and other related expenditures.
Scholarship Definition – Types
What are the types of scholarships?
On the basis of the eligibility criteria, subject specifications, and funding types, and their providers scholarships can be broadly categorised into following major types:
- Need-Based Scholarships – These scholarships extend financial support to students hailing from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Need-based scholarships usually require the applicants to disclose their or their family’s income to determine eligibility. However, there is no universal standard of financial need that students must express in order to become eligible for need-based scholarships. There are different types of need-based scholarships and each type of scholarship has their own set of requirements and application process.
- Merit-Based Scholarships – As the name suggests, merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who excel in a particular area. For example, students with high academic grades or scores are most likely to receive and at the same time, it may also imply that the applicants need to demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities in order to become eligible. Some of the merit-based scholarships may take into account the athletic background of the students, their ability to write a compelling essay, or their extracurricular experience.
- Merit-cum-Need Based Scholarships – Some of the scholarship programmes take both financial need and merit into account and award students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. These scholarships aim to provide opportunities for deserving students, particularly from underrepresented communities, to pursue their educational goals without the burden of financial constraints. The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) 2024-25 can be considered as a relevant example.
- Subject Specific Scholarships – This is mainly offered to students pursuing education in a specific field such as STEM, arts, journalism, accountancy, etc. These scholarships encourage students to pursue education in the field of their interest.
- Community Based Scholarships – Community-based scholarships intend to help students from specific social, cultural, or ethnic groups, particularly those from impoverished or marginalised backgrounds. These scholarships seek to promote diversity in education by offering financial support and encouraging the representation of various communities in educational institutions. Government efforts targeted at the SC, ST, OBC, BC, DNT, EWS communities promoting equal educational opportunities for all, are some of the most relevant examples.
- Institution Specific Scholarships – Schools, colleges, and universities offer these scholarships to recognise academic performance while ensuring retention of top-tier talent in a variety of domains. These scholarships cover tuition fees including other educational expenditures. For example, the Ashoka University Excellence Scholarship programme provides financial assistance to academically outstanding students.
- Demographic Scholarships – With an aim to promote diversity in educational institutions, these scholarships target student groups based on their ethnicity, gender and the area of residence. For example, there are separate scholarships for students residing in rural and urban areas provided by the central and state governments in India.
- Government Scholarships – Offered by the national and state governments in India, these scholarships are differentiated on the basis of providers. These scholarships are an outcome of the welfare measures of the governments and government-aided institutions that seek to promote education at all levels, especially for those students hailing from a marginalised background. For example, scholarships listed on the National Scholarship Portal and the state-specific scholarship platforms are the relevant examples. It may be pointed out that the government scholarships may be based on the criteria of merit, need or a combination of both.
- Private or Corporate Scholarships – These scholarships provided by the non-governmental organisations such as corporations, foundations, and associations. Differentiated on the basis of providers, these scholarships are offered to fulfill corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and obligations of private organisations. The Aditya Birla Scholarship, TATA scholarships, etc. are some of the relevant examples.
The differentiation stated above is neither exhaustive nor all inclusive. Some of the broad differentiations also include the following:
- Minority Scholarships designed to support students hailing from the minority or underrepresented groups. For example, Maulana Azad National Fellowship meant for the minority students in India and UNCF Scholarship meant for the African American students in the USA.
- International/Study Abroad Scholarships dedicated to students aspiring to study abroad. Major examples include Erasmus Mundus Scholarships meant for the European higher education programs and DAAD Scholarships program for students willing to pursue their studies in Germany.
- Military Scholarships for students or dependents associated with military service. For example, RMEWF-Financial Assistance for Education of Children & Widows of Ex-Servicemen is a case in point.
Where should you begin?
In order to begin with the search for scholarships, interested students should ponder over the question: “Why do I need a scholarship?”. Once they gain clarity, they can begin their hunt in a planned manner. A roadmap for the same is as follows:
- Research – Students should begin with their search for scholarships on the basis of qualification and need. For example, a student from an economically weak background willing to pursue B.Tech., should search for scholarships that will cover the maximum of their tuition fee and living expenses.
- Planning – After having prepared a list of all the scholarships they can apply for, they should search for documents and brochures on the websites of the respective scholarship providers. Gaining clarity on documents required for each of them follows next. Students should make a detailed note and mark their calendars for the application deadlines of each scholarship programme.
