By: A regular Indian student from a tier-2 city
Two years ago, studying abroad seemed like an impossible dream. Every YouTube ad screamed “Consult us for guaranteed scholarships,” and counselors in my city charged upwards of ₹50,000 for just submitting applications. But I managed to crack three fully/partially funded scholarships for Europe and Asia — all without paying a single rupee to a consultant.
This guide isn’t just a motivational story — it’s a detailed roadmap filled with actionable tips, lessons from mistakes, links to real scholarship platforms, and answers to questions people keep asking.
🎯 Scholarships I Cracked
- DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Germany) – Full tuition + living expenses + travel
- SI Scholarship (Sweden Institute) – Fully funded
- NTU India Scholarship (Singapore) – Partial tuition + stipend
I applied to more than 12 scholarships and faced 9 rejections. What mattered was learning from each attempt. Let me break down how YOU can do the same.
🔍 Step-by-Step Process I Followed
1. Researching Scholarships Myself
- I used scholars4dev.com, opportunitydesk.org, and the official university websites. Trust me, no consultant has access to any secret list.
- Created a spreadsheet with columns: Scholarship Name, Deadline, Link, Eligibility, Documents Required.
- Filtered only those scholarships that didn’t require IELTS/TOEFL (I gave Duolingo English Test for free via coupon).
2. Crafting My SOP and LORs
- I watched videos from Indian students who got DAAD and SI scholarships on YouTube.
- Used Hemingway App and Grammarly for error-free and strong writing.
- Got free LORs from my college professors — personalized, not generic.
3. Academic and Non-Academic Profile
- I was NOT a topper (just 7.4 CGPA in BTech), but I showed impact:
- Volunteered for NGOs like Teach For India
- Did 2 small research projects (uploaded to ResearchGate)
- Online certifications from edX, NPTEL, and Coursera
💡 Hidden Tips That Helped Me Stand Out
- Use LinkedIn to message current scholarship holders — they helped more than any counselor!
- Always email the scholarship committee for clarity if the criteria seems confusing.
- Many scholarships allow reapplication if you’re rejected — don’t give up!
- Be honest — my SOP started with “I belong to a family that’s never traveled beyond our state...”
💸 What I Spent (vs Consultants)
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (via coupon) | ₹0 |
| Document courier (for one university) | ₹900 |
| Total | ₹900 |
Vs average consultant charges of ₹50,000–1.2 lakh
📚 Useful Resources I Used
- DAAD EPOS Official Page
- Sweden Institute Scholarship
- NTU India Scholarship
- YouTube Channel – Get Scholarship
🙋♂️ FAQs from My Instagram DMs
Q1. Do I need 9+ CGPA to get a scholarship?
No! My GPA was 7.4. Focus on writing your story well.
Q2. How do I get scholarships without IELTS?
Many accept Duolingo or give waivers. Always check the official page. Some universities even waive English requirements if your medium was English in college.
Q3. Can I apply during final year?
Yes. Most accept provisional degree or 7th sem transcripts. But plan ahead.
Q4. Is it safe to go without a consultant?
Yes. Just follow real blogs, Reddit threads, and official websites. Consultants make it sound complicated because they want your money.
🎓 Real Student Comments
@PriyaSharma98: "Your post gave me courage to apply on my own. Just submitted my DAAD EPOS application!"
@RajeevSingh: "Didn’t know NTU had an India-only scholarship. Thanks for the tip!"
@Ananya_BTech: "Following this blog helped me get shortlisted for SI Sweden. Manifesting final selection now!"
🔚 Final Advice
If I can do this without a rich background or any consultant, so can you. Be consistent, ask questions on forums like Reddit Scholarships, and never stop trying. Rejections are just redirections.
Want to get started? Create a spreadsheet today and bookmark 3 official scholarship websites. Your journey begins with that first click. 🚀