Merit-based
Awarded for academic performance, leadership, talent, research, sport, or another demonstrated strength.
Ask: Which achievements count, and how are they evidenced?
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Scholarship guide · Chapter 01
Understand scholarship types
“Scholarship” is often used as a catch-all word. In practice, funding routes differ in who provides the money, why it is awarded, what it covers, and what you must do in return.
The funding landscape
Ten routes you will commonly meet
An opportunity can belong to more than one category. A government fellowship, for example, may also be merit-based and fully funded.
Need-based
Awarded partly or wholly because paying for education would create financial hardship.
Ask: Whose income and assets are assessed, and what documents are required?
Fully funded
Designed to cover most major study costs, often tuition plus a stipend and selected allowances.
Ask: Exactly which costs are covered—and which are not?
Partial scholarship
Contributes to one part of the cost, such as a percentage of tuition or a fixed award amount.
Ask: What is the remaining funding gap after the award?
Government scholarship
Funded by a national or regional government, sometimes through a ministry or partner agency.
Ask: Are citizenship, return-home, nomination, or service conditions attached?
University award
Funded by an institution, faculty, department, or programme and tied to admission or enrolment there.
Ask: Is consideration automatic, or is a separate application needed?
Fellowship
Supports advanced study, research, professional development, or mission-led work, often with a cohort or network.
Ask: Is the award paying for study, research, a project, or professional experience?
Grant
Funding for a defined purpose such as fees, research, travel, fieldwork, equipment, or living costs.
Ask: What expenses are eligible, and how must spending be reported?
Fee waiver
Reduces or removes a fee rather than giving the student cash; it may apply to tuition or an application charge.
Ask: Which fee is waived, for how long, and is renewal conditional?
Assistantship
Funding connected to paid teaching, research, or administrative work, usually through a university department.
Ask: What work, hours, stipend, tuition benefit, and renewal terms apply?
How to compare any award
Read the conditions, not just the label.
1Provider: who funds and administers it?
2Eligibility: what is mandatory?
3Selection: what makes an applicant competitive?
4Coverage: tuition, living, travel, insurance, or fees?
5Payment: to you, to the university, or as reimbursement?
6Conditions: work, progress, return-home, reporting, or renewal?
Always confirm current terms on the official provider page. Names such as “full,” “award,” and “fellowship” do not guarantee a standard level of coverage.
Now map these routes to your profile.
The learning chapter explains the landscape. The assessment separately helps you see which opportunity routes may fit you.
Map my opportunity landscape