The Scholarship MasterPlan

A Comprehensive Guide to Really Boost Your Chances of Winning

Table of Content
Introduction Chapter 1 : General Scholarship Application Requirements 1.1 The Nitty-Gritty of Scholarship Application 1.2 Gathering the Necessary Documents 1.3 Finding Scholarships that are Right for You 1.4 Deciding Which Scholarships to pursue Chapter 2 : Acquiring the Requisite Scholarship Qualifications 2.1 Academic Grades 2.2 Leadership Potential 2.3 Internship & Work Experience 2.4 Volunteerism/ Community Services 2.5 English Language Tests Chapter 3 : Completing the Scholarship Applications 3.1 Getting Motivated to Work Your Application 3.2 Evaluating Applications Critically 3.2.1 Ranking System 3.2.2 Priorities 3.2.3 Reality Check 3.3 Preparing the Application 3.3.1 The Scholarship Cover Letter 3.4 Understanding the Selection Process for Scholarship Winners Chapter 4 : Write a Compelling Essay 4.1 Getting Started 4.2 Outline Your Response 4.3 Writing the Essay 4.4 More Essay Writing Tips Chapter 5 : Get the Recommendations that Wins 5.1 The Secret Weapon 5.2 The Sample 5.3 The Scholarship Interview Chapter 6 : National Scholarship Programmes For Nigerian Students 6.1 List of Scholarship Programmes in Nigeria 6.2 NGO's in Nigeria Chapter 7 : International Scholarship and Fellowship Programmes 7.1 Finding Scholarships Online 7.1.1 Using Google Search Secrets

7.1.2 Automating your Scholarship Search 7.2 The University/ College Scholarships 7.3 Non-Profit Organization/ Foundation Scholarships 7.4 The Comprehensive List of International Scholarships and Fellowships Chapter 8 : Getting Started 8.1 Managing Your Time 8.2 Avoiding Scholarship Scams 8.2.1 Common Scholarship Scams Appendices: Appendix I: How to Get Admission to UK Universities Appendix II: How to Get Admission into US and Canada Universities and Colleges Appendix III: How to Write a Good Personal Statement for a University in the UK Appendix IV: Schools in US with Financial Aid for International Undergraduate Students Appendix V: RESOURCES

69 69 70 73 73-76 77-80 81 82-84 85

Introduction
The current economic situation in Nigeria today have prompted the urgency for students and graduates in the country to seek alternative means to achieve their long held dreams to acquire quality education. With scholarships and financial aid being an escape route to keep that dream alive, it then becomes the problem of qualifying and eventually winning these scholarships. There are numerous scholarship opportunities on the internet, but for the Nigerian student, there are exceptions on national eligibility. This book is written to guide you on: how and where to find scholarship Programmes you can apply to, and contains a comprehensive list of scholarships you can apply. how to prepare/brand your personality to stand greater chances of being favored by the scholarship committee how to complete your application, essays and letters of recommendation to beat your competitors.

I wrote this book to provide answers to the frequent questions I get asked by my blog readers - www.afterschoolafrica.com on international scholarships and how to go about the application process. While I don't portray myself as a scholarship expert or agent, I have studied and written about scholarships and studying abroad for over two years, and interact with students and scholarship providers to learn more about the entire process. I've come to realize the need for a book like this to guide prospective scholarship applicants on how to prepare for, apply and even win scholarship awards. You need more than a long list of scholarship Programmes or high academic grade to increase you chances of winning scholarships. So keep reading; what you read in the next twenty minutes may just change your life.

Chapter 1 General Scholarship Application Requirements

1.1 The Nitti Gritty of Sch olarships A pplicati on
Scholarships are financial aids awarded to students to further their education. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Students only need to qualify after application and selection, to get them for free. Hundreds of thousands of scholarships and grants from different sponsors are awarded each year. Most scholarships are awarded to help students with special skills, talents, qualifications, or need. Examples include scholarships for academic, athletic, or artistic merit. Awards are also available to students who; are interested in particular fields of study, are members of underrepresented groups (examples are African-American, women or disable scholarship), live in certain areas of the country, or who demonstrate financial need. Scholarship awards range from a few dollars to full-tuition, accommodation, books and living expenses. Scholarships are offered by many organizations, including federal and state governments, employers, individuals, companies, secondary schools, colleges, and universities, religious groups, foundations, clubs, professional associations, and many more. Scholarship eligibility ranges across broad areas of interest, background, and skills such as academic performance, athletic skills, financial need, religious affiliation, minority status, achievements, community affiliations, strong interest and demonstrated leadership potential, community service/ volunteerism or other area. Different scholarships have different eligibility and application requirements and use different criteria to select scholarship recipients. Most scholarships require applicants to submit a written essay, Letter of Recommendation, exam scores, or a specific project as part of the application process. Scholarship Programmes may also specify how scholarship funds must be used, set time restrictions for disbursing the funds, or conditions for maintaining the scholarship award. Students will need to meet specific requirements during the life of the scholarship to be completed in full. While some scholarship program will allow the scholarship recipient to source other Financial Aid, others will not accept students who have already received an award from other source of funding.

1.2 Gathering the Ne cessary Documents

Although different scholarship programmes have their specific selection requirements, there are documents that are most vital for admission and scholarship qualification. But it all depends on the nature of the scholarship provider. Both undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship programmes require applicants to provide their previous academic qualifications. Some scholarship programmes (more common with College or university scholarship awards) may not require an additional application on the part of the students. You only need to apply and be accepted for an admission to automatically qualify for nomination, which often goes with conditions like excellent grades, nationality, financial need or course of study. Whichever the case, you have to thoroughly check through the requirements to see if you can provide all necessary materials. Please Note that every single required material is necessary. There is no point submitting an incomplete application as you will automatically be disqualified. Well, except for a 'Miracle', if you believe in one. Your document list should include: A Scholarship Cover Letter CV/ Resume Scholarship Application Form Secondary School (WASSCE) Certificate (for Undergraduate program) B.Sc or M.Sc Transcript (for Postgraduate program) SAT or GRE and TOEFL or IELTS Scores Essay(s) Letter(s) of Recommendation Others requested by the Programme(s).

1.3 Finding Scholarships that are righ t for You

The first step towards a successful scholarship application is with finding the scholarships that are right for you to apply. While there are thousand (some would even say millions) of scholarship award programmes, with Millions of

dollars involved, you still have to narrow down the lists to the ones that are meant for you. Now Let's take a moment to sit back and give thanks for the internet. Before the availability of scholarship search engines, students were required to sweat through scholarship listings in Libraries and other available sources, looking for opportunities. Today, the job of seeking scholarships is still a great deal of work but still so much simpler than in the not-so- distant past. The best source of scholarship information is contained on the internet, through a variety of scholarship directory sites, search engines and tools. In the Chapters 6 & 7 of this book you will find a list of Local and International scholarship programs for Nigerian students to start with. Additionally, there is also a comprehensive list of scholarship websites from which you can easily find more scholarships to take advantage of in less than an hour. You will also find steps on how to set up an auto scholarship Alert with the largest e-library in the world- Google- to receive specific scholarship notifications, like Public administration scholarship for international students, as they unfold. A Nigerian student has as much chances of winning any of these awards as any other eligible student from other countries- as long as you are eligible in the first place. To get greater results with scholarship search, you have to spread your net and diversify your source of information. Then, make a combined list of scholarships you are eligible to apply. Additionally, it will be of great help to start your scholarship search locally/nationally, and then expand internationally. Some scholarship awarding organizations in Nigeria include the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria, Gani Fahwenmi Scholarship Foundation etc. More on Chapter 6. Such organizations offer students from Nigeria the opportunity to study in Nigerian or Abroad universities (in UK or USA).

1.3.1 Begin Your Search Early

Beginning your scholarship search early enough will give you better chances of landing on the best scholarship awards possible and also give you enough time to prepare. Think of it this way; if you start searching for international undergraduate scholarships the same year you intend to gain admission into the university, you are likely to fall behind schedule and deadlines for a number of awards you come across, which will narrow your chances quite significantly. You get anxious to complete your application and submit before deadline. This wouldn't do the quality of you application much good. Some scholarship committees honor early

submission more than almost late submission, and you know how unreliable postal services can be sometimes. Starting as early as after or during your secondary education to search and compile lists of undergraduate scholarships will give you more time control and understanding of specific scholarship programmes. If you wish to further your postgraduate Masters' education through scholarships, start during or towards the ending of your final year in the university. Your scholarship dream deserves such preparation, doesn't it? Things generally become easier in life when you begin to understand how it works. You tend to lose your fear for it. With timely actions you get to understand scholarship requirements and qualification, and prepare yourself for them. If you've already gone through these stages of your education and still need scholarships to continue you education, you can still do it. You just have to devote some time to it.

1.3.2 Other Sources of Scholarships information

Some other reliable source of scholarship information include; Secondary School Guidance & Counselor Office (this source is not quite effective in Nigeria) Public Library Colleges or Universities Financial Aids Offices (you can find this source on the international student/ financial aid webpage on the schools website) Department/Ministry of Education National Organizations and Mult-national companies Membership Clubs Non-Profit Organizations/NGOs (you'll find a list of some NGO's in Nigeria and their contact info. in Chapter 6).

1.4 Deciding which S cholarships to Pu rsue

After you must have gathered a list of scholarship award programmes, you still need to narrow down your list to programmes that are suitable for you. There is no point applying for every single programme that sound good, for which you don't qualify. You only have to apply to awards you are eligible to apply. There are several conditions that will determine your eligibility for a scholarship award: Nationality, Course of study, Gender, Religion, Demonstrated financial need, Academic performance, Leadership potential, Organisation/Club membership, Work Experience, Community service/ Volunteerism, Personal Skills, Disability and more. With such qualifications, it's either you are eligible or

you are not. There are always more qualified candidates than the available awards. Discard the ones that don't go with you and concentrate on ones that are made for you. In Chapter 3, we will discuss how to prioritize scholarship applications strategically, for an effective work-flow. Here is a brief explanation.

1.5 Working Through Your List

With a list of scholarships you are eligible to apply, you now have to arrange your result in order of priority. Which one to start with and which should come later. Some scholarship application will naturally require more time and effort than the other. Applications with closer deadlines should come atop your list. Some scholarships awards are more competitive than the other, but all scholarship awards big or small deserve an excellent application. Do not neglect scholarships with small rewards like $50 to $1000 or partial fee reduction awards. Usually, such scholarships are less competitive and you could stand better chances of receiving them. It's very possible for one student to receive two to five scholarships at a time. So every cent counts to make up for your education funding. If you find you don't have the time to complete an application due to deadline, keep it aside and focus on others for which you have the time. In the next chapter, we'll be discussing on the major qualities scholarship selection committees require of candidates, and how you can easy develop or fetch out these qualities to boost you chances of winning.

Chapter 2 Acquiring the Requisite scholarship Qualifications

How do you qualify yourself for the scholarship Programme you seek? Qualifying for scholarships takes more than making up your mind one sunny afternoon to start applying. Or deciding you want a scholarship to get out of the country out of frustration. It involves timely preparation during your early education career. Scholarship qualifications and Selection Criteria require self development and periodic experiences on your part as a student. Hence, you need to start preparing yourself while you can. The economic future of a typical Nigerian student/ graduate can be very 'unpredictable', and hoping that things will just work out to finance you dream can be very unrealistic, without some timely effort on your path. If you ever meet a scholarship winner, try to ask him/her what it took to get it. While the humble ones will want to admit that it was purely luck on their side (of course it is), you can still get some honest truth like, 'Men it really took some time and early preparation'. You may choose to call them 'Lucky', but I choose to call them 'Scholarship Worthy', and they sure deserve that hand shake. The question, then is, 'Are you scholarship worthy?'. Scholarship Committees look to offer to students merit-based gifts, designed to help share the cost of a their education. Millions of dollars in scholarship money are available from private companies, non-profit organizations, universities and other sources. Many of these scholarships are available only to students who fit a narrowly defined set of eligibility requirements. Regardless of what the scholarships specific set of eligibility requirements, selection committees are looking for well-defined candidates who excel in one or more of the following categories: Academics, Internship & Work Experience, Community Service, or Leadership. By being able to demonstrate strength in some or all of these four essential qualities, you will undoubtedly create an impression with any scholarship committee. Here are the basic scholarship qualifications and how to improve on them.

2.1 Academics Grades

Whether you are applying for a scholarship from an auto company or a non-profit organization, most scholarship committees will take into consideration your overall commitment to academics. Even if the scholarship you want does not require a high level of academic achievement, the selection committee may still reasonably be interested in your grades or other indications that you take your studies seriously. After all, you are asking for money to pay for higher education,

and they (the scholarship providers) will want to keep a track record of awarding scholarships to deserving students. Academic commitment is often translated into a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) requirement. With scholarship awards that require high GPA as Merit, students with First or Second Class Upper degree stand a better chance. If you a not so fantastic with GPA, or do not have a single award to your credit, dont worry. You do not have to write off scholarship financial aid just yet. Not all committees demand - or even care about - high -high honors. For some scholarships, a well-rounded candidate with a lower GPA is more appealing than one with a high grade point but doesnt do anything with his time other than study. For secondary school students looking to win scholarships for undergraduate studies, or students still in higher institutions hoping for Masters' scholarship, try to keep yourself on the safe side by working on your academic performance while you can. You will stand greater chances with good grades, nonetheless.

2.2 Leadership Potential

For over three years of my acquaintance with international scholarships, the most prominent and high incentive scholarship programmes I've some across, often come with two major qualification requirements: Academic Excellence and Demonstrated Leadership potential (there are exceptions though). Leadership is a quality that should be reflected in all aspects of a students life, including her academics and paid employment, as well as her community service. Beyond the initiative it takes to become a leader, scholarship committees are also looking for the consensus building skills and motivational abilities required for leadership success. Developing your leadership potentials may not be as scary as you think, if you try to always cease opportunity to demonstrate them. Personally, I'd not been the take-up-leadership-responsibility type during school days. I was the shytype, and words like 'public-speaking' often sound like 'nightmare' to me. But I've always desired the adventurous life of facing and conquering challenges. Then, that day in October 2007, at the Orientation Camp, in Kolokuma/ Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa, during my National Youth Service corps (NYSC), my Platoon Commander said he wanted me to be Platoon (squad) Leader for Platoon '10'. I had the choice to decline but I accepted the challenge and the three weeks that followed was condensed with real life leadership experiences. I had to motivate my platoon members to carry out one activity after another every single day. I often wish I had been more involved in school activities, but no regrets. I still have a lot to learn anyway. I'm not trying to write you an essay about me here. I'm just trying to let any faint hearted reader understand that we can all demonstrate leader potentials if we

desire to. You are not that faint-hearted reader, are You? While in school (secondary or tertiary) or during NYSC, get involved with extracurricular activities, take responsibility for your actions in difficult situations, and create experiences that show courage. Getting elected class president doesnt necessarily prove you are a true leader. Scholarship committees will be more interested in the way you utilize your position to help others or rally fellow students to lobby for change. According to Dr. Bruce Jackson, Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Leadership, "It is not enough to acquire knowledge and good grades. If you want to succeed, you need a firm understanding of what creates lasting success and excellence... ". To show the selection committee that you are a leadership material, focus your essays on a pivotal leadership opportunity or challenge and reflect on how that experience shaped you. Letters of recommendation that cite examples of your leadership skills can be very helpful to your candidacy, as well. More on Essay writing and Letter of recommendation in Chapters 4 and 5 respectively.

2.3 Internship & Work Experience

There are scholarships awards that require candidates to have work experience of a specified number of year. Such scholarships are often for postgraduate students. But If you are applying for an undergraduate scholarship that requires an essay or cover letter, mentioning your after-secondary education work experience and your commitment to it will give an upper hand. Scholarship selection committees are interested in knowing how you relate to the world outside home and school environment. They are looking first and foremost for initiative and commitment at place of work. Do you work a part-time (or full-time) job in addition to your studies? Are you a major breadwinner for your family? Scholarship committees are less concerned with your job description and earning power than with your ability to demonstrate responsibility. In other to ensure that you have consistently demonstrated your work skill for a period of time, some scholarships committee demand that applicants have 2-5 years work experience. You can prove this by presenting strong and compelling letters of reference from your employer and showing a history of commitment to your place of work. You can also demonstrate initiative by having an internship - either paid or unpaid. Particularly attractive to selection committees are those internships related either to your major course of study or to the field of the scholarship.

2.4 Volunteer/C ommunity Service

In addition to the work you have done for pay - or for credit, in the case of an internship volunteerism and service to your community make potential scholarship candidates even more attractive to selection committees. By

volunteering, you show not only that you are civic-minded but also that you care about a cause broader than your own advancement. From giving extra lessons to students in rural area to service in the Church choir or spending time at the childrens ward at your local hospital, giving your time and talent is a noble use of your resources. With many civic and non- profit organizations offering scholarships - volunteers make the top of the priority list for selection committees. To demonstrate your commitment to community service, go beyond just listing volunteer assignments on your scholarship application. Write an essay about how volunteering has impacted on your academic or career ambitions, what have you learned from serving the community, or why being a volunteer changed your political beliefs. Make the scholarship committee see through your heart. Let them know who you are and who you want to become. Also helpful to your candidacy with the scholarship committee are letters of recommendation from volunteer supervisors, stressing your commitment, dedication, selflessness and maturity. To some people the idea of volunteerism/community service may seem unrealistic. 'How and why should I waste my precious time doing things I don't benefit from ini any way?', you could say. The scholarship committee understands this and would gladly reward candidates with such public-spirit. Service to humanity is an act of leadership and a way of life. Learn from scholarship providers.

2.5 English Language Quali ficati on Tests

Most universities you are likely to be eligible to apply for scholarships around the world, are available for students with efficiency in English Language as a classroom and coursework communication. To qualify for these scholarships, applicants are expected to take an internationally recognized English Language Test and score a specific minimum grade. The most commonly accepted is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). These tests can be taken here in Nigeria either computer -or classroom- based. The higher degree you pursue the higher the score on the English Test required.

2.5.1 TOEFL & IELTS In Nigeria

Either of these English Language Tests is Obtainable in Nigeria, and are both accepted in most English-Speaking Institutions around the world. TOEFL The TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than

7,500 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries. Wherever you want to study, the TOEFL test can help you get there. The TOEFL test is offered in two formats: the Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) or the Paper-based Test (TOEFL PBT). The format you take depends on the location of your test center. TOEFL iBT is offered 3040 times a year at more than 4,500 authorized test centers throughout the world. Most test takers take the internet-based test. TOEFL PBT is offered six times a year in areas where Internet-based testing is not available. Requirements For Undergraduate Study: TOEFL at least 550 (some colleges still accept TOEFL of 500) For Master Degree: TOEFL at least 560 in addition to GRE For PhD: TOEFL at least 650 (some universities still accept TOEFL of 625) in addition to GRE. As at 2010, the Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) cost $175 while the Paper- based Test (TOEFL PBT) cost $150. Both tests are taken in Nigeria. The test is taken almost in every part of Nigeria. For current detail of tests dates and location visit http://www.ets.org/toefl Select your country. You will find the information you need. IELTS The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a world English test for English learners of all levels. Taking an IELTS qualification will help to open doors to international education and employment all over the globe. More than 6,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organizations around the world recognize the IELTS test. IELTS has become an official requirement for admission into most Universities/Colleges and Scholarship awarding organizations/Institution worldwide. If you are planning to study, live or work abroad, you will need to take an IELTS Exam. In Lagos the IELTS Exams and workshops is run regularly to help you prepare for the exam. Visit the link below to find out how to register, what it costs and when the exams and workshops take place.

