South Africa is a great study destination for students from all over Africa, particularly those from countries in Southern Africa. Students from Zimbabwe often choose to pursue their further studies in South Africa, because it is not too far from home, costs are lower than going outside the continent, and the educational standards are high. As such, many students may be wondering what the process of getting a scholarship in South Africa and beyond is. Below are some great tips.
A. Do your research
- Before you start applying for scholarships, find out the best universities to go to, where they are located and what courses they offer. Most importantly, find out if these universities offer scholarships, and what the terms and conditions are.
B. Make use of scholarship websites
- Searching for the perfect scholarship can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Scholarship websites come in handy at this point, as they provide listings of the latest scholarships with an overview of each, as well as a link to the university website.
C. Apply early
- Once you have chosen which scholarships you want to try out, make your application as soon as the scholarship portal opens. Don’t wait until the last minute to read the application guidelines, fill in the application form and put your documents together.
D. Put in as many applications as you can
- This strategy is a good one to implement as you think about getting a scholarship in South Africa and beyond. Think about it – the more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to be selected for at least one or two! Just make sure the scholarships are relevant to your course of study, and that you put in the applications before the deadline.
E. Manage your application time wisely
- With so many scholarships to apply for out there, it is possible to get carried away to the point where you miss the deadlines for most of them. To avoid this, first get all the information on each scholarship and take note of the deadline. Next, come up with a plan on how you are going to apply for each scholarship. Lastly, send in each application several days before the deadline.
F. Follow application instructions
- As you consider getting a scholarship in South Africa and beyond, remember that many people fail to be considered for scholarships because they do not follow instructions. Before you make your application, therefore, list all the instructions and requirements pertaining to the application process. For example, some scholarships may need letters from referees, some will require recommendations from previous employers, while others will require that the application documents be arranged in a certain way.
G. Stick to the essay topic
- If you are required to write an essay, avoid drifting away from the topic you are supposed to focus on. Simple steps like analyzing the topic and keywords, noting the number of words required, and sticking to the required formatting will guarantee you a great essay.
H. Get someone else to review your application
- Before you send in your application, get someone to look through it. At your request, this person should check for mistakes, see if there is anything missing, and give a review/expert opinion on your application. With any luck, this person will be able to predict whether you will get the scholarship or not!
The tips listed above will be quite helpful as you plan on getting a scholarship in South Africa and beyond. All the best!