Educational scholarships are a terrific way to help someone achieve their educational goals. They provide financial relief to the student and their family to an extent in order to make sure that they can afford the costs of education.
A scholarship is an award of money given by a person or organization to help pay for the education of a deserving student. Scholarships are based on a number of different things, like talent, academics, or financial needs. In some cases, scholarships are given as a reward for certain types of achievement.
There are many reasons why a person might need an educational scholarship. They could be from a low-income or middle-class family and need some support in order to pursue higher education. Or it could be that the individual has been working hard but still can’t afford tuition fees without external financial help.
Scholarships are an excellent way to recognize a student’s achievements. It is a big moral boost to the student’s confidence and self-worth towards a successful career. Winning a scholarship is a huge relief for students in terms of financial concerns but at the same time it encourages them to work harder.
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Types of Scholarships at Indian Schools
Scholarships are commonly provided by universities and colleges, but nowadays many schools, especially Indian Schools are also supporting students through various scholarship opportunities. Indian schools offer scholarships in order to increase diversity and inclusion in their student population. The type of Scholarships that you can find at Indian Schools include:
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Merit Based Scholarships
Students with excellent academic records can win merit-based scholarships based on their test scores and transcripts. Such scholarships are a means of celebrating students’ achievements in the field of academics and educational prowesses, and it further encourages the student to work hard. Such scholarships act as a positive reinforcement for students and it motivates them to academically perform even better the next time. Merit based scholarships are a testimony for students when they apply for higher education.
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Scholarships for athletic achievement or participation
These are best suited for students who have excelled in athletics or sports. Be sure to check what sports are sponsored that the school plans to attend when a student is comparing options. Performing arts and similar fields can also qualify for activity scholarships. They are grants offered to students with impressive output in those areas. Such Scholarships recognize the achievements of talented young sportspersons who gain acceptance at the national and international levels.
Scholarships for extracurricular activities
In the past, you needed to be at the top of your class to receive any kind of scholarship. But today, scholarships for extracurricular activities are becoming more popular. These scholarships don’t just award students for their grades; they also reward students that excel in extracurricular activities such as drama, music, art, etc. Such scholarships help students to further develop their skills for better future opportunities.
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Need Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a financial need. These scholarships are often given out by Indian schools to attract more diverse students and ensure that all deserving students have the opportunity to get quality education for better college opportunities. The amount of money that you will be awarded is determined by your current level of income, family size, etc. However, the most important aspect of these scholarships is that they give students a golden opportunity to feel passionate towards learning and develop themselves without worrying about finances.
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Benefits of Educational Scholarships
Educational scholarships are a really important aspect of education for those who are in need. They give students a chance to attend an institute that they might not have been able to afford otherwise. Here are a few more reasons why an educational scholarship is beneficial
1. Opportunity to work hard in class and to focus on schoolwork rather than just getting a job
2. Build’s experience and enhances the resume for scholarships and increases the opportunity to get into a better college or university
3. Provides time after graduation for the scholarship recipient to figure out what they want their career path to be.
4. Scholarship gives you recognition for your achievements and confidence to continue pursuing your goals
5. Scholarships can help you get into your desired university. This is because universities prefer students who are distinguished and are recognized for an accomplishment. Scholarships are the best way to help you stand out from the crowd.
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How to prepare for a scholarship application?
 Below are some essential suggestions that will make the work easier when applying for these scholarships.
â—Ź Read the application form prior – Do not start answering right away and no need to hurry the application filling process. Instead, study the questions as there may be some identical answers. Look for questions that allow the applicants to elaborate on anecdotes or stories related to leadership traits, business achievements, compassion, empathy, and so on? Prepare your answers well and write a compelling copy for your essay to make it stand out.
â—Ź Ask for help – Reach out to friends, a family member, or a relative who you think possess the right knowledge to help you with the application. Make sure they read the form thoroughly and ask them for feedback. Note down any suggestions to improve the content and ask them about the parts that had the greatest emotional impact or power on them?
â—Ź Keep track of deadlines – It can be challenging to stay on top of all the scholarship programs that are on the list. It will be easier for the applicant to stay on top of things if you have a spreadsheet or timeline that contains all the date-sensitive information. Prepare a schedule that includes personal deadlines that should be a bit earlier than the deadlines of the program. That will allow the applicant to address any issues that may arise.
â—Ź The best way to succeed is to start early – When the program’s deadline is months away, it’s easy to think that the applicant has plenty of time. But time flies. Suddenly, months have passed and there are just weeks left. Make sure that doesn’t happen. As soon as possible, begin working on the application.
Take the time to learn about the scholarship tenure and the requirements a student must meet to keep the scholarship.
These were some benefits and tips for Educational Scholarships in Indian Schools. Most students may feel overwhelmed with the idea of a scholarship, therefore it is important to remember that you will never achieve a scholarship if you fail to even try in the first place.