Universities offer a range of need- or merit-based options for support with funding undergraduate studies. This varies greatly by country and institution. It is important to understand the terms related to different types of financial support.
Scholarship, Grant or Bursary: Free money with no responsibility for reimbursement. Organizations or universities may give scholarships according to academic achievement, financial need, or any other basis. Usually there is a competitive application process.
Need-based financial aid: This may be offered on the basis of information provided on the financial aid forms completed by applicants. Each institution will have its own policies about whether these are accessible to international students. In the United States, some need-based aid might only be available to US nationals or residents of certain states.
Merit-based scholarships: These may be awarded automatically upon assessment of an application, or which might require a separate application. A small number of institutions also offer scholarships that require a school nomination.
Loan: This is money that is made available to a student and/or parent but requires repayment. The money will need to be repaid and can incur interest.
Work-Study or Co-Op Opportunities: Opportunities for students to earn money through work experiences on or off campus. These vary based upon institution and/or country and the availability can depend upon your needing a work visa for that country. See individual websites for universities offering these opportunities, or contact the admissions office.
To learn about funding possibilities, students are encouraged to use the available resources on MaiaLearning. See the Financial Aid Options section: Learn About Financial Aid, Federal & State Aid, Scholarships, Student Loans, Private Loans and Talk to Your Family About Finances.
As a starting point for researching funding options, it is always useful to:
Check university websites for details about scholarships, bursaries and co-op (work and study) opportunities.
Contact your country’s embassy in the UK as they might be able to provide information about funding.
Refer to the Student Athletes page for details about those opportunities.
More information on these opportunities can be accessed using the pages within this section as well as from your College Counselor.