Applying Successfully for a Scholarship
After more than a year of economic uncertainty, more students who are applying to graduate programs are asking for financial assistance and scholarships. Most universities offer financial support to their alumni based on academic excellence or based on financial need. Students can also try to pursue scholarships external to the universities, such as the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Higher Education Grant, Islamic Development Bank Scholarship, ICT Fund, or Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research Scholarship. As demand for scholarships increase, they become more competitive. As such, students need to prepare their scholarship application carefully and thoughtfully. First, applicants should read the application carefully and prepare all the documents requested. Most scholarships clearly outline the criteria, documents, requirements, and deadlines. Students should read these and follow the directions and rules. Even the smallest error in an application can give the reviewers the wrong impression. Reviewers greatly appreciate when the application is well prepared, clear, and error-free. Most scholarships require a personal statement or essay, and this is the most important part of the application. Students need to tailor the essay to the mission of the organization. Applicants need to make it relevant to the scholarship but also need to make it personal. Reviewers will want to know more about who the applicant is, what talents they have, and what motivates them to pursue this graduate program. Students need to show their personal strengths and interests that make them unique and different from other applicants.
In addition to the personal statement, scholarship applications may ask for letters of reference. Students need to pick who will write these letters carefully. The references need to know the student’s personality as well as their work. The student should inform them about the scholarship criteria so that the reference can address these in their letters. They should also provide information about the organization that is awarding the scholarship, the selection process, and why the student is applying. And of course, students need to give the reference plenty of time to write the letters. They should not ask at the last minute and should give the reference the exact due date to submit the letter. Applicants can send a gentle reminder to assure that the letter was submitted.
Applying for a scholarship is as important as applying for a graduate program. Students should be organized and be attentive to the requirements of the application process. It is important to keep in mind that this is the student’s chance to showcase their motivation and persuade the reviewers that they are unique and deserve to be supported financially.
For more information about financial support at Zayed University, please contact the Deanship of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605 / dgs.recruitment@zu.ac.ae
For more information about programs, kindly check the Graduate Studies brochure:
Gen Advt- Al Ittihad 26x14(2021).pdf (335.45 kb)