We’ve put together a list of tips to help you when applying for international scholarships:

- Deadlines. When it comes to financial aid in general, timing is everything. Make sure that you know what is due, and more importantly when. Many scholarships have limited funding and are competitive with many applicants. Make sure to keep track of when you’ll need to submit the necessary documents to increase the chances of receiving a scholarships. If you use a calendar, make sure to note deadlines and set reminders to keep you on track.

- Essays. Many scholarships require applicants to write essays. You may find yourself writing, reading, and then re-reading your essay. Many students at the end of the process will end up reading what they thought they wrote – instead of what they actually wrote – and will miss small typos or key words. Have friends, teachers, and family members read over your essay and make any changes. Proofreading your essays can increase your odds of being awarded a scholarship.

- Don’t waste time. Many scholarships have eligibility requirements – before applying make sure you read all the fine print. There are many scholarships out there that you can apply for, but spending time applying to scholarships that you are not eligible for is a sure loss of time. We all know that international students are busy, between wrapping up school, working, and the many other day-to-day tasks. Spend your time wisely by reading the details carefully.

- Best foot forward. While content is #1, there is something to be said for presentation. Make sure that your documents are well organized and presented neatly. If you need to handwrite documents, be sure to spend the extra few minutes to make it clear and legible.

- Application. Not all fields on an application will apply to you. Don’t leave any ambiguity as to whether you forgot to fill it in. Make sure that you fill out every field, if it doesn’t apply to you just indicate “N/A” (or, not applicable).

- Create a timeline. Applying for international scholarships can require many steps, including essays, applications, references, transcripts, and much more! Don’t leave it to the last minute. Create a calendar that divides up the tasks to make sure there is enough time to get everything done.

- Make copies. Before submitting the information, make sure you keep copies on hand. It’s always a good idea to be able to refer back to it for other scholarships or to resubmit it in case it gets lost in transit. No need to do the same work twice if you’ve already done a good job the first time. Make it count, and make the most of your time!

- Last glance. Finally, before you submit your work to the organization make sure you go over all the requirements and dates. If you have additional time, have another trusted person take a look at it as well to make sure that you meet all of the requirements.

Good luck applying for international scholarships! Let us know if you have any additional scholarships tips that you’ve found.

Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program is offering 55 scholarships to US high school students interested in studying abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Thailand and Turkey.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Study (YES) Abroad program gives high school students (ages 15-17) the opportunity to study in selected countries. Bringing US citizens overseas, as well as non-US students to the US, this exchange was started back in 2002, “as a key component of renewed commitment to building bridges between citizens of the U.S. and countries around the world, particularly those with significant Muslim populations.”

These are full merit-based scholarships covering program costs, travel, tuition, room and board, food, and much more! These full scholarships will cover students planning to study overseas for a year, thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, high school students at the time of application, and 15-18 years of age. The deadline for applying is January 11, 2012.

One way students reduce their costs is by applying for scholarships and grants. While many students hope for a full scholarship supported by their college or university, this can be a challenge. In fact, only 23% of international students in the US cover the majority of their expenses with assistance from their college or university. This is the largest external source of funding for international students (excluding self and family funding) – see the graph below that reflects funding for foreign students in the US.

The Institute of International Education publishes an annual report monitoring data on international students in the US called the Open Doors Report. This publication, released last month, confirmed that funding remained consistent over last year with relatively minor fluctuations. What does this means? In the 2010-2011 academic year 63% percent of international students primary funding for international students was by personal and family funds.

Here are some important tips for students looking to budget responsibly:

1. Know the cost of your education.

The initial budgeting stage for your education overseas is to know what expenses you can expect. You should be aware of costs that include your tuition, books, living expenses, etc. The Net Price Calculator can be a useful addition to develop an accurate budget.

Since October 29, 2011, in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, those colleges and universities who participate in Title IV federal student aid programs are required to estimate the cost of attendance for current and prospective students seeking a degree and/or certificate. The idea of the Net Price Calculator is to provide students with transparency on the cost of their education as well as any grants/scholarship awards they typically distribute to students. This tool will outline tuition and associated fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses, transportation, grant aid, etc. Keep in mind that the tool was developed for US students so results may vary for international students, however this can be a good start!

