Applying for University Scholarship​​​s

In order to increase your chances to achieve a scholarship, you should apply for both university and organisation scholarships. The section below is focused on university scholarships. 

To learn more about organisation scholarships i.e. PSC scholarships, please approach Mr Chng Yongxi (Talent Development).

1. Explore and research

• Get to know the universities and understand their culture by participating in university outreach programmes e.g. EDventure

• Take up a H3 subject that is taught in university so that you experience university education

• Interview seniors in different universities and find out more about the universities  and courses. 

• Research similar courses in different universities and determine which one suits your aspirations more

• Research similar scholarships in different universities and determine which one fits you better

  Type of Scholarship	Who is suitable	Scholarships to explore (non-exhaustive)
  Scholarships with masters	All-rounded students with high academic potential	SUTD Global Excellence Scholarship
  Aesthetics and Performing Arts	Outstanding students in the visual arts and performing fields	NUS Performing and Visual Arts Scholarship
  Sports	Outstanding sportsmen/sportswomen	NUS Sports Scholarship
  All rounders	Students who are all-rounders	NTU University Scholars' Programme (USP) SMU Merit Scholarship
  Research	Students with a passion in research	SUTD Honors and Research Programme (SHARP)
  Entrepreneurial	Students with a entrepreneurial mindset	SUTD Technology Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) SMU Lee Kong Chian Scholars Programme
  Science and Engineering	Students passionate in science and engineering	NTU CN Yang Scholars Programme
  Engineering	Student leaders with a passion for engineering	NUS Engineering Scholars Programme NTU Renaissance Engineering Programme
  Global	Student leaders with a global perspective and wish to have global exposure during your university	NUS Global Merit Scholarship SMU Global Impact Scholarship

• The list above is not exhaustive. Visit the scholarships page of every university you are interested in to see the entire list of scholarships

• For overseas scholarships, see the table above.

2. Apply

• You will generally need to submit a personal statement. The focus of your personal statement should be about your fit for the scholarship and organisation. Start writing your personal statement as soon as possible. For more information, access this page.

• Most university scholarships applications require teacher referrals. You should approach suitable teachers as soon as possible. Fore more information, access this page.

• Application for the scholarship is either together with university application or after application submission. Read the instructions on the scholarship page carefully. Note the deadlines carefully.

• Apply for a variety of scholarships to increase your chances of success. Scholarships are generally highly selective and the one that you aspire for is likely to be highly popular.

• There ARE scholarships that are not so popular and therefore slightly more achievable (disclaimer: all scholarships are selective). These will include

  • Scholarships that do not fund your studies completely i.e. donor scholarships, faculty scholarships.​ So ask yourself whether you really need the full funding and whether your academic grades AND portfolio allow you to compete for the most prestigious scholarships

  • Scholarships for university courses that are not as popular e.g. it is already very difficult to enter medicine and computer science courses. The scholarship for these courses are naturally much more difficult to achieve. So a question you need to ask yourself is whether you would rather have just a placement in Computer Science or a scholarship in a less popular faculty.

• All scholarships applications come with interview. Some are casual chats. Some are group interviews. Some (especially organisations) have multiple rounds and possible psychometric tests for you to take. F​or more information, access this page.

What to do if you failed to get a scholarship?

• Even if you failed to get a scholarship, you could still apply for mid-term scholarships after you enter the university. 

• Mid-term scholarships are awarded by both universities and organisations and can benefit late bloomers who may not have done so well in JC but have later excelled in university.

• The benefit of mid-term scholarships can be the shorter bond period. Also, in university, you may have more time to improve on your portfolio before applying for the scholarship.

• Read more about mid-term scholarships.