How to register OPTION 1 Register online by visiting here https://examinations.britishcouncil.org/ OPTION 2 Complete the application form in person at your nearest British Council office [http://www.britishcouncil.org/africa-ng-contact-us.htm ]. You can register at any of the offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt or Kano (See contact details below) and the exam is administered in pre-determined locations across the country. You will need to bring along with you two current passport sized photographs, a valid international passport, original only (No other form of ID is acceptable) and a photocopy of the information page(s) of your international passport. OPTION 3 Step 1 : Download the application [http://www.britishcouncil.org/africa-globalielts-application-form.pdf ] form

Step2 : Courier the following documentation to the office in Lagos: completed application form, a photocopy of international passport, a photocopy of the information page(s) of your international passport, two current passport sized photographs. What are the costs? According to the information provided at the British Council website, the IELTS Exam cost as follows (As at 2010); Booking for the IELTS Exam only N28,500 Ordering the specimen pack only N 4,000 Booking for the workshop only N 6,000 Receiving your results by mail N 1,000 If you need to request extra copies of your results (from one month to two years after your exam) you will be asked to fill out an IELTS application and pay a mailing charge of N 2,000. How do I pay? Payments can only be made to the British Council in form of bank draft. When can I write my exam? Information on varying dates and venues are provided at the British Council website. ng.britishcouncil.org Contact General Email: [email protected]

ABUJA Plot 3645, IBB Way Maitama PMB 550 Garki, Abuja Tel: +234 806 900 5871 Fax: +234 9 413 0902 LAGOS 20 Thompson Avenue, PO Box 53702, Falomo Ikoyi Lagos Tel: +234 1 803 402 2496 1 4615600-1 1 4630396-8 Fax: +234 1 4615602 KANO 10 Emir's Palace Road

PMB 3003 Kano Tel: +234 803 085 5773 Fax: +234 64 632500 PORT HARCOURT 127 Olu Obasanjo Road GRA Phase 2, PMB 5299 Port Harcourt Tel: +234 84 465377 Fax: +234 84 464808 ENUGU DFID, Teacher's House, Otigba Junction Enugu Enugu Tel: +234 802 614 0752

You should contact your prospect institution (university, college or school you are interested in) for specific Test requirements.

2.6 Standardized Internati onal Tests

When you apply to a U.S. Or other international college or university, you will probably be asked to provide your test scores for the SAT (for undergraduate program) or GRE (for postgraduate programs), which are standardized college entrance exams. While these college entrance exams are an important consideration in the admission process at American and International schools, you can still overcome a low score by displaying strengths in other areas, such as your school grades, your application essay, community service, letter of recommendation or your experiences. The SAT The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is administered by the College Board, a non-profit organization in the United States. The SAT is intended to forecast a students ability to perform in his or her freshman (first) year at college or university. The current SAT Reasoning Test takes three hours and forty-five minutes, and costs $45 ($71 International), excluding late fees. The College Board states that the SAT measures literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. SAT and ACT(American College

Test. Email: [email protected], ACT Universal Testing P.O. Box 4028, Tel: 319-3371448, 52243-4028, Iowa City, IA U.S.A) scores are intended to supplement the secondary school record and help admission officers put local data in an international perspective. SAT has been more popular in Nigeria than ACT. There are some colleges that require the ACT to be taken, and a few schools that formerly did not accept the SAT at all. Nearly all colleges accept the test. SAT consists of three major sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Each section receives a score on the scale of 200800. All scores are multiples of 10. Total scores are calculated by adding up scores of the three sections. The test contains 3 hours and 45 minutes of actual timed sections. Average Scores The SAT has three sections and three scores, each on a scale of 200 to 800. Writing (200-800) Math (200-800) Critical Reading (200-800) The average total score is approximately 1,538 points (520 in Math, 510 in Writing, and 508 in Critical Reading). An average score is acceptable for most colleges and universities. However, some of the top schools will expect you to achieve an SAT score of 2,100 of more. A score above 2,100 puts you in the 90th percentile, meaning that you scored better on the test than 90% of test takers. Visit www.collegeboard.com/student/ which also has sample test questions or write College SAT Program PO Box 6200 Princeton, NJ 08541-6200. The GRE If you are applying for graduate school (advanced study after receiving the equivalent of a four-year university degree), you may need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Many United States and other international English-Speaking schools place the same importance upon the GRE for acceptance into graduate study that they place upon the SAT or ACT for undergraduate studies. Created and administered by Educational Testing Service (or ETS) in 1949, the GRE General

Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills acquired over time and that are not related to any specific field of study. GRE Subject Tests measure knowledge of particular subjects, such as Biology, English, Literature in English, or Mathematics. Scores from these tests help predict an individuals success in studies on the graduate level. GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered by select qualified testing centers; however, paper-based exams are offered in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available. In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely between schools and between departments within schools. The importance of a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important selection factor. The official cost of the general test is $ 160 as of March 2010. ETS erases all test records that are older than 5 years. Visit the GRE website for all the information you should need, including sample questions. http://www.ets.org/gre/

Chapter 3 Completing the Scholarship Application

When you must have put up a list of scholarships you are eligible to apply for (more on Chapter 6 and 7), the next step is to start applying. Let's get to work.

3.1 Getting Motivated to Work your A pplicati on

We all go through worries and hard times often in life that sometimes, when we set out to complete a task, we find ourselves needing to push a little harder from the inside to accomplish our goal. Those familiar feeling did show up a number of times while I was writing this book. On Some days, I felt like, Is it really worth it", "What if people don't get interested", "Can I really complete this to taste?" But I still had to neglect those voices and kept pushing myself to complete what I've started. If I hadn't, I bet you wouldn't be reading this by now. Think of it this way, whatever negative feelings you are having towards completing, submitting and finally winning that scholarship are only there for one reason only; to stop you from achieving your dreams. I'm sure you don't want that. However, you shouldn't be surprised to hear that you may not win, even after you have done your best applying. After all, a scholarship award for 5 winners may receiver thousands of applications. On the other hand, you should have in mind that someone somewhere will become the scholarship winner(s). It could be you. I mean, every of the past scholarship winners, never expected to win. They just did their best, just like you are about to do, and it paid off. So get started. Stay focused. Imagine the satisfaction of completing what you are about to start, and tap energy from that desire.

3.2 Evaluating Sch olarship Opportuni ties Critica lly

If you already have your list of scholarship opportunities, the next step is to determine your highest priorities for pursuing these scholarships. Ideally, you would want to start applying to every suitable award. However, we need to take into account that a longer period of your time will probably get in the way of scholarship essay writing. So it's best to start prioritizing.

3.2.1 Ranking System

Scholarship experts have taken time to create a ranking system for prioritizing awards. With this effective technique, Scholarships are ranked based upon six criteria. Here is what you should do: Draw a table with 8 columns, listing your scholarships in the first vertical column. On the next six columns, include the following as the title of each column:

Eligibility Competition Timing Difficulty of preparation Number of Award Amount of Award We then have to use a ranking system of "1 " through "5 ". In each category, higher ranking numbers (1 through 5) means greater priority. Eligibility Are you a good candidate for this award? If it's a national award which every single undergraduate university student is a candidate, you should rank the award a 2 or a 3. If it's an award with specific criteria and you don't exactly fit but really want to go for it, rank it a 1 or a 2. If it's a highly specific award and there aren't all that many people who will fit the eligibility criteria and you happen to be eligible, rank it a 4 or a 5. Competition What does the competitive field look like? National awards with broad eligibility criteria should be ranked 1. Regional or local awards will be proportionally less competitive, based on the number of applicants and should rank 4 or 5. Timing This category is a subjective assessment of how the application deadline fits into your life. In all, what really determines deadline conveniences is the time you discovered the scholarship opportunity relative to the closing date. If the conflict will make it very hard to make the due date, it's a 1 rank. If it's generally an easier time of the year, rank it a 5. Use 2, 3 or 4 to adjust the ranking according to your personal life schedule. Difficulty of Preparation Some scholarships require "the usual materials', like application, transcript, essay. That's quite standard and should be ranked a 4 or a 5. However, other scholarships can involve a great deal of effort such as the preparation of a project to be accomplished, letters of recommendation, interview, recording of your artistic skills

etc. The difficulty level is really your subjective assessment of how hard or easy the scholarship application will be to prepare. Relatively, the easier application should rank higher than the tougher. Number of Awards The more awards that are available per programme, the greater the possibility for you to receive one of those awards. Use the following system as a way to rank this criterion. 1 1-4 award 2 5-10 awards 3 11-15 awards 4 16-20 awards 5 More than 20 awards In some cases, You may find that there is not sufficient information to understand how many scholarships are awarded. In that case, do one of two things: go with your impression, i.e., does the material make it sound like several are given or does it sound pretty limited; or just rank it a 3. Amount of Award While every bit of money helps, it makes sense to focus more attention on $6,000 awards than $500 awards, unless the former criteria proves tougher than the latter. Use the following ranking system. 1 Up to $500 2 >500 - $1,000 3 >$1,000 - $3,000 4 >$3,000 - $5,000 5 >$5,000-Up Use your initiative in situations where the amount varies. Refine this system the way you need to, for greatest utility.

3.2.2 Prioritise
Total the points for each scholarship and enter the score in the last column. The programmes that ranks the highest priority scholarships are the ones by the most points. Here's a way to use the points to prioritize your list. 22 30 points "A" Priority Must apply 15-21 points "B" Priority Should apply if possible 6-14 points "C" Priority Would like to apply if there's time. But be sure that As and Bs are taken care of first.

3.2.3 Reality Check

Now that you have prioritized your scholarship workload, go back through the list and see if it makes sense to you, e.g., is there an award that's a "C" priority that you intuitively believe should be a "B" or an "A"? Are there other seemingly miscategorized scholarships? If so, go back and try to understand how the rankings worked and why there is a discrepancy. If you still feel that something is categorized incorrectly, change it. Remember that this evaluation tool is precisely, a tool, not a law or a boundary. It's only meant to simplify your decision making and help you focus your attention appropriately. You just have to be creative on you part. Now, what does your list look like?

3.3 Preparing the Applicati on

You list should look more 'good to go', by now. It's then time to start applying. There is no generic form or format for filling scholarship Applications. Each scholarship programme has its own methods and information requirement. Some scholarships offers no application form at all; submissions are accompanied by a letter with a required set of information. This is also common with Universities Merit Awards where students with excellent academic grades, offered admission are automatically selected as scholarship candidates. Other than that, you should plan to spend 10-16 hours per scholarship application (mustn't be consecutive). This estimated time includes gathering materials, writing a cover letter, filling out application, preparing the package and writing a short essay. You don't have to spend your entire vacation applying to a few scholarship awards. You only need enough but reasonable time to complete each application. But in cases where you will require some research for your essay, you are welcome to take a little longer. Dedicated 2 to 3 hours of research online can be all you need.

Preparation of scholarship applications requires efficiency to save you time and help you avoid errors. Here are tips to help you get to work. High Demand Materials Obtain or create a number of copies of materials that will be requested over and over again. Frequently requested documents might include transcripts, English Language test result, cover letters, resumes, letters of recommendation or passport photographs. Your application will be smoother if you can always reach for virtually every required document from your file folder. Forms and Documents The scholarship application form will introduce you to the judges. You need to make that introduction as professional as possible. Make copies of the application form so that you can create a working draft. Use that draft to complete the original application form to submit. This will help avoid cancellations and untidy work. Type the application form if at all possible. Don't use fancy fonts; stick with standard business fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. Legibility and neatness are extremely important. Your application can be eliminated if it cannot be easily read. Put your name on every page of the application. Many Judges prefer that applications be free of staples so they are easier to photocopy or distribute among committee members. This means that there is the possibility of parts of your application to be misplaced. Placing your name on every page gives your application the chance of being resorted if a page or two gets misplaced during the process. Answer every question If you don't believe that a question applies to you, don't leave it blank it could be judged incomplete. Don't mark the question 'N/A' or 'not applicable'. The evaluators may have a different point of view on its applicability and can disqualify you for failing to complete the form. Instead, answer the question if you can. If the question is truly not applicable, write a sentence that describes your situation. For example, if the question is, "What is your military history?" it is preferable to write "I have never served in the military" rather than leave it blank or write N/A.

3.3.1 The Scholarship Cover Letter

The application cover letter conveys the package from you to the awarding organization. It is one more opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and knowledge of appropriate branding etiquette. Be sure you have the name of the

individual the letter should be addressed and the name of the scholarship programme, and have it spelt correctly. In the body of the letter, express your pleasure at the opportunity to submit your application for the specific award you are seeking. It's always useful to add a sentence praising the work or the mission of the funding organization. Close the letter by expressing your enthusiasm for participating in the process and always thank the recipient for their time and consideration.

3.4 Rounding-O ff Tips

Check, check and re-check for errors or misspellings. Get external help from a reliable person. It is sometimes difficult to proof-read your own material. Really, your mind's eye reads what you thought you wrote, not what actually shows up onto the page. A fresh reader will catch the words that you missed and find the spelling problems easier. Little errors can remove you from a scholarship competition much more quickly than little work experience. Even if you are not an excellent community volunteer candidate or a terrific storyteller, you can still be in the finalist round by being sure you spelt every name correctly, and attend to all of the other minor details that will make your application perfectly correct and worthy of consideration. *Place the requested documents in the package in the order that they are requested. This consistency makes it easier for evaluators to locate information. It's also simpler for you to check the documents against the list of requirements. *Do not add documents that are not requested. Although some scholarship guides will encourage you to add additional materials as a way for you to show your creativity and make your application unique. Judging by the available data, if you create an error-free, neat and timely application package, you will have already distinguished your application as unique. Additional materials give the impression that you think the funders don't really know what they need, and that, can disqualify you. You are better served by focusing on making your application stand out, using the structure requested by the funder. *Do not staple documents together unless directed to do so. It is always reasonable to use paper clips to keep materials tidy. The place to be creative and innovative is in the preparation of your essay . When preparing the applications, just follow the directions you are given.

*Make a complete copy of the application before you send it. It is always important to have a complete record of everything you send the funder in exactly the form it was received by the funder. * Use an envelope that will hold your application without folding it. As a matter of presentation, the application will look better without creases. Send the application as requested, online or post, use a delivery service like FedEx or DHL that allows you to track the package's path and verify who signed for it. In this way you will have proof that the application was received by the organization. If you do not receive verification within the appropriate length of time, you follow up. If the application is to be submitted online, create a well formatted document of your application- following all instructionsbefore submitting. Finally, the scholarship application is a paper model of you. Make sure your application is professional and compelling.

3.5 Understanding the Selecti o n Process for Sch olarship Winners

Judging the Scholarship Application
The judging of scholarship applications may appear to be a mystery to most of us. Frankly, that's true to an extent, not because there's a conspiracy of secrecy but because the judging process varies widely based upon the organizations' goals in making the award, the availability of paid staff and judges, traditions and policies, timeframe for rendering decisions and so on. Variations, aside the evaluation of scholarship applications, does have some generalizable characteristics. The Winnowing Process In agriculture, the winnowing process separates the chaff (undesirable) from the wheat (desirable) by thrashing the stalks. The scholarship application winnowing process will probably come like a thrashing as well. Scholarship providers receive many, many more applications than they can possibly consider or handle. Therefore, the first step in the judging process is to eliminate as many non-qualifying applications as possible. This strategy reduces the application volume to a more manageable size. The first cut may well be "the unkindest cut of all". Here is where all of your 'thorough checking' personalities will favor above your colleagues who take a more casual approach to life and, possibly scholarships. Incomplete applications are the first to go. It is not uncommon for an administrative staff person to compare your application to a checklist of initial criteria such as "no blanks on the form filled in", "no spelling errors", and reject any applications that don't meet these initial screening process.

Just imagine, you spent hours perfecting that essay, more hours gathering letters of recommendation, more hours assembling the documents, attaching them to the application in the correct order and it gets thrown out because of the word "admissoin" (talk about misspelling). Laura DiFiore, founder of FreSchl, makes a frightening claim in her article, "Judging Scholarships, Part I". According to Ms. DeFiore, up to 90% of applications are eliminated in the first review. It's a breathtaking statistic that is borne out by other scholarship application evaluators as well. The message here is "pay attention to details". Get help to review your application. The good news in this information is that even though you may not have the best GPA or the longest list of extracurricular activities, if you're a good proofreader, you have a tremendous advantage working for you. At least you could make it to the next phase. Selecting the Players The first phase was painful but fast. You have now made it to the second phase where the hot light of scrutiny burns brighter. Now your application will be compared to others and the ranking will begin. The participants in this round of judging will probably include paid staffs and some or all of the judges. If academic achievement is important, evaluators may compare GPAs and eliminate any below a particular cutoff point. For example, the scholarship eligibility criteria listing a GPA of 3.0 or better, to qualify. However, if there are plenty of good candidates with a GPA of 3.6 or better, the otherwise good candidate with a GPA of 3.4 may be scratched. The criteria and intensity of scrutiny varies with the goals of the scholarship, the number of awards made and, sometimes, the temperament of the evaluator(s). The inescapable purpose of this review is to eliminate more applicants. Note well, however, that many scholarships do not rely heavily on Academic Grades or TOEFL as their criteria. The message from most scholarship sponsors is for the applicant to demonstrate that he or she is a unique person that the judges can relate to, and feel confident will be worthy of their award. You have the advantage of introducing your personality distinctly through your application/cover letter at this phase. While some scholarship judges will give attention to your essays and letter(s) of recommendation at this selection phase, most will require to eliminate more applications before concentrating on what you have to say. Whichever way, your essay and letter(s) of recommendation will go a long way to keep you in the competition if it gets read. Chapters 4 and 5 will see to that, if you follow the simple steps. Selection of the Winner(s)

You have survived the neatness and accuracy cut-off. Your measurable attributes rank in the top 1- 10% or so. Now the competition begins in earnest. This is the time that judges begin to look carefully at who is presenting him or herself for this scholarship. Does your package of academic success, extracurricular activities, leadership skills and achievements add up to a person worthy of their financial support? This process is inherently subjective. Like anyone, judges will concentrate towards more likable candidates. They are much more likely to champion your cause if they can understand you and really sense that you have something valuable to offer that will be enhanced by support of your education. Dottie Theriaque of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, says, 'the more insight about yourself that you provide to the judges, the greater your opportunity for selection.' This final stage may include judges picking personal favorites and arguing their merits to the panel, taking votes and re-votes. Finally, the winners will emerge. If you have followed the steps carefully, you may find yourself in the winner's circle. Note that not every competition is as brutal. Anne Lazaroney, Guidance Counselor at Berlin High School in upstate New York, notes that when her high school judge panel looks at applicants, their goal is to help everyone. They work to spread the scholarships across as many people as possible and use the amount of money awarded as the way to reward academic achievement and community service. It's true that insight into the judging of scholarship applications can be a bit demoralizing. The chances of failure are much greater than the chances of success. However, keep in mind that Understanding the process gives you an immediate and important edge over those who are slapping together an application without having done any research. There are many ways to increase the probability of success. Keep reading to find more tools for improving your opportunity for a scholarship award.

Chapter 4 Writing the Essay that Wins

Many scholarship competitions require a written essay as part of their requirements. Scholarship committees do this for a number of reasons. One of which is to get a piece of the scholarship applicants' mind. If you happen to be the type that struggle with the writing process, know it that you are not alone. First of all, you have to understand that GPA, community service, volunteerism and leadership are important qualities, but when it gets to where candidates are being considered, everyone you're competing against will also have strong records in these areas. And so the scholarship committee will need your essay to see what sets you apart from the crowd, looking for a reason to select you over all the others. So, the essay can be the make or break portion of your application at this point. This then makes it necessary for you to learn to write essays worth reading. To answer an essay questions may require some research, example the National Food and Beverage Association may require you to do research on a specific law, then state an opinion. If you are asked to; "Explain in 1,500 words why you should be named the Fondation Rainbow Bridge Scholar at the HEC MBA Program, while identifying your post-MBA goals", you should do more than story-telling and goalsstating. You need to understand the mission of Foundation Rainbow Bridge and the HEC MBA Programmes. What do they stand to achieve? What is their mission and vision statement like? And what will it take to achieve there goals? Then align your discussion into the goal of the programmes and your personality. Developing an essay can be intimidating. Anne Lazaroney, Guidance Counsellor, says that students don't know how to begin writing essays and they are intimidated by the competition, figuring that they can't possibly write well enough to win. The facts are that; * some set of educators considerably believe that you are capable of putting together coherent thoughts on a piece of paper, if you truly deserve financial assistance. * 90% of the people who apply including valedictorians, creative writing gurus, school paper journalists and just plain folks, have already failed to get to the finalist stage because they messed up the application. This suggests that you probably have a decent chance at winning a scholarship if you put your mind to it. You should be clear on one fact; that regardless of the theme of the essay, whether it requires intense research or not, the essay is really about you. Quite honestly, the scholarship committee may want you to learn about something, but more than anything else, the judges want to know about you, your thoughts, your beliefs and your ideas. Remember those secondary school days, when we are asked

to write an essay on 'The Effect of Urban Migration on Youth Development in our Society Today'? Remember how much you want to impress your teacher with big words and complicated sentences, just to sound intelligent? If you do, then writing a scholarship essay is not anything like it. There is one problem with the old-school essay writing; it's simply old-school. If the teachers could be honest, they'll tell you how bored they get when marking those rigid class essays, except for those kinds of essays that end up crowning its author with nicknames, if you know what I mean. So at this moment, try to rid yourself of every old-school essay writing philosophy.

