Becoming an international student is an investment in your future. However, for many students, it’s a decision that also comes with a major financial investment. Fortunately, there are lots of scholarships that can help you offset some of the costs of studying abroad. In fact, ApplyBoard has helped connect students with C$70M+ in scholarships… and counting. Read on to learn more about how ApplyBoard helps match scholarships to students!
Are you figuring out your international student budget? Our cost-of-living guides for Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States can help.
Helping You Find Scholarships
Did you know that in 2021, Scholarships Canada reported 1 in 20 of the scholarships they shared had no applicants? They’re not the only ones seeing this happen. Millions of dollars in scholarship money goes unclaimed every year. It can feel annoying to look for scholarships that fit your grades, extracurriculars, and goals, but it can make a big difference. Plus, the competition might not be as fierce as you think, especially for lesser-known awards.
Government Scholarships
Starting your search? Check our blog for scholarship-related articles. Many government scholarships are open to international students. Planning to study in Canada, the US, the UK, or Australia? If so, we’ve got you covered.
Cultural Groups and Service Clubs
Also consider your background and hobbies. Check out cultural groups (clubs of people who share a cultural or national background) and service clubs (community volunteer organizations; popular ones include the Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Clubs). These clubs often have scholarships which are likely to be less competitive. You’ll be an especially strong candidate if you’ve volunteered or supported your community in other ways.
Different Scholarship Scopes
Check for scholarships both in your home country and your destination countries. Countries everywhere want to support future leaders. Don’t forget to look at the regional and national level—local searches can turn up scholarships that students in the next state, province, or even city aren’t eligible for, and which you might have a better shot at.
If you’re planning to study in Canada, check out these regional scholarships. We’ve looked at scholarships for international students in:
Also, if your parents or family members work for larger companies, see if their employer has a scholarship program.
Along the way, you’ll find some scholarships are only for domestic students, but don’t be discouraged. You’ll find others that fit you well.
Connecting Advisors with Institution-Specific Scholarships
ApplyBoard has helped over 600,000 international students with their study abroad journey so far. Could you be next?
We’re proud to be part of these students’ lives, but it’s only possible to have this kind of impact thanks to a global network of recruitment partners (or RPs). These consultants and study abroad advisors are independently-operating businesspeople located around the world. They understand the study abroad process as well as local education systems, and work directly with students like you.
Meanwhile, ApplyBoard gives our RPs access to an all-in-one platform where they can learn about programs and institutions, help you apply, and check your application’s progress.
ApplyBoard also shares access to an internal database with our RPs. It hosts important resources, like which colleges and universities have scholarships available for international students. RPs then encourage students to apply for the scholarship, if it’s a fit. By working with an RP, you can save time on scholarship research!
Check out these top scholarships for international students in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US.
Exclusive Scholarships
One of the ways we build towards international students’ success is by working with colleges and universities who offer exclusive scholarships to students who apply via the ApplyBoard Platform.
Currently, exclusive scholarships are available to international students at partner colleges and universities in Canada and the United Kingdom. Often, scholarships are given as money towards tuition or living expenses, but they can also take the form of free student accommodation.
RPs learn about exclusive scholarships through email, on our internal database, and at learning sessions and webinars. Considering a program in one of these countries? If you’re working with an RP in our network, ask them about the exclusive opportunities available.
Should you live on- or off-campus? Here are some reasons for each choice.
In-House Student Grants
Every day, we’re inspired by the courage and tenacity of international students. So it’s great to be able to support some students directly with ApplyBoard student grants. On stage at our 2022 Top Recruiters Workshop (TRW) event in Delhi, India, our co-founders launched the TRW Student Grants, committing C$30,000 to students worldwide. These returned in 2023, offering several C$2,500 grants to a new round of students.
As a company founded by international students, we know these students have great stories to tell—and many have big impacts on their communities. To share those stories, and support incoming students, we’ve also launched the International Alumni of Impact program:
International Alumni of Impact celebrates international students who have graduated from a Canadian higher education institution, and who have made a positive impact within their community, workplace, or internationally. Once International Alumni of Impact winners are officially selected, one-time student grants will be created in each of their names and awarded to deserving incoming international students to help support the next generation of international leaders.
Do you know an inspiring international student who graduated from a Canadian college or university between 2002-2022? Share their story with IAOI by April 7, 2023.
Searching for scholarships can feel like a lot of work, but you don’t have to do it alone. By checking award aggregator sites, working with an advisor who has access to scholarship info, and reading our blog’s scholarship posts, you’ll find scholarships that match your background and goals.
Ready to start your study abroad journey? Contact the team at ApplyBoard. We’re here to help.
