Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students

Free money for your graduate degree? That’s essentially what postgraduate scholarships offer. These awards can significantly reduce the cost of your U.S. or Canadian studies without adding to your debt. This article covers:

An overview of postgraduate scholarships
How to find scholarship opportunities
Tips for successful applications
Integrating scholarships into your overall funding plan

What are postgraduate scholarships?

Postgraduate scholarships are financial awards given to students to help cover the costs of a master’s, doctoral, or other postgraduate programs. Unlike loans, scholarships don’t need to be repaid, making them a highly sought-after source of funding. Scholarships can come from universities, private organizations, government programs or foundations, and they’re typically awarded based on merit, need or specific criteria such as field of study or background.

Merit-based scholarships: These are awarded based on academic achievements, leadership or exceptional talents in areas such as the arts or athletics.
Need-based scholarships: These are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and are designed to help those who may not have the resources to cover the full cost of postgraduate education.
Field-specific scholarships: Targeted to students in certain disciplines like STEM, business or education, these scholarships aim to support the next generation of professionals in these fields.
Diversity scholarships: Some scholarships are designed to increase diversity by supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds, such as women in STEM or first-generation college students.

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How to research and apply for postgraduate scholarships

Finding the right international scholarship for studying overseas can be a time-consuming process, but it’s essential to do thorough research to ensure you maximize your chances of securing funding.

Researching scholarships

University websites: Many universities in the U.S. and Canada offer scholarships specifically for international postgraduate students. Start by visiting the financial aid or scholarships section of your university’s website to see what’s available.
Scholarship databases: There are several online resources where you can search for scholarships tailored to your needs. Websites like Fastweb and the International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) database allow you to filter scholarships by country, program and eligibility criteria.
Government programs: Some countries, such as the U.S. (through the Fulbright Program) and Canada (through the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships), offer government-sponsored scholarships to international students pursuing postgraduate education.
Professional organizations: Many professional associations and foundations offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in specific fields, such as STEM scholarships. For example, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) provides scholarships for women in science and engineering.

How to apply for scholarships

The application process for scholarships varies depending on the institution or organization offering the award. However, some common steps include:

Check eligibility: Ensure you meet the specific criteria for each scholarship, such as academic performance, nationality, field of study or financial need.
Prepare necessary documents: Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation and any standardized test scores required. You may also need to submit a personal statement or essay outlining your academic goals and career aspirations.
Meet deadlines: Scholarship deadlines can vary, so keep a detailed calendar to track due dates. Some scholarships require applications months before the start of the academic year.
Submit applications early: To increase your chances of success, submit your application well before the deadline. This gives you time to handle any unexpected issues and shows you’re serious about the opportunity.

How postgraduate scholarships fit into a funding strategy for international students

While international scholarships for master’s can significantly reduce the cost of postgraduate education, they’re often just one piece of the puzzle. It’s important to integrate scholarships into a broader financial strategy that may also include loans, assistantships and personal savings.

Combining scholarships with other funding sources

Partial scholarships: Many scholarships cover only a portion of your tuition or living expenses, so you may need to combine multiple scholarships or seek additional funding options such as assistantships or private loans.
Assistantships: Many universities offer teaching or research assistantships that provide both a stipend and tuition waiver. These positions are often competitive, but they can help reduce your need for loans while giving you valuable professional experience.
International education loans: For costs that aren’t covered by scholarships, international students can consider postgraduate education loans. Some private lenders offer no-cosigner loans for international students, which can be helpful if securing a cosigner is difficult.

Avoiding overreliance on loans

While private student loans can fill funding gaps, it’s important to limit how much you borrow. Combining scholarships, assistantships and personal savings allows you to minimize debt, which will ease financial pressure after graduation. When creating your funding strategy, always prioritize scholarships and assistantships over loans to reduce long-term financial burdens.

Tips for maximizing your chances of winning a scholarship

Start early: The sooner you start researching and applying for scholarships, the better your chances. Many scholarships have early deadlines, and starting early gives you time to polish your applications.
Tailor your applications: Generic applications won’t stand out. Take the time to tailor each application to the specific scholarship, highlighting how you meet the eligibility criteria and why you’re a strong candidate.
Seek guidance: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your application materials. Many universities have scholarship advisors or writing centers that can help you strengthen your personal statements and essays.
Apply widely: Apply for as many scholarships as possible. The more opportunities you pursue, the better your chances of securing significant funding.

How MPOWER Financing can help you

MPOWER Financing goes beyond just providing loans; they actively support international postgraduate students with a range of scholarships and educational resources that make higher education more accessible.

Targeted scholarship opportunities: Beyond loans, MPOWER is proud to offer monthly scholarships designed to support international postgraduate students. Whether through initiatives like the Women in STEM scholarship, which promotes gender diversity in advanced fields, or the Global Citizen Scholarship that rewards leadership and commitment to global impact, these scholarships are crafted to align with the unique aspirations of postgraduate students.
Empowering the next generation of leaders: MPOWER’s scholarships are designed to recognize future leaders and innovators. Whether you’re a student pursuing research in a specialized field or working to create positive global change, MPOWER rewards those who show dedication and leadership in their academic and professional goals.
No-cosigner postgraduate student loans: MPOWER offers fixed-rate student loans ranging from US$2,001 to US$100,000 and provides competitive interest rates. Additionally, students can benefit from a 0.25% interest rate reduction through automatic payments. MPOWER loans are available even if students have existing loans from other sources.
Support beyond scholarships: MPOWER Financing believes funding a student’s education is only the first step to success – not the last. That’s why every MPOWER student gains access to exclusive career, visa and financial resources through its Path2Success program.

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FAQs

What types of postgraduate scholarships are available for international students?

International students can access a range of scholarships, including merit-based, need-based, field-specific and diversity scholarships. Many universities and organizations offer funding tailored specifically for international students.

How can I find scholarships for my master’s or Ph.D. program?

You can find scholarships by researching university websites, using online scholarship databases like MastersPortal or IEFA and looking into government or professional organization programs.

What documents do I need to apply for a scholarship?

Most scholarship applications require academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and sometimes standardized test scores. Be sure to check the specific requirements for each scholarship.

Can scholarships fully cover the cost of my postgraduate education?

Some scholarships, like government-sponsored programs, may cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses, but most only provide partial funding. It’s important to combine scholarships with other sources of financial aid such as assistantships or loans.

DISCLAIMER – Subject to credit approval, loans are made by Bank of Lake Mills or MPOWER Financing, PBC. Bank of Lake Mills does not have an ownership interest in MPOWER Financing. Neither MPOWER Financing nor Bank of Lake Mills is affiliated with the school you attended or are attending. Bank of Lake Mills is Member FDIC. None of the information contained in this website constitutes a recommendation, solicitation or offer by MPOWER Financing or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments or other assets or provide any investment advice or service.

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Postgraduate scholarships