How to Get a Scholarship from 0 (Zero) — A Step-by-Step Tutorial

In this article, I specifically created it for people who dream of studying abroad but don’t know where to start.

There are three important points that I will share.

Part one: how to choose a major, university, country, and scholarship.

Part two: what documents you need to prepare

Part three: Creating a study strategy and schedule

1. How to choose a major, university, country, and scholarship

You can open the website:

https://www.mastersportal.com/

because this website is global, the information within it may not be up to date, but you can use it for inspiration.

But don’t be confused there are three schemas that can help you choose (based on people who have experience studying abroad).

- Major Oriented: you prioritize the major over the university and the country

You can search in the program portal, and many options will appear.

From the various options, you can check whether there is availability for scholarships or not.

The easiest way to find out if there are scholarships available is to visit the official website of the program and the university you want to apply to

What you must remember, and this is important information, is that the most up-to-date information about scholarships is always available on the official university website

On the official university website, you can search using the two keywords ‘finance your study & scholarship’

- Country Oriented: More prioritizing which country over the major or the university.

If you want something like this, you should know that each country has its own education portal

For example: if you want to go to Australia, you can visit the website www.studyaustralia.gov.au.

If you want to go to the Netherlands, you can visit www.studyinNL.org.

And for Japan, the official website is https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/

Or you can search in google, the keyword is ‘study in ….’

I must emphasize again that for the most up-to-date programs, you can visit the university official website

- Scholarship Oriented: Used by people who prioritize scholarships over their major or country

You can find the information at www.brightscholarship.com

This is the best website for finding scholarships, but it still has its shortcomings because sometimes scholarships have their own study focus.

So, all the schemas have their pros and cons. I rarely find that everyone tries to apply and can get it right away.

In this section, you should prepare three options, no more and no less. Don’t have too many because then you won’t be focused, and don’t have too few because that will narrow you.

2. What documents you need to prepare

I will explain here that this is the document that is absolutely required to apply. And there is a possibility that you will be asked for additional documents.

- Certificate & transcript of grades

You must prepare the English version. If you don’t have it, you must translate it into English using a sworn translator.

- Curriculum Vitae

I recommend using the Europass CV template

- Language Certificate

You must use an official certificate, it cannot be from the university. The score usually required is 6.5 for IELTS or 7.5 for top world universities.

- Scholarship essay or motivation letter

This is the most important document because it carries a significant weight in your evaluation, and this is your opportunity to sell yourselves.

- Reference Latter

This document is optional, sometimes it is required, and sometimes it is not. If requested, there are several important points, namely :

- Point one: the minimum number is two reference latter

- Point two: who you should ask for it, usually from your lecturer or your boss if you are already working. And for lecturers, their rank must be professor

- Point three: how to obtain it (The key is to communicate with the person you are asking for a recommendation)

There are several elements that make this letter official, such as the letter number, letterhead, official email, and the signature of the person you are asking for a recommendation.

3. Creating a study strategy and schedule

First Strategy: Be consistent when studying for the English test preparation.

It means that studying every day for a short duration is much more effective than studying infrequently for a long duration.

You can study IELTS for 2 hours a day

Second Strategy: Proofreading your scholarship essay

Choose several people who have received scholarships before, give them your essay, and ask them to read it. This will be very useful. The more feedback you receive, the better your essay will become.

Last Strategy: Creating a study schedule

When you create a schedule, it can be divided into three parts.

First, scholarship essay. Second, English language certificate and Third, other documents.

People who don’t have goals will be distracted by other things

One strategy that is useful for you

Look for scholarships that not many people know about. Because the more people know, the fewer competitors you will have