Documents required for Scholarship Applications

Obtaining a scholarship is the most advantageous thing that can happen to an academician in today’s world. When applying for a scholarship, even little errors can invalidate your application.
As a result, students must pay close attention to the scholarship application requirements.
To make things easier for you, we have put together a document checklist that is universally necessary for any scholarship application.

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List of Documents For Scholarship Application

1. Complete Application Form

The most important thing you can do to avoid having your scholarship application rejected is to fill out all of the blocks and columns on your application form completely.
Never leave an empty place.
After you’ve filled out your application form once, double-check it.

2. Passport or National ID

The next prerequisite is a copy of a valid passport (valid for at least six months) or a copy of a valid National ID (if required).
When applying for a passport, the first page with the necessary information is normally requested to be attached to the application form.

3. Attested Copies of Educational Documents

Your educational records, such as degrees, diplomas, or transcripts, are the next condition for applying for a scholarship.
Your application should include attested copies (preferably in chronological order).
Keep in mind that these documents must bear your academic institution’s official stamp and signature.

Along with your educational records, your language proficiency examination document, which determines your eligibility for admission, is also very crucial.
The most common language proficiency exam is an English language proficiency exam, as most courses are offered in English; however, different countries require different language proficiency exams. A few of them are the following:

• English Language Proficiency Exams: ILETS, TOFEL, or Cambridge
• Spanish Language Proficiency Exam: DELE
• French Language Proficiency Exams: DELF or DALF
• German Language Proficiency Exams: DSH, TestDAF, OSD or telc

4. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Your “statement of purpose,” which introduces you to the admission committee, is another needed document for your scholarship application.
It’s also known as a motivation letter because it explains your goals, ambitions, abilities, and areas of interest. Keep it to 400 words or less. Do not falsify any of the information.
Be sincere, and concentrate on explaining why you’re interested in a particular scholarship programme.

5. Recommendation Letters

A recommendation letter provides the scholarship providers with an idea about your intellectual and motivational skills regarding a certain academic program. Therefore, it is to be submitted along with your application form. Submit your recommendation letter as per the requirement from the institution you are applying to. Usually, one recommendation letter suffices the purpose but some institutes may ask for more, therefore do check the requirement for the number of letters. In any case, a recommendation letter from a supervisor or teacher should be submitted because it provides information on your academic progress and achievements.

6. Curriculum Vitae or Resume

For a perfect scholarship application, a CV or resume is to be submitted along with other documents. It gives comprehensive details about your skills and interest. Make sure you do not inflate or overstate your qualities here. Be congruent and focus on skills that can help you get noticed by your scholarship providers like computer skills or academic skills or field-related mastery/ proficiency skills. Do not worry about your professional experience because it is not the key purpose here. Also, mention your hobbies and extra-curricular qualities in your CV or resume.

7. Standardized Test Scores Document

Standardized tests like SAT, ACT, GRE are always a requirement for scholarship programs. Universities and colleges require you to pass their recommended test. High scorers are given preference. However for awarding scholarships, every minute document holds its importance, and decisions are made after thorough checking of all of them.

8. Research proposal or Study Plan

Applicants are mostly required to submit their research proposal for the doctoral program or study plan essay for the master’s program along with the application forms.

Requirement of Additional Documents

Some Universities and Colleges can ask for additional documentation when applying for a scholarship which may include:

1. Writing a scholarship essay on scholarship-related topics while elaborating on academic achievements. Keep your word count in check.
2. Portfolio for Arts, Designs, and related programs as it illustrates your GPA score regarding your degree.
3. A financial statement including the Tax Return of your parents can be asked to be submitted to stand eligible for a scholarship program
4. Medical certificates issued by a registered medical health practitioner or government facility in the language of the country that you are applying in. If language is different then submit two documents, one with original generated text and the other with the translated copy (must be translated by an authorized translator).

Keep in mind to always double-check the application requirements from the college or university that you are applying to. Be careful with the checklist. Keep an extra copy of the whole document with yourself. Avoid procrastinating and submit the forms before the due date.