4.1 Getting s tarted with the essay

Getting started is sometimes the most difficult part of writing, even for professional writers. However, don't start writing without doing a few things first. 1. Understand the Purpose of the Writing and the Motivation of the Askers. Analyze the question or topic. Write down the essay question. How many parts does it have? Does the question suggest a structure or order? Do you have to do research first or is this a question that is strictly about you that will come from an analysis of yourself? Why have the judges asked this question or posed this topic? Recognizing that the purpose of the essays is to share your personality, how are the judges planning to get to know you through this essay? Analyze the Organization What is this scholarship about? Who founded it? What is the mission of the organization? Why are they providing scholarship money? Who are the judges?

What special points of view do they bring to the judging? How do you find out this information? Usually, you can find a great deal of background from the scholarship website or the printable material provided by the scholarship sponsors. If you have any question or are unclear about any information, always feel free to contact the scholarship provides, via email or phone call. Scholarship providers are eager to help applicants in any way they can. After all, that is why they are here in the first place. Contact them if need be; it's the right thing to do. Scholarship providers do not believe that only the so-called exceptional candidates should get help to further their education. They believe that your success in life will not be based on academic grades alone but on what kind of person you are, how you approach challenges and what your work ethic values are. Your GPA may be some indicator of your potential, but you will have to figure out how to reach that potential. It is that process that will set you apart. So you have to go beyond the usual school achievement deceptions and reveal more about yourself. 2. Create goals for the writing For example, your goal in responding to an essay might be to: Demonstrate personal traits in you that are similar to the personal traits of the person for whom the scholarship is named. For example, The Brower Youth Award is given in honor of David Brower, to "honor his lifetime of bold action inspiring mentorship, and principled effectiveness which helped give birth to the modern environmental movement." You may choose to express a part of your personality that fits with the scholarship Icon's. Use present tense and optimistic phrases to show that you are an active, vibrant, daring person. Show how your strong family support contributes to your success. Emphasize your sense of balance in academics and family life. Whatever goal you set to achieve on your essay, be sure that it is in line with the nature of the scholarship. A Medical study award, for example, may not need a candidate as vibrant and daring (and possibly lacking in the self-discipline and seriousness necessary for rigorous medical study) but instead a diligent, kindhearted person with a passion for showing care to people in need. Depending on the award and the personal circumstances, a goal of the essay might be to demonstrate a commitment to succeed despite unstable family circumstances. 3. Develop a Theme When you read an essay question, you may or not immediately understand the message your discussion should convey to the reader. Does the answer to this

question have something to do with your commitment to politics as an extension of your desire to improve people's living? If the theme of your essay is not immediately clear, break down the work by establishing a set of goals based upon your understanding of the essay's intention, the mission of the funding organization, etc. These goals may lead you to one or more themes for your essay. The importance of this approach is to be sure that the established theme and goals relate you as a person to the subject you are writing about, no matter how abstract it may sound.

4.2 Outline Your Resp onse

Many people write by beginning anywhere with a free flow of ideas and then mold into an appropriate order. Of course, that can work for some people. However, it will be more effective to approach your essay by writing an outline of what you want to say. The outline will assure that you have the right order and that you will cover all of the points you want to cover. Outlining does not necessarily mean that your essay must go in a define order, it's more like the design of you essay, and it's up to you to be creative about it. For instance, some stories are best told by starting in the middle, then describing how you got there and how you are going to go forward. The outline will make it easier for you to move around the timing of various parts of the story to get the most dramatic effect.

4.3 Writing the Essay

Now it's time to fill in that outline and tell your story. You already have the basics- a theme in mind, a set of goals to meet and an outline to work from. So go ahead with the flow. Write as you speak. Don't bother about errors. Don't hold yourself back. Just write. I wouldn't bother you with rules yet. Re-Writing process After you must have finished drafting your essay, the next step is to re-write. Everyone, even professional writers needs to re-write. This is your ticket to money if you do it right, so deserves thorough finishing. Go back through your essay. In sentences where you have told the judges something about you, can you explain better with examples? Here is a demonstration. My family does not have enough money to fund my education. I had to work my way through the university. This is a good piece of information to share. However, the message can be made more vivid by sharing more details. My family does not have enough money to fund my education. I had to work at a local Grocery Store most evenings and did my assignments after work. This sounds much better. Now the judges know that you were very busy and can feel the squeeze of needing to earn money and still get your school work done.

You may go further to describe what your weekly activities looks like based on you academic, family and work schedule, (though in a nutshell) without sounding pathetic. This will get the reader to feel the close timing involved in maintaining this situation. You will also sound more interactive and likeable than 'old-schoolish'. Let's try again. My family does not have enough money to fund my education. We had to work out a schedule for me to earn money at a local Grocery Store and keep up with my school work. During week days, after school, I attend my Community Students Meeting. At 3:00pm, I'll take a bus down to the Grocery Store, where I work till 6:30pm. On getting home Mum will always have something cooking. I spend the next 60 to 90 minutes on my assignments. I'm often interrupted by my little sister calling for the family prayers... Cool guy, from a nice family. You can begin to imagine what the daily life of this student looks like. Why wouldn't he deserve some financial assistance than the letter from King James Version? This is only an example, and states no standard. It's just for you to understand how flexible and simple your essay can be. Make the Introduction Inviting The introduction encourages your reader to keep going. You don't have to write a summary for introduction; else readers get the picture in the first paragraph. Instead, intrigue and encourage the next step by raising a question, arousing emotions, creating surprise with a surprising fact. Here is a possible opening for a discussion of a students work with a literacy program (from ScholarshipHelp.com). I am a literacy volunteer. I did not decide to do this work because studies report that 21% of adults (over 40 million) in this country are functionally illiterate or because 43% of people with reading deficiencies live in poverty or even because 70% of people with reading deficiencies have no job or only a part time job. My reason for becoming a literacy volunteer was much simpler. My Dad couldn't read. Without knowing the extent of the literacy problem, you feel the 'want' to know if this person was able to teach her Dad to read and how she, with an illiterate parent, made it to the point of applying for a scholarship to further her education. Present Tense, if Possible The present tense allow reader to live the information with you. It's not always possible, but it's a great strategy when it can work. For instance It's better to say, "My family does not have enough money...", than, "My family did not have enough money...". In place of adjectives and adverb, see if you can use a more descriptive

noun or verb to make your writing 'Liquid'. For examples substitute, "he was infamous" for "he was a well known man" or "it is inexplicable" for "it is hard to explain". Give it a try and see how refreshed your writing will become. Try not to use conventional transitional words or phrases like, 'Consequently' or 'Further more', or 'Never the less'. Try connecting your next task with thoughts from the prior opinion. For example, " Once I completed my National Youth Service, I needed to try out my skills in poultry farming." A Compelling Conclusion As in the introduction, essays are too short to need a summary at the conclusion. Instead, re-emphasize the main point or circle back to the beginning and tie the nut. Consider the literacy introduction. The body of the essay should have been about the student, her efforts as a volunteer, her feelings about the difficulties faced by those who can't read, her recognition of the gift that reading is and her decision to pursue a teaching career as a result of her experience. This story dare for a conclusion that answers the question, "Did her Dad finally learn to read?" A possibly conclusion? Dad may never read a ShakeSpear Novel but we are thrilled at home that he can now read his sister's letters from his hometown in Ijebu-Ode and doesn't have to pretend to read the newspaper anymore. Dad never did learn to read. But through his struggle, I learned that I want to give the gift of literacy to people who need it; the gift that no one has been able to give to my Dad. The point is that we gained insight into this woman's life through her writing and she might have succeeded in arousing the emotion of the reader. Don't knock your peers. For a lot of applicants, when theyre trying to show the committee how hard -working they are, they end up disparaging their peers while making the point. According to Josh Barsch CEO, StraightForward Media, a scholarship awarding organisation, in his book, '100 Secrets of Scholarship Committee', he state, "We get a lot of statements like: 'While the other kids in my class were out (partying, horsing around, having fun)I was (studying, working two jobs, caring for my younger si blings).' Most writers dont realize this, but drawing these comparisons makes you sound a little uppity. Its better to just mention what you do, and drop the- While my classmates were out- part. We already know what some of the other kids are doing in their offtime: we also know that those are mostly normal things that teenagers do, and implying that youre superior to them makes you look a little silly. Dont talk about others; talk about you." Take a Break

After you write and revise your essay, you need to take a break from it so that you can return with a fresh set of eyes. It's amazing how the tantalizing discussion you thought you wrote turns out to need a lot more work once you've gotten a little distance. Even more amazing is the realization that some of your writing is actually much better than you expected, now that you've followed some more standard writing rules. Ask people to read your essay and help you with honest feedbacks. Ask them to constructively criticize your work, correct typos, grammar errors etc. Every new pair of eyes will help. Every individual has an interesting experience to share, and every essay topic can be made compelling by looking at how that topic affects the human condition and how you fit into that human condition.

4.4 More Essay Wri ting Tips

Make An Impression With Good Presentation
Some scholarship providers actually specify the font type and size as part of their scholarship essay requirements. If you have access to a computer and printer, take the time to prepare a type-written essay (unless otherwise stated) following the formatting guidelines set by the scholarship provider. Every little detail towards a clean and professional presentation will make an impression on the person reading your essay. If your essay has a page limit, insert your name and contact information in the header or footer to save space. Many scholarships limit your essay to a page or two, and quite often writers will take up five (sometimes double-spaced) lines with their name, address, email address, and other information. When space is at a premium, use the header or footer function of Microsoft Word or whatever program you use. This function lets you squeeze your name up into the margin area, where your essay wouldnt be appearing anyway. That way, you can squeeze in an extra paragraph if you need to.

Multi-Task your Essay

The majority of scholarship sponsors provide an essay topic or topics to write on, and most will only allow a limited number of characters or words per entry. Gather all of these scholarships in one place and compare them. Make a list of the scholarship providers to whom you might safely be able to submit the same or similar essay without hurting your chances of winning. The great thing about scholarship essays is that there is so often overlap in the required subject that

you can "recycle" them. If you can enter a single essay multiple times, you will cut the amount of time you need to spend applying to each considerably. In fact, you may be able to write just one or two such essays that you can submit to a few, different scholarship providers. Congratulate Yourself The essay is by far the most difficult part of the application. You have overcome the biggest obstacle to applying for a scholarship. So you need a pat on the back. Well done!

Chapter 5 Get the Recommendation Letter that Wins

Your application is almost complete, especially now that you must have finished writing your essay. It's time to get the recommendation that will crown your application. The best advice you require when acquiring a letter of recommendation is to ask the appropriate person for this potentially valuable document. You don't ask someone to recommend you for something they know nothing about. You should ask your referees to provide you with a reference that relates to your application for the scholarship. It should outline your strengths as an applicant, demonstrate your capacity to study at the level required, and identify your potential impact in the future. In the case of an employment reference, be aware that confirmation of employment is not sufficient as a reference. Information regarding your work performance and potential is required. If you are not currently employed, a reference from voluntary work, or academic references will be accepted. When scholarship providers ask you for a letter of recommendation, they are asking for a written backing of your competence for 'self-nomination', and usually it is just one other opinion they seek, so don't have your Uncle Emeka, at Onitsha Main Market, vouch for you. Below are some pointers that can help you when in need of a letter of recommendation. Ask the most appropriate person available. Do not ask your cousin for a recommendation. Ask someone relevant to the scholarship for which you are applying. For example, if volunteer work is among the scholarship criteria, ask your supervisor from the organization where you volunteered. Don't wait until the last minute before asking, and give the person helping you out enough time to complete the letter. As soon as you know you are going to apply for a particular scholarship that requires a letter of recommendation, start putting the necessary documents together and ask your ideal author(s) of this letter if they would be willing to help you out.

5.1 The Secret We apon

First of all, let us take a look into how this whole letter of recommendation thing works. Your application must have gone through the initial screening process where about 90% of the other applications were disqualified. Then the second phase, where applications are reviewed deservedly. At the point where scholarship judges find time to read your letter of recommendation (among the few selected), they must have gone through your application and essay. What they now require is a second opinion from a reputable person, about your competence to be awarded the scholarship. They've apparently met and heard from you through all the documents

you submitted, now they need someone they can trust to formally introduce you to them saying, "This is our beloved Son in whom we are well pleased". You'll agree with me that, in life, those who succeed in what they do are not often the most intelligent or talented. Each time you move around, you find people you think don't deserve where life have placed them, either good or bad. The simple fact of the matter is that it takes more than 'ability to do a good job' to get ahead in the world today. More often, it takes the ability to handle a good opportunity while you can. Unfortunately for most of us, our teachers only taught us how to perform well; they didn't spend time to show us how to claim the price, how to make sure we get the credit, rewards, and opportunities we deserve. They would if they knew it, themselves. Successful candidates know they must stand out in a crowded field. They must get noticed before they can ever hope to get offers. That is why letters of recommendation are more important now in the job search process than ever before; often more important than your resume. Resumes and cover letters, all too often, begin to sound alike to the evaluators. But Letters of recommendation are different. Hard-hitting, objective opinions from real-life professionals that have actually worked with you can communicate more about what you offer than you could ever get across in a resume, and that is, if you can get the right letter. Getting good recommendation letters isn't easy; even when you deserve them. People are often reluctant to write letters of recommendation, even some professionals. A common reason for this is that they don't think they can do a good writing job, even though they wouldn't admit it. They don't trust themselves enough and don't want to be mocked for sounding unprofessional in their writing. This is not a general case though, but it's true in most instances of rejection. Some will accept, only to write a mediocre reference letter that will introduce you poorly to the scholarship committee; and it really counts. Write Your Own Letter To be able to get the kinds of recommendation letters that sets you apart from the other candidates, you have to write the letter yourself. The approach is as simple as it is effective: write the letters of recommendation yourself! You might have seen excellent letters of recommendation that- get people to really take notice-impress recruiters and colleagues- provide the most effective competitive edge available in the war for fast-track opportunities! The truth is that these letters are essentially just advertising, written by the candidates themselves? It's the dirty little secret that the most successful candidates already know. How can you possibly compete without doing the same thing yourself? If you are serious about landing the kind of opportunities you really deserve in today's competitive environment, then you have

to take the initiative. It takes real nerve to write your own letter of recommendation for someone else to sign, but it is the way to succeed. I remember my university days, how students fill their log books during IT-Industrial Attachment- and have their employers sign, especially those with lousy and nonchalant employers. Even though we try not to appear totally outstanding but our log books often stands out. Scholarship recommendation letters is not any different. If you take this approach, just remember that your recommenders may not likely sign anything they don't want to be associated with, so speak well of yourself, but keep it realistic. On the other hand, your recommender can still do the letter writing if he or you insist. He could still give you a good job. More Tips Just to give your letter the authenticity the scholarship provider is likely to desire, have your recommender put the letter on their letterhead. Be appreciative of their time and effort and show it by being as prepared and gracious as possible. Realize that the recommender is doing your a big favour; one that could save you a lot of money for your education.

5.2 The Sample

Below is a sample of a letter of Recommendation. It does not imply any format of writing. It just a sample to give you a clue of what a recommendation letter could looks like. Dear Scholarship Selection Committee: As a friend of his family, I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Yemi Okafor since his secondary school days. He has been an outstanding student since elementary school. I strongly recommend him as a recipient of your scholarship award. I am sure that Mr. Yemi Okafor will continue to succeed in his studies. He is a dedicated student, and his grades have been consistently exemplary. He always shows great initiative and diligence; he is able to develop intelligent plans and implement them successfully. He has demonstrated admirable leadership skills. Many new students in his school have sought his advice, and many have shared with me their appreciation of his pleasant, encouraging attitude. For these reasons, I highly recommend Mr. Yemi Okafor. Because of his drive to succeed, proven abilities, and impressive academic achievements, Mr. Yemi is a worthy candidate for the scholarship.

If you have any questions regarding Mr. Yemi Okafor's personality or achievements, please contact me. Sincerely, [Name] [Profession] [Phone] [Your Email]

5.3 The Scholarship Interview

Well, not all scholarship awards require an interview. But if an interview is required, and you are invited, Congratulations! You are a finalist, entering the last phase of evaluation. The face-to-face interview is an excellent way for the judges to get to know you and, particularly, assess your maturity, composure, performance under pressure, etc. Preparation It is impossible to predict what questions you may be asked in a personal interview but it is possible to prepare yourself by working out answers to some of the more common questions that get asked in interviews, whether for scholarships or employment. Write down the answers to these questions. What are your greatest strengths? What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five-Ten years? Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud. Tell me about a mistake that you made and what you learned from it. Who has influenced your life and why? Why would you be an excellent recipient of ___ scholarship?

These are the basics. Know the answers to these questions. Next, think specifically about the scholarship award that you are seeking. Be sure you are very well informed about the organization. What is the mission of the organization offering the award? Who have they given the award to in the past and why? Who are the judges? What is it about your application that made you a finalist?

Use this information to develop responses that you may be able to introduce into the discussion to provide the content that you would like to be sure the judges hear from you. For example, if you are a finalist in a scholarship competition from a medical association and you believe that your volunteer work on the local Emergency Aid Commission was key to your selection as a finalist, consider finding examples from that experience to highlight your strengths or describe lessons you have learned. Finally, prepare yourself to make a good impression. If you need a haircut, get a haircut. If you are a nail biter, invest in a professional manicure or even a set of acrylic nails. Select your interview outfit with care. It must not be a suit or dress, depending upon the specific situation. However, it is always appropriate to make sure your clothes are clean, they fit correctly and there are no loose buttons or hanging threads. Logistics Be sure you know where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Think about traffic flow at different times of the day. It is really hard to concentrate on the questions you are being asked when your heart is still racing from anxiety of being late. Presentation You're under control at this time. It's probably difficult to relax under this circumstance but it may help to remember that you are here because these people think you are a competent, qualified candidate. You earned the right to have this interview. The judges will use this time to get to know you better and you are working from the advantage that they are already supporters. Help them to help you have a great interview by being as genuinely pleased to be there as you can. Let your enthusiasm for your education show. The personal interview can be a wonderful experience if you can approach it as an opportunity rather than as a trial. Managing Disappointments What if, despite your logistical preparations, you are late or arrive with a big tomatosauce stain on your shirt. Well, you now have the opportunity to exhibit the grace under pressure and ability to adapt that has gotten you so far already. Acknowledge the problem ("I got stuck on traffic"), apologize if appropriate ("I'm so sorry to have delayed our scheduled meeting") and then move on. Don't continue to focus on the initial negative circumstance; try to get the process moving forward so you can shine. What if you can't think of a good answer to a question that's been posed? Again, grace under pressure is key. Explain that you're having a mental block on that topic

just now and ask if it's possible to come back to the question a bit later. In situations such as this one, it may be best to take a little pressure off by giving yourself a moment to collect your thoughts. There are a lot more possible what-ifs. The key is to remain confident and don't let a problem shake your self-image. The judges recognize the pressure you are under and, as in life, you are often judged not by the reality that problems occur, but by the style with which you manage those problems. Approach the interview with a sense of confidence, some humility and good sense of humor to get you past any awkward moments. Good Luck!

Chapter 6 National Scholarship Programmes for Nigerian Students

A number of Companies and Organizations in Nigeria offer scholarships generously to students from Nigeria either to study in Nigerian or Overseas Universities/ Colleges. These scholarship programmes functions in different ways; some programmes award full fee scholarships, while other award their winners with a specific amount of money. While some schemes award scholarships to study abroad, others require that you be a student in a Nigerian University.

6.1 List of Sch olarship Programmes in Nigeria

Here are some Scholarship Programmes originating from Nigeria for Nigerians. The programmes you find below are some compared to the opportunities spread across the web. Note that the deadlines for the applications might not fall within your present time. You just need to be aware of them and start early to prepare for the next award. Also, be sure to visit or contact the sponsors through the contact details provided, for more current information.

