International Student Visas

Education plays an important role in everybody’s life. A well educated person is not only an asset to the family but is indirectly contributing to the economy of his country. The progress of any country lies on the shoulders of youth.

One of the first steps would is applying for a student visa after to get selected to a college or university abroad. You can apply for a student visa even if you waiting for your acceptance letter, but better to wait and make sure you get in first.

More and more students are migrating to foreign countries for further studies. Countries like UK, USA, Canada, and Australia are attracting students from across the globe. After studying in these countries the students can earn well and increase their standard of living. These countries not only provide better employment but students enjoy many health benefits also.

Remember to thoroughly check out the student employment regulations for working during and after your studies. many countries are tightening up on their regulations and few allow you to stay and work automatically once you have finished your studies.

What is a student visa?
There are many kinds of visas which allow you to go abroad and one such visa type is a students Visa. This is a visa is for students who want to study in foreign countries for a specified duration. For a student visa you will require an admission letter from the concerned organization or a recognized institute of the country you are applying visa for.

Be Prepared for the Student Visa Process
You should understand the requirements of the student’s visa for the country of study and spend plenty of time on researching, and then apply for it. You may have to go through an interview process where you will respond to a number of questions as to the reason you want to study in the particular country, your plans, and your career goals.

If you hold a scholarship from the concerned country the process eventually gets simpler than before. You need to clearly mention the name of the institute and the course you are applying for. You should have a basic idea about the country as well.

A proper channel of visa application should be followed for visa formalities. The sites on net gives full information of all the visas. In some countries visas can be applied through online and some might need you to attend in person. There are many visa agents who, for a fee, can assist with the whole process.

-They not only help in providing necessary information but also guide in arranging and giving information on the documents needed for visa purpose.
-They charge very nominal and should be contacted before hand.
-They not only help in obtaining the study visa but also aid the student getting job in the country (if available and legal) which can help the scholar enjoy the benefit of earning along with studying, thus meeting his own study expenses.
-They help in placing the student at the right place and help them attain temporary residency also.
-They give step by step instructions and also tell their clients about the free structure also. Whether it is refundable or not. Where the application amount is to be deposited and how to present yourself during interview.

Student Visa Details of Some Selected Countries

Go through the brief description of the visa processes of some selected countries below:

UK Student Visa
The easy route by which a scholar can make an entry to the Great Britain is through Tier 4 which is basically a system based on points. The points are given on behalf of the documents and the student who achieves the relevant points becomes eligible for the immigration purpose. Applicant can apply through application form VAF9 or can apply online also. The application form and VAF9 can be simply downloaded from the net following the relevant instructions. With the form the student has to submit the finger prints along with the latest picture at the visa centers of application. All relevant data is provided there as to documents needed, visa fees, and terms and conditions regarding the visa formalities. You can also attend a British Council or BAC accredited institution for up to 11 months to learn English in the UK. For details follow the website.

USA Student Visa
It calls for the acceptance of their school or institutions before applying for visa. After approval these institutions will give the student approval document which has to be submitted along with the application while applying for visa. The visa is classified under the heading F-1and M-1. Where F-1 visa is most common visa for academic and English language courses and this visa will be beneficial in case the course exceeds 18 hours. Whereas M-1 visa is mainly for the non academic or vocational studies. After submitting the necessary documents the applicant will be called for an interview and further processing goes on. For more information on visa search on the site.

Student Visa France
Students from countries outside of the European Union must obtain a student visa. There are four possible types of visa:
-Short stay student visa
-Visa for competitive entrance examinations
-Temporary long stay student visa
-Long stay student visa
It can be applied for online and relevant help can be taken from the website. A helpline centers can be contacted and even an appointment can be fixed.

Australia Visa
Australia being the hot destination for millions of people lending daily either for work or studies. A necessary requirement is the student must satisfy (GTE) means Genuine Temporary Entrant and must be a genuine student. GTE calls for some requirements which have to be fulfilled pertaining to the students circumstances and immigration history along with an interview specifying eligibility through this GTE. Students are required to submit letter of offer along with their visa application. The Government Website can be searched for further information of online application procedure.

Germany Student Visa
Visa to Germany depends on the applicant’s country and the duration of his stay. Mostly visa are issued for 3 months only. One of the necessities of the visa is health insurance of the student. All up to date information is available on the site and one must go through this website before applying for visa.

Student Visa to Study in Canada
Students need a study permit if they wish to take academic, professional or vocational training at a university, college or other educational institution in Canada. All information is available on this site.

Singapore Visa
Commonly known as Student Pass in Singapore which enabled the student to study there.
Explore this site for detailed information.


The formalities and procedures are slightly different for different countries but the application procedures are common for all. You are not eligible for a visa to France if your age is less than 18 years. For all such countries, you should have clear documentations and then the procedures are usually quick, within a few weeks at most.

