Scholarships for ALL

Scholarships for ALL

BY R. Lee, Malaysia Education Fair Writer

INVESTING in education – any type of education that can better oneself – is always a smart move many would agree on. However, it involves quite a substantial amount of funding especially if the learner or student opts for a private top tier educational institution.

 

But fret not! Bear in mind there are many government and private organisations, as well as universities and colleges which offer a variety of scholarships for those keen on pursuing higher education. If you’re struggling to scrape together the money for tuition fees, accommodation and other living costs, perhaps take some time to look up scholarships which could be within your grasp.

 

You just need to know what they are, where you can find them, and how you can put yourself forward for them.  A successful scholarship application often requires a significant amount of time, but your efforts will be well worth it when you do successfully get the scholarship you need for the next step of your life.

 

This guide will give an idea on applying for a scholarship suitable to your needs.

 

Take time to do research

Start your research early to avoid missing out on excellent scholarships. You would need to research scholarships, request information and application forms, and complete your application by the given dateline. The more time you can put into your scholarship search, the more options you’ll have.

 

Check your eligibility

Does the scholarship suit what you need? Is it available for the programme or the institution you plan to go for? There’s a number of scholarships available in Malaysia, based on specific criteria such as academic performance/merit-based scholarships, extracurricular scholarships, needs-based scholarships, institution-based scholarships, and more. Also check up on bursaries, early-bird discounts, stipends that some institutions may offer.

 

Include all required (correct) information

When you are applying for a scholarship(s), make sure you have all of the information that the selection panel has requested in your application. And ensure that all details are accurate! It does not make a good impression if the panel finds incorrect or missing information in your application, particularly if the info was specifically requested. But do also keep in mind not to insert too much information. Nobody needs to know you won a school-organised cooking competition when you were in Standard One.

 

Provide referees/references

It is a plus point in any interview/application if you have a legit referee to vouch for you. Students may approach a trusted teacher, or employer (if you’ve worked part time or did volunteer work) and ask for permission to include them in your application, as well as write a recommendation letter detailing your skills, attitude, behaviour, and experience. This also lets them know you are in the midst of applying for a scholarship.

 

Don’t, DON’T miss the closing date

Do not do things last minute. Mistakes are often made during rushed jobs. Allow yourself at least a few days of leeway to ready your application and make corrections if any are found.

 

To find out more information on scholarships, bursaries, and discounts, one could head to the upcoming education fair organised by Malaysia Education – which has over 20 year of experience in the Higher Education sector.

 

The Malaysia Education Fair will be held on April 17 and 18 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre from 11am to 6pm. All-under-one-roof, the fair will house an array of higher-learning institutions – including Quest International University Perak, UOW KDU Malaysia, AIMST University, SEGI College, TARUC, Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology & many more – with trained education counsellors and experts who are ready to answer every query about courses offered, scholarships, taking the next step, and more, you or your parents may have.

Log onto www.malaysiaeducation.com.my for more information, or contact Leong and Jasmine at info@successgroup.com.my from 9am to 7pm on Monday to Friday.