How to Get a Fully Funded Scholarship Abroad as a Nigerian
Many reasons push Nigerians to seek quality education outside. For one, the past few years have seen Universities in the country suffer countless strikes. And in addition, the economy is failing. Unfortunately, the failing economy means there are no guarantees of securing well-paying jobs after tertiary education.
For these reasons, many Nigerians are hunting for how to get a fully funded scholarship abroad.
If you’re like these Nigerians, this article will walk you through tips on how to get a fully funded scholarship abroad. We’ll also cover institutions that are currently offering scholarships to international candidates.
Read on!
4 Tips to Get Fully Funded Scholarship Abroad
1. Choose a Suitable Course in an Appropriate Country
Not all countries are appropriate for running degree programs. For example, a degree in Medicine in Canada takes only three to five years, while in India, this could last for six or seven years. Therefore, it’s best to study Medicine in Canada, the Uk, the USA, and Germany than in India.
On the other hand, Finland, New Zealand, and Hungary are best for studying agriculture. While a degree in Fashion design is best obtained in France and South Africa.
When you apply for a degree in these countries, you get access to explore learning opportunities at a world-class standard. Plus, their time to graduation is short compared to other countries.
2. Prepare Your Documents Early
Early preparation is essential when looking to get a fully funded scholarship abroad. Why? Because application deadlines close early.
Once you figure out what to study and the appropriate country to choose, you should prepare the relevant documents immediately. If, however, you’re unsure of where to start, here are some essential documents to keep close;
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose. Alternatively, you can go for a personal statement, essay, or motivation letter.
- Previous educational degrees like school leaving certificates, transcripts, or first degree
- Language certificates like TOEFL or IELTS
- And extra exams like the GRE or GMAT. These are important, especially if you’re applying for a graduate business program.
In addition to preparing these documents, ensure to make hard copies. Hard copies will always come in handy when you miss any documents or need to resubmit. But that aside, preparing your documents early helps you create an outstanding letter.
3. Choose a Scholarship Program
Various countries offer scholarships to international students. However, these scholarship programs differ depending on factors such as grade, household income, country of origin, and field of study. Here are some scholarship programs to consider as a Nigerian student:
UK Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship, sponsored by the British Government, is the most popular UK scholarship for international students. It was established in 1983 but runs in regions such as Asia and Africa. And since its inception, many Nigerians have leveraged it to further their education abroad.
But Chevening Scholarship isn’t the only Uk scholarship. Claredon Scholarship, Oxford Grace Lake Scholarship, and the University of Strathclyde Faculty of Science Masters Scholarship are other UK scholarships for international students.
Chinese Government Scholarship
The Chinese Scholarship Council sponsors this scholarship for international students to pursue degrees in Medicine and other courses. The scholarship is also suitable for students looking to study the Chinese language.
Germany DAAD Scholarship
The German Academic Exchange Service offers international students scholarship opportunities to study various graduate and postgraduate degrees. Students are also awarded research grants and allowed to research in Germany’s universities and non-university research institutions. In addition, they get funded internships when they apply for specific programs.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing postgraduate degrees. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, maintenance allowance, family allowance, fieldwork, and even a visa. To qualify for the scholarship, students must apply for only subjects available at the University of Cambridge.
These are ideal scholarships you can apply for as a Nigerian student. Remember to do your due diligence by researching each of them and ensuring they offer your preferred program.
4. Pay Attention to Deadlines
It can be hurtful to prepare for scholarships and miss the application deadlines. And in most cases, when this happens, applicants are subjected to waiting an extra year to reapply. In addition, they risk losing their financial aid opportunities.
But deadlines are avoidable. When you learn about the deadline of a particular scholarship, create your own. Ensure to set your deadline earlier than the stipulated time for the application. Finally, mark the deadlines on your calendar, set a reminder, or find an accountability partner to help you.
In Conclusion
Getting a fully funded scholarship abroad is possible. But first, you must follow the tips discussed in this article to make that happen. Remember to prepare your documents early, choose a scholarship program, and keep to deadlines. Doing this will help you get a fully funded scholarship at your preferred institution.