6.1.1. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Scholarship Programmes

The SPDC Joint Venture commenced scholarship awards in the 1960s for programmes in Nigerian and foreign institutions. In 2009, the company awarded about 2,730 secondary school and 850 university scholarships in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. Shell Nigeria University Scholarship Programme This is an undergraduate scholarship programme for first year students in a Nigerian University. The programme comes in two categories: The National Merit Award (NM), open to all eligible Nigerian Undergraduate and The Areas of Operation Merit Award (OM), for students from the communities where Shell Nigeria Operates. Requirements: WASSCE and JAMB Results, University Admission Letter, Aptitude Tests are taken in Port Harcourt, Warri, Enugu, Lagos and Abuja Centres. Application often commences in May each year.

6.1.2. Shell Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme- Study in UK

The Niger Delta postgraduate scholarship programme started from the 2010/2011 academic year. 10 candidates from SPDC's operational areas in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states recieve scholarships to study for postgraduate qualifications at either of

three top British institutions - Imperial College London, University College London and University of Leeds. SPDC's General Manager Nigerian Content Development, Simbi Wabote said: The scholarship is part of the efforts to develop a pool of talent within the Niger Delta which can effectively serve in the oil and gas industry. That is why beneficiaries are required to return home after their studies and take up opportunities in the industry. The scheme is in the pilot phase, and if successful, might be extended to other operational areas not covered this time. The one-year Masters' programmes are in Petroleum Engineering, Geosciences, Geophysics, Engineering Geology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Exploration Geophysics and Oilfield Corrosion Engineering. Potential beneficiaries must possess a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field of study at the Second Class Upper Level. The scholarship cover tuition fees, one return flight from Nigeria to the United Kingdom and a contribution towards living expenses. Contact the above institutions websites for more details.

6.1.3. Shell Postgraduate Students Internships

Open primarily to talented Nigerian Postgraduate Students in Nigerian Universities but in exceptional cases to Nigerians in Overseas Universities. The Research Internship programme provides the framework for the direct transfer of practical and current industry experience to Nigerian university research students. Open to Nigerian graduate students (MSc, Ph.D) to spend a year in Shell to conduct research on the E&P challenges of the Company. Shell offers approximately 20 research internship appointments yearly. A number of interns have taken up appointment with Shell on completion of their studies. Application deadline 31 March every year. For Enquires on SPDC Scholarships Contact: The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria LTD, Freeman House, 21/22 Marina, PMB 2418, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: +234 1 2769999 www.shell.com/home

6.1.4. Total Nigeria National Merit Scholarship Programme

The programme was established in 1998/99 academic year and is run in partnership with the French Embassy. About 2,200 Nigerian Students have benefited from the programme. The award is open to undergraduate students of Nigerian origin in Nigerian Universities. Contact: www.ng.total.com/03_total_nigeria_commitments

6.1.5. Mobil Nigeria Undergraduate National Scholarship Programme

Mobil Producing Nigeria, operator of NNPC/ MPN Joint Venture awards annual scholarships to qualified students in Nigerian Universities. Applications for NNPC/MPN Undergraduate National Scholarship Awards is offered to qualified students from every state of the Federation. Applications in the following list of approved disciplines are considered: Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology/Geophysics, Medicine (MBBS Only), Agricultural Science (And related fields) ELIGIBILITY Candidates must be holders of the SSCE or its equivalent with at least six subjects passed at a sitting with a minimum of 5 Distinctions. Applicants must be registered full-time undergraduates in their 1st or 2nd year of study in any Nigerian University. Requirements: Evidence of SSCE result or its equivalent Evidence of admission into a Nigerian University. Evidence of current year of study Current University Identity Card. Current Passport Photographs. Evidence of State of Origin obtained from the appropriate Local Government Area and duly signed by the Chairman or Secretary.

Names of short-listed candidates for the qualifying Test are published on the National Dailies. Web link: http://www.mpn-essoscholarships.com/mpn-nat.php

6.1.6. Mobil - Esso National Scholarship scheme

Mobile Producing Nigeria offer International Scholarships to outstanding Nigerian graduates wishing to pursue post-graduate studies in the following disciplines: Geosciences, Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Sub-Sea and Marine) Requirements: Must be a graduate from Nigerian Universities with relevant degree Should possess a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of second class upper division in any of the above disciplines. Must have provisional admission/accommodation into any reputable university.

The EEPNL scholarship award applies to tuition, books, accommodation and living expenses for the duration of the selected course of study including air fare to and from the location of study. Shortlisted candidates would prepared to take a skills test. Web link: http://www.mpn-essoscholarships.com/esso-int.php

6.1.7. Addax Petroleum/NNPC Scholarship Programme

Addax Petroleum Development (Nig) Limited offers National Tertiary Institutions Scholarship Awards Scheme in Nigeria. ELIGIBILITY: All Candidates must: be a registered, full time 100 level undergraduate in any Nigerian Tertiary Institution; have 5 '0' level credit passes in one sitting including English Language and Mathematics. METHOD OF APPLICATION Submit an application with the following information: A. Surname, B. Other Names, C. Sex, D. Functional Email address and phone number; attach scanned copies of the original: i. Admission letter into institution with information on course of study, year of entry and duration. ii. SSCE/GCE O level certificate iii. Evidence of state of origin/local government iv. School ID card or National ID or Drivers' license or international passport.

An aptitude test for selected applicants is conducted at the following state centres on a date that will be communicated to successful applicants through their email addresses. Applicants should indicate their preferred centre for the test on their applications: ABUJA, CALABAR, LAGOS, PORT HARCOURT and OWERRI. All applications should be submitted with scanned copies of credentials through the following email addresses not later than the deadline, usually in May each year. Applications from North East geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Applications from North West geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Applications from North Central geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Applications from South West geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Applications from South East geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Applications from South South geographical zone Email address: [email protected] Website: www.addaxpetroleum.com

6.1.8. NAOC National Scholarship Scheme

Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) offers Tertiary Institutions Scholarship Awards Scheme to Nigerian students. Categories of Awards 1. Host Communities Merit Award (HCMA): For applicants from NAOC host communities; Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers 2. National Merit Award (NMA): For applicants from non-host communities. Eligibility: Applicants MUST be Registered FULL TIME undergraduates in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions and Certified 100 level students. Only candidates studying Engineering and Medicine are eligible for the NMA Candidates for the NMA should obtained 275 JAMB SCORE and above. This does A NOT apply to HCMA. Method of Application

Submit an application with ALL the following information STRICTLY in this order on one (1) sheet of A4 paper: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) m) n) o) p) q) Surname Other Names Sex JAMB result Evidence of Admission Year of Study Institution Course of Study Matriculation Number Home Town/ Community Local Government Area State of Origin Personal Telephone Number Personal e-mail Address Permanent Address (NOT P.O. Box) Preferred Test Centre Two recent Passport Photographs with full names written on the back.

Aptitude Tests are conducted in Port Harcourt, Omoku, Yenagoa, Asaba, Lagos, Owerri and Abuja. Deadline often falls within March each year. Contact details The General Manager, Public Affairs Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited Plot 23, Engineering Close, Victoria Island P.O Box 1286 Lagos The Public Affairs Division Manager Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited New Base, Mile 4, Ikwerre Road, P.O Box 923, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Indicate relevant category of award on the right hand corner of the envelope.

6.1.9. MTN Nigeria Foundation Science & Technology Scholarship scheme

The MTN Nigeria Foundation provides financial support to over 500 eligible Science &Technology students in accredited public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria which covers tuition, book allowance and stipend (pocket allowance). The scholarship award is N200,000 per student per academic session (as at the 2009/2010 academic session). The scholarships is awarded to 200 level/2nd year full time students. Recipients expected to maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 or its equivalent (second class upper/upper credit). Website: www.mtnonline.com/mtnfscholarship for more details Deadline falls within October.

6.1.10. Merry Hearts Scholarship Foundation

The Merry Hearts Foundation offers Scholarship Education Fund to Empower the Nigerian Youths. The Foundation is structured to provide financial assistance in the form of a full scholarship to a student for the duration of their education prior to entering University. Under the scholarship contract, the student's tuition and books are fully paid for provided that the student maintains a satisfactory academic record. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their financial need, which is determined by the students' family income, family structure, and the total cost of attending the chosen school. Students are also evaluated based on past academic performance. A full application, including two letters of recommendation, one from the student's parent and the other from a school official or member of staff, a 500- word essay, the most current academic report and a photo ID must be received by the foundation in order for the student to be considered for the scholarship award. Any student residing within the nation of Nigeria that is attending any pre-university institution is qualified to apply. The foundation encourage teachers and school officials to submit names of students whom they have recognized to have more pressing need for the scholarship, although such nomination does not infer that the student will receive any preferential treatment during the selection process. Visit Website for more details: http://www.merryhearts.org/aEcaEc11

6.1.11. Petroleum Technology Development (PTDF) Fund Scholarship Programme

PTDF offers two categories of scholarships:

The Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) and the Local Scholarship Scheme (LSS). PTDF annually invites interested qualified Nigerians to apply for its M.Sc and PhD scholarships in Engineering, Geology, Sciences, and Geosciences in Universities in the United Kingdom. Requirements A 2-1 in Engineering,Geosciences, Science & Environmental Studies NYSC discharge certificate Not more than 30 years for MSc and 40 years for PhD Must be Nigerians and have a credit in English Language in SSCE or required pass mark in TOEFL or IELTS.

CONTACT Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Plot 672, Port Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. Tel: 234-9-3142216-7 Fax: 234-9-314229 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.ptdf.gov.ng/

6.1.12. Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship Programme

Chief Gani Fawehinmi offers Scholarship Awards to 40 Nigerian students every year. Each scholarship winner receives One hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000) for their education. Criteria for Award: must be poor and indigent. must be registered students of Tertiary institutions in Nigeria i.e Universities, Polytechnics and College of Education. must have good academic performances.

Mode of Application: Each applicant shall submit an application letter, not more than two pages. The letter must include the name of the candidate, course of study, year of study, state of origin, and why the candidate believes that he/she should be given the scholarship award.

A photocopy of your current Identity card, A letter from your current Head of Department, including correct information of CGPA for the last academic semester, A letter from the Registrar certifying that the candidate is a student of such institution, A copy of the candidates registration form for the current semester.

All the documents, are forwarded (by hand or by postal delivery) to: Chief Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship Board, cc/o Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, 35, Adeniran Ajao Road, Ajao Estate, Anthony Village, Lagos State. Or P.O. Box 1114, Surulere, Lagos State. Deadline falls within March each year. Scholarship application is announced online or on National Dailies.

6.1.13. Nigerian Women Association of Georgia Scholarship Programme

The Nigerian Women Association of Georgia, Inc. U.S.A offers annual scholarship awards to 36 female students in Nigerian universities in the amount of Forty Thousand Naira (N40,000 as at 2009) - one winner from each state. Requirements: An applicant must be a Nigerian female student, in a Nigerian University. Two paged Essay, type-written and double spaced. Essay topic to be given each year. A paragraph explaining why you NEED and should receive the scholarship. Current photograph of Applicant Photocopy of your University identity card. Letter of recommendation or letter attesting that you are a student, from your Dean, HOD or Dept. Secretary Letter of introduction from, your Local Govt., Church or Mosque

All applications should be mailed to: Nigerian Women Association of Georgia, INC. USA P. O. Box 14532, Atlanta Georgia 30324

USA (770) 496-4380 Website: www.nwag.org

6.1.14. African Humanities Fellowship program- by the American Council of Learned Societies
The African Humanities Program (AHP), organised by the American Council of Learned Societies- ACLS seek to revitalize the humanities in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda through fellowship competitions and meetings associated with them. The AHP is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Approximately 40 fellowships will be awarded annually. Applicants for Dissertation-Completion fellowships should be in the final year of writing the dissertation at a University in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania or Uganda. Applicants for Postdoctoral Research fellowships must be working in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania or Uganda and must have completed the Ph.D no more than five years ago. Projects must be in the Humanities and carried out in Africa. Completed Applications must be submitted by December. Application can be submitted by email to [email protected] or mailed to the ACLS New York offices. Website: http://www.acls.org/grants/Default.aspx

6.1.15 Nigerian Girls Scholarship Fund

In an effort to help eliminate some of the barriers that discourage or exclude girls from the benefits of basic and advanced education, PCNAF established a scholarship program for Nigerian girls in need of financial assistance to complete their secondary school education. PCNAF believes educating girls will help raise economic productivity and reduce poverty. The scholarships are awarded to girls anywhere in Nigeria without reference to ethnic identity. The scholarship awards help to defray such school-related costs as tuition, books and living expenses for up to three years. Any girl enrolled in the final level of free secondary school (grade 9) is eligible to apply. Recipients are chosen on the basis of high academic credentials, financial need, and commitment to community service. PCNAF collaborated with the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Nigeria (FAWE-N), an in-country NGO, to implement the program. http://www.pcnaf.org/nigerian-girls-scholarship

6.2 NGO's in Nigeria

Here is a list of some Non-Governmental Organisations- NGO's in Nigeria. You can contact them to see if they have an education sponsorship programme you can apply for. You can volunteer to work with any of them if you wish. International Center for Development Affairs Helping people acquire knowledge and skills. Address: 6B, Fred Olaiya Street, Off Ajanaku Street, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos www.icda.kabissa.org Youth for Technology Foundation Bringing access to technology and resources to the underserved in rural communities www.youthfortechnology.org African Project Foundation, 31, Ekong Edon Street, Akwa Ibom. Phone: +234 (0) 805 081 1259 E-mail: [email protected] www.africanproject.org Alliances for Africa (AfA) An African-led international, human rights, peace and sustainable development organisation. Address: 29, Norman Williams Crescent, Off Keffi Street P.O Box 60024 Ikoyi Lagos Phone: +234 1 761 5407 Email: [email protected] www.alliancesforafrica.org African Sports Support & Education Trust Promotes the education of sports people and support aged, retired sports people. Address: 28, Ekololu Street,Off Falolu Street Surulere Lagos Phone: +234 1 890 3526, (0) 803 397 4949 Email: [email protected]

www.asset-ng.org Astericks Poverty Alleviation Organization Loan, Financial Support, NGO, Rural and Women Development Address: 45 Murtala Mohammed Way 2nd floor Benin City Edo State Phone: +234 (0) 803 932 8313 , 805 944 8663 Email: [email protected] www.astericks.org Trade Policy Research and Training Programme Analysis of international trade issues www.tprtp.org Twins Initiative Network Youth Empowerment, Poverty Alleviation Through networking with Professional Bodies Address: Suite B37 C57 New Banx Vina Place Wuse II Aminu Kano Crescent Abuja FCT Tel: +234-7039034002 Fax: +234-9-4619631 E-mail: [email protected] www.twinsinitiativenetwork.org WomenAid Collective (WACOL) Educational, social, economic and political development of women and young people through a wide range of services: training, research, advocacy, shelter, legal and financial aid, intra-familial conflict resolution, information and library services. Address: 9, Umuezebi Street Upper Chime New Haven Enugu P.O.BOX 2718 E-mail: [email protected] www.wacolnigeria.org Women Development International Association (WODIA) WODIA initiates and executes strategic action plans that lead to health improvement, environmental friendliness and poverty reduction for women and marginalized community members .It collaborates with relevant organizations for goal attainment Address: 21 Ogunnusi Road Ogba Ikeja

Lagos Phone: +234 (0) 802 307 9485, 813 375 4358 E-mail: [email protected] www.thewodia.org Women Health & Literacy Association (WHLA) Address: 9 Ojo Ikolaba Street Ikolaba Estate Ibadan Oyo State Phone: +234 (0) 802 375 575 E-mail: [email protected] www.whla.i8.com Women In Management and Business (WIMBIZ) Formed to improve the success rate of female entrepreneurs and increase the proportion of women in senior positions in corporate organizations. Address: Suite A3 Falomo Shopping Centre Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Lagos Phone: +234 1 271 2521 Email: [email protected] www.wimbiz.org Women In Technology In Nigeria Training, seminars, education, women and youth empowerment. Address: 16 Ogunlana Drive Surulere LGA Surulere Lagos Phone: +234 (0) 702 988 1637 E-mail: [email protected] www.witin.org Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W. TEC) NGO working to empower girls and women socially and economically, using information and communication technologies (ICTs). Address: Suite 88 Block A4 Sura Shopping Complex Simpson Street Lagos Island Lagos Phone: +234 1 850 9782 E-mail: [email protected] www.w-teconline.org

World Scholarship & Career Helpers Free training for young lads in computer studies for poverty eradication Address: 18 Karimu Street Surulere, Lagos Phone: +234 (0) 806 268 5918 E-mail: [email protected] www.wscareerhelp.org

Chapter 7 International Scholarships

You must have nursed the dream to study abroad to complete your undergraduate or postgraduate education for some time, and even more predominantly, to achieve such with financial help, in the form of scholarship(s). Why shouldn't you? After all, you deserve it. You might also have heard from cynics that it is 'very very' difficult for African students to win a scholarship, let alone Nigerians. I want to assure you that that statement is more false than true. For instance, in 2009/2010, two Nigeria students won double scholarships worth a total of $8,000 from the University of Bath, UK: Oluwaseun Adetifa from Nigeria was awarded Steve Huckvale Scholarship for African Students and University of Bath International Scholarships for 2009/10. He is studying MSc Automotive Engineering. Oluwatosin Ogunrinde from Nigeria was awarded Steve Huckvale Scholarship for African Students and University of Bath International Scholarship for 2009 /10. He is studying MSc Digital Communications.

It isn't a news that winning a scholarship can be an uphill task, but what makes it even more difficult is ignorance, of which at this point in this book you must have rid yourself of it. The question you should be asking at this point is, "where are scholarships to apply?" The fact is that there are a good number of scholarships open to international students, generally or specifically. You can find scholarships for specific countries, continents (like for Africa) and field of studies, or scholarships generally for international students. Students from Nigeria are eligible to apply for some of such scholarships (a good number of them) and have as much chances to win as other applicants. It is then your application skills and qualifications that would determine how far you go. The problem is that most Nigerian Students applying for these scholarships do not first take the time to study and know what they need to know and do about applying for scholarships. The Result? Poor, Mediocre applications that never make it through the first phase of selection. For instance, while I was about rounding off this book, I ask AfterSchoolAfrica.com readers to make entry for a chance to get a free copy of this book. The instruction was simple: Enter your name, your preferred Title for this book and preferred price, include a suggestion if you have one. However, it should surprise you that 90% of the entries did not go by the rules, and this is something

common among scholarship applicants that deprive them of the possibilities of winning. With the tips in the previous chapters of this book, you must have significantly improved your knowledge of scholarship application and chances of going farther and winning. So, where are these scholarships?

7.1 Finding internati ona l scholarship s online

In chapter one of this book, we discussed about finding scholarships that are right for you and the likely places to find these information. Here are some more detailed tips.

7.1.1 Using Google Search Secrets

Google.com is the largest library on the internet with millions of websites in its database. For your scholarship research, I'd bet, it's the right place to start. But to serve you best, you need to understand how this powerful search tool works. It could be a little tricky sometimes when trying to find the right scholarship for you. For instance, if you are a Nigerian student, searching for undergraduate scholarships to study Animal Science in UK, using the key phrase, 'undergraduate scholarships in Animal Science for Nigerian Student in UK' in google search, may be a smart way to search, but it will not provide you with the best results due to the following reasons: Some scholarship awards are generally for international students including Nigerians, and will not mention specific countries in the announcement webpage Some scholarship awards will accept students for all fields of study offered at a particular university or college without having to mention the courses in the scholarship announcement page. Including 'Nigerian' and 'Animal Science' in your search term will only provide you with WebPages where 'Nigerian', 'Animal' and 'Science' are mentioned and not eligible scholarships for an undergraduate Nigerian student to Study Animal Science. Adding a 's' to the word 'scholarship', i.e. the plural form, will only give higher priority to WebPages where the plural word is mentioned. It is more effective to use the singular word.

