Documents Checklist to Apply for Scholarships in 2023
Documents Required for Successful Scholarship Application
Make a list of all the documents required to apply for the fully-funded scholarships today. If you start now, then you will be able to complete the whole set of documents needed for a successful scholarship application submission.
You need to be very careful with your scholarship application submission in order to avoid any unforeseen errors. This can be done if you become a little too extra careful in preparing your documents package for the scholarship application. Most of the students do one common mistake and that is they leave original documents at a photocopy shop or somewhere else. As an educationist, I suggest you buy the best documents bag to ensure the safety of your original documents.
It would be quite right to say that the scholarship application process and documentation should be followed as you follow the application process for a final degree with lots of care being taken. You should begin preparing your mind to apply and win scholarships early in your studies because it will eventually decrease the academic financial burdens off your shoulders.
It is also recommended to contact some university personnel for detailed information about the scholarship and the documentation required for it. This contact is necessary even if you are a talented student and sure of winning a scholarship.
Full List of Scholarship Application Documents:
Some of the documents required for applying for scholarships are the same as you have to submit while applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree. However, the most commonly required documents are:
#1 Admission/Scholarship Application Form Complete in all Respects
The very first and most important document required for winning a scholarship is the complete application form. Thus, it is recommended to check and fill each and every column of the form before submission to avoid rejection.
#2 Copy of National ID or Passport
The next requirement for a successful scholarship application is a copy of your valid passport. Here, one thing to keep in mind always is that your passport should be valid even for six months after the completion of the degree. Most colleges and universities recommend attaching the first page of the passport that contains all the necessary information about you.
#3 Attested Copies of Transcripts or Diplomas
Another very important requirement for being successful in winning a scholarship is the submission of verified copies of your transcripts or diplomas. If you are applying for a degree program, the verified copies of your last school of degree or the school which you are still attending are needed. Here, it is pertinent to mention that the photocopies of all the transcripts and diplomas should have original signs and stamps of the college authorities to avoid rejection.
You should also have to submit the language proficiency examination to prove to be eligible for admission. Most commonly the courses are offered in the English language and require an English Proficiency Exam before applying. However, different exams are recommended for different countries. Some of these are:
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- IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge for the English language.
- DELE for the Spanish language.
- DELF or DALF for the French language.
- And, DSH, TestDAF, OSD, or telc for the German language.
#4 Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose or letter of motivation is also another important document required because it explains your future goals and objectives. Always keep it up to 400 words long and avoid inflating it with wrong or misleading information. You have to state the reasons for applying to that particular scholarship program.
#5 Recommendation Letters
You will have to submit a recommendation letter along with your application form. Most colleges and universities require one recommendation form. But, there are many institutions that require two letters of recommendation. In both cases, a letter of recommendation from your teacher or supervisor is required because it tells a lot about your academic achievements.
The recommendation letter enables the scholarship provider to guess more about your intellectual abilities and the motivation level for the achievement of that particular degree.
#6 Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
For being successful in a scholarship, you have to submit your Scholarship CV or resume. This does not mean that the scholarship provider requires information about your professional experience. Instead, they intend to know your study experience, your hobbies, your interests, your social skills, and finally your leadership qualities.
Here, once again you need to be careful and always mention your computer skills and level of proficiency in the medium of studies. Do not exaggerate things and write about your real achievements.
#7 Your Score in Standardized Tests
Almost all the universities and colleges providing scholarships require you to pass SAT, GRE, ACT, GPA, or other recommended tests. Always keep in mind that the students scoring high marks on these tests are preferred over those who get a low score. However, this is not something they consider for awarding the scholarship. Instead, they check minutely all your documents before recommendation.
#8 Research Proposal, Study Plan
Most Universities demand a study plan from master’s degree applicants and a research proposal from doctoral degree applicants.
Additional Documents Required for Scholarship Application Submission
Apart from the above-mentioned documents, you may have to submit some more documents depending upon the college or university you are applying for a scholarship. These documents of scholarship application may include:
#1 Writing a Scholarship Essay
Some scholarship providers may ask you to write a scholarship essay about scholarship-related topics. Keep the number of words to a certain limit and try exposing the academic achievements that enabled you to apply for that scholarship.
#2 Portfolio
You may have to submit your portfolio if you intend to apply for arts, design, or other similar degrees. This is because your portfolio describes your GPA score achieved during degree completion.
#3 Financial Statement of Your Parents including Tax Returns
To be eligible for the scholarship, you will have to submit the financial statement of your parent’s annual income with proof. Also, the tax returns submitted by them fall under the tax net.
#4 Medical Certificates
Submission of medical reports or your health care is also among the many necessary documents to be eligible to apply for the scholarship. The medical certificate should be issued by a registered medical practitioner or government hospital.
Always keep in mind that the documents should be submitted in the language of that country in which you are applying for a scholarship. You can also submit two copies, one in English and the other in the national language of the country (if not English) where you apply for a scholarship. The translation should be done through an authorized translator.
Final Tips before Submission of Scholarship Application
After fulfilling all the requirements and attaching the documentary proofs, you should follow these final tips.
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- Check all the documents for grammatical and spelling mistakes to avoid the first bad impression.
- Never exceed the word limit if it is specified in the application form.
- Submit only those documents that the university or college requires.
- For your safety keep the photocopy of all the documents with you.
- Always submit the application before the due date to avoid rejection.
