Find & Apply for Master’s Scholarships: Step-by-Step Guide

Pursuing a Master's has always been exciting. However, the cost of education can be overwhelming. The good news is that scholarships are available. But students often lack guidance on how to approach and secure scholarships.

Whether you are planning for top universities in India or dreaming of universities abroad, the right scholarship can significantly reduce your financial burden. But finding the right platform and applying for scholarships needs a proper strategy and a strong application process.

In this blog, we will guide you through the important steps to find and apply for master's scholarships. Whether you’re planning to study a master's in India or abroad, this guide will simplify the scholarship process.

Why are Scholarships Important?

• With the rising cost of education, funding higher studies has become a challenging task. Though the option of education loans is available, you are required to pay back the loan with interest. This is why scholarships have become an incredible option for sponsoring higher education, which you don't even have to repay. This indeed eliminates financial stress and helps you stay focused, allowing you to achieve your academic goals. 
• Scholarships cover expenses such as tuition fees, living expenses, and other academic expenses, which reduces the financial burden. Many talented students who wish to seek admission to international universities in the US, UK, Canada, etc., drop their plans of pursuing higher studies due to a lack of funds.
• These scholarships make it accessible for deserving students, irrespective of their financial background. Usually, scholarships add value to a student's profile and strengthen the resume. In addition, Scholarships help in building a strong network of like-minded individuals, which is an important part of career success.

Types of Scholarships Available for Master's

Different types of scholarships are available for students pursuing a Master's in India or abroad. These may be offered by universities, government bodies, or private organisations and are based on specific eligibility criteria. If you're seeking a scholarship for a master's abroad, several options are available, including merit-based and need-based scholarships.

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

• These scholarships are awarded to students based on exceptional academic performance, extracurricular activities, and other outstanding achievements. These scholarships are designed to recognise top talent with high performance and reduce the financial burden, thus encouraging deserving candidates. 
• In India, various government organisations, private bodies, and other universities offer these scholarships. Students with a strong academic background from IITs, IIMs, and other prestigious institutions are eligible for these merit-based scholarships.
• Some famous scholarships, such as INSPIRE scholarships by the Department of Science and Technology, KVPY(Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana) scholarships administered by IISc(Indian Institute of Science), and private organisations such as Tata Trusts and Reliance Foundation, also support students with these scholarships. 
• For Students aiming to study abroad, many international universities and government institutions offer financial support to meritorious students. Scholarships such as the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship(USA), Chevening scholarships(UK), and DAAD scholarships(Germany) are a few among the most prestigious. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other education-related expenses.
• The eligibility for these scholarships often depends on the academic results, standard test scores, interviews, etc., though the competition is high, expert guidance and a winning application can significantly increase the chances of getting a scholarship for students.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

• These scholarships are awarded to students who require financial assistance, irrespective of their academic backgrounds. These are designed to make education accessible to all sections of society. To avail these scholarships, students are required to demonstrate their economic status to be eligible for the same.
• In India, many government schemes and private initiatives are sponsoring these scholarships, given based on the financial status of he students. Schemes such as the central sector scheme of scholarships for college and university students(CSSS), National scholarship for post-graduate studies(NSPG), provide scholarships for meritorious students with a weak economic background.
• Private foundations such as Azim Premji Foundation, TATA Trusts, and Aditya Birla Scholarships also offer need-based scholarships. These are provided based on the income and other socioeconomic indicators.
• For students eying universities abroad, many international institutions offer need-based scholarships. USA universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford award need-based scholarships based on the financial evaluation of the students.
• The eligibility to get these scholarships requires candidates to submit financial documents. Sometimes, the students are also required to demonstrate the purpose, strongly explaining why they need it.

Other scholarships are categorised based on the communities, such as Minorities, women, LGBTQ, and other marginalised community groups. These are the Scholarships for Underrepresented Students. To be eligible for this scholarship, solid proof of belonging to a particular community, gender, ethnicity, etc, needs to be submitted.

Some Scholarships aim to provide financial support for international students. To be eligible for these scholarships student being an international student is a mandatory condition. Language proficiency tests such as TOEFL and IELTS are required.

Steps to Apply for Scholarships

Because of the heavy competition that scholarships have, proper planning and a winning approach are always required to get a sure shot. However, below are the basic steps needed to follow before applying for a scholarship.