Since it's a matter of getting the best available results, here is a better approach you can apply when searching for scholarships: Start with a general search including year

Using the above undergraduate student for example, rather than go with the above key phrase, you can start with something like, '2011 undergraduate Scholarship for international Students'. With this Google provides you with results of all the webpage in its database that contains the keywords, '2011','undergraduate', 'Scholarship', 'International' and 'Students', not necessarily in the exact order of words. Check if the first 20 results contain scholarship applications you can apply for. Note: Adding the year at the start of the search phrase will prompt the search engine to give higher priority to web pages with scholarship publications and deadlines within the specified year (2011). If you can't find what you want within the first 20 to 50 results (2 to 5 pages on Google), take the next step. Search within your results This is one feature most Google search users tend to ignore. You may often feel compelled to try different combinations of keywords to see which one provides a better result. Although it can work for you sometimes but there is an easier way around it. 'Search Within Results'. You can find the link 'Search Within Results' below every Google search result page. This feature enables you to further search within the already provided results, using a more related keyword(s), and eliminate less relevant results. Still using our case study for example, you can search within pages for 'Africa' or 'UK' or 'Deadline August' or 'Animal Science' or 'Nigeria', as the case may be. Note: You can use this feature over and over again until you have narrowed your results into a more relevant one. You can then do whatever you wish with the remaining related webpages. Using Quotes to Improve your Scholarship Search Another Google.com search feature you can use to improve your search results is searching with quotes. Here is how it works. Lets say, I'm searching for Engineering scholarships to apply for. If I enter the following words into the search box Engineering Scholarship for postgraduate students - I'm likely to get over 600,000 results to sweat through. On the other hand, I decide to use a different approach; enter - "Engineering Scholarship" - (Notice the "Quote"). This will provide me with results that contain the above phrase not words this time, and the result may be somewhere around 40,000 more or less. I may now decide to 'Search Within Result' for - Postgraduate or International Students. This will then give me less but relevant pages to worry about.

The idea of searching with quotes is to get results for pages with the specified phrase query and not results with each word in the phrase.

7.1.2 Automating your Scholarship Research

Google Alert Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results from websites, news-sites or blogs, based on your choice of query or topic. Users can set up a Google Alert for any query, and Google will automatically email them a digest of all new publication for that query. It is totally free and easy to use. Some handy uses of Google Alerts include: monitoring a developing news story, keeping current on an industry getting the latest on a celebrity or your favorite sports teams and most importantly, monitoring latest scholarship opportunities.

Users can set how many results they'd like included in the emails (between 10 and 50) and how often the emails should be sent (Twice daily, Daily, Weekly or Monthly). Google Alerts can help you stay abreast of any particular topic as frequently as you can manage. Monitor the Web for Specific new Scholarship Opportunities With Google Alert If you're not already using Google Alerts for your scholarship research, you should start Now. Google Alerts is a good way to keep abreast of new scholarships on a variety of fields and eligibility, or on a particular research interest. 1. Delivery Method You can choose to have the alerts delivered to an email address (either as-ithappens, once a day, or once a week); or you can have the alerts delivered to an RSS feed (as-it-happens). For email delivery you will need a Google-mail/Gmail account (go to www.gmail.com to create an account for free). 2. Brainstorm Words & Phrases This is where you need to think of what specific scholarship information you want to be fed with. You have to be creative about the words or phrase you choose because this will greatly determine the context of notification you recieve. For example, for a medical student searching for undergraduate scholarships, using the phrase 'undergraduate scholarships for medical student' may give you some cool digest but may not filter your results for best possible scholarship opportunities you will be eligible to apply. For best tracking, you may have to create more than one alert (you

can create as much as you want) with the phrases like; 'international medical students undergraduate scholarship' or 'scholarship for medical undergraduate student Africa'. The key is for you to include just enough words to bring relevant notifications, and at the same time not be too restricted to end up filtering away relevant information. Secondly, if your query has as few as two or three words, you can put the words in quotes. Here's what I mean: I monitor "After School Africa" but not After School Africa. After School Africa without quotes is too generic and will end up with too many unrelated stuffs, that randomly contains the above three words. I've explained the use and effect of searching with quotes above. 3. Get Alerts! Go to www.google.com/alerts and enter the terms you would like to set up alerts for. For each term or phrase, choose the type of results you want. These include: blogs, news, web, groups, videos, and comprehensive. I always choose comprehensive because you get to see as many results from as many sources as possible. If you are choosing to have your alerts delivered to an email address you will need enter that email address (if you're logged into Google your email should already be there). Additionally, you will need to choose how often you would like to receive emails: asit-happens, once a day, once a week or once a month. Your frequency choices for each term or phrase will likely be different. You may want an alert about- Medical Scholarship daily, but only need to see- Government Scholarship alert once a week. You can always change your settings later if you find that you're being alerted too often or not enough for a particular term. 4. Managing & Refining If you are monitoring something with a specific deadline date like 'scholarship deadline in june 2012' or as things change, you might want to delete an alert eventually. From the Google Alerts main page click 'Manage Alerts' and you will be taken to an admin section. To delete an alert simply click the 'check box' and then click 'delete'. If a term starts making your mailbox overflow you might want to change the frequency or delivery method, or tweak the search terms if the results are not comprehensive enough. From the admin section mentioned above, click "edit", change any of the parameters, then save your changes. Congratulations! You have now employed Google to work for you for free. In a matter of time, your scholarship list will no longer go blank.

7.2 University/College S cholarships

Universities/ Colleges websites are a great source of scholarship information for international students. Some of these schools offer partial or full fee scholarships to international students, and in some cases specifically to Nigerian students. For instance, The University of Sheffield offers a range of scholarships to students from Nigeria who show exceptional academic potential and are starting their studies at the University. In 2010, two (2) Nigeria Merit Undergraduate and four (4) Nigeria Merit Postgraduate Scholarships, each worth 6,500 of tuition fee per year, were available for Nigerian students starting their undergraduate or postgraduate taught masters' degree studies in September. This takes the form of a tuition fee reduction (partial scholarship). To be eligible applicants just needed to be a Nigerian national or permanently domiciled in Nigeria, apply for a study place by 23 April and 25 July respectively, and hold an offer of a study place for entry in September. Eligible students, based on academic merit, were automatically sent details of how to apply. In this case you cannot apply for the scholarships before being offered a study place at Sheffield. The University of Sheffield does not offer research scholarships (Ph.D) or funding specifically for Nigerian students. There are, however, scholarships and funding for which all international students including Nigerian Students can apply. Web link: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nigeria/scholarships.html The University of Bedfordshire, UK also provide information on specific scholarship for Nigerian students in the link below but it's actually an international scholarship of which students from other countries are eligible. http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/countries/nigeria/scholarshi There are a lot others international schools that offer such specific scholarships, but a good number (not all anyway) of these university sponsored scholarships are partial-fee (fee reduction). So you still need other source of funding to completely finance your study. Some institutions partner with scholarship foundations, organisations or even individuals to award scholarships to their admitted students. To identify the scholarships associated with a university, locate the webpage (on the school website) for |International Students|, |Internationat Office|, |Student Money Service|, |Financial Aid|, |Funding| or |Scholarship|. Different school websites use different texts to name the scholarship page. Whichever it is, high education institutions provide all possible source of fundings for their students on these pages.

Note: In order to be considered for many awards, you must already have been offered a place at the University, conditionally or unconditionally; you should therefore apply for admission earlier than would normally be the case.

7.3 Organisation/ F ounda tion Sch olarships

The major sources of scholarship funds comes from the generosity of organisations and charity foundations. The funds are often raised from the donations of individuals, companies and profit organisations. These Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. Many organizations offer scholarships or award grants to students whose background or chosen field overlaps the field of the organization. For example, the AACC (American Association of Cereal Chemists) International Foundation provides undergraduate scholarships and postgraduate fellowships to students excelling in studies relevant to grain-based food science and technology. These organizations help in cases of genuine needs, and need for special education, most often, Annually. Some collaborate with specific higher education institutions while some are less specific regarding your choice of school. In some cases, you are required to have gained admission into a higher institution, but some programmes do not need applicants to have gained admission; You just need to be willing to further your education in the specified fields.

7.4 The Comprehensive List of Internationa l Sch ola rship and Fellowship Programmes
Below are international scholarship and fellowship programmes Nigerian Students can apply. These range from Undergraduate, Masters', to Ph.D. Scholarships and Fellowships. Please note that you will have to visit or contact the scholarship providers for current information. You don't have to totally rely on the information provided here.

7.4.1. Ford Foundation International Fellows Program

The International Fellowships Program (IFP) is a program supported by the Ford Foundation, and coordinated in West Africa by the AAU (Association of African Universities) in collaboration with Pathfinder International in Nigeria. IFP provides fellowships for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use their education to further development in their own countries and greater social and economic justice worldwide. IFP fellowships are awarded to applicants that lack systematic access to higher education. A total of 136 fellows have been recruited into the Nigeria program since 2001 when support for the program first started. Some fellows have returned to

their previous work in government, universities, and with NGOs, while others are now working in rural communities. Deadline falls within January each year. The application and referee forms can be downloaded from the website. Requirements: Applicants must: Be residents or resident nationals of Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Hold a Bachelors degree or equivalent as the case may be. Have at least 3 years of work experience. Have substantial experience in community service or development-related activities. Possess leadership qualities/potential evidenced by their employment, academic experience, or at the community level. Propose to pursue a Master's degree that will directly enhance their leadership capacity in a practical, policy, academic, or artistic discipline or field corresponding to one or more of the Foundations areas of endeavor. Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social problems or issues in their country.

Any academic field of study related to The Ford Foundation's grant making areas are eligible. See link below. You can pick up hard copies of the application from almost every state in nigeria. Visit www.pathfind.org, select your country, you will find a long list of office addresses in different states where you can collect the forms. Some state addresses: Lagos Action Health Incorporated 17 Lawal St. Jibowu, Lagos Tel: 01-774 3745 Abuja Pathfinder International Nigeria Country Office 35 Justice Sowemimo St. Off Gen. T Y Danjuma St. Asokoro Abuja FCT

Tel: 234-9 314 7378/9 ifpnigeria@pathfind. org Enugu Women Action Research Organisation(WARO) 38 A Umuezebi St. New Haven Enugu Tel: 042-259 275 Rivers Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Education 7th Floor, Ministry of Education Podium Block, State Secretariat Complex Port Harcourt

7.4.2. AACC annual International Scholarship Awards

AACC International Scholarships are awarded annually by the AACC (American Association of Cereal Chemists) International Foundation to both undergraduate and postgraduate students excelling in studies relevant to grain-based food science and technology. To qualify, applicants must be; A current AACC International student member and Be majoring in a program of courses and/or participating in research that would normally lead to a career in cereal chemistry and technology (including oilseeds). The scholarships are supported by permanent endowments and by annual contributions from companies and AACC International Divisions. As an international scholarship, Nigerian students that meet the above criteria may apply. Deadline: March every year but subject to change. Contact 3340 Pilot Knob Road - St. Paul, MN 55121 U.S.A. Phone: +1 651 454 7250 Fax: +1 651 454 0766 Web Link: http://www.aaccnet.org/foundation/graduate.asp

7.4.3. DAAD Scholarship Programmes

DAAD Scholarship Programmes have benefited hundreds of African students since inception. The scholarships are given each year to postgraduate students wishing to study for a master's or PhD degree.

The DAAD scholarships can support students who want to study in their country (In Country Scholarships) or abroad. Requirements: Bachelor degree; first class or second class honours upper division or Masters' degree. Application deadline: 30 September each year German language skills are not expected. Nigeria Application address Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany 9 Lake Maracaibo Close, Maitama P.M.B. 5177 Abuja Tel.: 234 9 413 0962 (0964)(0965) Fax: 234 9 413 0949 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.daad.de/

7.4.4. UCL-AET Undergraduate International Scholarship.

University College London (UCL) and the Africa Educational Trust (AET)collaborates in a Scholarship scheme to enable students from Africa, who are financially unable to study in the UK, to pursue full-time undergraduate studies at UCL. Two full scholarship bursaries are available annually for AET-nominated students who have accepted offers of study at UCL. Applicants must: be a national of any African country- including Nigeria; AND lack the financial means necessary to pursue undergraduate degree studies at UCL. Scholarships are awarded on financial hardship and academic merit. Each bursary consists of full tuition fees and a maintenance allowance for the duration of the student's programme of study, as well as economy air travel to/from the UK at the beginning and end of the scholarship-holder's degree programme. The bursary also includes an allowance to permit two members of the scholars' family to attend their graduation ceremony. If you fulfill ALL the eligibility requirements above, email Ms May Omona at [email protected] with details of your financial circumstances,

your academic history, and proof that you have applied to UCAS for undergraduate admission to UCL. For information about undergraduate admission to UCL, see http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/application-andentry/ucas/ .AET will provide eligible applicants with an electronic application form, which must be completed and submitted electronically to Ms May Omona at [email protected] by 15 March. 10 short-listed applicants will be contacted by AET in April (by email), and asked to write and submit a 500-word essay on a topic set each year by UCL. Essays and supporting documentation to complete the application must reach AET by 15 May. For more details visit: students/scholarships/undergraduate/ug_outr_aet http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-

7.4.5. Schlumberger Cambridge Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries

The University of Cambridge, UK, in collaboration with Schlumberger Cambridge Research Limited offer scholarships intended for students from developing countries who are pursuing courses of research leading to the Ph.D degree. Any PhD research programme in technological and scientific subjects offered at the University of Cambridge is acceptable for the Scholarship. One scholarship is offered annually. The scholarship normally cover up to: * the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate, approved College fees and a maintenance allowance. Applicants must be admitted to Cambridge through the University's normal academic procedures. He/she must have a first class or second class Upper honours degree, or its equivalent, from a recognised university. Students can apply for funding before securing an offer of study. Applications are accepted until December. CONTACT: Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and Cambridge Overseas Trust PO Box 252 Cambridge CB2 1 TQ Email: [email protected] Fax +44 (0)1223 760618 Website: www.cambridgetrusts.org

7.4.6. Deutsche Bank Scholarships for Women at London Business School

The Deutsche Bank scholarships are awarded to MBA and Masters in Finance female students, the Amount of 20,000 each. These awards are designed to enable talented women with an interest in the finance sector to study at London Business School. Applicants must be women MBA students of any nationality including Nigeria. To be considered for admission, students are required to submit: Completed application form, Application essays, A one-page Curriculum Vitae/Resume, Two letters of recommendation, Original copies of the official transcript of grades from each university attended, GMAT score (Valid for five years), TOEFL iBT, IELTS or CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) where applicable. Details on how to apply for this award will be made available to successful candidates once an offer of a place on the MBA Programme has been made. Scholarships are awarded every year. Web link: http://www.london.edu/mba/feesandfinancing/scholarships.html

7.4.7. Fondation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarship for Women

The Fondation Rainbow Bridge enable young women scholars to enrich their academic background by obtaining an HEC MBA. Recipients of this scholarship are top-caliber female candidates who have been admitted to the HEC MBA program and who can demonstrate exemplary leadership skills in one or more of the following areas: Community work, Charity engagement, Sustainable development practices. Women applying for the Scholarship Award must come from an African country affected by a natural disaster, drought or famine. Essay Question for 2010: Please explain in 1,500 words why you should be named the Fondation Rainbow Bridge Scholar at the HEC MBA Program, while identifying your post-MBA goals. Applicants must submit a detailed description of their financial circumstances as well as a cash-flow forecast for the 16-month duration at HEC. Amount: 20,000 Number of Awards: Two awards per year (one for the January intake; the other for the September intake) Deadline: June 4th each year.

Web Link: http://www.mba.hec.edu/Admissions/Financing/Scholarships/HECFondation-Rainbow-Bridge

7.4.8. Gordon R McCulloch MBA Scholarship for African Students.

The Gordon R. McCulloch Scholarship awarded to students from an African country, is worth 5,000. ELIGIBILITY: The scholarship is open to applicants who are applying for admission onto the Full-time MBA or MBA in International Business in September at the University of Edinburgh Management School. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and the benefits to the student. Requirements: Applicants should submit a 1000 word essay, explaining why they feel they should be awarded the scholarship, and how the scholarship will benefit them. This essay should accompany their application for the MBA programme and should be sent to: The University of Edinburgh Management School, 7 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9 AL UK. Website: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate

7.4.9. The Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship programme

The Chevening programme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international programme of Scholarships and Fellowships. The programme provides nearly 1,000 Scholarships at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK for postgraduate students or researchers from over 130 countries, every year. It also provides over 200 Fellowships for mid-career professionals who are already working in fields related to the FCO's policy goals. The programme is largely funded by the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and managed by the British Council, on behalf of the FCO. Requirements: Chevening scholarships are highly competitive. There were over 17,000 applications for about 1000 awards in 2009/10. A typical successful applicant is: A graduate with the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership.

Motivated to make a career that will take them to positions of leadership in their own country within 10 years of their scholarship. Committed to networking to find global solutions. Able to use their studies and experience in the UK to benefit themselves, their countries and the UK. Applicants must: Have good English Language skills and an IELTS score of 6.5 (or its equivalent) for admission to postgraduate courses. Meet the academic requirements for their courses of study. How to Apply Each associated country has a contact location for applicants to make inquires. Contact details for Students in Nigeria British Council, Plot 3645, IBB Way, PMB 550, Maitama, Abuja. FCT. Phone number: +234 (0)9 4137870-7 Fax number: +234 (0)9 4130902 ; 4137883 E-mail address: [email protected] Website: www.chevening.com

7.4.10. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

The Shared Scholarship Scheme is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from DFID), and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom. Awards are for taught postgraduate (Master's) courses only. All courses undertaken must be demonstrably relevant to the economic, social or technological development of the candidate's home country. Awards are only available at participating institutions in the UK. The details of the UK institutions offering these joint-funded Scholarships is available for download from link below. The Commission funds the cost of tuition fees (at overseas rate), return airfares and other allowances. It is envisaged that around 170 Scholarships is to be offered in 2010. Applicants must: hold a first degree at either first or upper second class level be sufficiently fluent in English to pursue the course

have not previously studied for one year or more in a developed country not be employed by a government department (at national level) or a parastatal organisation (employees of universities are normally acceptable, however) be able to confirm in writing that neither they or their families would otherwise be able to pay for the proposed course of study be willing to confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete.

All enquiries should be addressed to the University at which you wish to study and through which you should therefore apply for a Scholarship. They will advise you on how to make an application direct to them. Most universities will handle advertising and recruitment directly using their own application form and applications should therefore be addressed to the participating university direct (option 1). A few universities want all candidates for their Shared Scholarship courses to apply via the Commission's Electronic Application System (EAS) (option 2). Although applications for specific courses should be addressed to the individual university concerned, general inquiries regarding the scheme should be sent to the scheme administrators at the address below. Contact Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme Commonwealth Scholarship Commission c/o Association of Commonwealth Universities Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square London WC1 H 9 HF Telephone: +44 (0) 207 380 6700 Fax: +44 (0) 207 387 2655 E-Mail: [email protected] www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/sharedschol.asp

7.4.11. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

The CSFP is one of the largest and most prestigious scholarships schemes for international study in the world. Since it's establishment in 1959, 27,000 individuals have benefited, with 120 to 150 awards every year. Scholarships are open to Commonwealth citizens. Awards are for postgraduate study (Masters and PhD). Candidates should hold an upper second class degree or an acceptable postgraduate qualification.

