An overseas education opens doors to multiple opportunities in life. Whether it is a better quality of life or finding professional success, an international education sets the foundation. However, it is not a joyride; it is an expensive process and requires meticulous planning.

Fortunately, there are multiple sources that can be turned to, to ease the process. When it comes to scholarships, the common misconception is that it is only for smart students. That is not true; scholarships and grants have various types and eligibility criteria.

Let us look at some of the things students can keep in mind while applying for an international scholarship.

BUILD A STRONG PROFILE

Scholarships are not only for the academically inclined. While it is necessary to have a strong GPA, preferably between 8.0 and 9.0 if you are looking for an undergrad course, and anything above 7.0 if you are going for a master's course, it is equally important to have some extracurricular achievements to add to your profile. Everything that you pursue carries weight - academics, sports, drama, music, etc. Universities want students who are versatile and willing to grow holistically.

RESEARCH UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Once you have narrowed down the universities you are considering, you can check out their website and see the scholarships available. Every university will have its own set of scholarships, some common across fields, some specific to fields and courses. The scholarship amount will vary but the good part is that you can apply for multiple scholarships.

LOOK BEYOND UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Next, you can explore scholarships and grants from other entities. There are many scholarships given by government bodies and private foundations. Your home country will have scholarships for students going abroad and the country to which you are applying will also have a number of scholarships for international students. The best way to find out about these scholarships is through the Department of Education of both countries.

APPLY FOR ALL RELEVANT SCHOLARSHIPS

As mentioned earlier, you do not have to pick just one scholarship. You can keep applying to university, private and government scholarships. Some may be a small grant, some may be significantly large; it all helps. Keep in mind that studying abroad does not involve only tuition; there is rent, utilities, travel, food, recreation and study material that also add to the expenses. So, even the small grants contribute to reducing the financial burden a little bit.

BEGIN EARLY

Begin at least 18 months before your course commencement. There are applications to be filled out and documents to be submitted, after which it officially gets scrutinized before you get a reply. All of this takes a while so do not wait until the last minute to send in your applications. Also, when you begin early, you have a fair amount of time to add new things to your profile and create a strong one. For example, if you read that certain certifications hold value, you can get those certifications, add them to your profile and then apply for the scholarship.

GET A PROFESSIONAL TO REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION

Even after you have done everything right, it is still the first time you are doing it. So, overconfidence will not help. Get your documents and SOP in order and run it past a professional. There are many education consultants who will review your application and offer valuable feedback that will help your case.

BE REAL

Finally, do not fake it. Write your essay with as much honesty as you can. Universities want to know that you are willing to put in the immense hard work required to learn, grow, and secure an amazing future. Do not glorify yourself too much; with humility, talk about your interests, skills, passion, and past accomplishments.

Scholarships are given to students based on their academic records, extracurricular achievements, financial background, socio-economic status, country of origin, and even their contribution to society. You will fit in either one category or multiple categories. Apply to all the relevant ones well in advance with confidence, and you will definitely stand a chance of securing them. While there are many applicants, there are many scholarship opportunities too. Good luck!