What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is financial assistance that helps students pay for their education expenses. Scholarships are either provided for one-time or for the duration of the course. These are provided based on merit or need. Below, we have explained the different types of scholarships you will encounter.
Types of Scholarships
- Merit-Based Scholarships – These scholarships recognise applicants’ hard work and academic achievements. It is offered on the basis of marks obtained by the student in an entrance exam or previous qualifying exam.
- Need-based Scholarships – These scholarships aim to support students who belong to economically weaker sections. Students will need to meet the income criteria of the scholarship to be eligible for it.
- Scholarships for Extracurricular Activities – These scholarships are offered to students who participate in extracurricular activities such as arts, community service, leadership, social work, and more.
- Sports Scholarships – These scholarships are offered to students who are athletes at their school or college. Preference is given to students who have played at state and national level.
- Student-Specific Scholarships – These scholarships are awarded to students of a particular community to provide them with financial assistance. For example, the government of India runs a free coaching scholarship scheme specifically for DNT students under the SEED Scheme.
Benefits of Winning a Scholarship
- One of the main advantages of a scholarship is its financial relief. Scholarships help reduce the financial burden on students and their families by covering tuition, cost of books, and living expenses.
- Winning a scholarship can open doors for you to prestigious schools and academic programs that you might not be able to pay for otherwise. This access can help people get better jobs and school options.
- Getting a scholarship makes you feel better about yourself and gives you a sense of accomplishment. It also makes you feel responsible, which drives you to work hard and achieve success.
- The scholarships can help you reduce your debt. You can use the scholarship amount to pay your education loan debt which would otherwise grow big and burden you financially after you complete your education.
- Suppose a student is working part-time to support his education. In such cases, they would not get enough time to focus on their studies. If such students can get scholarships,they can focus on their studies without any pressure of working immediately.
- Getting scholarships can help students expand their network. They get to interact with other students and professionals which can extend their horizons and access knowledge required for their growth.
- Private companies that offer scholarships to students often also extend internship opportunities. Therefore, students can rest assured that they will get better job prospects if they get a scholarship.
- Scholarships targeted at specific communities or ethnic groups play a vital role in promoting education and creating a ripple effect. Students who benefit from these scholarships and pursue higher education often inspire others within their community to follow their example. In this way, scholarships contribute to uplifting backward communities in India..
How to Win a Scholarship: Key Strategies
It is important to prepare before you apply for a scholarship to avoid making small mistakes that could cost you the scholarship. Below we have provided some expert tips that will help in increasing your chances of winning a scholarship.
Prepare Early
Suppose Kiran is a student in Class 11, and she is planning to get a scholarship to pursue BTech after completing Class 12. As you may know, scholarships have specific eligibility requirements, and previous qualifying exam scores matter a lot. Kiran now has the opportunity to score good marks in her Class 11 and 12, which can help boost her chances of winning a scholarship. In addition, she can also pick up any sports or extracurricular activities to become eligible for sports and extracurricular scholarships once she completes her schooling.
Identify Your Needs
The first step in securing a scholarship is to have clarity on why you need or deserve one. Determine whether you require a study abroad scholarship or one to study in India. Assess the exact amount needed to cover your educational expenses so you can focus on scholarships that meet those requirements. Scholarships are often awarded based on merit, financial need, extracurricular achievements, or sports performance. Therefore, it’s essential to understand which category aligns with your profile to avoid investing time in applications that don’t match your eligibility.
Research Early
Scholarships are time-sensitive, and this is why you need to apply before the application deadline is missed. If you start looking for a scholarship early, you will have enough time to complete the application form. It is recommended to maintain a list of scholarships for which deadlines have been missed, or applications have not yet opened. Regularly tracking this list will help ensure timely applications once the process begins.
Choose a Scholarship Portal
Search for Specific Scholarships for You
You must be aware that several scholarships are offered for specific groups of people or people with special conditions. In India, various scholarships are offered by the government and private sector companies to uplift the backward classes of society. This is why you will find multiple scholarships for SC, ST, EWS, DNT, etc groups. If you belong to one such group, then you will easily get selected as the competition in such scholarships is comparatively low.
Look for State-Specific Scholarships
When applying for a scholarship, you are eligible for national and state scholarships, but the competition for national-level scholarships is relatively high because of the higher number of applicants. If your state government provides scholarships that meet your needs, then it is recommended that you apply for them. In such scholarships, the number of applicants is lower; thus, it will be easier for you to win a scholarship.
Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out
When applying for a scholarship, your application will speak on your behalf, so you need to ensure that you make your application stand out from thousands of other applicants. There are a few hacks that you can use to make your application unique.
- Make your scholarship essay error-free.
- Ensure that your application clearly depicts your need or merit for the scholarship.
- Upload all documents in the required format and dimensions.
- Acquire letters of recommendation from recognised individuals.
- Educate yourself about what the scholarship providers are looking for in an ideal candidate, and then prepare your application accordingly.
Have a Clean Online Background
Before you submit your scholarship application it is wise to clean up your online presence. You might have posted a tweet or post that was against the value or mission of the scholarship provider. Therefore, you must carefully look through all your old posts and comments to ensure that you do not accidentally offend the scholarship provider and miss out on your chance to win a scholarship. If you think this is quite time-consuming work, then the best thing to do would be to make your profile on different social media platforms private.
How to Win a Scholarship By Avoiding Common Mistakes
Overlooking Eligibility Criteria
One of the most common mistakes applicants make is failing to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria for scholarships. Each scholarship is designed with specific requirements, such as academic achievements, financial need, extracurricular activities, or demographic factors like community or region. Ignoring these criteria can lead to wasted time on applications that don’t align with your qualifications.
Before applying, carefully read the scholarship guidelines to ensure you meet all requirements. Focus your efforts on opportunities that match your profile to increase your chances of success. It’s always better to submit fewer well-targeted applications than a large number of irrelevant ones.
Making Mistakes in Scholarship Application
An unprofessional application may impact your chances of obtaining a scholarship. Standing out with a well-crafted and expertly-presented application is crucial. A well-crafted application shows that you have given this chance your full attention and are ready to succeed.
Scholarship committees do not pay attention to generic essays. Small mistakes like misspelt words and grammatical errors show that you are not paying attention, which makes a bad impression. Don’t use the same essay for different applications, as it may lead to rejection. Find out what the scholarship requires and its objectives so that your essay addresses those aspects
Missing Scholarship Deadline
Several students underestimate the duration of the application process, resulting in last-minute panics. It is important to make note of all the scholarship deadlines on your calendar and plan to submit your application at least one week earlier than the official due date.
Top Scholarships to Apply
Now that you have an understanding of why scholarships are important and how to increase your chances of winning one, you can now check the best scholarships that you can apply for. Some of the most popular ones are listed below.
| Scholarship Name | Amount/Benefits |
| SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education | Up to ₹20 lakhs or 50% of course-related expenses (whichever is less) |
| Buddy4Study Scholarship Support Programme | ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000 per annum |
| Alstom India Scholarship | One-time scholarship of up to ₹75,000 |
| Colgate Keep India Smiling Scholarship | One-time scholarship of ₹75,000 |
| Flipkart Foundation Scholarship Program | A fixed scholarship of ₹50,000 |
| IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship | ₹2 lakhs per year for two years |
| JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Program | One-time scholarship up to ₹25,000, depending on the course |
| Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan | One-time scholarship of ₹10,000 |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | Scholarships up to ₹75,000 |
| Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Program | Up to 80% of course fees or up to ₹12,000 (whichever is less) |
FAQs
How can I find scholarships to apply for?
You can find scholarships on university websites, government portals, private organizations, and scholarship search engines like Buddy4Study.
Do I need perfect grades to win a scholarship?
While excellent academic performance is essential for merit-based scholarships, there are many other types like need-based, extracurricular-based, and sports-based scholarships that do not solely depend on grades.
How do I write a strong scholarship essay?
To write a strong scholarship essay, ensure it is grammatically correct and clearly conveys your financial need, academic achievements, and personal story in a concise and compelling manner.
How can I ensure my scholarship application stands out?
Make your application stand out by being honest and reflective in your essays, highlighting your unique experiences, achievements, and contributions to the community.
How important are recommendation letters in scholarship applications?
Recommendation letters provide strong support by offering insight into your character and achievements. Choose recommenders who know you well and can write sincerely about your potential.
Who can apply for scholarships?
Scholarships are open to school students, college students, and even working professionals returning to education. Each has specific eligibility criteria, so read the guidelines carefully.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
Yes! Applying for multiple scholarships increases your chances. Just make sure to tailor each application to its specific criteria.
What are the common mistakes to avoid in scholarship applications?
Common mistakes include missing deadlines, submitting incomplete applications, writing generic essays, ignoring instructions, and failing to proofread.
What are the key requirements for winning a scholarship?
Key requirements typically include strong academics, extracurricular involvement, financial need, community service, and a well-prepared application.