Getting a scholarship is one of the best ways to gain financial aid. If you want to encourage your child to try out for a scholarship, make sure you give them the help and support they need. That means telling them the best times to apply. Here’s what you need to know about when they should start working on their portfolio.
Anytime is a Good Time
There are scholarships for international students as young as four years old. That means there’s a scholarship for every year they’re in school. What that means is there isn’t a set time. Your child can start applying for one as soon as possible. Only thing to remember is that every scholarship has a tenure, and you have to keep track
Put Together a List
Before you get started, make sure you cull the scholarship options. Sift through the list until you’ve winnowed down the grants. Give that list to your child. They can research for opportunities on their own, but narrowing down the field at first can help them focus, especially when they’re only starting and sending out applications for the first time.
Check the Deadlines
Once you have a list, it’s easy enough to check the deadlines. You’ll want your child to take note of those deadlines so they can start preparing the application kit as soon as possible. You might also want to create a calendar containing all the deadlines and then encourage your child to set early personal deadlines. That way, your child will have plenty of time to work on the essay and send it. That will prevent cramming.
Apply Early
Since your child can start applying for a scholarship as soon as possible, then the best piece of advice is to get them to apply to the desired scholarships as early as you can. Some scholarships, for instance, require students to prepare for the application process an entire year ahead. You’ll want to keep that in mind.
Start Years Ahead
Sometimes, preparing for a scholarship at international schools in Japan, might involve more than meeting the deadline in advance. If you want to help your child make the most out of their options, then you’ll want to encourage them to build up their portfolio. That can mean preparing for a scholarship, years ahead. Talk to them about how participation in extracurricular activities can lead to a better application profile and how that will broaden their portfolio and experience. If they join any organisations or assume any leadership positions, that will make them more attractive to the admissions panel. A well-rounded personality is an excellent quality to have, mainly since they help your child stand out from all the rest of the applicants.
Know the Schedules
Some scholarships for international students have deadlines during the summer or winter while others have deadlines during the fall and spring season. Depending on those deadlines, you’ll want to warn your children about that. Help them create a calendar containing all this information, so they know what they need to prepare for to get these scholarships. Also, having a calendar allows them to check with a glance what their deadlines are, the personal goals they’re working on (which includes applications to scholarships) and if they’re already falling behind. That way, they can take steps to fix the situation.
Don’t Wait Too Late
If you start looking for a scholarship the summer before the new academic school year begins, that’s already too late for your children. Don’t wait until the eleventh hour before you start checking out options for your child. Start as soon as possible. The sooner you come up with a list that they can check out, the sooner your child will work on their portfolio, the better their chances of getting a grant. Many schools have long wait lines and close their list early, so get your child to apply early.
You’ll want to get your child to keep trying. It’s not going to be easy to win a scholarship. With so many students vying for financial aid, your child might feel discouraged from time to time. They might think it’s stupid even to try one more time or ever again. When that happens, be there for them. Reassure them that their efforts are getting somewhere. That every time they send out an application, they improve. That every personal statement essay they write gets better with the details.
Don’t let them give up, not if you think they want it. If they have the drive, determination, and talent, if they’re only momentarily discouraged and lost, then don’t let their insecurities and doubts swallow up their opportunities. Keep pushing them, motivating them, and telling them to make every submission count. This will not only help them improve in time; it will also improve their chances of getting the grant they desire.