Need-Based vs Merit-Based Scholarships: Popularity, Eligibility and Criteria
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Most students looking to pursue higher education have an undeniable urge to travel overseas to further their cause. However, studying abroad can be irrefutably an expensive affair. Many aspirants looking to travel abroad for higher education quit mid-way as they are unable to meet the required funds or seldom believe the Return on Investment (ROI) would be worth the big leap of faith. Other times students hesitate to go ahead with their application procedure due to the high processing fees levied by international universities. After all who would want to embark on a journey half prepared?
Students with good academic profiles fail to apply to universities abroad due to a lack of awareness of the availability of scholarships in the education domain. There is a lot of information about scholarships and education grants, available in the education sector for the benefit of students that are muddled and not correctly communicated to them. Broadly speaking, there are two major types of scholarships popular in the national and international domain – Need-Based Scholarships and Merit-Based Scholarships. Let us learn about them in detail.
Also read:
- How Are Scholarships Awarded?
- 10 popular UK Scholarships for Indian students
- Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants
What are Merit-Based Scholarships?
As the name suggests, merit-based scholarships are awarded to aspirants who possess an excellent academic or extracurricular profile. The amount of reward entirely depends on the aspirants’ performance in their overall academics which includes scores of common entrance examinations such as GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, and GRE or in the field of extracurricular activities or sports. A merit-based scholarship is also granted to athletic, artistic or musical talents, just to name a few. Aspirants are required to get in touch with each school for benefits like this. Candidates may be required to reach out to their coach or department head after contacting admissions authorities if they think they are a good candidate for a non-academic merit scholarship.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Candidates should keep in mind that a merit-based scholarship is solely awarded to candidates based on their academic performance or other talents or contributions, it is not awarded keeping in mind one’s family financial circumstances. As mentioned, it is common for colleges to look at your academic background, past rankings, scores of international examinations and your overall academic track record before qualifying for a grant.
What is a Need-based Scholarship?
As the name suggests, need-based scholarships are awarded to candidates who belong to financially weaker sections. These kinds of scholarships are awarded to candidates to allow them to complete their education in spite of not being able to meet the financial requirements. Need-based financial aid is primarily awarded to students in the form of grants and it should be the goal of every candidate to maximize this kind of aid before seeking other sources of help or quitting.
Also Read:
- International Scholarships for Indian Students after 12th
- Scholarship Interview Questions with Answers to Study Abroad
Difference between Merit and Need-Based Scholarships
The following table represents the key components as well as the difference of merit and need-based scholarships.
| Basis |
Merit-Based Scholarships |
Need-Based Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria |
Should have a proven track record of excellence in academics or extracurricular skills. |
Should be able to provide proof of financial documents, stating the financial condition of the family. |
| Eligibility |
To be eligible for aid, the candidate is required to excel in academics or extracurricular activities. |
To be eligible for aid, the candidate is required to belong to the financially weaker section of society. |
| Popularity |
Both scholarships are equally popular among their target aspirants. The guidelines for receiving the aid are pre-determined by the funding committee and are available for aspirants to apply online or through the post without any biases. |
|
Common points to keep in mind to applying for Merit and Need-based Scholarships
- Candidates should keep in mind that though the two scholarships differ on the eligibility and popularity scale, however, it is extremely important to keep certain things in mind, common to both. Candidates seeking financial assistance should apply well before the prescribed time format to avoid any last-minute hassle. Hence, it is extremely important for candidates to pay attention to deadlines as colleges would require you to apply well before the regular admission timeline.
- Candidates applying for scholarships would definitely have to go through a rigorous admission procedure, like any institution providing them an opportunity to study on their money would only want to select the best. Hence, candidates should be well prepared to appear for additional tests or provide supplementary documents to be considered for financial aid. It is important for candidates to have their documents well in place and be willing to go through any additional procedures if required.
It is a myth debunked that scholarships are very limited or reserved for a select few. Scholarships be it merit-based or need-based are provided extensively by most education bodies abroad and in India. Scholarships are provided by the country of origin, through private organizations and foundations and through educational institutions.
Related reads:
- Scholarships to Study in Canada
- Scholarships for studying in New Zealand
- Scholarships to pursue UG courses in the US
- Top college-funded scholarships for MBA in the US
FAQs
Q. What do you mean by merit and need based scholarships?
Q. What is the difference between merit and need-based scholarships?
Q. How to apply for need-based scholarships?
Q. Are merit-based scholarships difficult to get?
Q. How can you get a full-ride scholarship?
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
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Hello Myra. You can check out the top scholarships to study in Canada for International students here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/top-scholarships-to-study-in-canada-articlepage-373 and also check out our list of comprehensive scholarships for study abroad here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com
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