A Comprehensive Research

• Before applying for any scholarships, it is recommended that students do thorough research and identify the scholarships that are available in the market. Students can use government websites, such as the National Scholarship Portal, private scholarship databases like WeMakeScholars, etc, to find the scholarships that match their interests, country, etc. 
• This will help students gather the list of available scholarships, and they can have multiple options. The more informed you are, the better options you have, and the better chances of scholarships. The earlier the better; this will help students to take the edge over the competitors.

Understand the Eligibility Criteria

• As mentioned above, scholarships are categorized based on certain factors; each scholarship has a different set of eligibility criteria to be met by students. Based on the scholarship type, the eligibility criteria vary, such as academic eligibility, financial eligibility, etc.
• Students need to carefully check and meet the eligibility criteria to reduce scholarship rejections. Also advisable for students is not to waste time on scholarships that do not match them. Because providers are very particular about the eligibility upon which the scholarship is awarded.

Keep Important Documents Ready

• Scholarship providers, after a thorough verification, will only offer scholarships. Students are recommended to organise all the necessary documents as per the requirements of the scholarship type. This saves a lot of time and makes the process stress-free.
• Gathering all the required documents and preparing for the application is a time-consuming process. So an early start can avoid last-minute hassles and reduce the chances of scholarship rejections. Understand the deadline and act accordingly.

Application Process

• A strong application process can increase scholarship chances. Students need to follow the instructions carefully before applying for any scholarship. Paying attention to all the instructions and the specific requirements can make a strong application.
• Tailor your application to the scholarship objectives and highlight your skills that match the requirements. A compelling essay showcasing your academic achievement and career aspirations with a clear explanation of why you deserve the scholarship could be a game-changer.
• Seeking recommendations can strengthen your profile and double the chances of getting a scholarship. Before applying, it is recommended to make sure that all the details provided are accurate and complete.

Track the application

• Once you submit the application form, it is essential to keep track of the application process and stay informed. Many students often make this mistake of submitting the application and forgetting, but timely follow-ups can help students meet any additional requirements if needed. This also ensures the submission of all the necessary documents.
• Most scholarships, either in India or abroad, have the option of tracking the application. Apply on the credible portals to monitor and get authentic information. It is highly recommended to check the email and spam folders to maintain regular communication with the universities.
• Do not hesitate to contact the support or helpline provided by the scholarship portal if you need any assistance or if you feel your application is stuck anywhere.

Scholarship Interviews

• Some prestigious universities require attending interviews to avail scholarships. These interviews assess not only your academic achievements but also your leadership qualities and personality. Research the scholarship providers thoroughly and prepare for some common questions.
• Questions related to your background, goals, and how a scholarship can help achieve them are expected in these interviews. Make sure to demonstrate a strong purpose and explain why you this this scholarship. Use your real-time experience to demonstrate your leadership qualities and the challenges you have overcome.
• A pro tip is to research the organization that is providing the scholarship is being provided by and understand the mission and objective. Ensuring that the objective of the organization aligns with the purpose and your goals increases the chances of getting a scholarship.

Why WeMakeScholars is the Best

WeMakeScholars has supported thousands of students in getting scholarships and helped them achieve their academic goals.

1. Government-Backed and Reliable: WeMakeScholars is an initiative funded and supported by the government of India under the Digital India Campaign. Our motive is to offer unbiased scholarship support to deserving students, thus encouraging genuine candidates to achieve their dreams. The interesting part is that this service is free of cost, as this initiative comes under the Digital India campaign.
2. Comprehensive Database: WeMakeScholars is a one-stop shop that has a reliable and comprehensive database that has verified scholarships from all sources, such as government organisations, private institutions, etc. This gives students enough options to discover the relevant scholarship options. Students across the world have access to filter and explore all the available scholarships that are available from indian and global universities.
3. Transparent, Unbiased, and Free service: Unlike consultants and agents who charge hefty fees, WeMakeScholars' working process is so transparent that we do not charge any fee, prioritising students' welfare. This makes us unique and accessible to all sections of society.
4. Strong Success Rate: Thousands of students have successfully achieved their career goals with our scholarship support. We, as an initiative backed by the government of India, strive for the welfare of students in India and across the world. 5-star reviews, real success stories speak for us.

In essence, WeMakeScholars stands out with a combination of transparency, technology, and trust, making it the go-to option for students seeking scholarships.

Conclusion

Scholarships are an incredible source of funding for student education, especially with high academic goals. With the cutthroat competition for scholarships across the globe, expert guidance could be a game-changer. WeMakeScholars offers comprehensive scholarship support to students with an incredible database of scholarships covering India and the globe.

Our success rate speaks for itself, as we are the leader in providing scholarships. Reach out to us for a winning scholarship application and get a sure shot at financial support.