The Truth About Scholarships: A Guide for Burmese Students

This article is also available in [Burmese]

"What is a scholarship? What does it include? What's required to be eligible? And under what conditions can it be taken away?"

As the exchange rate climbs, every student faces increasing financial difficulty. Scholarships, which seem open to anyone, are often seen as the solution. The common assumption is that a full scholarship will cover everything—living costs, food, tuition, all household expenses.

The problem is, it's not that simple.

Even with excellent academic achievements and extensive volunteer work, you can't get into a foreign university without the funds. So, for a student who cannot show proof of funds, a scholarship seems like a great option. However, it is an option that is prone to high risks and is a difficult path to navigate smoothly. The provider can revoke the scholarship for various reasons, and for a student relying solely on that money, it can become impossible to continue their studies, potentially forcing them to return to Yangon with nothing to show for their efforts. Some scholarships even demand that you return to your home country soon after graduation. If you fail to comply with the terms and conditions, you could be forced to repay the entire amount.

So, what is a scholarship?

Part 1: Your Pre-Application Checklist

The following points may not be present in every scholarship, so please be careful. Before you apply, I want to share a brief guide on how to research.

• Read the Terms and Conditions Carefully. If you don't understand something, ask someone. Ask a person who has been through it.
• Analyze What You Get (and What You Don't). Look at what the scholarship provides, but also look at what it doesn't provide. Calculate how large the remaining amount you have to cover will be.
• Check Your Eligibility. Read the requirements in detail. If you're unsure, you can ask the scholarship provider directly on their website. Is your situation a viable fit?
• Understand the Timeline. Study the entire process, from the application to the entrance tests and multiple interview rounds. How long will it take? Can you afford to wait that long?
• Assess the Opportunity Cost. To meet the requirements, will you have to put your other work or school matters on hold, or can you manage them simultaneously?
• Have a Backup Plan. What will you do if you don't get the scholarship? What will happen if the scholarship is revoked for some reason?

Common Topics in the Terms & Conditions

• The total amount of the scholarship.
• What it covers (tuition fees, living costs, general expenses).
• When and how the money will be disbursed.
• The duration of the scholarship (annually, for one year, a one-time payment).
• The minimum GPA or grade requirement you must maintain.
• The consequences of dropping out, changing university, or changing your major.
• The conditions under which the scholarship can be revoked and what happens afterward.

Part 2: Anatomy of a Scholarship - What Do They Actually Cover?

Tuition Fees

This can range from a standard £3,000 discount given to most students, all the way up to a fully-funded award covering the entire degree. However, you must check if this includes funds for study materials, books, and other school-related expenses. Some may list this separately. Also, be sure to read the fine print:

• What degree is it for? (e.g., often specific to an MBA).
• Does it cover 100% of the fee, or is there a maximum amount? (If tuition is £25,000 and the scholarship covers a maximum of £20,000, you will have to pay the remaining £5,000).
• How many years does it cover?

Even fully-funded scholarships often do not cover travel expenses or health insurance.

Living, Food, and General Expenses

There will be a limit on how much is provided per year or per month. Often, this amount is only enough for a student who does nothing but attend university. In reality, it is very difficult to survive on this amount alone. It is usually calculated based on the absolute minimum living costs.

Fact Check: It is a very common condition in fully-funded scholarships (especially government-sponsored ones like the UK's Chevening Scholarship) that your ability to work part-time is restricted. If you earn an income from another source that exceeds their limit, the scholarship provider can reduce your stipend accordingly.

Airfare and Visa Fees

Some scholarships will cover the cost of a flight from Yangon to London, and sometimes a return flight as well. The reason a return flight is often included is that many scholarships are given with the condition that you must return to your home country to contribute after graduation.

Part 3: The Eligibility Gauntlet - What It Really Takes to Be a Scholar

Who is Eligible?

Check who is eligible to apply. It's not open to everyone, and only those who have prepared diligently—often for years—will succeed. This is to meet requirements like having already been accepted to a university or achieving a certain high grade.

The Scholarship Amount and University Quality

It is rare to find a scholarship that is both generous and for a top-tier university. More commonly, universities will offer small discounts of around £3,000. This is often available to any international student. You must check if this amount is for one year only or for the duration of your course.

The GPA Requirement

• Fact Check: Your analysis of GPA requirements is very accurate. Top-tier universities like Harvard often require a minimum GPA of 3.7 but, in reality, successful applicants are often at 3.9 or above. A standard university might accept 2.8-3.0, while more competitive ones will look for 3.5+. Simply achieving a 2.8 does not guarantee admission, as your high school diploma and the subjects you took are also weighed heavily.

The "Why" - The Motivation of the Provider

No one gives away money for free just because a student is smart. Is it a charity? Is it a private organization looking to boost its public image? Understanding the provider's motivation is key.

The Systemic Disadvantage

To get a scholarship, it's not enough to be smart; you need a profile that shows excellence in many areas:

• Social and communication skills.
• High ethical standards.
• Community work that benefits society.
• Independent projects outside of school.

We must accept that it is extremely difficult for a student in Myanmar to build this kind of profile. The entire system—from a lack of resources to explore passions, to superficial "community work," to exploitative internships—works against it. The achievements that are valued locally (like certain school awards) often mean nothing on the international stage.

Part 4: The Final, Critical Warning - Read the Fine Print

This is the most important and often overlooked point. Before you accept any scholarship, check meticulously to see if there is a clause that states you "must return to your home country after graduation."

• Fact Check: This is a standard and legally binding condition for many prestigious government-funded scholarships. For example, the UK's famous Chevening Scholarship has a specific requirement that scholars must return to their home country for a minimum of two years after their award has ended.

Do not get so excited about receiving the scholarship that you forget to check this. You don't want to finish your degree and be making plans to work, only to be reminded that you are contractually obligated to return to Myanmar.