5 Questions to Answer in Order to Secure that Scholarship

You want that scholarship really badly, but every time you apply for one, it just doesn’t seem to pan out. You throw your phone to the ground in frustration, at how unfair the world is. We at afterschool.mythought it would be wise to help you rectify the situation, and save your phone from a premature end. So, put your phone safely back into your pocket, and check if you’ve asked yourself these 5 questions.

Where?

Before you decide the course you desire, ask yourself which institution offers this course - Image via teachingchannel.org

No, don’t get Waze out just yet, it can’t help you with this. Decide exactly where you want to go and check if that institution offers your course of choice. Often times, students are so enamoured by their dreams that they don’t even know which institutions offer the course they intend to pursue. Don’t be that person! You’ll then be able to read on the scholarships offered by the institution itself, which can vary from tuition waivers to full scholarships, and just like that, you’ll have that scholarship you craved for.

Why?

In order to feel constantly motivated and achieve that grit, you must not only have an idea why you want to pursue this course but also the implications that you will face

You need to know exactly why you intend to pursue a certain course, whether it’s medicine, law, mass communications and the like. Not only will it help motivate and drive you further, but your answer will also come in handy, especially if there’s an interview for the scholarship you applied for, where this question is sure to pop up. You’ll be able to convey your passion and desire through your words, instead of just responding with, “Erm, my parents want me to do it”.

When?

Now that you have smartphones that have reminders, you no longer need to go and find the right time to apply for a scholarship - Image via windowscentral.com

There has never been a more diverse variety of scholarships on offer. What is the downside to that? You may get lost in the steady stream of them, and completely miss the application window, causing you to cry in a corner and give up on all your hopes and dreams. Don’t be that person! Mark down all the expected scholarship dateson your phone calendar, you’ll be organized and the first one to send an application in.

How?

Before filling the form, you would need to know how to do it. There would be specific instructions mentioned in the form.

Do you know why many students get their respective applications for a scholarship rejected? They fail to properly comply with the normally strict requirements, including how to fill in the application form. As excited as you may be once the scholarship page pops up as you quickly scribble in your remarkable grades, take time to read the guidelines and instructions, it’s as important as filling in the application, if not more.

Who?

There’s no point daydreaming and binge-watching your favourite shows after you finish SPM. In fact, it’s a great time for you to think about what course you want to pursue

Who do you want to become when you grow up? It’s important to stop dilly-dallying and get up of that couch, turn off that TV set, and decide. Many scholarships will point out preferred fields of study their scholarship is aimed at. So once you decide, you’ll be able to filter out the ones that don’t have your decided course on their check-list, helping concentrate on applying the ones that apply to you!