I'm an international student exploring various countries for my undergrad studies and wondering what general scholarships I might be eligible for. Any advice on where to start looking would be appreciated.
Finding scholarships as an international student can be somewhat challenging given that many scholarships are often designed for domestic students. However, don't let that discourage you. Many colleges, universities, and organizations offer scholarships that are specifically intended for international students.
In many cases, a significant number of scholarships for international students are offered directly by the universities themselves. Some schools, such as Harvard University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offer need-blind admissions and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including internationals. This means they don't consider your ability to pay when deciding whether to admit you, and they ensure you can afford to attend if you're accepted.
In addition, be sure to check if the colleges you're interested in offer any merit-based scholarships that are open to international students. These are often awarded based on academic achievement but can also take into account factors like extracurricular involvement or special talents.
Outside of university-specific scholarships, various organizations offer scholarships for international students as well. These can be more broad-ranging, such as the Rotary International scholarships or the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
Another resource, Appily, offers a comprehensive database of scholarships, and allows you to filter the results based on whether you're an international student, your intended major, etc. It's a helpful tool that can make the daunting task of finding scholarships a bit more manageable.
In conclusion, focus on university-based scholarships, research global and national organizations that may have funding opportunities, and use scholarship databases to make the process more streamlined. Lastly, start early as many scholarships have deadlines that may be earlier than the application deadlines for colleges. Good luck with your search!
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