Busting 4 Popular Myths About Availing A Scholarship; Grab Every Opportunity That Comes Your Way!

Scholarships are daunting for everyone. Any scholarship requires the applicant to prove their competence through their academic performance and essays stating their purpose.

In the previous year, there were a significant INR 84,965 crores within the country out of which, INR 8,263 crores were considered non-performing assets. As a result, the debt situation in the country has risen, making educational opportunities difficult to access for many.

Also read: 20 Meritorious EWS Students From IIM Jammu To Get INR 1.5 Lakhs Scholarships Each!

The purpose of scholarships is to make access to educational opportunities more equitable, and it has in many ways pushed the state and central governments to encourage more students to apply for scholarships. A reason why some hesitate is due to a high number of myths and speculation around scholarships; leading one to believe they are ineligible before even starting!

Here are a few things that may deter some from pursuing scholarship opportunities:

Merit-Based Scholarships

To an extent, almost all scholarships are purely merit-based. They require a certain amount of cutoff to be availed and the recipient is expected to upkeep their academics after receiving it too. Students also have to prove their extra-curricular abilities to make them stand distinct from other candidates.

This issue can be solved easily by academic institutions by identifying students in need and being able to support them to perform better in academics. They can also motivate students to be active in various extra-curricular activities taking place in the institutions.

Scholarships Targeting A Demographic

In the current scheme, it might appear that a majority of the scholarships target minority or socio-economically backward communities. But the truth is that there is an equal amount of opportunities for everyone.

Especially since the pandemic, more scholarships have been created targeting people with specific needs. For instance, there are several scholarships particularly reserved for girls, especially single girl children.

The Application Procedure

Applications to some schemes are relatively easy, you just need to fill in a few details and upload your scorecards. But some others require a detailed Statement of Purpose (SOP) and even recommendation letters.

Also read: Big Opportunity for Indian Students: Apply For Scholarships In Australia Without IELTS 2022

This is the part where the application procedure itself seems difficult. But that is alright, with the help of the internet, you will be able to find sufficient samples and templates. In the right place, you can even find testimonials of past recipients who provide detailed accounts of their experiences and the steps they followed. It is also the responsibility of academic faculties to address these procedures and extend help to their pupils.

Scholarships Limited To Certain Courses

Under the central and state government schemes, you can find a lot of scholarships targeting school students. There are also specific scholarships under AICTE and UGC targeting college students.

Identifying an appropriate scholarship scheme is already half of the job done. These scholarships are available year-round and sometimes even have their deadlines extended to accommodate as many students as possible.

For more information about Central/State/AICTE/UGC scholarships, check out the National Scholarship Portal.

Afterthoughts

One also has to keep in mind that government instituted scholarships are not the only opportunities available. Reputed companies such as Google and Amazon routinely provide scholarships to technically adept students, with special benefits to women applicants. Though these scholarships are comparatively harder to obtain, they can single-handedly change the course of your career.

Another lesser-known fact is auditing courses. In this era, knowledge flow is unlimited. Numerous e-learning platforms offer courses with a certain fee structure. But if you are unable to afford the fee, they also have the option with which you can audit courses; that is study the course program with nominal or even no fees. Although an audited course won’t provide you with certificates, it still makes the materials accessible.

Don’t let your lack of knowledge deter you from applying for scholarships! Remember that it is always worth trying for something. So go ahead and do your best!

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Shamik Banerjee

Associate, Content

I'm an avid reader and a football lover. When I'm not at work, you will probably find me invested in some football match. At Unstop, I dig out obscure facts and make them relevant through compelling stories.