2. Apply for scholarships and grants.

It is important for international students to apply for scholarships and grants to reduce their personal expenses. Be aware of programs, dates, and eligibility requirements, and add them to your calendar to stay on top of those awards that are distributed by your school. Funding for international students can also be found through your home country as well as non-profit organizations or third parties. You can use resources like International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) and International Scholarships to begin researching your overseas funding.

3. For additional financial assistance, you may need to apply for an international student loan.

Once you have maximized your scholarships and grants, you may consider looking for a loan for international students. If you have a US co-signer, you may be eligible for a US-backed loan that can help you support your education overseas. Be sure to read through the terms and conditions before you apply.

Student loans can assist you in supporting the many costs that you may incur as an international student. Keep in mind, however, that this aid is expected to be paid back along with interest. While funding for international students can vary, this may be a helpful alternative for students looking for financial assistance from a US bank.

Data for graph was extracted from the Open Doors Report as noted above.

“If you would like to become a member of the Humboldt Family, only one thing counts: your own excellent performance. ”

Humboldt Research Fellowship Program: With this massive program, the Foundation provides 200 awards each year.  The awards support scholars of all nationalities and disciplines, enabling them to carry out long-term research projects (6 to 12 months) in Germany.  Fellowships are awarded on the basis of scholarly achievement alone. PhD required, under 40, proficient in German or English, from any country in the world. This fellowship comes with a monthly stipend, travel costs, language training, and family allowances.

German Chancellor Fellowship Program: Under this program, the Foundation provides ten awards to US citizens, each for a one year stay in Germany for research or study. Its a post-graduate or professional award, providing a monthly stipend of 2,000 to 3,000 euro.  Application deadline is 31 October, and a bachelors degree is required.

You can see more about the Humboldt Research Fellowship Program and the German Chancellor Fellowship Program on InternationalScholarships.com.

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With a value of 29,000 euro, and available to students from around the world, these tuition waivers are offered to the top applicants to their program for the 2011/2012 school year.

Visit the SDA Bocconi MFB Tuition Waiver page on InternationalScholarships.com for more information.

http://www.internationalscholarships.com/Master_of_Management_in_Food_&_Beverage_Tuition_waivers

Hult offers a very popular one-year MBA program, which allows you to study at up to three of their five worldwide locations. Finishing in one year instead of two, as required by most MBAs, can be a very efficient way to improve your career opportunities faster, saving you money on the way.

Hult also offers scholarships to deserving, accomplished students.  See Hult’s profile page on International Scholarships to see more about their scholarship offer for students from Africa:

http://www.internationalscholarships.com/

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The AIESEC international internship program offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on international experience.  For instance, the Cornell University chapter of AIESEC is bringing in 34 international interns. United Auto Workers is providing paid internships for 32 of them, and Cornell is employing the other 2.  Read the full story about the Cornell AIESEC interns in the Cornell Sun.

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The GRSP brings in 80 international students per year for one full academic year, and pays their tuition, book allowance, meal allowance and on-campus room, at a college or university in the State of Georgia, USA. To be eligible, you must be between 18 and 25 and be an undergraduate student in your home country, and have never studied in the USA. In addition, you must be recommended by your home Rotary Club. Visit the Georgia Rotary Student Program website to learn more about their international scholarships.

Also, you can read a good story about Benjamin Ikaal from Kenya, who is a Rotary scholarship recipient studying at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

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Scholarships available to international students include the Presidential Scholarship and the Provost Scholarship:

Presidential Scholarship (Full tuition waiver for four years): To be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, an international student must be in the top 10 percent of their high school class with SAT scores of at least 1300 in Critical Reading and Mathematics.    For more information, visit:  http://www.InternationalScholarships.com/Ramapo Presidential

Provost Scholarship ($10,000 per year for four years):  To be considered for the Provost Scholarship, an international student must be in the top 10 percent of their high school class with SAT scores of at least 1230 in Critical Reading and Mathematics.  For more information, visit:  http://www.InternationalScholarships.com/Ramapo Provost

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To be eligible to apply you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have at least five (5) years full-time employment in print, broadcast, or online journalism.

• You must be currently employed as a non U.S. journalist working outside of the United States.

• You must be fluent in both written and spoken English.

• You must exhibit potential for leadership

If you meet the criteria above and would like to find out more, visit the World Press Institute profile page on International Scholarships:

http://www.internationalscholarships.com

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