Many Bangladeshi students chase the golden dream of studying abroad. However, one of the biggest obstacles, in chasing that dream, is the financial aspect of it. Yes, the cost can be overwhelming and often discourages countless students from going down this road.

This is where scholarships step in as a savior. They help turn that dream into reality by offering financial support. It helps when you don’t have to stress over tuition and living expenses all the time.

Contrary to popular beliefs, good grades aren’t the sole key to attaining a scholarship. You’ve got to give them a more complete package. This is why extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internship and leadership roles are so crucial to your application. These prove your worth to scholarship committees beyond your academic performance, who often look for more well-rounded candidates.

We’ll go over the whole process of finding and securing scholarships in this guide. From understanding different types of scholarships to which one’s most suitable for you, we’ve got you covered on all fronts.

Understanding Scholarship Categories

Before diving in to look for scholarships, it’s crucial to understand the different categories available. They serve different purposes and cater to different circumstances. 

• Merit Based Scholarships: These focus on exceptional academic prowess. They depend on your GPA, standardized test scores or achievements in specific subjects. Although these scholarships are highly competitive, they’re ideal for those who excel academically.
• Need-based Scholarships: They’re specifically designed for those with financial barriers. They ensure that talented students, despite not having resources, get a fair shot at studying abroad.
• Country-Specific Scholarships: Many scholarships are offered to specific nations, like Bangladesh. For instance:
  • Fulbright Program (USA)
  • Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Notable Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students

There are numerous scholarships available for students from Bangladesh. They vary in their criteria, coverage and countries but all of them ensure world-class education. 

Government-Funded Scholarships

• Chevening Scholarships (UK)
  • Overview: These are designed for outstanding emerging leaders from all around the world. However, they’re only available for a one-year master’s degree.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must have at least two years of work experience and demonstrate leadership potential.
  • Coverage: Full tuition fees, travel expenses, living allowance, and additional financial support.
• Australia Awards Scholarships
  • Overview: These scholarships provide Bangladeshi students with the opportunity to undertake study, research, and professional development in Australia.
  • Eligibility: Open to students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in various fields.
  • Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, and travel costs.
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
  • Overview: These are offered for graduate studies (Master’s and PhD) in the USA. 
  • Eligibility: Requires a strong academic background, leadership experience, and a commitment to return to Bangladesh after studies.
  • Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, travel allowance, and health insurance.
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
  • Overview: Aimed at world-class doctoral students, these scholarships offer substantial funding for PhD studies in Canada.
  • Eligibility: Open to international students who are nominated by a Canadian institution.
  • Coverage: $50,000 per year for up to three years.

University-Specific Scholarships

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (Canada)
  • Overview: This prestigious scholarship is for undergraduate students at the University of Toronto. It’s designed to recognize international students with exceptional academic performance and leadership potential.
  • Eligibility: Open to international students who demonstrate leadership in school and community activities.
  • Coverage: Full tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
• GREAT Scholarships (UK)
  • Overview: The GREAT Scholarships provide funding for postgraduate students from selected countries, including Bangladesh, to study at UK universities.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must meet specific university requirements and demonstrate academic excellence.
  • Coverage: £10,000 towards tuition fees.
• SINGA Scholarship (Singapore)
  • Overview: The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) supports international students who wish to pursue a PhD in Singapore.
  • Eligibility: Open to students from various countries, including Bangladesh, who have a strong academic record and research interests.
  • Coverage: Monthly stipend, full tuition fees, airfare, and travel allowance.

The Role of Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

In most cases, candidates are evaluated holistically. Apart from your performance in academics, your personal qualities like leadership, social responsibility and community involvement are considered heavily.

ECAs help strengthen your application by—

• Demonstrating Well-Roundedness
• Highlighting Leadership and Initiative
• Reflecting Soft Skills

Examples of Valuable ECAs

• Volunteer Work: Engaging in these prove your empathy, community commitment and willingness to make a positive impact.
• Student Government Roles: Leadership positions, such as class representative or president of a club, display your leadership and organizational skills.
• Sports: Active participation in sports demonstrates teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
• Cultural Activities: These highlight your creativity and motivation for personal growth.
• Community Service Projects: Participating in these projects shows your commitment to social causes and collaboration

However, it’s generally not a good idea to spread yourself thin across many ECAs. You should rather look to have significant impacts in a few areas. Additionally, align your ECAs with the type of scholarship that you want to get the full benefit of.

How to Find Scholarships

Finding the right one for you can take quite a bit of time but it’s a rewarding process. Here are some key places to look:

• University Official Websites: You should regularly check the official scholarship pages on the universities that you’re interested in. You’ll be able to stay up-to-date on available scholarships, eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
• Embassy and High Commission Websites: Through diplomatic missions, many countries offer scholarships specifically for Bangladeshi students. The US Embassy, UK High Commission, Australian High Commission, and Canadian Embassy in Bangladesh are good reference points for you to start finding government-funded scholarships like Fulbright (USA), Chevening (UK), and others.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government bodies in Bangladesh occasionally announce scholarships and fellowship opportunities for Bangladeshi students. So, make sure to keep an eye out for these.
• Educational Consultancy Services: There are many educational agencies in Bangladesh that specialize in helping students find and apply for international scholarships. However, like any other service, make sure they’re credible and effective before taking their consultation.

Applying for Scholarships

If you’re new to this, the application process will likely feel very daunting. But by breaking it down to manageable steps, you’ll find it to be simple enough. 

Document Preparation

First, you need to gather all the necessary documents:

• Academic Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Language Proficiency Certificates (if required)
• Financial Documents

Crafting a Strong Statement of Purpose

This is one of the most critical aspects of your scholarship application. You need to clarify the following:

• Your Academic Background (achievements, strengths and areas of interest)
• Career Objectives
• Alignment with the Scholarship’s Goals

Before applying to any kind of scholarships, you need to make sure that you meet all the given requirements such as academic qualification, age requirements and language proficiency.

You should also submit your application well before the deadline. Nobody wants to get stuck with any last-minute issues.

To Wrap It Up

The process of securing a scholarship is pretty competitive. But by carefully selecting the right scholarship to apply for, you can significantly increase your chances.

Start early, stay focused and approach each step with confidence. With enough effort, you can secure a world-class education abroad.