Читать книгу How to Succeed At University--International Edition - Danton O'Day - Страница 14

Don’t let your lack of funds or your parents’ poor financial situation prevent you from furthering your education. There are many ways for you to augment your summer earnings to permit you to continue your studies. All universities have scholarship and bursary programmes and special student loans are also available. Scholarships are given to students with top grades while bursaries are given to good students on the basis of financial need. Some of these are awarded automatically based on your academic performance or household income, while others require submission of an application. Other criteria, such as your year of study or enrolment in a certain type of programme, may also apply for certain scholarships and bursaries. For example, entrance scholarships are only available to incoming students. Some universities also offer athletic awards, but this is most common in the United States. When available these can be full awards, or a “full ride” as some call it. More often athletic awards will cover a portion of university expenses (e.g., tuition).

If you are a poor student many of these funds will be inaccessible, but if you maintain good grades they will be available. Since there are lots of needy students who also have excellent marks, competition for application-based scholarships and bursaries is fierce. Many students select their university on the basis of the total amount of scholarships and bursaries it offers. Similar sources of revenue will help you through successive years at university. Check the university website to find out what funds are offered.

Government assistance in the form of grants, loans, bursaries and/or scholarships is also available. Grants provide money that does not have to be paid back, while loans have to be repaid. As with financial aid obtained through the university, different eligibility criteria may apply.

Did You Know?

Government-sponsored student loans are available in over seventy countries. They often have relatively low interest rates and a period in which interest does not accrue (such as during the study period and for a short time thereafter). Of course, the characteristics of different lending schemes can vary greatly by country and the type of loan.⁷

So do some research and find out what forms of government assistance are available in the country where you will be studying. A quick web search should get you on the right track. The relevant information may also be available through your university. One thing to remember is to apply early. If you are taking out a loan, try to anticipate your financial requirements and borrow only what you will need, knowing that some day that loan will come back to haunt you. Everyone hates paying back student loans, but many could never have attended university without them.

Did You Know?

Debt influences the academic decisions of students as well as their career choices after graduation. For example, indebted students are less likely to pursue employment in lower-paying fields, such as nonprofits or education.⁸

Once again, your university will have a large list of scholarships and bursaries that can usually be checked out online. The value of some of them may be comparatively small, but you should apply for any and all that you can. Why? Because every little bit helps. More importantly, you will list any awards that you receive on your resume or curriculum vitae. Over time the list may grow to be impressive. Getting one scholarship or financial award often leads to more scholarships since it is common for people to follow the crowd and award scholarships to those who have already received them.