We all know the adage, “If it was easy then everyone would do it.” Well, the truth is that the scholarship process isn’t always easy. In fact, it takes hard work and dedication.
While you’re applying for that scholarship, be sure to look out for the previous winners. If accessible, find out their winning strategies. Chances are, they’ll work for you too. Read through the winning essays or entries, you could tailor yours to have the same structure, you could do better.
A lot of things come with applying for scholarships, it takes time, a lot of it. Planning, drafting, scheming, paying attention to details and a whole lot. If it comes in the form of a competition, then you definitely will have to invest time in preparing for it.
No one goes to war empty-handed right?
One of the things that easily discourage students from applying is huge time demands. However, in most cases it’s the rigorous ones that are completely dodged and surprisingly the easy shots to score.
By being willing to put in the time and effort, you are functionally in the minority. Many students don’t apply for many scholarships because of the work required, so you are facing less competition. And less competition means better odds of winning!
If you take the time to look for lesser-known ones, you may find yourself with even more notable odds of winning if you are able to seize the opportunities.
While most people associate winning one with paying tuition, that isn’t necessarily the only thing for which the funds can be used. Sure, some scholarships are restricted to tuition only, but many can be used for other school-related expenses.
One of the most common secondary uses is other mandatory costs. Things like textbooks and required software can be incredibly expensive, but they are necessary to get through the classes. Scholarships that allow some spending flexibility are designed to make these costs more manageable as well.
But that isn’t where it ends either! Costs associated with accommodation can be covered with certain scholarship monies. That means no out of pocket expenses for the hostel room, hostel dues,bedspace. This means you can have your classes covered, books and software needs met, a roof over your head, and food on the table, all without spending a dime of your own money.
That has to be the end, right? Actually, no, it doesn’t. Some of the money is paid directly to the student so they can use it in any way that supports their education. Need heavy data subscription for your researches when the school wifi is down? ,Need to replace a spoilt laptop? Use scholarship money. How about a change of wardrobe for the new semester? Yep, scholarship money to the rescue.
And it’s this potential for flexibility that makes getting as much as you can in scholarship awards really worth the effort. So, what do you think?
Applying for scholarships are not not as scary as they appear, and guess what? There are lots of them, both indigenous and international, available to Nigerian students. Take time out to check them out and apply.
You may or may not be lucky in your first attempt, but don’t let it stop you. The more experienced you are, the better your chances of winning one.
A lot of educational sites provide links to these types of scholarships, and you could check them out right here, in our next discussions.
Got any questions or comments? Leave me a comment right underneath this post.
Yours sincerely,
Ifeomachukwu.