Writing your Personal Narrative for College Scholarships

Writing a personal narrative for college scholarships can be difficult. You may start to feel like your life hasn’t been interesting enough. You may also feel like there are too many points you wish to cover but you can’t exceed a certain number of words. Not all college scholarships require this type of essay, but it is a good idea to be prepared just in case. For the most part you can create one great personal narrative and then add or delete parts to meet any word requirements for different applications.

As you think about your personal narrative, try to cover aspects that you don’t already in your application or with your other documents. You want to use this opportunity to share what is great and what is unique about you. The panel of judges don’t want a recap of what they have already read. Now is your time to share with them who you are and what you are passionate about. It is in this personal narrative that you can help them understand what has brought you to this point in your life.

Try to include plenty of personal stories in this narrative. For example if your passion is for nursing then share stories about it. Talk about having a fake hospital as a child with your stuffed animals. Explain how you took care of kids that fell down on the playground at school a you walked them to the real nurse for a band aid. Perhaps you had a parent or other family member suffer through a lengthy illness. Share how such an experience only further fueled your desire to be able to help others.

At the same time you share with them your plans for the future. Make it obvious that you plan to succeed no matter what it takes. Explain that earning such a college scholarship can help you to achieve so much for yourself. Try to share some goals you have for the future as well. What do you hope to accomplish in five years? Where do you see yourself in ten years? The answers to these questions should be a true reflection of who you are now and who you hope to be then.

In addition to what your say in your personal narrative, be cautious of how you say it. You do want it to flow like you are having a conversation with someone. Work so that it doesn’t sound too mechanical. Stay away from big words as they aren’t going to be impressive at this stage of the game. Make sure you have a powerful introduction, a gripping body, and a compassionate conclusion that leaves them feeling good about what they know about you.

The quality of your personal narrative can be a huge part of the final decision making process for college scholarships that require them. Take your time to really show yourself in it. Don’t be shy about exploring your accomplishments or what you would like to do in the future. You also need to make sure you don’t overlook your spelling or your grammar. It is always a good idea to have others go over it before you submit the final draft. You should be extremely proud when you read your own personal narrative. If you don’t, continue to revise it until you do.

Where to find College Scholarships

There are plenty of great college scholarships out there that can help you cover the cost of attending college. This way you don’t have to rely on financial aid alone or worry about repaying heft loans upon graduation. There are many places that you should search for college scholarships. The more of them you apply for the better chance you have of getting plenty of money to pay for your education.

If you have already been accepted to a particular college, visit their financial aid office. They can help you to find a variety of college scholarships you may qualify for. They will likely have a website and a bulletin board as well. Here you will find plenty of great scholarships listed. While the process for applying isn’t always easy you do need to commit the time to the process. You want to be able to attend the college of your choice regardless of the amount of money required for books and tuition.

The internet is one of the best sources of information you can turn to for college scholarships. There are so many of them though that you are going to need to use more keywords to reduce your search. Look for those that are based on your income, your sex, your area of interest for college, and even for special skills you may have. The more unique of a skill you offer the fewer people will be applying for those scholarships that are offered.

Take a look to see if the employers for your parents offer any types of college scholarships as well. Many professions do as a way to help honor the families of those that have worked for them. Such college scholarships aren’t as widely advertised though so you need to ask about them. You can contact the human resources department for their employer or ask your parents to look into it on your behalf.

There are some great books and magazines out there too that offer information on college scholarships. No matter what resource you are using, make sure you take the time to read all of the guidelines for it. You don’t want to waste your time applying for what you aren’t eligible for. The criteria offered is in place for a reason, and your application will be passed over for those that do qualify.

Don’t let that discourage you though there are plenty of great college scholarships out there for everyone to apply for. Even if you don’t have top grades you may be eligible for one relating to sports. It may be your ethnic background or your economic status that help you to receive one. For example there are some college scholarships for the first generation to attend college. If you fit that category then be sure you take the time to explore what you can apply for.

High school juniors and seniors need to start looking for college scholarships early. Schedule appointments with advisors and counselors at the school too. That way they can keep you informed as new scholarship information is available. Parents should work with their students to help them fill out the applications and to understand the requirements. Keeping a file of the college scholarships available, what needs to be done to apply, and deadlines will make it easier. Commit some time each month to completing this type of work and then it won’t become overwhelming in the end as the various deadlines approach.

The more that you expand your search though for college scholarships the more you ill find that fit your qualifications. Focus on your strengths and you will find plenty you are interested in. By exploring multiple areas though you will find you may get your hands on more money for college than you had ever imagined. This way you can alleviate the stress so many have when it is time for them to head of to college. Knowing you have the funding for books and tuition can help you be excited about this next step in your life.

