Scholarship Documents: Important Document for a Successful Scholarship Application?

Scholarship documents, There are important document needed for a successful scholarship application. Applying for a college or university scholarship is equally important as applying to a degree course so you should treat it with a lot of care and responsibility.

As you already know, scholarships are only offered to students with excellent academic performance so you either prepare for a scholarship opportunity in advance or be realistic about your chances of getting one.

Before you apply for a scholarship, it is important to consider this important step: contact an advisor at the university you want to apply to, or have already applied to, to get more detailed information.

You will find that some of the documents needed for the scholarship application process are the same ones the university requires when you apply for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Most Common Documents Requested for Scholarship Application

1. Completed Scholarship Application Form

When filling the application form, you should carefully check and accurately fill in all the sections of the application form correctly

2. Copy of Passport/ID

To ensure your travel documents are in order, your passport should remain valid for at least six months after your departure. For the application process, providing a copy of the main passport page, which includes your photo and personal details, will be sufficient.

3. Copies of Transcripts/Diplomas

To apply for a Bachelor degree or Bachelor diploma, please provide a transcript of records from the last school you graduated from or the school you are currently attending. The transcript should include all the courses you have taken, along with your grades and credits achieved for each course. Make sure this document is a photocopy with an official signature and stamp from your school or faculty.

For applying to a graduate Master course, the process is similar, and you should also submit a transcript of records with the same details and authentication from your school or faculty.

If you apply for a scholarship for an Erasmus programma, you should have already completed two semesters of studies.

Proof of English language proficiency (or other language – the one that is used as medium of instruction for the study programma you chose)

for English it can be: IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge
Spanish: DELE
French: DELF or DALF
German: DSH, TestDaF, OSD, telc

4. Statement of Purpose/Letter of Motivation

This statement should contain just a page as it should be around 400 words in which you explain your reasons why you applied to the chosen degree course and how it relates to your future studies and career goals.

Furthermore, in this statement/letter of motivation, it is important to be honest and transparent so as not to inflate with anything. You should also briefly present your qualities and how they would fit with the degree you selected.

5. Letter of Recommendation (1 or 2)

Additionally, it is usually, just one, but in some cases, you may be ask to provide two letters of recommendation. The letter(s)of recommendation should only come from one of your teachers/lecturers or employer/person that supervised your work (volunteering work counts as well).

This letter gives the scholarship provider more information about your qualities, skills, intellectual capacity and it can also reflect your desire or motivation for the degree course and/or university you chose.

6. CV (Curriculum Vitae)/Resume

Here, even if you don’t have any work experience at the moment you apply for a scholarship, you can simply include all your study experiences, such as your hobbies, interests, achievements and social skills. Remember to include all the languages that you can speak or that you know (including language certificates), but be honest about your proficiency level; add computer skills, volunteering work and any other courses that you completed (even short courses), especially if they all connect with your field of study.

7. Standardized Test Scores

Test scores such as SAT, ACT, GRE, GPA, and other assessments play’s an important role in the scholarship evaluation process for universities. Usually, high scores gives significant importance in the initial screening. However, the final decision regarding the scholarship offer is based on a holistic approach, considering all relevant documents and information provided by the applicant.

Additional Documents you may be Requested

1) Essay

In addition to the letter of motivation, you may be requested to write an essay and touch upon a certain subject, usually related to the scholarship. Think about what personal achievements recommend you for receiving the scholarship. Follow the guide lines of the essay as requested and make sure you don’t exceed by too much the number of words.

2) Portfolio

A portfolio is request to students who apply for art, design and other similar degrees and it should include artistic work and projects. In the case of an art degree, a portfolio is much more or equally relevant compared to your GPA score when it comes to showing your skills.

3) Parents’ Financial Information, Including tax Returns

When applying for scholarships, parents’ financial information, including tax returns, plays a crucial role in determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid. In the first paragraph, applicants should provide a comprehensive overview of their parents’ financial situation. This includes their annual income, assets, investments, and any other sources of financial support.

Additionally, the number of dependents in the household should be specified to give a clear picture of the family’s financial responsibilities. For transparency and verification purposes, applicants may be required to submit official tax returns for the past two years. These tax returns should include all relevant schedules and forms, such as W-2s, 1099s, and other supplementary income documentation.

4) A Medical Report/ Heath Evaluation Form

Signed by an authorized medical clinic/hospital from your home country

Final Tips Before you Send all the Documents for the Scholarship Application

1. Check properly your application form and all other documents for spelling and grammar errors before you send it.

2. Make sure you do not exceed the word limit given for any section of the application or for any other documents you may be requested to write.

3. Summit only the requested documentation and nothing more.

4. It is recommend that you make a complete copy of the application before you send it.

5. Keep in mind the exact date you have to send all the requested documents and be careful not to miss the deadline.

Read Also:

Scholarship Documents: Important Document for a Successful Scholarship Application?