How to get a scholarship

Financing your studies: What does a merit-based scholarship entail?

One of the first questions to ask yourself before applying to college, or university is: how will I finance my studies? However, this question can prove to be a major burden for many students and their families. A recent German study on working while studying, by the ‘Deutsches Studentwerke’ showed that as tuition fees continue to rise, so does the percentage of working students. The study showed that although the percentage of students working during their studies is increasing, the number of students who are solely financed by their parents is on a decline.

No matter the reason, paying high tuition fees can be a source of stress for many – even for those studying in tuition-free countries like Germany. But don’t fear, there are many options for financing your studies. One of the most common ways to pay for university is with the help of scholarships. There are several types of scholarships available for students, however some of them are conditional, like merit-based scholarships. Scholarships with conditions attached, such as a merit-based scholarships are usually outlined by the giver, which sets certain standards to be fulfilled in order to receive the scholarship. These standards might be dependent on the student’s academic achievement, or a combination of academic performance and special talent, trait, or interest.

Scholarships can also be based on financial need, or geared towards a specific group of people. For example there are scholarships for women, athletes, or even specific for graduate students. Some are dependent on the parents’, or one’s own workplace, or to a certain background – for instance military scholarships for families from the army. Scholarships can be a one-time payment of a specific amount of money, or a continuous payment for the total costs of tuition. No matter your circumstance, it’s worth applying for scholarships to help reduce the cost of your education. And the best part about scholarships is, they do not need to be repaid; scholarships are free gifts.

If you want to find more information on scholarships by country, visit our ‘Universities by Country’ pages, select your desired country and read our sections on ‘How to get a scholarship in…’.