What Happens after I submit a College Scholarship Application?

You may sigh with relief as you place a finished college scholarship application into an envelope. While your part of the process has been completed, there are people on the other end of it that are just now starting the work. One of the main reasons why application deadlines are in place is so that they can do their job as effectively as possible.

Since the window for submitting applications for a college scholarship is often quite broad, that gives them plenty of time to get started. There are generally going to be more applications at the start and at the end of the time period than at any other period in between. It won’t matter if your application is the first that they get or the last though so don’t let when you submit it worry you. Just make sure you get everything needed in well before the deadline.

There is no point of submitting applications for a college scholarship when you don’t meet all of the requirements. One of the first parts of their evaluation process is looking for all of that criteria. If you don’t have it then you are eliminated from the rest of the review process. It is fair to say a large volume of the applications submitted for any college scholarship are removed during this initial phase.

In some review processes they will send out a letter notifying you that something is missing. Don’t count on this though as it is your responsibility to provide all that they ask for at the time that you submit the application. A failure to do so can result in you being passed over for a college scholarship that you otherwise may have been awarded.

Those applications that are filled out correctly, received on time, and have all the supporting documentation move on to the next phase. Here the reviewers will have a list of criteria that they use to evaluate each one. A scoring system is often given for various areas that they focus on. They can include GPA, sports, school activities, community outreach, and the essay.

Keep in mind that more weight is often given to the area of personal essays. If you are asked why you should get the scholarship, that is something you should really consider. Generic answers are going to get your application eliminated. One that is creative, honest, and reflects some originality is going to keep you in the running.

There is likely to be a panel of judges to evaluate the final contenders for college scholarships. They are reviewed in pieces and as an entire entity. Then a vote is taken to determine who will be awarded the various scholarships that are offered. This isn’t an easy process at all for them to complete but one that most of the judges take very seriously.

Of course these are only the basic elements involved with college scholarship applications. There may be some other specific criteria that fit into the process for a particular scholarship you have applied for. By making sure you do all you can to get your own information to shine as bright as possible you can be among those that are awarded the funding for college.

With this basic information readily offered though it can change the way you go about filling in the questions on your college scholarship applications. The more you can do to give yourself the advantage the more money you will be able to generation towards your college education.

Various Types of Ethnic College Scholarships you may be eligible for

There are many different college scholarships that are open only to certain ethic groups. The idea behind them is to give disadvantaged individuals the same opportunities for a great college education that everyone else has. If you qualify for them you will find there are less applicants. Therefore you chances of getting such awards are much higher. The best course of action is to apply for them as well as for others that are based on other types of criteria. This way you can be certain you have a very good chance of winning some of them.

Searching for ethnic college scholarships doesn’t have to be more difficult. You will need to include more keywords in your online searches though. For example if you are Hispanic, African American, Latino, Indian, or a mix then you can include those keywords in your searches. It will make the possibility of finding them much faster for you.

While you won’t find as many of these types of college scholarships as you do others, you will find enough of them to get the ball rolling. If you fit into the category that is being offered you should apply for them all. Even if the entity is only offering a low dollar amount, it all adds up in the end. You don’t want to come up short when it comes to covering the cost of your education related expenses.

It is also important to understand that there will likely be many more requirements than just ethnicity though. While that may be a requirement most of these college scholarships will also have others including GPA, community involvement, sports abilities, and more. It is important that you read all of the guidelines for them before you apply. Don’t waste your time applying for them when you know up front you don’t qualified for what they are offering.

Keep in mind that when you apply for ethnic college scholarships you may have to come up with some detailed verification. They aren’t going to just take your word for it about your ancestry. Therefore you want to start obtaining such documentation very early. That way you aren’t pressed for time to get your hands on it before the deadlines occur. Looking into college scholarships based on your ethnicity is definitely one area of the search process that you don’t want to overlook.

Not everyone is happy about college scholarships being based upon ethnicity in some cases. This continues to be a controversial issue though and one that can be debated. There are two sides of the issue to consider. First, those that are disadvantaged in some way due to their heritage should have a chance to earn college scholarships. However, those that meet all the other requirements of the scholarship often feel that they shouldn’t be left out in the cold due to their ethnicity.

No matter what angle you happen to view it from, college scholarships that require a person to fall into a certain ethnic group are legal. You will have to decide for yourself how you feel about applying for them. If this is the method you need in order to get plenty of money for school then you should view it as a great opportunity. If you don’t meet the guidelines don’t waste your time being bitter. Instead you should focus your attention on finding other types of college scholarships you are eligible for.

