College/university is not cheap and if you want to pursue higher education, you may need to consider getting a scholarship. However, before you go hunt for your scholarship or even consider one for your college/university degrees, here are some of the things you should ask first:
1. Why do I want a scholarship?
Scholarships come in various types and benefits. There are scholarships which only cover a part of your tuition fee. Some others can only be used for one specific university or for local universities only. If these scholarships will restrain your plans, you can select bond-free university scholarships so that you can do the course you want without worrying about a collateral or a special condition you have to fulfill. However, if you wish to work for the government or for non-profit organizations, you may consider government or corporate scholarships. They may offer scholarships that would connect you to that dream organization you want to be a part with.
2. What field of study am I looking at? What kind of industries do I want to work in the future?
Scholarship bodies tend to have different scholarship plans for certain disciplines of study. Considering this fact, you will need to decide which course or courses you plan to take and then locate the scholarships that offer grants for them.
3. Who are the available providers?
Once you know the course you will pursue, it is now time to know the agencies you can apply for a scholarship grant.
4. Why am I interested in that organization?
When you narrow down the list of scholarships you wish to apply for, you should ask yourself why you want to work for that specific scholarship provider and if you can work well with them throughout your college career. Read up on each of the scholarship providers that you can apply to and check if they work well with clients through the reviews of past reviewers. You can also check their vision and mission and their company culture to see if you can grow with the help of this organization.
5. What are the terms and conditions?
Some scholarships come with certain terms and conditions that you have to fulfill or agree on before you are granted support. Usually, the condition comes in a bond period of 4 years if you will just study in Singapore or 6 years if you will study overseas. Ask yourself if you can work for this organization for 4 to 6 years and if there are implications if you do not agree with the bond. If you break your bond, you will not just pay for the monetary losses incurred by the provider, but also cause your reputation to earn a black mark since you did not complete your bond contract. You should also be aware that you can’t just change your courses in university when you feel like your passion is not covered by your chosen course.
6. What developmental opportunities do I get?
If you have a goal in mind, fight for it. Scholarships are a great way to pull in front of the pack and develop your CV. Some scholarships can offer internships for their supported students, which they can do for their term break. Internships can give you a glimpse of the organization you wish to work with and even give you extra points when you graduate out of university.
7. Can I wait?
Many often question themselves and others as to when they should apply for a scholarship now. A majority of scholarships offer either undergraduate and mid-term scholarships or those who are just beginning their undergraduate studies for two years. Deciding on a scholarship shouldn’t be done in a rush and you do need to consider your financial situation before you apply for one.
8. What is the monetary term of the award?
Some scholarships do not just cover tuition fees, but also living allowance and other expenses. If you wish to study abroad, you need to find scholarships that would help you get by throughout your school career. However, the more your scholarship covers, the larger your obligations will be once you finish your education.
9. Does your scholarship allow you to apply for other grants?
Since university education is not cheap, some students often look for university scholarships that would permit them to take more than one. Some scholarships do not permit multiple scholarships, and they may even prevent you do sideline activities to help you fund your schoolwork.
10. Am I just following the crowd?
Before you apply for a scholarship, ask yourself if you really need a scholarship or you are just following the trend started by your peers. You need to ensure that your scholarship matches your career goals because the scholarship you may be intending to take with your peers may not be the one that matches your career and needs.