- Preparation of Application Materials – Students should collect all the required documents well beforehand. Every scholarship programme might have a different requirement and therefore it is important to compile them at one place in advance. In the process, if a student misses out on something, they will be left with sufficient time to manage.
- Submission of Applications – Once the documents are in place, students should visit the official websites of the scholarships and apply for the same. Remember, this should be done well in advance before the last application date. In case of offline applications, applicants should plan it well in advance and adhere to the submission procedure.
- Following Up – After submission, it is important to follow up with the scholarship provider to confirm receipt of the application and inquire about the timeline for declaration of results.
How to Get a Scholarship: 10 Essential Tips
How do scholarships help?
- Significant Financial Support – Scholarships reduce the financial burden of the costs incurred on tuition fees, books, living expenses, and other educational expenditures. This allows students, especially those from low-income families, to access education without incurring heavy debt.
- Assured Access to Quality Education – Scholarships tied to prestigious institutions, provide meaningful opportunity to pursue studies at leading universities and schools that are otherwise unaffordable.
- Encouragement and Motivation – Receiving a scholarship not only adds to the confidence of the scholar but also encourages them to excel academically, personally and professionally.
- Career Advancement – Scholarships linked to specific domains or fields, such as STEM, arts, or sports, provide students with much-needed resources to specialise in their area of interest. This has a multiplier effect enhancing employability and career prospects of the students.
- Recognition and Prestige – Scholarships often highlight the recipient’s merit, skills, or achievements, enhancing their personal profile while opening doors for meaningful opportunities in future.
- Definite Support for Underprivileged Groups – There are several scholarship programs that are designed to uplift marginalised groups, including women, minorities, and students suffering from disabilities. This ensures equity in education.
- Dedicated Focus on Studies – With financial worries reduced, scholarship recipients can dedicate more time to their studies, research, or extracurricular activities without worrying about part-time jobs.
- Promotion of Global Exposure – There are several international scholarships on offer that allow students to pursue their studies abroad. This provides opportunities for cultural exchange and exposure to diverse academic environments promoting exchange of insightful ideas and experiences.
- Promotion of Innovation and Research – Scholarships often support students in advanced research fields, contributing to innovations and scientific advancements.
Despite the availability of benefits, there are a number of challenges that students might come across due to limited awareness, complex application requirements and high competition. It is often difficult to stay concurrent and updated about the latest scholarships. Finding a solution by getting yourself registered on credible online scholarship platforms like buddy4study, National Scholarship Portals etc. while persisting with your incessant search on other relevant platforms is a sure shot recipe for success. Last but not the least, students must reinforce their belief that scholarships transform lives by making education accessible, equitable, and impactful, helping individuals and societies grow.
Writing a Compelling Essay for Scholarship Competitions
FAQs on Scholarships
What is the primary motive of scholarships?
Scholarships aim to provide financial assistance to students, enabling them to pursue education without facing financial constraints and achieve their personal and professional goals.
What are need-based scholarships?
Need-based scholarships are awarded to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, requiring them to demonstrate financial need for eligibility.
How are merit-based scholarships different from need-based ones?
What is the significance of community-based scholarships?
Community-based scholarships support students from specific social or ethnic groups, promoting diversity and inclusion in education.
How should students begin their scholarship search?
Students should identify their needs and pursue research for scholarships on the basis of their qualifications. They should understand the application process and the need for required documents before moving on to the next step
What challenges do students face in the process of applying for scholarships?
Limited awareness, complex application procedures, and high competition are the common challenges faced by students.
How do scholarships promote innovation and research?
Scholarships fund advanced studies and research, enabling students to contribute to scientific advancements and innovative solutions.
Can I get free education with scholarships?
Yes, most scholarships cover tuition fees – wholly or partially. This totally depends on the rewarding institution. There are several scholarships that cover living expenses, travel including the cost incurred on books and other materials along with the tuition fee.
What are the top merit-based scholarships for Indian students?
Top merit-based scholarships for Indian students include the following:
- National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)
- Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)
- Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)
- Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship
What are the 2 most common types of scholarships?
Merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships are the two most common types of scholarships meant for the school and college students. However, there are subcategories within these based on the specific eligibility criteria.
Why is it harder to get a scholarship?
Limited awareness and high competition often makes it very difficult for a student to get a scholarship. However, staying concurrent and updated while persisting with your incessant search on the relevant platforms is a sure shot recipe for success.