Understanding Renewable College Scholarships

Many college scholarships out there fall into a category known as renewable. This means a certain dollar amount is given for the first year. Then if certain criteria is met the recipient can renew it for additional years. The specifics relating to this will vary so you need to know exactly how the rules apply to a given college scholarship that you have been awarded. That way you aren’t upset and disappointed when you aren’t able to renew it for failure to comply.

Such guidelines are in place to ensure the funding offered by such college scholarships are well used. They certainly don’t want to take a risk that the recipient isn’t going to use the funds wisely. Most of the time these requirements include the individual staying dedicated to a specific area of study. Maintaining a certain GPA is also a common requirement. While it can be stressful to continue getting good grades it may be the only way to be able to get the money to finish college.

With that in mind, any person on a renewable college scholarship option needs to be well prepared to meet such requirements. Should there be a problem with them in the beginning then they should be explored. If there is a problem with a particular course then tutoring needs to be implemented right away. With such safeguards in place it can help ensure the application for renewing the college scholarship will be approved.

That brings up the concept of making sure you know about the renewal process as well. For some college scholarships, a person has to be able to show they did well. This means submitting grades and other information such as a class schedule for the next semester with the renewal application. Others are automatically reviewed by the provider of the funds though. You will be notified by mail if you are renewed or not after they have completed the proper evaluation.

Many renewable college scholarships are only valid at particular schools. You need to keep this in mind should decide to transfer at some point. You may learn that this type of funding will no longer be there for you if you move on. There will likely be a limit of time too for such renewals. In most cases it is going to be four years. Therefore if you decide to continue on for a Master’s Degree or you don’t complete your Bachelor’s Degree in four years that funding may no longer be something you can access.

The benefits to renewable scholarships though are endless. If you are careful about following the set guidelines this can be a sure way to always have the money you need for college. The pressure of having to continually search for college scholarships you qualify for over the course of your education will be lifted if you can get one that is renewable.

Do keep in mind though that many people end up not being able to renew them the following year. Therefore if you don’t have such funding in place you should apply for it your second and even your third year of college. There is a very good chance you may be one of the selected recipients of what is now on the table for the taking. Just make sure it won’t be your renewable college scholarship that someone else is able to get their hands on.

If you have any questions at all about renewable college scholarships make sure you ask them. Since there are so many variations don’t automatically assume that you have all the answers you will need. These are among the best types of college scholarships to get your hands on. Therefore you need to apply early and be sure you have all the requirements covered. Your efforts will be well worth it when you discover this is going to be the way for you to pay for your college education.

Types of College Scholarships

In your quest to find college scholarships you are sure to come across many types of them. Understanding these types will help you to find out the different areas that you should explore. As a result your time will be well spent instead of having to weed out many that you aren’t qualified for.

You will find quite a few open college scholarships out there. These are provided by different entities. You can use them for any college out there in most instances. You will also find those that are more specific as you must be enrolled in courses of a particular nature. They too can be applied though to any given college out there that allows you to benefit from college scholarships as a way to pay for your education.

If you already have a college you have been accepted at that you wish to attend, find out about their college scholarships too. Many will be specific only to a given school so make sure you don’t overlook them. Many two year community colleges offer the first year of paid tuition to those locally. Of course there are some guidelines including a certain GPA.

 The goal is to keep students from going off somewhere to college when they can make it more affordable for them to stay where they are. This option certainly makes sense as you won’t have to pay for staying in the dorm or meals on campus either. Just make sure your credits will transfer to a four year college you are looking at later on.

If you are good at sports then you may qualify for a college scholarship to play it for them. You will likely have some academic requirements as well though so make sure you are aware of them. After all the goal of such a scholarship is to provide you with the means to completing your education. While you should be happy to play the sport, make sure you carefully balance your time.

Most of the college scholarships out there are based on academic achievement. This means you have a solid record or achievement thus far in your classes. As a result there is a good indication that you will continue this pattern as you start college courses as well. You do have to be careful with academic college scholarships as well though. Should you not maintain high enough grades you could lose it.

There are college scholarships offered by a variety of different organizations out there as well. Your Church, an employer, your community, and other entities may all offer forms of scholarships you can take a close look at. Make sure you take a good look for them as this is one type of college scholarship that many people overlook with their search efforts.

If you or your parents were in the military then there may be certain college scholarships available to you there as well. You won’t know unless you take the time to find out. This area seems to continue growing too in an effort to get more people to join the military as well as to make it a career.

If you believe that your only way to go to college is with scholarships then don’t worry. Many of them are need based and that can work to your favor. Of course you will have to show some efforts in various areas as well. These types of scholarships are in place so that a lack of money doesn’t have to be the end of the road for those with dreams of college.

Another reason why they exist is to help break the cycle of poverty out there. For many, college is something that has eluded their families for generations. With need based college scholarships though they can break those binds and move forward. It can mean a better way of life for them in the future.