The rigours of preparing for higher education are difficult enough – the whole process of applying funds can feel like a burden too far.
But building a road map and taking the time to plan for the scholarships that most closely match your needs can make your potential for success far greater.
Former scholarship recipient Amber Reid boosted her studies throughout her higher education journey by landing awards including the Environmental Education Grant and the Steinhoff/BZS Scholarship for Environmental Sciences.
She graduated from Northeastern University with a BSc in environmental science, cum laude, with a minor in business analytics in 2018.
Ms Reid provided her top tips for success.
- Start early! Ms Reid says that even if applications aren’t yet open, it’s never too early to prepare. She recommended the Bermuda Scholarships website, which has a thorough step-by-step guide for preparing for applying for scholarships under the Resources tab.
- Cast a wide net. While it is tempting to hone your search early on, Ms Reid suggested starting with a broad search.
“If you set stringent filters when you first begin researching scholarships, you may miss opportunities that are not specific to an area of study or that you may be eligible for based on unique criteria,” she said.
But it’s also critical to read what’s required for the application and, if unsure, make contact with the scholarship provider. This is another reason to start early.
- Develop a consistent relationship with your institution’s education/career development resource and treat that as an additional course or class.
“If you have a career counsellor, work with them to plan and frequently check in with them,” advised Ms Reid.
“This person can provide invaluable guidance and assistance with your scholarship search and application journey. My career counsellor helped me to manage transcript requests, grade scale conversions, communication with universities, securing letters of recommendation, and much more.”
- Prioritise the opportunities that work best for your needs. When going through the different scholarship opportunities, Ms Reid said you should consider your budget and how your support needs may change over the course of your study. It’s also important to seek out scholarships that support your area of study and your career goals, and make sure that the scholarship supports those goals. You should fully understand the stipulations that may come along with receiving a scholarship
Questions to ask include:
Will you be required to maintain a certain grade or course load?
Will part of the scholarship acceptance be to contribute to the company or organisation on return from your studies?
“Consider how closely these stipulations align with your education and career goals and determine which opportunities are best fits,” Ms Reid said.
There are many responsibilities to manage as students navigate pursuing higher education. Being organised and focused with a clear plan creates a better time management framework and means you’re not wasting the time of scholarship selection committees.
“Being thorough and selective early on in the scholarship search process will guard against spending time on opportunities that are not a good fit and allow you to focus on the ones that are a good fit,” Ms Reid said.
“On the other end of the scholarship applications are people who are working to support students. Doing your best to apply with discernment and care is a courtesy to those who spend time reviewing many applications.
“This process is great practice for the planning, attention to detail and proactiveness that higher education and beyond requires.”