Subject applications should clearly be related to the future social and economic development of your home country. The majority of awards are tenable at any approved institution of higher education in the United Kingdom. Awards are available for the duration of the course of study or research degree. Value: University fees, scholar's return travel, book allowance, apparatus, approved study travel, personal maintenance. Closing Date: Nominations from agencies must be received in London by 31 December in the year preceding the award. Applications must be made to the Commonwealth Scholarship agency in the country in which the applicant has his/her permanent home and submitted by a CSFP nominating body. Information for citizens of Nigeria can be obtained from: Federal Scholarship Board, Federal Ministry of Education Plot 245 Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, PMB 134, Garki-Abuja Selection is undertaken by an interview committee comprising professors and senior lecturers from Nigerian universities. Website: www.csfp-online.org

7.4.12. UK 9/11 full-time Scholarships Award

The scholarships cover funding for full-time undergraduate or Master's degree programme in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scholarships include funding for tuition fees, accommodation, travel expenses to and from country of residence and living expenses in the United Kingdom. The scholarships awarded under the UK 9/11 Scholarships Fund have been made possible by the generosity of individuals and institutions in the UK who made donations to the World Trade Center Disaster Fund, a charity registered in England. There are no restrictions on nationality or on residence in other countries. Applicants suitability will be determined by their capacity to meet the entrance requirements of the institution(s) you are applying to. Serious potential applicants are encouraged to start considering their option of applying for a 9/11 scholarship some 18 months

before the intended start date, for example, while preparing for '0 ' level at secondary schools in Nigeria, or early in their final year of undergraduate study (if you are intending to apply for a Master's course). The UK 9/11 Scholarships Fund is required under the terms of its endowment to ensure applicants demonstrate need, hardship or distress. This means that applicants must provide standard information relating to the income and assets of themselves or their parent/guardian, as requested in the application form. Applicants should apply directly to the British Council. Remember to nominate two referees and to return your completed declaration form before the deadline stated. Web link: www.britishcouncil.org/911scholarships.htm

7.4.13. Korean Government Scholarship Programme

The Korean Government Scholarship Program is designed to provide higher education in Korea for international students for Msc and PhD degree program in order to promote international exchange in education and mutual relationship between the participating countries. 61 Korean universities are in collaboration with the programme. 600 scholarships are available for offer to postgraduate students. Application can be downloaded from http://www.niied.go.kr/ Contact The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) Mailing Address: #205, Dongsung-dong 181, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-810, Republic of Korea Website: http://yoohak.niied.go.kr Phone: +82-2-3668-1355 +82-2-3668-1356; +82-2-3668-1357; Fax: +82-2-743-4992 E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected]

7.4.14. African Graduate Fellowship- AGF

The AGF is a competitive fellowship program for bright, highly motivated African Students, interested in pursuing a master's degree in American University in Cairo(AUC) Egypt. Each year, fellowships are offered to nationals of African countries for full-time study in any of the graduate programs offered at AUC. Applicants must hold a B.A. or B.Sc degree with grade equivalent to 3.2 on a 4.0 scale GPA, TOEFL with TWE score of at least 550 and 4.5. Applicants for the MBA would submit a recent score on the GMAT and have at least two years of relevant work experience. Applicants for the Economics, International Development,

journalism & Mass Communication programs are required to obtain an acceptable scores on the GRE. In support with the fellowship financial supports, and your professional training, candidates/fellows are assigned 18 hours per week of related academic or administrative work. Applications have to be submitted together with all supporting documents before December 15 each year for fellowships beginning the following september. Website: www.aucegypt.edu/admissions/gradadmissions/insupport/Pages/African.aspx

7.4.15. Harold and Olga Fox Scholarship fund at University College London- UCL
The Scholarship fund award Scholarships every year to overseas (full fee-paying) students applying for the BSc degree programme in Biology, Environmental Biology, Genetics, Human Genetics or Zoology. The Harold and Olga Fox Scholarships will pay 5000 towards overseas fees in each of the three years of the Scholar's course, subject to satisfactory academic progress. To apply for one of these Scholarships you must hold an offer of admission to study towards one of the 3- year undergraduate BSc degrees. To apply for one of the Scholarships submit with your application: Full Curriculum Vitae Covering letter in your own handwriting explaining why you wish to study at University College London- UCL. An essay in English (approximately 1000 words) on any biological subject of your choice (eg. The importance of Biology to Nigerian economy.) Email entries are not permitted. Entries will be awarded according to academic merit. Deadline: 15th July for entry in September of the same year. Your application should be posted to: The Scholarship Committee attn: Kathryn Rowlinson Department of Genetics, Environment and Evolution University College London Gower Street LONDON WC1 E 6 BT For further enquiries, please contact Kathryn Rowlinson in the G.E.E. Department ([email protected], Tel. +44-20-7679- 1330.) Website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/biology/undergrads/scholarships/intscholarship.html

7.4.16. The World Bank graduate Scholarship programme

The World Bank Scholarship programme began in 1982. Students are able to undertake postgraduate studies in subjects related to economic development. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is run with funding from the Japanese government and the World Bank; scholarships are awarded to individuals from World Bank member countries to study at renowned universities in other member countries. To apply for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship, an applicant must: Have, at least 2, preferably 4 to 5, years of recent full time professional experience acquired after a university degree, in the applicant's home country or in another developing country. Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Be in good health. Not be residing in an industrialized country for more than one year. Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master's level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development-related subject. Applicants should submit evidence of current unconditional admission to a university master's degree programme. The Program does not support applicants for MBA, MDs, M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees or legal studies such as J.D. L.L.M. or S.J.D. except for L.L.M.'s related to human rights, environment, or good governance. Applications are assessed according to academic excellence, professional experience, and relevance of program of study. The JJ/WBGSP: seeks to maintain a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards and gives priority to those candidates who have limited financial resources. Applications are usually available as: online application form. Web link: www.worldbank.org/scholarships

7.4.17. 100% Full Fee Trust Africa Scholarships

Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK offers full-fee scholarships for international full- time taught postgraduate students currently domiciled in Africa. The scholarships cover 100% of the course fees for your chosen postgraduate taught course for one year. The scholarships are being funded through a combination of generous external funding and University funds. Students will be expected to fund their travel and maintenance costs through other sources.

Students may only apply for the scholarship after an offer for a place at Loughborough University has been made. The deadline for applications is 30th April every year. Contact: International Office, Academic Registry, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3 TU, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1509 223971, Email: [email protected] Web link: http://www.lboro.com/admin/ar/funding/pg/international/index.htm

7.4.18. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Developing Countries.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships are offered by the European Union for study at various European Universities. Students from developing countries are eligible for these scholarships. Erasmus Mundus - Scholarships and Academic Cooperation aims at quality in higher education through scholarships and academic cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world. The programme offers financial support for institutions and scholarships for individuals. Funding is available for European joint Masters and Doctorates scholarships. Web link: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/index_en.php

7.4.19. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships

Women of any nationality pursuing undergraduate business degrees who demonstrate outstanding potential in their field of study are eligible for Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships. To apply, you must meet the following minimum requirements: Be eligible to enter the third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program at an accredited university/college program at the time funds are received. Have achieved an outstanding academic record during the first two or three years of academic studies. Demonstrate intent to complete a program in business and show outstanding achievement in business-related subjects, as recorded on the official university/college transcript.

The scholarship award of $5,000 may be used for tuition, books or living expenses at any university or college offering accredited business courses and degrees. In addition to completing the application, applicants must also submit: One confidential letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the major field of study. One confidential letter of recommendation from an employer, volunteer supervisor, or academic advisor. An essay in 500 words or less that clearly describes your academic and professional goals, the relevance of your program to the business field and how the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship will assist you in reaching your goals. To apply, e-mail your name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters ([email protected]). Web link: http://www.zonta.org/site/PageServer?pagename=zi_issues_programs_klausman_a pplication

7.4.20. Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Master's Scholarships

The University of Edinburgh offers 6 Master's scholarships for eligible distance learning Master's programmes offered by the University. Scholarships will be available for students pursuing one of the following distance learning programmes: Each scholarship will have a total value of 5,000 which will be deducted from the tuition fee for the entire part-time programme of study. The scholarships will be awarded to students who are accepted for admission onto the above eligible distance learning Master's programmes at the University. The scholarship is awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit. Candidates should have, a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent. Eligible applicants should complete an online scholarship application. When completing the personal statement of the scholarship application form, please indicate why Distance Learning suits your particular circumstances making reference to both online learning and distance learning. Contact The Scholarships and Student Finance Office The University of Edinburgh Old College South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9 YL E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +44 131 651 4070

Deadline: 31 May. Web link: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/elearning/e-learning

7.4.21. Steve Huckvale Scholarships for African Students- University of Bath UK

The Steve Huckvale Scholarships are available for international students who are Citizens in an African country to study a postgraduate taught programme in the field of Engineering or Management. The purpose of this prestigious award is to assist international candidates with academic merit and leadership potential to study at the University. There are two Steve Huckvale scholarships available for applicants to a taught master's degree. Each scholarship is worth 5000. In addition, international fee paying candidates who are awarded a Steve Huckvale Scholarship will receive priority consideration if they also apply for the University of Bath Scholarships Scheme. This could result in a further 3000 scholarship, summing to 8000. 2009/2010 Scholarship Winners: Oluwaseun Adetifa from Nigeria was awarded Steve Huckvale Scholarship for African Students and University of Bath International Scholarships for 2009 /10. He is studying MSc Automotive Engineering. Oluwatosin Ogunrinde from Nigeria was awarded Steve Huckvale Scholarship for African Students and University of Bath International Scholarship for 2009 /10. He is studying MSc Digital Communications. There are two scholarships for taught postgraduate students. One is for a course in the School of Engineering and Design and the other is for a course in the School of Management. You need to have formally accepted an offer from the University of Bath to be eligible. Then, you need to complete the application form and send it to the institution before 30 JUNE. Financial circumstances are not taken into account for these awards. If you already have a partial scholarship from another organisation, you can combine this scholarship with a Steve Huckvale scholarship. Web link for scholarship application form:

http://www.bath.ac.uk/international/finance/scholarships/internationalform/applicationtype.php

7.4.22. American Association of University Women

International Fellowships are awarded for full- time study or research to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a US bachelors degree, and must have applied to their proposed institution of study by the time of application. Selection criteria include an outstanding academic record, professional potential, and the potential of the field of study to improve lives of women and girls in the country of origin. Preference is given to women residing in their home countries at the time of application. Deadline: December 15 Open to all nationalities. Contact 1111 Sixteenth St. NW Washington DC 20036 Tel: (800) 326-2289 or (202) 728-7602 www.aauw.org/3000/fdnfelgra/internat.html

7.4.23. African Development Bank Young Professionals Programme

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a highly competitive program targeting motivated, talented, young professionals under the age of thirty-two (32) committed to making a difference on the continent of Africa. Upon acceptance and entry, successful applicants will undergo a unique on-the-job training and development to prepare them for a rewarding career and future leadership roles within the Bank. Successful candidates demonstrate outstanding academic and professional achievement, as well as effective team work and leadership potential. The Bank seeks to hire approximately twenty (20) young professionals each year. Applicants must be nationals of AfDB member countries. The program enables each professional to receive extensive exposure to and experience from various Bank departments and development programs through job rotation. Young professionals are expected to rotate through, at least, three (3) assignments over a 3-year period. Upon successfully completing the program, young professionals will graduate into a professional level position. A minimum of a Masters degree or equivalent in economics, engineering, social sciences, international development, business administration, finance, banking or

any discipline relevant to the Banks business, Fluent in English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other language, a minimum of two years relevant work experience, Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English and/or French. Deadline: March Contact AfDB Young Professional Programme Staff Planning and Recruitment Division Temporary Relocation Agency African Development Bank 15 Avenue du Ghana BP. 323-1002 Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia Fax: (216) 71 831 472 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.afdb.org/en/careers/young-professionals-programme-ypp

7.4.24. The Robert Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Fund

Students who are pursuing an education in accountancy at recognized academic institutions throughout the world are eligible to apply. Awards will be given only to upper level students (juniors-graduate students) with a 3.5 GPA. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide for those who want to increase their knowledge in accounting. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: rolling Contact IA International Headquarters 9200 South Dadeland Blvd, Suite 510 Miami, FL 33156 Tel: (305) 670-0580 E-mail: [email protected] www.iai.org/education/body.asp

7.4.25. Builders of a Better World World Federalist Association

Scholarships are available for undergraduate study at two-year or four-year institutions for students, age 16-28. Applicants must demonstrate: Character, leadership, proof of eligibility, seriousness of purpose, and service to others.

Applicants must be members of the World Federalist Association. The award is seen as helping the education of the recipient, with education being interpreted broadly enough to include such things as the following: academic pursuits and/or internships with WFA or other organizations working to build a better world. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: October 1 Contact 4187th St, SE Washington, DC 20003-2796 (800) WFA-0123 or 202-546-3950 www.wfa.org/youth/scholar.html

7.4.26. Society of Exploration Geophysicists

Various scholarships are available for students majoring in geophysics or a related field and directed towards a career in exploration geophysics. Any recognized college or university in the United States which offers courses of study in geophysics or a closely related field may be chosen by the recipients, subject to requirements for admission and any restrictions specified by the sponsor. Administration of each scholarship is turned over to the school attended by the recipient. The applicant must have an interest in and aptitude for physics, mathematics, and geology; and the applicant must be one of the following: (a) A high (secondary) school student with above average grades planning to enter college the next fall term, (b) an undergraduate college student whose grades are above average or (c) a graduate college student whose studies are directed toward a career in exploration geophysics in operations, teaching, or research; need of financial assistance is considered. However, the competence of the student as indicated by the application is given first consideration. The Tom Mazza Scholarship and the Chevron Scholarship are available for study at any US college or university; the Tim Long Scholarship is open to any Georgia Institute of Technology applicant; the Veritas DGC Scholarship is open to exploration geophysics majors; the Carl Savit Scholarship is available to graduate students, and the Lucien LaCoste Scholarship is open to any full-time graduate student specializing in gravity exploration.

For a complete list of scholarships and application see website. Open to all nationalities. Contact PO Box 702740 Tulsa, OK 74170-2740 (918) 497-5500 www.seg.org/business/foundation/scholarships/index_body.html and www.seg.org/business/foundation/scholarships/academ2002_03.pdf a specific list of scholarships

7.4.27. Datatel Scholars Foundation

Datatel Scholars Foundation offers scholarships to worthy students who want an opportunity to further their scholastic endeavors. The Foundation awards scholarships to eligible students to attend a higher learning institution selected from Datatels client sites. Applicants are evaluated based on a mix of academic merit, personal motivation and external activities including employment and extracurricular activities. Scholarships are open to full- or part-time students. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students may apply. Applicants must apply through the institutions Office of Financial Aid, which may nominate up to two students. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: February Contact 4375 Fair Lakes Ct. Fairfax, VA 22033 Tel: (703) 968-9000 www.gmu.edu/ruth/datatel/com_sch.htm#1

7.4.28. The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund

The purpose of the grant is to support the education of women from developing countries who are committed to improving the lives of women and children in a developing country. Previous grant recipients studied agriculture, architecture and urban planning, civil engineering, education, forestry, journalism, nursing, nutrition, pediatrics, public administration, public health, social sciences, and social work. Deadline: February Contact The World Bank

1818 H Street, NW, Room H2-204 Washington, DC 20433 Tel: (202) 473-8751 E-mail: [email protected] http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/HRS/yournet.nsf/yournet/DynalFrame?OpenDocumen t&Page=FC3B7BFC2BD8BDAA8525687F0007D2DC

7.4.29. Institute of Food Technologists Undergraduate Scholarships

The IFT Administered Scholarships Program is available each year to outstanding undergraduate students. These awards are given by food industry companies, organizations, Divisions, and Section of the IFT, and the IFT to assist young scientists in obtaining the education and training necessary to fill positions in industry, government, and education. The purpose of the award is to encourage study in food/science technology. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an IFT-approved food science/technology program. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: February/March Contact 221 N. LaSalle St. Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60601 Tel: (312) 782-8424 E-mail: [email protected] www.ift.org/education/scholarships/index.shtml?L+mystore+

7.4.30. Graphic Arts Technical Foundation

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation The purpose of the Scholarship Foundation is to provide fundings to qualified and interested students who want to prepare for careers in this growing, dynamic industry. The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation was organized in 1956 by concerned industry leaders as a nonprofit, private, industry-directed corporation to develop and dispense scholarship and fellow assistance to talented young men and women who are interested in graphic communications careers. PGSF is able to help approximately 300 students annually. To be eligible to compete for a scholarship award, the student must be: Interested in a career in graphic communications, a high school senior or a high school graduate who has not yet started college, or an undergraduate student who is

enrolled in a two- or four-year program. Students must be on full-time study. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: November 1 Contact 200 Deer Run Rd. Sewickley, PA 15143-2600 Tel: (412) 741-6860, ext.161 E-mail: [email protected] www.gatf.org

7.4.31. The Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships

The Dissertation Fellowship Program seeks to encourage a new generation of scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional fields to undertake research relevant to education. Applicants need not be United States citizens but must be candidates for the doctoral degree in any field of study at a graduate school in the United States. Dissertation topics must concern education and all pre-dissertation requirements. Open to all nationality. Deadline: mid-October Contact 875 North Michigan Ave, Suite 3930 Chicago, IL 60611-1803 Tel: (312) 337-7000 E-mail: [email protected] www.spencer.org/fellows/index.htm

7.4.32. Social Science Fellowship Program

The Population Council Fellowships in the Social Sciences, administered by the Policy Research Division, support work leading to a doctoral degree, postdoctoral research, or mid-career training in the population field. The fellowships are for one year of research, except in the case of postdoctoral fellowships, which are for two years. Fellowships will be awarded for advanced training in population studies, including demography and public health, in combination with asocial science discipline, such as economics, sociology, anthropology, or geography. Awards will be made only to applicants whose proposals deal with the developing world.

Applications are accepted for four types of training programs in population: three levels of training at degree-granting institutions of higher learning and one at the Population Council. Awards are open to all qualified persons, but preference will be given to applicants from developing countries who have a firm commitment to return home upon completion of their training programs. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: December 15 Contact Fellowship Coordinator Policy Research Division Population Council One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza New York, NY 10017 Tel: (212) 339-0671 E-mail: [email protected] http://popcouncil.org/opportunities/socscifellowships.html

7.4.33. Phi Beta Kappa

The Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship Committee The Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship is available for women intending to pursue postgraduate research in humanities. The Fellowship is awarded alternately in the fields of Greek and French. The award may be used for the study of Greek language, literature, history or archaeology, or for the study of French language or literature. The Fellowship is awarded annually. Candidates must be unmarried women between the 25 and 35 years of age who have demonstrated their ability to carry on original research. They must hold the doctorate or have fulfilled all the requirements except the dissertation, and they must be planning to devote full-time work to research during the Fellowship year. The award is not restricted to members of Phi Beta Kappa or US citizens. Open to all nationalities Deadline: January 15 Contact The Phi Beta Kappa Society 1785 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Fourth Floor Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 265-3808 E-mail: [email protected] www.pbk.org/sibley.htm

7.4.34. Andrew W Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies

The Andrew W Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies [Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature, Critical Theory, Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Studies, including all Area Studies, English Literature, Ethnic Studies, Ethnomusicology, Foreign Language and Literature, History, History and Philosophy of Mathematics, History and Philosophy of Science, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cultural Linguistics, Music History and Theory, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Religion, Religious Studies, Rhetoric, and Womens Studies] are designed to help exceptionally promising students prepare for careers of teaching and scholarship in humanistic disciplines. The Mellon Foundation is a competitive award for first-year doctoral students. Fellows may take their awards to any accredited graduate program in the United States or Canada. The Fellowship covers graduate tuition and required fees for the first year of graduate study and includes a stipend of $17,500. Scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required. Open to all nationalities Deadline: December Contact Teresa Stevens, Program Coordinator or Sue Lloyd-Stacewicz, Competition Administrator Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation CN 5329 Princeton, NJ 08543-5329 Tel: (800) 899-9963 ext. 127 or 149 E-mail: [email protected] www.woodrow.org/mellon

7.4.35. American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

Kala Singh Memorial Fund Full-time international/minority graduate students studying communication sciences in the United States and demonstrating outstanding academic achievements are eligible to compete for a $4,000 scholarship. Open to all nationalities Deadline: not specified Kala Singh Memorial Fund 10801 Rockville Pike

Rockville, MD 20852 Tel: (301) 897-7341 www.ashfoundation.org/funding.htm#anchor997721

7.4.36. The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

The program focuses on issues critical to improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the developing world. The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program awards fellowships to support innovative and imaginative post-graduate research in areas of socio-economic development. To be eligible for an award, applicants must; be nationals and residents of member countries that are currently eligible to borrow from the World Bank. hold at least a masters degree or its equivalent at the time of application. Normally, candidates should be 35 years old or younger.

However, the Program has interpreted this requirement with flexibility in the past and will consider exceptional candidates up to age 40. Fellows must conduct their research on one of the topics specified for the Fellowship year. They must carry out their work in their country of residence, in association with a local research advisor. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: August 15 Contact The World Bank 1818 H St, NW, Room H2-204 Washington, DC 20433 Tel: (202) 473-8751 Email: [email protected] www.worldbank.org/wbi/scholarships/McHomePage2.html

7.4.37. The International Peace Scholarship Fund

Provides grants for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada. An applicant must be qualified for admission to full-time graduate study and working toward a graduate degree in the university of her choice in the United States or Canada. In order to qualify for her first scholarship, an applicant must have a full year of classwork remaining and be enrolled on campus the entire year.

