Applying for University Scholarships
Find and apply for university scholarships that suit your strengths and goals. Explore your options, prepare your personal statement early, and maximise your chances of success.
Applying for University Scholarships
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
Types of Scholarships
Type of Scholarship | Who is suitable | Scholarships to explore (non-exhaustive) |
|---|---|---|
Scholarships with masters | All-rounded students with high academic potential | |
Aesthetics and Performing Arts | Outstanding students in the visual arts and performing fields | |
Sports | Outstanding sportsmen / sportswomen | |
All rounders | Students who are all-rounders | |
Research | Students with a passion in research | |
Entrepreneurial | Students with a entrepreneurial mindset | |
Science and Engineering | Students passionate in science and engineering | |
Engineering | Student leaders with a passion for engineering | |
Teaching | Students leaders with a passion in teaching and international exposure in interdisciplinary training | |
Global | Student leaders with a global perspective and wish to have global exposure during your university |
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. For 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.