How To Find $10K in Scholarships Without Being a Genius
You do not need a perfect GPA, you need the perfect plan
My friend almost didn’t apply.
The scholarship deadline was in 3 days and her Wi-Fi was acting up. She had half a personal statement written and no energy to pretend that she had it all figured out.
We sat down for her application to imperial college london, the best there is for business school.
We changed a bunch of things on her application, and since it was either a scholarship or no business school for her, this was pretty important.
The result? A 50% scholarship at ICL’s business program, a feat which is almost unheard of.
Turns out, you don’t need to be the smartest in class or the most active in every club.
You just need the right tools, timing, and story.
Here’s the playbook I wish someone had handed me when I started looking for scholarships abroad.
Part 1: Finding Scholarships (Without Going Down a Rabbit Hole)
Start Early
Start looking 6–12 months before your course begins. That’s when the good ones live.
If you’re late, don’t panic. Some scholarships open year-round.
Use These Scholarship Goldmines
I wasted hours on random blogs. These worked better:
Fastweb – Filters by interests
Scholarships.com – Massive database
Appily – Great for undergrads
Peterson’s – International focus
CareerOneStop – U.S. gov scholarship search
Pro tip: Sign up for alerts. Let them come to you.
Don’t Ignore Your Own School
Some of the best scholarships are already within reach:
Your high school counselor (yes, really)
College financial aid office (often overlooked)
Your department or faculty (especially for niche majors)
These have way less competition.
Scholarships That Match You
Found money that felt like it was meant for me:
Based on ethnicity, religion, or family background
For first-gen students or military kids
For hobbies like chess, baking, or slam poetry
For your intended career path
Look for scholarships that sound like your story.
Check Local Circles
Don’t miss out on:
Local businesses
Religious orgs
Civic groups
Community funds
Less competition = higher chance.
Government + Global Resources
The heavy hitters:
Part 2: Applying Like It’s Your Side Hustle
Once you find the scholarships, don’t wing it. Here’s the system that kept me sane:
📂 Build a Tracker
I used Notion. A simple table with:
Name
Deadline
Docs needed
Status (Applied / In progress / Rejected / Won )
📝 Prep These Docs Once
Save your time. Have these ready:
Transcripts
Standardized test scores
Resume / CV
Recommendation letters
Financial info
Personal statement draft
You’ll reuse them a lot.
Personal Statement = Your Why
My best advice?
Don’t write what they want to hear. Write what you can’t stop thinking about.
Start with a moment (not your resume)
Be brutally honest
Tie your goals to their mission
Cut the fluff, keep the heart
Essay = Show, Don’t Tell
I once wrote, “I’m resilient.”
Boring.
Then I changed it to:
“After my dad’s shop shut down, I sold hand-painted bookmarks to pay for my textbooks.”
Same idea. 10x impact.
Submit Early, Always
Avoid tech fails.
Give yourself 2–3 days before the deadline to submit.
It’s not “done” until you get that confirmation email.
Follow Up Like a Pro
Confirm receipt of application
Thank your recommenders
Check your inbox (including spam) regularly
Don’t be afraid to reapply if you don’t win the first time
Final Reminders
Apply to at least 10–15 scholarships
Don’t fear rejection, it’s a numbers game
NEVER pay to apply
Your story matters more than your score
Keep going, even when you hear nothing back
Final Thought
You don’t need perfect scores.
You don’t need to be a prodigy.
You just need a system and a little persistence.
Because there is free money out there.
And it’s waiting for students like you who dare to ask, apply, and follow up.
Jugaldb