I'm planning to attend college in the USA, and I'm an international student. How should I approach applying for scholarships there? Any specific ones I should check out or common pitfalls to avoid?
Applying for scholarships as an international student involves a similar process as for US students, but it's important to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, be sure to ensure that the scholarships you're considering as open to international students. Some scholarships might only be available for US citizens or permanent residents, but numerous others are open to international candidates. Here are some steps to guide your scholarship search:
1. Start early: Scholarships can be highly competitive, especially those for international students. The sooner you start researching and applying, the better.
2. Use Scholarship Search Engines: There are numerous scholarship search websites available that can help you find scholarships based on your student profile. Commonly used platforms include Fastweb, Appily, or Scholarship.com. On these sites, you can set your profile to indicate you're an international student and receive notifications about suitable scholarships.
3. Explore College-Based Scholarships: Many US colleges offer scholarships for international students. Once you've narrowed down your list of potential schools, look at each school's financial aid website for information specifically about international student scholarships.
4. Check Out Country and Major-specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are specifically designed for students from a particular country or those pursuing a certain field or major. Be sure to look into these options as well.
5. Focus on Your Essays: Scholarships often require essays and these can make a big difference. It’s important to tailor your essay to each scholarship and to show deep reflection. This is not a numbers game - quality beats quantity.
6. Watch Out For Scams: Unfortunately, there are nefarious entities who take advantage of hopeful students. If you're asked to pay a fee to apply for or gain further information about a scholarship, consider it a red flag.
Remember, applying for scholarships is a long game. It takes time and dedicated effort, just like applying to college. Start early, stay organized, and keep your efforts targeted for the best results. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.