How to Apply for International Scholarships from Nigeria
If you’d like to study abroad, gather here. We understand that there’s a mass exodus of Nigerian citizens out of the country, aka the japa wave, and you might also be considering jumping on that train, especially to study. This is perfectly cool!
Several institutions outside the country are ready to offer you the knowledge you desire to have. However, it doesn’t come cheap — you need a lot of money. Unfortunately, the average Nigerian might not be able to afford the tuition fee of some of these institutions.
This is why you need a scholarship; several top universities and organizations (governmental and non-governmental) have made it easy for young and promising Nigerians to overcome financial limitations by funding their academics. It could be a complete or partial scholarship, depending on the institution’s scope.
Here’s all you need to know about applying for international scholarships from Nigeria.
What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Scholarship?
Before we discuss the requirements to apply for a scholarship, you must note that some of these criteria may vary based on the kind of scholarship and the institution or organization offering it.
Still, the following are some general requirements to be deemed eligible for a scholarship:
· A minimum of 5 credits in O’Level, i.e., WAEC or NECO.
· A minimum of 3.0 CGPA on a scale of 5 — the higher your CGPA, the better your chances of being awarded the scholarship.
· If you’re a postgraduate student, you need a minimum of a Second-class Lower Division (2’2).
Overall, you must be the best in your field to be considered for a top scholarship. This should serve as a wake-up call if you’re still in school. Don’t joke with your grades; they will significantly affect your academic progression.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
As we’ve already mentioned, several institutions offer scholarship opportunities to students; you just need to know how to apply. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Do Your Research
It’s never too early to start researching scholarships and gathering information about the application process. At least, too early is better than too late. In fact, the earlier you start, the more options you’ll have, and you can take your time applying before the application closes.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Besides the general requirements, different institutions will have specific criteria. Find out if you meet these requirements so that you won’t waste your time applying for a scholarship you aren’t eligible for. Then, you can focus on those that are appropriate for you.
Be Organized
Chances are you’ll be applying to several institutions at the same time. To ensure that you keep track of your applications and do not miss deadlines, we advise that you make a note of all the institutions you’re applying to, including all the essential information you need to know about them.
You can also have a folder for all your scholarship materials to make things easier.
Provide Adequate Information
When applying for a scholarship, you must provide only the correct information. Everything must be accurate, from your name to your contact address, qualifications, etc. Similarly, avoid spelling errors because they make you seem unprofessional, which might also delay your admission process — you wouldn’t want that.
Have Your Documents Ready
To apply, you’ll be required to submit some documents. Some of them are:
· Original Degree Certificate
· GSCE or Equivalents
· Transcripts
· Personal Statement
· English Language Test
· Curriculum Vitae (CV)
· Examples of past work (optional)
· Letters of recommendation
Provide Referees/References
Most schools will ask you to provide referees or references, and whether you like it or not, a lot depends on who you choose as your referee. So, choose wisely.
Also, inform your referees ahead of time that you’d like to apply for a scholarship, and let them know the kind of experience and skills you need to demonstrate. That will make it easier for them to tailor their reference letter such that you’ll stand out.
To Wrap Up
Although the competition is tight, as long as you have good grades and meet all the requirements of your desired institution, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a scholarship.
Finally, you can consult professionals before submitting your application. They can look through your documents, confirm that there’s nothing amiss, and even offer advice on what you can do better.
Love this article? We love it too! Share it with two of your awesome friends now. You can catch us on Instagram via @spdhub and on LinkedIn.
