After going through the painstaking tasks of finding a course that your heart desires, getting a scholarship to pursue the course would be the icing on the cake. Tertiary education does not come cheap. Thus a bit of financial assistance can go a long way in helping you realise your dreams.
There are scores of financial aids waiting for takers. These include scholarships, grants, bursaries, study loans and tuition fee waivers given by the different institutions.
- scholarship - financial support awarded to a student, based on achievement or merit or other criteria that may include financial need for the purpose of studying. Student does not need to repay.
- bursaries - no repayment is required. Scholarships are often given based on academic performance while bursaries provide financial assistance based on the student’s financial status.
- study loan -an agreement by which a student at a college or university borrows money from a bank to pay for their education and then pays the money back after they finish studying and start working.
- tuition fee waiver - the college or university reduces the amount it charges you. The waiver will reduce the cost of tuition for a designated number of credit hours but cannot be used for any other educational expenses.
StudyMalaysia.com/scholarships has compiled lists of scholarships available in Malaysia for students about to undertake or are currently undertaking tertiary education locally or abroad. The lists we have compiled are rather comprehensive though not exactly exhaustive.
Some pointers to bear in mind when applying for a scholarship:
- Carry out a thorough research on what scholarships suit you - the course, the university etc
- Once you have chosen a scholarship you wish to apply for, read up or search for all the eligibility requirements. These requirements may vary from one scholarship to another.
- Visit the website of the scholarship provider and make sure you satisfy all the criteria e.g basic qualification requirements
- Be aware of deadlines
- Take note of what is expected of you on completion of your course like whether you are required to serve a bond.
- You may need the following documents
- Certificates of your previous education (first degree, school leaving exams)
- Letters of recommendation (work/academic). The best people to go to for letters of recommendation are teachers who have taught you
- Have ready a copy of your curriculum vitae (cv)
- Certificates of your language skills such as TOEFL or IELTS.
- Many scholarship applications will require a motivation letter from you. Let your personality shine through in the letter. Give reasons why you think you deserve to receive the scholarship and why you choose a particular university and course.
Scholarships provide an opportunity for people to earn an education. Without assistance from an outside source, some students may have trouble paying for their degrees. Securing a scholarship will enable students to focus on their studies.
Thanks to all the scholarship providers a lot more students are able to pursue their tertiary education. They have taken the financial pressure off for many students and their families. Scholarships contribute to greater success in colleges and universities, helping students to graduate with their degrees and give back to society upon graduation.
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