Grants serve as a great assistance to students who wish to study any course despite their nationality, it goes a long way in funding your education and other materials.
Grants can come from different places, such as from government bodies, private bodies or other types of organizations in order to relieve students and help them to realize their dreams.
Many students, both international and domestic students, seek grants; all information regarding grants, types, how to apply for one and the latest ones will be addressed here in this article.
As an international student, grant requirements and qualifications may be different from that of domestic students, so it is advisable that your academic grades are top-notch and irresistible, as you also ensure to meet other qualifications.
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What Are Grants
Grants is known as a type of funding offered to provide financial assistance to students, it can come in the form of a specific amount, and many colleges offer these grants.
Grants are not loans, and that is what makes them different; grants are not repaid like loans, they are very appealing over other types of financial support, and that is the reason why you should consider getting one today.
Educational Grants pave the way for students to pursue research in important fields like healthcare, social reform, and technology. Each grant given has an impact as students grow confident in their ability to affect and change the future.
There are differences between Grants and grants, i.e in general, grants are given based on financial need, while Grants are merit-based and awarded to students based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, a field of study or others.
How To Get A Grant
In most instances, an education grant is a specific amount of money offered to qualified students who are attending post-secondary education programs.
Your local university or college is the first place to look for information regarding education grants. Contact your admissions counsellor, student financial aid office or program administrative coordinator.
These offices will advise you concerning the available grants, application timelines, and supporting documentation requirements.
To receive grant money, you must meet specific application criteria; in general, there are two types of grants: merit-based and hardship. Hardship grants are offered to help struggling students, while merit-based grants are driven by academic or athletic success and financial need.
Available Grants For International Students
1. Open Society Foundations
The Open Society Foundations award grants and fellowships annually to organizations and individuals who share Open Society values. They look for grantees with a vision and whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.
Most of their grants are awarded to organizations they approach directly, but list some open opportunities below. Other funding opportunities are available through Open Society’s network of national and regional foundations.
- Latin America Program
- Open Society Initiative For Eastern Africa
- Leadership In Government Fellowship
- New Executives Funds
- Puerto Rico Youth Fellowship
- Soros Justice Fellowships
- Soros Equality Fellowship
The Open Society network of organizations offers a variety of grants and fellowships to international students.
Application Deadline: Varies
Grant Amount: Varies
2. Humphrey Fellowship
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals who collaborate to address local and global challenges and foster change for our collective good.
Through academic study and professional development with U.S. counterparts, this growing global network shares best practices and builds expertise in fields of critical importance to advance societal and institutional capacity, promote human rights and freedoms, ensure sustainable environments, and develop thriving communities.
The Humphrey Program is facilitated overseas by Binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or the Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies.
Commissions and Embassies review applications submitted for the Humphrey Fellowship Program, invite selected applicants for interviews and determine which applications are to be forwarded for further consideration to the Institute of International Education in the U.S. Please contact the Embassy or Commission in your country to learn of its selection criteria.
The Fellowship provides for:
- Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university;
- Pre-academic English language training, if required;
- A maintenance (living) allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance;
- Accident and sickness coverage;
- A book allowance;
- A one-time computer subsidy;
- Air travel (international travel to and from the U.S. for the Program and domestic travel to required program events);
- A Professional Development allowance for professional activities, such as field trips, professional visits and conferences.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- An undergraduate (first university or Bachelor’s) degree
- A minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience
- Limited or no prior experience in the United States
- Demonstrated leadership qualities
- A record of public service in the community
- English language ability
Application Deadline: Varies by country
Grant Amount: Varies
3. Margaret McNamara Education Grants
They are a public charity that awards education grants to exceptional women from developing countries.
Since 1981, MMEG has been working to empower women by supporting their education so that they can build a better world. They are very proud to present their numbers.
Grantees have focused on diverse fields of study, including engineering, information technologies, health, science, education, social studies, and law.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a self-identifying woman and at least 25 years old at the time of the application deadline;
- Be a national of a country listed on the MMEG Country Eligibility List (except for the Trinity Washington University program);
- Be registered (not just accepted) at an accredited academic institution when submitting their application;
- Plan to be enrolled for one full academic semester (half-year term) after the award of the MMEG grant;
- Plan to graduate no later than two and a half years after the award of the MMEG grant;
- Not be related to a World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, or Inter-American Development Bank staff member, spouse, retiree, or MMEG Board member.
4. Schlumberger Foundation
The Schlumberger Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports science and technology education.
Recognizing the link between science, technology, and socio-economic development and the key role of education in realizing individual potential, the Schlumberger Foundation flagship program is Faculty for the Future.
The program awards fellowships for advanced research in STEM at leading research institutes abroad. Faculty for the Future Fellows are expected to return to their home countries upon completion of their studies to contribute to the economic, social and technological advancement of their home regions.
The Schlumberger Foundation is accepting new applications for the 2024–2024
Faculty for the Future Fellowships from September 5th to November 11th, 2024.