Open to all nationalities. Deadline: December 15 Contact P.E.O. Executive Office 3700 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312-2899 Tel: (515) 255-3153 www.tulane.edu/~finaid/peo.html

7.4.38. The Charles Babbage Institute Center for the

History of Information Processing The Babbage Institute is offers a scholarship of over $10,000 to postgraduate students interested in the history of computing. The fellowship may be held at the recipients home academic institution, the Charles Babbage Institute, or any other location where there are appropriate research facilities. The stipend is $10,000 for tuition, fees, travel to the Charles Babbage Institute and relevant activities. It is intended for students who have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree except the research and writing of the dissertation. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: January 15 Contact 211 Andersen Library University of Minnesota 222 21st Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55455 Tel: (612) 624-5050 E-mail: [email protected] www.cbi.umn.edu/reseaech/tomash.html

7.4.39. Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation

Foundation has awarded grants for graduate studies to exceptional applicants, many of whom have since gone on to prominent and successful careers. Applications are accepted from students worldwide, and, thus far, have provided financial support for their studies at 23 universities in five countries. All applicants are required to have successfully completed an undergraduate degree program (typically four years) at a recognized college or university, a demonstrated commitment to audio engineering

or a related field, supported by a written application and recommendations by at least two faculty members, acceptance or a pending application for graduate studies leading to a masters or higher degree, or an internationally recognized equivalent. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: May 15 Contact 60 East 42nd St. New York, NY 10165 Tel: (212) 661-8528 E-mail: [email protected] www.aes.org/education/edu_foundation.html

7.4.40. Desmond Tutus Masters Scholarships for Africans

The University of Edinburgh offers Scholarship to students from Africa for postgraduate Masters study. The Desmond Tutu Masters Scholarship will cover the full overseas tuition fee and a maintenance allowance of 5,000. The award will be tenable for one academic year. Applicants should already have been offered a place at the University of Edinburgh and should have firmly accepted that offer or be intending to do so. The scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring a Bachelor Degree equivalent to a UK first class or 2 :1 Honours degree. The selection panel will also take into account the financial circumstances of applicants to ensure that as far as possible a students financial situation does not impede a university education at the University of Edinburgh. Contact The Scholarships and Student Finance Office The University of Edinburgh Old College South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9 YL E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +44 131 651 4070 Website: http://www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/internat/tutu.htm

7.4.41. OPEC Fund for Scholarship Award

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) offers Scholarship Award to support postgraduate students from developing countries in pursuit of higher education. Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly driven individuals overcome the cost of advanced professional or graduate training. The winner will receive a scholarship of up to $100,000, spread over a

maximum of two years, toward the completion of a Master's degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited educational institution. To be eligible the candidate: Must be between the ages of 23-32; Must be a graduating student from a four-year, accredited college/university; Must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 rating, or its equivalent; Must be a national of a developing country; Must select a subject of study that pertains to OFIDs core mission, such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields.

All materials, including the online application, letter of recommendation and other required documents must be emailed to [email protected] Deadline: June 30th and December 28th OFID 2010/2011 Scholarship Winner: Mr. Robert Pwazaga, from Ghana, to study at the London School of Economics and Political Science towards an MSc in Development Studies. Contact The OPEC Fund for International Development Parkring 8 A-1010 P.O. Box 995, A-1011 Vienna, Austria Tel: +43-1-515 64-0 Fax: +43-1-513 92 38 www.ofid.org/

7.4.42. Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarships - Netherlands

The Eric Bleumink Fund awards scholarships to talented students and young researchers from developing countries. The scholarships enable the students to further develop as individuals and to make important contributions to the development of their own countries. The Scholarship is for Master and PhD studies at the University of Groningen -Netherlands or a university in the developing country or one of its neighbouring countries. Part of the study programme has to take place at the University of Groningen. The grant is usually awarded for a maximum of 2 years for a Masters degree programme, and 4 years for a PhD. For PhD, part of the

research should be conducted in the home country and part in Groningen. The grant covers the tuition fees plus the costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. It also covers expenses incurred in travelling to and from the Netherlands for PhD candidates for a maximum of 4 times. Holders are entitled to a living allowance of 735 Euro per month for food and accommodation. For specific questions about the Eric Bleumink Fund, please contact: [email protected] www.rug.nl/bureau/expertisecentra/aenf/bleumink/index?lang=en

7.4.43. Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards

Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards (DHPA) is a UK scheme to bring outstanding students from the developing world to study for PhDs in top rated UK research facilities. The initiative was launched by the Prime Minister In November 2003. Grants are for a fixed term of four years from October each year to provide flexibility for a three to four year PhD on average throughout their lifetime. The grant letter provides a net figure of 45,000 per scholarship for the particular research council contribution, to match the mandatory company contribution. Each agreed project must fall within the scientific remit of the research council providing the public funds for each scholarship. The training grant letter for DHPA is managed by the university itself, and does not directly confer resources to individual scholar supervisors. Students wanting to apply for DHPA funding should contact individual recipient universities using the contact points provided. Contact [email protected] www.rcuk.ac.uk/hodgkin/default.htm

7.4.44. Postgraduate Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries at Ghent University-Belgium
This programme of UGent provides postgraduate scholarships to candidates from developing countries who wish to obtain a masters degree at Ghent University. The grants are available for all master programmes at Ghent University. They are awarded for the duration of the studies with a maximum of 2 years. In case of a two year-programme the scholarship will only be paid for the full term if the student successfully completes the first year of the programme. The scholarship consists of an allowance of 850 per month plus the yearly tuition fee. Contact The Research Coordination Office,

Chris Simoens [email protected] www.ugent.be

7.4.45. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf

Administering various awards for auditory- oral students who: a) were born with profound hearing losses, or b) experienced a severe hearing loss before acquiring language. Applicants must enroll in a college or university program that primarily enrolls students with normal hearing. 3417 Volta Place NW Washington DC 20007 Tel: 202-337-5220 http://grants1.nih.gov/grants e-mail: [email protected]

7.4.46. AAUW Educational Foundation International Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded to graduate female foreign students of outstanding ability who can be expected to give effective leadership in their fields upon return to their home country. 1111 16th St. NW Washington DC 20037 Tel: 202-728-7603 www.aauw.org/fga/index.cfm

7.4.47. ADAMHA National Research Service

Awards PhD in areas of biomedical & behavioral research within one of the selected three institutes. Westwood Bldg #240 NIH Bethesda, MD 20892 Tel: 301-594-7248 ; http://grants1.nih.gov/grants ; e-mail: [email protected]

7.4.48. American Society for Microbiology

Fellowships in the microbiological sciences for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students. 1752 N. Street NW, Washington DC 20036 Tel: 202 737 3600; Tel: www.asm.org/Awards/index.asp?bid=460

Chapter 8 Getting Started

Are you like one of those readers who would end every book with, 'Wow! That was interesting', then shove it over your drawers? I'd bet my Blog, you are not. Even if you've done that with other books you've read, you are not willing to do the same with this one. Yes! you are surely not one of those. Even though I can't see you right now, thinking of you reading to this point is a clear indication that you are willing to take your dreams beyond your drawers (well, unless you are just reading for fun). It is very possible for your name to join the list of scholarship winners of our time. Nationality or Continentality is not really the problem. Like the old saying, "What is worth doing at all is worth doing well", it's more about going through the entire scholarship process with the best of your effort from day one. Those past scholarship winners are not any better than you are, are they? Neither are students from the developed countries more 'Scholarship Worthy' than you are. May be what you really need, after all, is to know what has to be done and to do it right, because, in the end, doing your best pays more than being the best. I wish I could tell you that winning a scholarship or scholarships is easy. Honestly, I wish it is as easy as reading this book, but it is not. Scholarship awards are often very competitive, with a large number of applicants screaming for recognition towards a few positions. The good news then is that most of these applicants will not take the detailed steps and preparation you will be taking. So your additional knowledge of the entire exercise will do you much good. Think of it as applying for a job; although it is a little more complicated than that, it can be related. All the CVs, Applications, then to the Aptitude Tests and Interviews. Finally the employment letter. Do you really think it's the most academically intelligent candidate that get employed? Not a chance. It's often more than having the best results. It's more about having the ability to show that you deserve and can manage the job in a competitive world. Those scholarship award programmes you come across will be awarded to someone or some persons. It's up to you to prove that you deserve that award, beyond reasonable doubts. "Doing your best is more important than being the best". A surfer asked the question on Yahoo Answers (an online platform powered by Yahoo.com, where web surfers can ask any questions and get answers from other surfers), "Why is it difficult for Africans to participate in scholarship programmes organized by Americans and British?"

He went ahead to introduce himself as an ambitious Nigerian seeking for oversees student scholarship. He claimed to have been denied every application, since most of the scholarships were reserved for students in US, Canada and UK. One of the replies to his question read, "I think it is evidence of racial discrimination". However, hold on. Do you agree to that? Or is it more? First of all, there is a good number of international scholarship awards that students from Nigeria can comfortably apply to and stand as much chances as very other candidates to win. It then becomes a matter of whether these students have what it takes to be awarded the financial aid. It's not a matter of racial discrimination. Although a lot of these scholarships are limited to the developed world, there have and will always be international scholarship winners coming from Nigeria. It's more about 'scholarship worthiness'. Scholarship sponsors seek to assist students with a defined quality and personality. They want people that can represent what their organization or institution stands for; students that can stand as a role model to the next generation. And you don't need to be an 'Albert Einstein' to be that student. You just have to be dedicated to your pursuits. Another rather pathetic instance was where a Nigerian student asked a question on forum about English Language Test. His question was, "Why take TOEFL after GRE?" He went ahead to explain that as a student from a Country with English as her official language, it shouldn't be appropriate to be compelled to taking a second language test, TOEFL, after the first, GRE. Here was the humiliating response he got: "I'm almost sure you can't be exempted from the TOEFL, and I'm sure that you SHOULDN'T be exempted, because the English in your post was not good. I hear the same complaint from Nigerian students in the United States very often. Even though the official language of their country is English, and even though their education has been in some kind of English, their actual command of English is usually terrible. They understand everything we say, but they don't speak real English... and they have terrible trouble speaking and writing English that is understandable to the Americans and the British. When they take the TOEFL or some other English placement exam, they usually score into a low intermediate class and are very angry about it, and very arrogant about their bad command of English... and when they fail exams because of many very basic English mistakes, they will fume that they were taught according to the British standard. The point is that these people have learned to understand English, so they can understand almost everything they hear or read, and can probably pass the GRE or some other test that is not an English test. However, their English speaking and writing is often terrible,

and sometimes it's almost impossible to understand, so they cannot pass the TOEFL." (www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic15820.html) Awful, isn't it? I get bothered about how unqualified some part of the developed world think Africans (Nigerians in this case) are when it comes to issues like this. I mean; we have smart and intelligent brains. Nigerians write and pass TOEFL, IETLS, GRE and SAT Exams every year and a good number of them get good scores; so why the generalization? I wouldn't want to defend my countrymen blindly here, but I think it's high time we proved to the world that we are worth more than they think we are. Still talking about scholarship awards, the major problem with the Nigerian applicant is the lack of desire to learn before we leap. The average scholarship applicant is only after finding and applying a scholarship at the time he thinks he needs one. He is not willing to take the time to prepare and learn the things he needs to know about applying for scholarships. For this reasons, their applications don't make it any close to the proper selection phase. It is just the average applicants' application. There is always a lot to learn about everything. Taking the time to prepare and apply to scholarship programmes will surely take you a long way through the evaluation phases.

8.1 Managing your Time

Personally speaking, one common thing I've come to notice among scholarship aspirants, from emails and comments I recieve, is that some students find it hard to devote time to their scholarship guests. They either want everything to be done for them or to just get along. Some people are not often ready to take time to study about a subject before getting into it. They decide to jump into it, probably because they heard it's something that is being done and it's time to do it. With all the ignorance, they make mess of the whole thing and could only end up saying, "it's not as easy as we taught". Even though they could be right about that statement (talking about scholarships), you can always do better when you have an idea of what you are doing. If you are reading this, then you are not one of those win-it-quicks, who in the end get nothing. You have the desire to learn. You 'want to know' more about what you are going into. Even more wonderful of you, you devoted your time to read to this point. If I should tell you that quality of yours is priceless, and can take you farther in life. I congratulate you for being inquisitive. Talking about managing your time on scholarship application, you've already gotten the basic skill; first invest some time in learning and understanding about the

scholarship you are applying and the general scholarship etiquettes. Read as much materials as you can come across. Then prepare yourself towards producing a quality application. Knowledge, they say, is power. Dig through this guide (and others) as deep as you can. Equip yourself. And the time you spend doing this will be worth more than the time it took you to complete your scholarship application (at least you get to save some time and know some 'shortcuts'). May be this isn't what you expected from this section on 'managing your time'. You were rather expecting something like; take a nap between 2:00 and 3:00pm, then take away 85 minutes from 5 O'clock, then write an essay while on a date with your boy-friend, then blah, blah, blah. All those wouldn't do you much good now. We all need to be creative and self motivating, and one good way I know of doing it is to first understand the things we 'fear'. Because when we do, we gain control of everything, including the time and emotion we devote to it.

8.2 Avoiding Scholarship Scams

I was watching a Nigerian Home Movie- not exactly sure of the title, but it was something like- 'After My Heart', by Emeka Ike and Chioma Chukwuka (I'm not much of a Home Video Fan any way), when I received a mail from, Uchenna Agonsiafterschoolafrica.com Reader- to highlight on common scholarship Scams and how to avoid them. In a scene of the movies, Emeka Ike was portrayed to have spent all he had processing a Canadian Scholarship Application for his younger brother. I began to wonder how much false information are often celebrated on the media these days. The question to ask is, 'How much does it cost to process a scholarship application that someone should spend his/her entire savings on?' and the answer to that question is, 'As much as it will cost you to complete and submit the application.' In other words, it should cost you nothing but the photocopies, stamps, envelop and of course your time. Every year thousands of students get scammed to the total of millions of dollars- an estimate as high as $100 million-chasing scholarship awards. How does it happen? Scholarship scammers operate the same as any cons artist. They take advantage of your eagerness to gain free money for your education. They offer promises of big rewards for minimum investment, and a lot of students fall for their con. Any student or parents in search of financial assistance needs to be able to recognize the art of scholarship fraud. Scams come in many flavours, but there are a few typical moves you should be aware of.

8.2.1 Common Scholarship Scams

1. Third Party Representative Scam

You often find a lot of companies portraying themselves as affiliates to an international institution or foundation. They would claim intermediaries in the country between you and the organisation at large. All you need is purchase a form, fill it and they'll have every other thing done for you. Most organisations that awards such scholarships provide contact information on approved local offices you can inquire from. If you are not sure contact the proper scholarship providers through their websites. 2. The guaranteed matching service Matching services that promise guaranteed matching sources for a processing fee will at best provide you with information available for free on the web. Pay a fee, and they'll do all the work. They'll find information that you can't get anywhere else! Not only that, they will guarantee that you'll win. Would you fall for that? And never mind that money-back guarantee- you end up spending more money in the process. 3. The Free Overseas Scholarship Seminar Often a free scholarship seminar is nothing but a sales pitches in matching services or investment products. disguise for,

Warning signs to take note: They can only answer certain questions after you pay their fee? Wants your credit card information to "hold" a scholarship for you? No way! 4. The advance-fee education loan A low-interest loan in exchange with an upfront fee. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from the time disbursement checks are issued; they do not charge fees before paying out the loan to a borrower. Be wary of any lender that asks for money upfrontthat is a loan that may likely never materialize. 5. The Redemption Fee Common catchphrases by the scammer are disbursement fee, redemption fee, or processing fee. Legitimate scholarships do not ask a student to pay for an award. Be wary of any money awarded to you out of the blue that comes with strings, especially those with strings attached to your pocketbook. 6. Scholarships for profit This is currently the most common art of scholarship scammers today, and often comes in disguise of trying to help the students. In actual sense, it's only a draw. You see flyers, posters and even TV adverts for students to purchase scholarship scratch cards. Scholarships are designed for many purposes like recruit talented athletes,

assist low income applicants, encourage study in an academic discipline, promote campus diversity, attract the best students; but profit is never one of them. These scammers company may award scholarships but that is after they have collected many times over that amount in fees by attracting thousands of applicants. It may cost you N5000 or so, but multiple that by 1,000 scholarship aspirants like you, that's real business. Being denied such a scholarship does not make you undeserving-but just another blessing to the scammer.

8.2.2 How Not to Fall Prey to Enticing Scholarship

"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back." "You can't get this information anywhere else." "We just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship." (it is nothing more than identity theft. Scammers use this ploy to get your financial information and then drain your account or run up charges on your credit card. You most have heard of ATM scams). "We'll do all the work." (Legitimate scholarships require work filling out applications, writing essays, and getting winning letters of recommendation. Who can really do any of that for you? And you still have to fill out the same information for a consultant or fee-based service) "The scholarship will cost some money." (Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. And sometimes you have to spend money to find out that you have been scammed.) "You've been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered. (Ignore alerts of scholarship awards that you can redeem for a fee. Especially if you never applied to that scholarship. Don't be overwhelmed by an "official sounding" name. Just because a company uses words like "National," "Federal," "Foundation" or "Administration" in its title doesn't mean it is a legitimate organisation. Unclaimed money: Many fraudulent services will entice students with the lies that millions of dollars in scholarship money goes unclaimed each year. High success rates: A consultant or matching service offering huge success rates (say 90 percent or so) is a scammer. Claims of endorsement or affiliation: The scammer may claim to be endorsed by a state, federal or international agency.

8.2.3 Who is for Real? Who is not?

A legitimate scholarship provider sends information about awards only after you request it. A scammer offers you an award for which you did not apply. A legitimate scholarship organization makes its contact information available, including a telephone number and address. A scammer refuses to release the company's telephone number, and provides only a PO Box where you can mail your check. This can be deceiving because nowadays 'legitimate scammers' no longer hide their contact addresses. They come out loud. A legitimate scholarship matching company never guarantees that the student will win an award, and they never promise to "do all the work" for the student. A scammer promises to do all the work for the studentsfilling out the application, contacting the scholarship provider, securing the award. A scammer guarantees you will win an award. A legitimate scholarship -matching company knows that financial aid information is FREE and readily available in financial aid offices, libraries and on the Internet. A scammer will tell you that you can't get the information they supply anywhere else. A legitimate scholarship application requires only information that is relevant to the award. A scammer requires personal financial informationsuch as credit card numbers or checking account numbersto verify or hold the scholarship. A legitimate educational loan company deducts fees from your disbursement checks; they don't collect the money up front. A scammer charges an upfront fee for a loan.

8.2.4 How to Report Scholarship Scams

One big reason scammers get stronger in the field is that they go unreported. But how can an international student from Nigeria report a scam committed by someone they know nothing of his location or contact? The best approach is to avoid being scammed in the first place. But if you happen to fall victim of scam from USA, complaints may be made to the Better Business Bureau by visiting www.bbb.com and the nonprofit National Fraud Information Center (operated by the National Consumers League) at 1-800-876-7060 or www.fraud.org. Contact your bank immediately if you provide credit card or bank account information to a suspected scammer, explain the situation, and request that the bank monitor the compromised account. For local scams, notify the EFCC about the incident; impersonating a federal or international officer, telemarketing fraud schemes, and identity theft are crimes.

Appendices
Appendix I How to Get Admission to UK U niversities
Since 2002, the number of Nigerian students choosing to study in the UK has increased by 75 per cent. In 2004/2005 alone, this market increased by 37 per cent. Currently, there are over 8,000 Nigerian students in the UK and Nigeria is considered the sixth largest source of international students to the UK. In the UK, the application process to university education is more standardized than in the United States; all schools admission process begins with one basic application form that can be completed once and sent to up to five different schools. All applications for full-time higher education courses, for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, are made using the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) online application system which is available 24 hours a day. You fill in the application online when it suits you and it doesn't need to be completed all at once. This process requires that you know exactly which schools you wish to enter, so it is crucial that before starting the process you research which universities in the U.K. offer the programs you desire.

