<div align="justify">The cost of higher education is going up by the year. Qualified and talented faculty, good infrastructure and related facilities for students cost institutions huge investments because of which tuition and other fees are rising, especially for professional programmes and courses. But, going to a reputed academic institution is important, as a good college degree can be your passport to a dream job.<br /><br />This is exactly why finding, applying for, and bagging a good scholarship is so important today. It is crucial for bridging the gap between the increasing costs of higher education and what you can afford to pay on your own. There is no dearth of scholarships these days. Apart from university and college scholarships for students who excel academically, there are a large number of merit-cum-means scholarships and even freeships for the less-privileged. The Ministry of External Affairs too offers many scholarships including those for diaspora children. The objective is to promote India as a centre for higher studies.<div align="justify"><br />For students wanting to study outside India, there are many international scholarships offered by governments, organisations and universities abroad. At present, UK, China, Korea, Israel, Japan, Italy, Mexico and several other countries offer scholarships for Indian students. Similarly, there are many non-government organisations, in India and abroad, engaged in assisting students to get higher education. <br /><br />Apart from academic excellence, scholarship can also be won for outstanding extracurricular, artistic or athletic ability or any other illustrious achievement. Additionally, other specific criteria, such as campus development activities or community service, work experience and financial need are also taken into account while awarding scholarships.<br /><br />A number of private and philanthropic trusts also sponsor higher education and offer scholarships and financial aid opportunities to deserving students in one or the other form. Parents, guardians and students need to be aware of these opportunities and make the most of them. In this highly competitive world, the challenge is to scout around for the most viable option. Here are some tips to help you get the best of what’s available: <br /><br />Do enough research <br /><br />A scholarship application generally contains the university’s or sponsor’s scholarship selection criteria. Do a bit of research; go to their website and study the criteria well. Select a course that is interesting and offers a good number of scholarships. Also, look for the organisation’s/sponsor’s mission statement and tailor your application accordingly; you will stand a good chance.<br /><br />Apply for as many as possible<br /><br />It’s a numbers game and even among the most accomplished students, luck is a factor. So, apply to as many places as you can. you need to give names of references, check with them beforehand and brief them about yourself, your educational accomplishments, interests and inclinations. Many institutions like to cross check your accomplishments with the referees. <br />Don’t shy away from essays<br /><br />Often, students are lazy and avoid scholarship contests that require them to write an essay. But a well-written essay increases your chances of success so don’t shy away from it. If your essay stands out among the plethora of applications, it increases your chances of bagging a scholarship. Give the essay your best shot. <br /><br />Let your voice come through<br /><br />When you’re writing a scholarship essay, include a lot of details about yourself – the person you are, your aim and aspirations in life etc. It’s usually a good idea to focus on a problem and elaborate on how you solved it. Anything that highlights your exceptional skills and your problem-solving abilities is likely to impress.<br /><br />Do community work<br /><br />Many sponsors, especially non-profit ones, often look to support students who have a track record of volunteering or doing community service. Students who volunteer for social work enjoy a huge advantage with scholarships. It makes their scholarship application more impressive and they stand a better chance when compared with others.<br /><br />Look out for local sponsors<br /><br />Look around for local scholarships. Also, check bulletin boards at financial aid offices and other likely places. Local scholarships, though small in amount, are easier to win than national ones where the competition is stiffer.<br /><br />See the worth of the course<br />A word of caution: don’t just go by the scholarship amount. See the worth of the course, its market value and job potential and most importantly your interest in the subject/course.<br /><br />(The author is chancellor, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar)</div></div>
<div align="justify">The cost of higher education is going up by the year. Qualified and talented faculty, good infrastructure and related facilities for students cost institutions huge investments because of which tuition and other fees are rising, especially for professional programmes and courses. But, going to a reputed academic institution is important, as a good college degree can be your passport to a dream job.<br /><br />This is exactly why finding, applying for, and bagging a good scholarship is so important today. It is crucial for bridging the gap between the increasing costs of higher education and what you can afford to pay on your own. There is no dearth of scholarships these days. Apart from university and college scholarships for students who excel academically, there are a large number of merit-cum-means scholarships and even freeships for the less-privileged. The Ministry of External Affairs too offers many scholarships including those for diaspora children. The objective is to promote India as a centre for higher studies.<div align="justify"><br />For students wanting to study outside India, there are many international scholarships offered by governments, organisations and universities abroad. At present, UK, China, Korea, Israel, Japan, Italy, Mexico and several other countries offer scholarships for Indian students. Similarly, there are many non-government organisations, in India and abroad, engaged in assisting students to get higher education. <br /><br />Apart from academic excellence, scholarship can also be won for outstanding extracurricular, artistic or athletic ability or any other illustrious achievement. Additionally, other specific criteria, such as campus development activities or community service, work experience and financial need are also taken into account while awarding scholarships.<br /><br />A number of private and philanthropic trusts also sponsor higher education and offer scholarships and financial aid opportunities to deserving students in one or the other form. Parents, guardians and students need to be aware of these opportunities and make the most of them. In this highly competitive world, the challenge is to scout around for the most viable option. Here are some tips to help you get the best of what’s available: <br /><br />Do enough research <br /><br />A scholarship application generally contains the university’s or sponsor’s scholarship selection criteria. Do a bit of research; go to their website and study the criteria well. Select a course that is interesting and offers a good number of scholarships. Also, look for the organisation’s/sponsor’s mission statement and tailor your application accordingly; you will stand a good chance.<br /><br />Apply for as many as possible<br /><br />It’s a numbers game and even among the most accomplished students, luck is a factor. So, apply to as many places as you can. you need to give names of references, check with them beforehand and brief them about yourself, your educational accomplishments, interests and inclinations. Many institutions like to cross check your accomplishments with the referees. <br />Don’t shy away from essays<br /><br />Often, students are lazy and avoid scholarship contests that require them to write an essay. But a well-written essay increases your chances of success so don’t shy away from it. If your essay stands out among the plethora of applications, it increases your chances of bagging a scholarship. Give the essay your best shot. <br /><br />Let your voice come through<br /><br />When you’re writing a scholarship essay, include a lot of details about yourself – the person you are, your aim and aspirations in life etc. It’s usually a good idea to focus on a problem and elaborate on how you solved it. Anything that highlights your exceptional skills and your problem-solving abilities is likely to impress.<br /><br />Do community work<br /><br />Many sponsors, especially non-profit ones, often look to support students who have a track record of volunteering or doing community service. Students who volunteer for social work enjoy a huge advantage with scholarships. It makes their scholarship application more impressive and they stand a better chance when compared with others.<br /><br />Look out for local sponsors<br /><br />Look around for local scholarships. Also, check bulletin boards at financial aid offices and other likely places. Local scholarships, though small in amount, are easier to win than national ones where the competition is stiffer.<br /><br />See the worth of the course<br />A word of caution: don’t just go by the scholarship amount. See the worth of the course, its market value and job potential and most importantly your interest in the subject/course.<br /><br />(The author is chancellor, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar)</div></div>
