What you need to know before applying for Scholarships

One of the most frequently asked questions of the Student Funding Team is ‘What scholarships are available for me?’ Once you have identified the scholarship, what is next…

Scholarships can provide a much-needed boost to your savings when undertaking postgraduate study, it can even be a life-changing opportunity. No matter which type of scholarship you are looking to apply for, there will be lots of other students also applying for the exact same one. With so much competition, how can you stand out from the crowd and give yourself the best chance to get the scholarship you want? Read our top tips for scholarship applications:

Do your research

This is both important and necessary. By researching the different scholarships and what you need to do to apply will significantly increase your chances of success, and help you focus your energy in the right way.

On our website, you will find a page for every course that we offer. Under the fees and funding section on this webpage, you will find a list of the scholarships we have identified that are applicable to that particular course. In addition, we have a great funding finder that you can use to look up all the scholarship opportunities on offer.

However, this is just the beginning of your research. You will need to check the following:

• Are you eligible to apply?
• When is the deadline?
• Can you can use this scholarship with other scholarships that you have already been awarded?
• How do you apply? Our Student Funding Team tend to use online forms, but you may also need to submit an essay, statement or CV.
• What supporting documents do you need to provide? Some scholarships ask for references, others ask for CV’s and many ask for proof of acceptance, this is usually your Cranfield offer letter.

Do some more research

Many scholarships make grants available for specific purposes, some examples are:
• Where you live, which region in the UK or your country of origin,
• To support students with disabilities or illnesses,
• Special interests, activities or hobbies, such as music, sport, drama i.e. Professional Athlete Scholarship provided by Cranfield School of Management,
• Religion or ethnicity,
• Whether you are the first in your family to access higher education.

You can use search engines such as The Scholarship Hub | Apply for UK Student Scholarships, Cranfield Scholarships (wemakescholars.com) or Scholarships and funding | Study UK to search for these opportunities.

Apply early

My advice is always apply early. Having done your research, you will have identified which scholarships you would like to apply for and be preparing your application. Applying early means you can apply for more scholarships, and have a greater chance of success as you can give each application the time and consideration it requires.

The other benefit is that you will not miss the deadline. Applications are rarely read if they are submitted after the deadline. Rushed applications are easy to spot, and are often unsuccessful as they can contain errors and do not show you in the best light.

Applying early is particularly important if you are reliant on scholarships to make your Visa application, which adds extra time to your university application process.

Check your understanding

What is the application asking for? Although different scholarships may ask similar questions, always try to understand what they are asking. High quality applications that address the points in the questions and are relevant to that application will stand out from those which have been copied and pasted.

Can I use AI? We understand that you may choose to use generative AI tools to support your application. However, they must be used intelligently, and with due diligence as AI generated text can contain errors. Please ensure that you are answering the question that is being asked and if you ask an AI tool the same question as another applicant, you may be given a very similar answer. It’s important that your application reflects your unique perspective, experiences, and voice. Never share confidential or personal data with the AI system or tool, as any data you provide may be stored or reused by the platform. It is always best to check the AI policy with each scholarship provider as these do differ significantly. Use AI as a tool, not a substitute, and apply your own judgment and critical thinking throughout the process.

How to make your application stand out

We know you are excited about the opportunity to study with us. For a successful scholarship application, you will need to tell us how you plan to make an impact with a Cranfield degree behind you, and why you’re so passionate about the course you are applying to.

Tell us what you could do to improve conditions in your home country and change people’s lives for the better. You may have a desire to study further by taking up a PhD course or becoming a teacher, but these plans on their own may not be enough to win that elusive scholarship nomination. We know from previous years that many people have these same goals. Tell us what else you will do to stand out from the crowd.

Ask for help

It is so important to proofread your application before you submit it. If possible, ask someone you trust to help with your application, this could be a friend or relative, a tutor to ensure you have answered the questions sufficiently and that you have no spelling mistakes!

Often, applicants reach out to a current or former scholar on LinkedIn from the scholarships they are applying for, and ask them to read their application to provide feedback. As former scholars, they have already been through the selection process and may have an insight into the application you are making.

Check your spam or junk mail folders

We will always notify you of the outcome of your application via email, and this is the case for many scholarships. But, if you are waiting to hear, please check your spam or junk mail folders. We know that many of these important emails can get blocked, so please check these folders before contacting the scholarship provider and make sure you check it regularly.

Have a Plan B

There are lots of scholarships to apply for, but there are also educational loans that you can consider. Make sure you research all your alternative funding options.

Beware of scholarship scams

Be aware of the phrase ‘if something is too good to be true, it usually is.’ Scholarships are designed to support you through your education, but if you have to pay to apply or have been pre-selected, this should prompt you to investigate this thoroughly before you proceed with your application.

Don’t give up!

Perhaps, most importantly of all, when you apply for scholarships, you will almost certainly face some rejection. This is normal, so don’t give up! We know these scholarships are competitive and hard won. For the most prestigious scholarships, many of our successful scholars have applied more than once and have been gaining experience whilst they wait for the next funding cycle to begin.

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If you have any further questions, please do contact our Student Funding team at studentfunding@cranfield.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.