A 1.1 Application Procedure:

Step 1: Get in contact with the university's international admission office via email or phone. Even if the school's website lists information for international students, many admissions offices encourage you to contact them, as they have counsellors who can advise you on any additional information needed specifically as a foreigner, such as standard exams, visas, interview procedures, financial aid, housing, international costs and specific resources to help you with the process. Step 2: Access the website of the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) at www.ucas.ca.uk to start your application to any university or higher education course in the U.K. The majority of institutions in the U.K. require that you apply through the UCAS rather than directly. The UCAS application is one single online application form that can be sent to up to five universities in the U.K. at a time. UCAS was designed to make initial application to U.K. universities easier, more standardized, and better organized, but it goes with a processing fee. Step 3: Register and complete the application form. You must know what five universities and courses you are applying to before you submit the application, therefore researching for the universities that will work best for you should come before applying.

The application form requires your personal information, education, work history, qualifications and certifications, and a personal statement. You will need to obtain a reference and enter it into the 'reference' section of the application. Once you have completed the application, you send it to UCAS online.

A 1.2 How much will it cost?

If you choose to apply to more than one course, university or college you need to pay 19 GBP when you apply. If you only apply to one course at one university or college, you pay 9 GBP. If you are applying through a school, college or other centres, it will let you know how to pay. It will be either by credit or debit card online, or by paying your centre which will then pay to UCAS (be sure to confirm the eligibility of any centre). The card need not be in your own name, but you will require the consent of the cardholder. Accepted payment options are; UK and international Visa, Visa Debit, Delta, MasterCard, Maestro, Solo and Electron credit or debit cards. If you have trouble paying with a credit or debit card, you should contact The British Council in Nigeria who may be able to provide alternatives. In addition, you can pay by: Cheque, Postal order, Direct payment to the UCAS bank account. The bank account details are: Bank name: Barclays Bank plc Bank address: P.O. Box 11, 128 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1 EL Account name: UCAS International Account Account number: 20802182 Sort code: 20-20-15 Swift code/BIC number: BARCGB22 IBAN number: GB52 BARC 2020 1520 8021 82 All payments should be in GB pounds. Write your name, address and Personal ID on the back of your cheque, postal order or other payment document and send it to UCAS, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, GL52 3 LZ. Step 4: Wait for UCAS to print and send your applications to each of your listed universities. The universities will contact you via mail with their decision based on the primary application. If the school approves your application, you may be asked to send additional documents such as writing samples or completed questionnaires. The policies of each school vary.

Visit the 'When to apply' page on UCAS website to check the dates and deadlines by which your completed application should be recieved. You can defer your admission through UCAS for a maximum of one year, when you have a genuine reason, like NYSC. About Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. The organisation processes more than two million applications for full-time undergraduate courses every year, and can help you to find the right course. You will find a number of tools on the website which you can use to help you research and apply for courses in the UK. www.ucas.co.uk/students/wheretostart/nonukstudents

A 1.3 Testing your English language proficiency

The universities and colleges that you choose will tell you what standard of English, both written and spoken, you need in order to take part in lectures, tutorials and seminars. Most universities and colleges will want you to have a qualification in English or to take a specified test in English. This will show the university or college that you will be able to cope with the course and your studies. To find out which English language proficiency test is acceptable; you should contact the admissions office or international office for each university or college. The following may be acceptable as evidence of proficiency in English. Although there are more of such tests, the ones you can easily take in Nigeria includes; International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See Chapter 2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Chapter 2

Please visit www.ets.org/toefl/locations to locate your nearest test centre. View the complete list of universities and colleges that accept TOEFL at www.ets.org/toefl/ukdirectory. Each institution will list their TOEFL score requirements on their website and these may vary. University of Cambridge ESOL examinations University of Cambridge ESOL examinations is a world language assessment provider. It provides exams in English language for over 3 million people every year, in more than 130 countries as well as a range of qualifications for language teachers. Around the world, thousands of universities, employers and government ministries rely on Cambridge ESOL certificates as proof of English language ability. A Cambridge ESOL certificate can determine whether the career is progressed or a university place offered, while the broader examination results can help to determine a nations education and investment policy. UCAS awards Tariff Points to students with high scores in the exam, making the students admission acceptance almost inevitable. The Cambridge ESOL certificate is the only English proficiency exam with this accreditation from UCAS (announced in June

2010) Cambridge ESOL exam centres in Nigeria contact Details Patience Ezinwoke British Council, Post Harcourt 127 Olu Obasanjo Road, GRA Phase 2 PMB 5299 Post Harcourt Rivers State Tel: 234 84 237 173 Fax: 234 84 237172/ 231776 E-mail: [email protected] www.britishcouncil.org/nigeria Oyinlola Odusola British Council, Lagos 20 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi P O BOX 53702 Lagos Tel: 234 126 921 88-192/ 2610210 Fax: 234 126 921 93 E-mail: [email protected] http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/

A 1.4 Funding and Fees

Before you decide which university or college to attend, you need to be certain that you can pay the full cost of: your tuition fees (the amount is set by universities and colleges, so contact them through their websites for more information) the everyday living expenses, including accommodation, food, heat, light, clothes and travel, books and equipment for your course, travel to and from your country; except you've already been awarded a scholarship. You must include everything when you work out how much it will cost. You can get information to help you work this out accurately from the international offices at universities and colleges, UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) and the British Council. Universities and colleges will put information about their own scholarships on their websites. Financial help for non-EU students You will need to contact the universities and colleges that you are considering, for precise information on course fees and financial help available for you. Most universities and

colleges will also display this information on their websites.Additionally UKCISA and the British Council will be able to assist you in your enquiry. Legal documents you will need Everyone who travels to study in the UK needs a valid passport. If you do not have one, you should apply for one as soon as possible. To obtain a visa, the institution you intend to study at must be on the UKBA Register of Sponsors. When you arrive in the UK, you must show certain documents to declare your intentions to study as a student to the immigration officers. You will need: a valid passport, a visa, evidence from the institution that confirms you have been accepted unconditionally for a full-time course, evidence that you have enough money to pay for your course. Identity cards for foreign nationals The following information has been provided by the UK Border Agency- UKBA: Since 25 November 2008, UKBA has been issuing identity cards to non-EEA foreign nationals who are granted further leave to remain in the UK within certain categories (student and married/civil partnerships/unmarried couples). The card is being rolled out by immigration application type, and is currently issued to a wide range of migrants and their dependants when they apply to extend their stay in the UK. Under current roll-out plans, by April 2011 any migrant extending their stay in the UK or going there for more than six months will need to apply for an identity card for foreign nationals as part of their immigration application. As well as showing the holder's photo, name, date of birth, nationality and immigration status, the credit-card sized document has a secure electronic chip for biometric details. Using fingerprint technology and digital facial images, the immigration Agency can lock an individual to a single identity, to help strengthen border control, prevent identity fraud and illegal working or immigration. The card will help to confirm a person's immigration status and eligibility to entitlements in the UK. It will also help employers, educational establishments and other public service providers to understand a migrant's immigration status via a single document. For further information about the identity cards for foreign nationals and guidance on checking the card please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managingborders/idcardsforforeignnationals/ You can apply similar application schedule as described in 'How to Get Admission in US and Canada Universities and Colleges'.

Appendix II How to Get Admission into US and Canada Universities and Colleges
The American education system is similar to the Canadian, and both require that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education prior to attending university or college for undergraduate studies. This may be accomplished either at public (or government-operated) schools, or at private schools. Postgraduate Master's students need to have completed their Bachelors' Degree programme. Foreign students who would like to attend an American or Canadian college or university must have completed a coursework that is equivalent to what is taught at the schools. Undergraduate schools offer either a two-year degree (an associate degree) or a fouryear degree (a bachelors degree) in a specific course of study. Students who complete an associate degree can continue their education at a four-year school and eventually complete a bachelor degree.

A 2.1 Funding Your Education In US or Canada

While the cost of an American or Canadian education is high and can add up to tens of thousands of US dollars, it is an investment worth making, when it's affordable to you. Since you will be required to prove you have the necessary financial resources in order to obtain an international student visa, it is very important to first determine how much your total USA education will cost. Once you have determined how much international student financing you will need, you must next determine how you will obtain that student financing. Are your parents financing your USA education? Have you obtained an international student scholarship? Have you been able to secure an international student loan?

A 2.2 Admissions Info for International Students

Admission at US/Canadian colleges and universities can be very competitive for international students but much depends on the school in question and the qualifications of the international student. In order to be accepted at a TOP US school for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, you must have attained good grades, completed challenging coursework, obtained sufficient financing, and developed a strong command of the English language. Less competitive schools have less stringent admissions for international students. Each US school sets its own international student admissions requirements, which is why you should visit the college/university website for specific information. Different US schools will have different minimum requirements for grades as well as for standardized tests (such as the TOEFL, GRE and SAT). Even within the same school, there may be different requirements, depending on the major (or course of study) selected.

The higher your grades and test scores, the better your chances of being accepted by at least one top school. Above all, successful admissions for international students to a top US school requires preparation. The admissions process is a long one, and should ideally begin at least 18 months before your expected arrival in the US. Organization and planning are very important because timely completion of all the necessary steps is key.

A 2.3 Application Schedule

The following information will help you plan for the college application process by giving you time frame by which each of the necessary steps should be completed. Following a schedule will help you make sure that everything is done on time and that no items or steps are forgotten. 18 months before beginning your studies in the US: Begin your search of possible US colleges or universities that you would like to attend. Read through college/university reference guides and visit their websites. Try to talk with your relatives and friends who have studied in the US. Request information from 10 to 20 different schools so that you can make a good decision on where to apply. Register and start preparing for the TOEFL and other entrance tests (such as the SAT- for undergraduate studies- or GRE-for postgraduate studies-). Continue to work hard at your subjects if you are still in school. Good grades in the courses you are taking now will count heavily in the admission decisions.

15 months before: Take the TOEFL and other entrance tests. Most universities require you to take the test before December, so taking it a bit earlier gives you an opportunity to take it again and improve your score, if necessary. 12 months before: Send letters to colleges you have selected requesting applications and information, or obtain this information and necessary forms from their websites. You should choose: a) one or two schools that you really like, but may be too difficult to get into; b) two or three that you also like and think will accept you; c) one or two which may not be your favorites, but you are quite sure will accept you. Identify two or three teachers/lectures or other people whom know you well and ask them to write recommendation letters for you. You may apply the strategies mentioned in Chapter 5 of this Book. For undergraduate applicants the best references are teachers and your school principal. Family friends, religious counselors, and others should be used only if they know you very well and can speak specifically about your academic goals and potential.

Postgraduate students should obtain letters from their lecturers or professionals in their field whom they have worked with and who can speak specifically about their academic potential and relevant accomplishments. Ask the schools you have attended in Nigeria to start preparing your transcripts. These are official school documents that show the courses you have studied and the grades you have received in those courses. If your previous TOEFL, SAT, or GRE scores were not satisfactory, register for the test again. 11 months before: If you have not yet received the application forms you requested from the schools you wrote to, send another letter repeating your request. Study the applications you have received. Note carefully the deadlines on each of them. Remember to allow time for delays in the mail. Ask your schools to send certified copies of your academic transcripts to each of the schools where you are applying. Ask your teachers to write their letters of recommendation for you. Give them the forms provided by the schools and a stamped, addressed envelope for each letter they will be mailing. Undergraduate students should write their application essay. This essay is an important part of the application. It should reflect who you are and what you feel is important. Try not to repeat information you have provided in other parts of the application, instead work to make the essay unique and personal. Get comments on it from an English teacher or reliable friends. Follow the easy guidelines provided in Chapter 4. Graduate students should write their statement of purpose if the schools have indicated that they require one. This is an important part of the application. You should show in your statement how your education so far has created a foundation for your goals, and how your proposed coursework in the US will help you achieve those goals. You should be as specific as possible about your research interests and past accomplishments. Make photocopies of the applications and begin to fill in the required information on the copies. You will later transfer the information to the originals. If you are confuse of any questions, seek advice from someone you think can help, or contact the school if appropriate. 10 months before: Complete your essays and application forms, including the financial aid application forms, using the originals (not the copies). Type or write by hand very neatly and carefully. The finished applications will be your introduction to the schools, so you want to make them look good. Keep a copy of the completed applications for your records and application of scholarships. Mail the originals by airmail in time to meet the deadlines. Take the TOEFL and other exams again, if you need to improve your scores.

Check with your referees and your school to make sure your recommendations and transcripts have been mailed in time to meet the deadlines. 9 months before: It is not unusual for schools to request more information or resubmission of something you have already sent. Respond promptly to any requests you receive. 4-5 months before: You will start hearing decisions from the schools. Contact the admissions office at any school that you do not hear from. Accept only one school's offer, and let the other schools know of your decision. Ask the school you have chosen to send you the I-20 form for processing your student Visa. Make housing arrangements. Apply for a passport if you do not already have one. 3 months before:

Get a visa application form from the US embassy. Make travel arrangements. Schedule your trip so you arrive at least 15 days prior to your schools orientation. More Resource: www.usastudyguide.com/

Appendix III How to Write a Good Personal Statem ent for a U niversity in the UK
The personal statement is a key component in your application for admission to a UK university. As an international student, the personal statement may take the place of an interview. It is a way for you to reveal your personality and interests, as well as discuss why you want to participate in the degree program. The Personal Statement is one of the most challenging part of the application. With preparation, diligence and an accurate spellcheck, you can write a personal statement that will let admissions officers know exactly who you are and consider your admission request. Following the Essay Writing guide in Chapter 4 will surely get you through the process with ease. Here are some additional things to watch. Choose topics related to your chosen degree program that reveal you are an enthusiastic candidate for admission, with a genuine interest in your chosen field of study. Explain why you are applying for the degree program; Brunel University recommends spending 50 to 75 percent of your personal statement on this topic. The person reading your personal statement will be an expert in your chosen field and will want to know the specifics of why you chose the course. Write about a personal hobby or interest- such as sports, cooking or music-that emphasizes traits necessary for your chosen course such as teamwork, creativity or attention to details. This is a way to reveal your personality while keeping all information focused on your education. Mention volunteer activities, work experience, personal achievements and awards not included in your application, if they are relevant to your course. It would be useful to include information on your National Youth Service if they are worth noting. University of Birmingham admission tutor, Dr. Jeremy Wyatt says, "...activities prove your enthusiasm more convincingly than simply stating your enthusiasm without evidence". Include the reasons you want to study in the UK. Check and edit your essay. Check spelling and grammar and have trusted persons read the essay for corrections. Do not make statements like, "I enjoy Biology," or, "I am interested in Sciences," without further explaining the reasons behind your interest. Admissions tutors

already know you are interested because you are applying; they want to learn the personal reasons behind your interest and to get a sense of who you are.

Appendix IV Schools in US with Fina ncia l Aid for Internati ona l Undergraduate Students
Some US schools are more likely than others to offer financial aid for international undergraduate students. The lists below indicate which schools offer aid (including grants, loans, and jobs) to the largest numbers of international students. The lists are based on a list originally compiled by Douglas C. Thompson. The financial aid may include grants, loans and jobs, and often includes both merit and need-based awards. Note that a much greater number of schools provide financial aid for international postgraduate students in the form of teaching and research assistantships. For information about financial aid for graduate study in the US, you should contact the schools that interest you even if they aren't included in the lists below.) If a school is not listed here, it probably does not have much financial aid for international students. However, it is worth noting that some schools may have athletic scholarships that are open to both international students and US students. The lists below do not count the number of athletic scholarships awarded to international students. Schools with Awards to More than 150 Students Arizona State Univ. (AZ) Barry Univ. (FL) Clark Univ. (MA) Eastern Michigan Univ. (MI) Grinnell College (IA) Harding Univ. (AR) Harvard (MA) Illinois Inst. of Tech. (IL) Liberty Univ. (VA) Louisiana State Univ. (LA) Macalester College (MN) Marquette Univ. (WI) MIT (MA) Mount Holyoke College (MA) Ohio Wesleyan Univ. (OH) Princeton (NJ) SUNY Plattsburgh (NY) Univ. of Bridgeport (CT) Univ. of Houston (TX) Univ. of Pennsylvania (PA) Univ. of South Florida (FL) Schools with Awards to 100-149 Students Brown Univ. (RI) Calvin College (MI) College of Wooster (OH) Dartmouth (NH) Dordt College (IA) Eckerd College (FL) Florida Inst. of Tech. (FL) Georgia Southern Univ. (GA) Graceland College (IA) Luther College (IA) Middlebury College (VT) Northeast Louisiana (LA) Oberlin (OH) Savannah Coll. of Art (GA) Slippery Rock Univ. (PA) Smith College (MA) Stanford (CA) Texas Christian Univ. (TX) Tri-State Univ. (IN) Univ. of Miami (FL) Univ. of Rochester (NY) Yale (CT) Schools with Awards to 50-99 Students Abilene Christian Univ. (TX) Allegheny College (PA) Augsburg College (MN)

Beloit College (WI) Bethany College (WV) Brandeis Univ. (MA) Bryn Mawr College (PA) California Lutheran (CA) Cleveland Inst. of Music (OH) Colby College (ME) Columbia Univ. (NY) Concordia Coll. (MN) Cornell Univ. (NY) Denison Univ. (OH) Franklin & Marshall (PA) George Wash. Univ. (DC) Goshen College (IN) Houghton College (NY) Ithaca College (NY) Julliard School (NY) Knox College (IL) Lake Forest College (IL) Lawrence Univ. (WI) Lewis & Clark (OR) Lynn Univ. (FL) Maharishi Intl. Univ. (IA) Monmouth College (IL) North Park Univ. (IL) Principia College (IL) Rochester Inst. of Tech. (NY) Salem College (NC) St. Augustine's College (NC) St. Johns College (MD) St. Lawrence Univ. (NY) St. Olaf College (MN) Trinity College (CT) Tulane Univ. (LA) Univ. of Maine (ME) Univ. of Wisc./Eau Clair (WI) US International Univ. (CA) Washington College (MD) Washington Univ. (MO) Wesleyan Univ. (CT) Western Maryland Coll. (MD) Wittenberg Univ. (OH) Schools with Awards to 15-49 Students Albright College (PA)

Amherst College (MA) Augustana College (IL) Bard College (NY) Bates College (ME) Bennington College (VT) Bowdoin College (ME) CalTech (CA) Central College (IA) Coe College (IA) Colgate Univ. (NY) Davidson College (NC) Dickinson College (PA) Earlham College (IN) Eastern Nazarene (MA) Elizabethtown College (PA) Elmira College (NY) Gettysburg College (PA) Gustavas Adolphus Coll. (MN) Hamilton College (NY) Hampshire College (MA) Hood College (MD) Johns Hopkins (MD) Kalamazoo College (MI) Kenyon College (OH) Lafayette College (PA) Messiah College (PA) Michigan State Univ. (MI) Mount Union College (OH) Occidental College (CA) Southwestern College (KS) Spalding Univ. (KY) Swarthmore College (PA) Taylor Univ. (IN) Thomas Aquinas Coll. (CA) Troy State Univ. (AL) Univ. of Chicago (IL) Univ. of Colorado/Bldr (CO) Univ. of Oregon (OR) Univ. of St. Thomas (MN) Univ. of the South (TN) Vassar College (NY) Wabash College (IN) Wellesley College (MA) West Virginia Wesleyan (WV)

William Smith College (NY)

Williams College (MA)

Appendix V
RES O URC ES www.scholarshiphelp.org www.scholarships.com www.petersons.com www.finaid.org www.edupass.org/finaid/loans.phtml www.edupass.org/finaid/ www.bbbonline.org www.fraud.org www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/misused/index.html www.collegeboard.com http://collegelink.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/ www.cscuk.org.uk/apply.asp www.ukcosa.org.uk/ www.prospects.ac.uk www.britishcouncil.org/learning-funding-your-studies.htm www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/organization www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/funding_your_study/sources_of_help.cfm www.fundersonline.org/links/philanthropy.html More List of scholarships www.isoa.org/list_scholarships.aspx www.itoca.org/Funding.pdf www.hks.harvard.edu/var/ezp_site/storage/fckeditor/file/pdfs/degreeprograms/sfs/SFS_Africa.pdf www.uga.edu/oie/ISSIS/form/Student/Scholarship/Scholarships_for_International_Studen ts.d