Why You’re Not Finding the Right Scholarships (And What to Do Instead)

You’ve searched “scholarships for international students” more times than you can count…

And yet, all you’ve found are expired links, super competitive programs, or random websites asking for your email address.

Let’s be real: finding scholarships shouldn't feel like digging through a never-ending Google rabbit hole.

If you're stuck in the scroll, this post is for you. We’ll uncover the 5 biggest reasons you’re not finding the right scholarships — and exactly how to fix each one.

1. You’re Searching Too Broadly

Typing “scholarships in Europe” into Google? You’ll get thousands of vague results.

Instead, get specific. Try search terms like:

• “Scholarships for [Your Nationality] students in [Target Country] 2025”
• “Fully funded Master’s scholarships in [Field]”
• “Undergraduate scholarships at [University Name]”

🎯 Pro tip: Add the word “official” to your searches to avoid scammy sites.
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2. You’re Ignoring University Websites

Most students focus on general scholarship platforms and forget the best source: the universities themselves.

University websites often have:

• Dedicated pages for international scholarships
• Department-specific funding
• Lesser-known (but easier to win) scholarships

Visit official sites and dig deep. Start with universities you actually want to apply to — many have scholarships built into the admission process.
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3. You’re Only Looking for Fully Funded Scholarships

We get it — “fully funded” sounds like a dream, especially if you’re coming from a country where studying abroad feels financially out of reach. But here’s the catch: those scholarships are often the most competitive of all.

There are plenty of partially funded, tuition-only, or living stipend scholarships that go unnoticed — and have way better odds.

Don’t overlook them. A full-tuition waiver + part-time job = still a big win.

Note:  That said — don’t count yourself out just because you don’t have perfect grades or a flashy CV. We’ve seen students win top-tier scholarships simply because their motivation letter was authentic, their reference letters were thoughtful, and their application told a compelling story.
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4. You’re Not Using the Right Platforms

If you're only relying on TikTok, Reddit, or random blogs — you're missing out.

Better alternatives:

• Schology (obviously 😉)
• Other trusted sites (e.g. StudyPortals)
• Your country’s Ministry of Education website
• International education offices (like DAAD, Campus France, etc.)
• Government portals (e.g. Study in Canada / Study in Sweden)

These sources are updated, verified, and more likely to lead somewhere real.
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5. You Don’t Have a System

Let’s face it — screenshots, bookmarks, and random links in your Notes app won’t cut it.

You need a tracker. A home for every scholarship you find:

• What it’s for
• When it’s due
• What you need to apply
• Where the link is

No more “wait… where did I see that scholarship again?”

🎯 Want help with this? Schology’s free tracker can help you organizing your scholarships
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Takeaway

If you’ve been feeling like scholarships just don’t exist for someone like you — that’s not true.

You just haven’t found the right ones yet.

✅ Get specific

✅ Go straight to official sources

✅ Be open to non-fully-funded options

✅ Stay organized

And above all — keep going. The right opportunity is out there, and you’re closer than you think.