Simple and Easy Tips on How To Write a Winning Scholarship Application In Malaysia


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By UOW Malaysia KDU

What is a scholarship? 

Scholarships are essentially a grant for you to pursue your academic future, and they are not easy to get.

You not only need to impress the person who will be reviewing your application, but you would also need to stand out from the competition. One of the most challenging parts is writing the essay portion, which is one of the requirements in most scholarship applications here in Malaysia.

We, at UOW Malaysia KDU, would like to share our advice on how to write a winning scholarship application!

How to apply for a scholarship? 

Every scholarship has its own processes and requirements to meet. Nonetheless, here are some general guidelines in how you can approach an application:

  • Start your research on available scholarships as early as possible – Many scholarships are repeated every year. Ask your teachers, seniors or the university that you want to attend about what to expect when applying for a scholarship so that you are prepared. Find out when scholarships are announced and the submission deadlines. 
  • Take serious note of deadlines – Make a note of scholarship application deadlines. Set a reminder so that you will be able to submit your application in time. Unless you’re really lucky, late applications are usually disregarded. 
  • Make sure you’re eligible – Apply for scholarships to which you are eligible. Find out the requirements so that you can meet them. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, contact the sponsor to find out more about the scholarship that is being offered. 
  • Stay organized – Good organization will help ensure that your scholarship application process is smoother. Have a file for each scholarship you plan to apply for so that you can sort out all the information. Ensure that you have a copy of your application. You might need to review what you wrote when you’re called for an interview!

Tips to write a scholarship application

Getting a scholarship might not be easy because many other students will also be competing. As such, you want to make sure that your application stands out. Here are some tips to help you write a winning scholarship application.

Be sure to understand the Question or Topic of the Essay

It’s important to read over the question many times and to be sure of what the essay is asking!

If you find trouble fully comprehending exactly the question, it is best to contact the host institution or company that is granting the scholarship for further clarification.

Some students are hesitant about doing this because they think contacting the institution will hurt their chances of receiving the scholarship. Do not worry about this, ultimately it is essential that you understand what is needed rather than go off-topic.

Do your Research

Every single essay requires thorough research. This will really help beef up your essay and give you a better chance at putting your best foot forward.

You would want to start by doing research on yourself. You can do this by gathering your resume, past awards or simply creating a list of your past work experiences.

This will help you reflect on the types of experiences that you have had to list down what you will be able to bring to the table as far as helping the future of the field or industry you wish to pursue.

Convey your Interest

The final bit of research you should conduct is on the industry itself and share a few of your ideas on how you think it could be improved. Look for current issues in the industry and see how you can combine your knowledge in order to serve said industry better.

This would not only show that you have a vast knowledge on the subject, but also a keen and genuine interest in contributing your future skills and efforts into improving the overall landscape of the industry. This would make awarding you the scholarship a worthwhile venture.

Brainstorm

Essentially, brainstorming is having a quiet moment with yourself to let your mind run with your thoughts. Write down those thoughts and any ideas that come to mind that might be parallel to what the question is asking.

Every scholarship would typically like to see you answer these questions:

  • How would receiving this scholarship impact your endeavours?
  • How can you give back to your community through your career and life goals?
  • What is your reason for attending this college or university?

This is where you need to explain how this scholarship will be well allocated if it was awarded to you.  Describe your plan and purpose to contribute back to the community and impact the lives of other people with the skills and knowledge acquired.

Remember that the organisation that hands out scholarships to students would typically like to know that their resources will be well invested in.

It is also great if you can show that you’ve done adequate research on the college or university that you wish to study to show your definite interest in the course.

Funnel Your Ideas

Next, funnel each of your ideas into one idea, turning it into the main point of your essay. Keep in mind that you can use your other brainstorming ideas to help accentuate the main point but they should all tie in together to focus on a common theory.

No matter how silly you may think an idea is, go ahead and write it down because you never know when it could come to play later on. After you are done brainstorming it’s time to funnel each of your ideas into one, turning it into the main point of your essay.

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Write a First (Rough) Draft

Do whatever gets your brain juices flowing because your purpose is to write a killer scholarship essay. Here’s a tip to keep in mind: If you are writing an essay that even you don’t want to read, chances are the judges won’t want to either. You want to make it entertaining, creative and original. Do this by telling a personal stories or experiences, anything to help relay who you are to the judges. Just don’t make it sound like a robot wrote it.

Proofread

Be sure to check for any spelling errors, grammatical errors or any other errors that you may have made the first time.

You can even download the app GRAMMARLY, which is a free online writing assistant that can help you spell check and grammar check your essay. After you have proofread your scholarship essay, find someone else who can review it for you as well.

Submit!

The final step is of course, to submit your essay, but the key ingredient is to ensure you turn it in on time! So there you go! We hope this article can help you put pen to paper on crafting your winning scholarship application and we wish you all the best in getting it!

Types of scholarships

Did you know that scholarships are not just available for smart students who have top results for examinations? 

Yes, while almost all scholarships are awarded based on merit, there are also:

  • Sports scholarships for those who are excelling in sports
  • Community scholarships for those who are from disadvantaged communities
  • Creative scholarships for those who are talented in dance, music and art. 

In Malaysia, there are many scholarships that are offered by government agencies, private tertiary institutions such as UOW Malaysia KDU, NGOs, and corporations that want to give back to the community. 

What do you need to apply for a scholarship? 

In addition to the scholarship essay that you will need to write and submit, the following documents are also typically required:

  • Exam result transcripts – SPM, STPM, IGCSE, etc
  • Testimonials and certificates for extracurricular activities
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Parents’ financial information
  • Proof of eligibility for the scholarship. For example, if you’re applying for a sports scholarship, you will need proof of participation in state or national level competitions. 

Since these documents will be required for almost all applications, you can prepare multiple copies to save some time. 

Bursaries, Grants and External Financial Aid

Besides scholarships, many colleges and universities also offer bursaries, grants and other financial aid. 

Bursaries are usually given for students from lower income households and/or under represented groups by organizations. Grants are typically given by certain charitable organizations to support specific groups of people. For example, a grant of 50% tuition fees may be given to eligible students of lower income families or those who have certain disabilities. 

In Malaysia, students who need financial assistance to continue their tertiary education can also apply for external financial aid. For example, PTPTN provides education loans at a very low interest rate to students pursuing their diploma and degrees at local tertiary institutions. 

Conclusion

It might take considerable time to do research and plan out a winning scholarship essay. However, the rewards are definitely worth it! Remember to adhere to the application guidelines, submit your essay together with other necessary documents and make sure that you keep track of the dateline. Check out the scholarships and bursaries offered at UOW Malaysia KDU.

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25 January 2020

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Environment and Health