We will tell you all the steps you must follow to qualify for these grants.Although you don’t have to do anything too crazy to apply for a scholarship, the truth is that there are some requirements and processes that you can’t skip. If you want to qualify for this type of financial aid, you must comply with them strictly.
In order to help you make the process easier for you, we have prepared this guide with which you will learn about all the scholarships that exist and what the protocol is for applying for one in Spain.
What is a scholarship and what is it for?
Scholarships are financial aid offered by different organizations, both public and private, that seek to facilitate students or professionals in carrying out different studies, jobs or research.
Contrary to what you might think, scholarships are not only for young people, and there are different types that can be applied for by different profiles. Below we will detail the ones that exist in Spain.
Types of scholarships in Spain
As we already mentioned, in Spain there are different types of scholarships that you can apply for if you want to continue studying. Below we will tell you about the most well-known ones and how they work.
Mec Scholarships
This is one of the most common and widely available scholarships from the Spanish Government. It is offered by the Spanish Ministry of Education. Among them we find:
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- Tuition scholarship . Covers the amount of the credits in which the student enrolls.
- Fixed amount for residence during the academic year . Covers up to €1,700.
- Fixed amount associated with the student’s income . Covers up to €1,700.
- Fixed amount associated with academic performance . Covers between €50 and €125.
To apply for this scholarship, the associated requirements are:
- Be Spanish, have the nationality of a member state of the European Union or have permanent residence in Spain (although this is not essential for the tuition grant).
- Not having a degree of the same level or higher than that of the studies for which the scholarship is requested.
- Meet the rest of the requirements of the call.
Maecd Scholarships
These scholarships are aimed at the arts, education, science and culture sectors and are aimed at Spanish and foreign citizens who wish to pursue their studies both in Spain and abroad.Some of the best-known Maecd scholarships are:
- Scholarships for the College of Europe .
- Scholarships for excellent musical training at the Reina Sofía School of Music (ESMRS) .
- Scholarships for the Royal Spanish Academy in Rome (RAER) .
- Training scholarships in development cooperation at the Spanish Cooperation Training Centers in Latin America .
To learn more about the operation and requirements of these and other Maecd scholarships (depending on each call).
Rafael del Pino Scholarships
These scholarships are offered by the Rafael del Pino Foundation, which offers them every year to help facilitate the training of students.
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It is intended primarily for master’s studies, doctorates or postdoctoral research, so you will not be eligible if you are still studying for a degree.
Mapfre Foundation Scholarships
Another foundation that is known for offering scholarships is the Mapfre Foundation, which promotes them mainly in the field of health, prevention and road safety research.
Carolina Foundation Scholarships
The Carolina Foundation has a long history of offering grants to postgraduate and doctoral students, launching new calls each year.
What is the process for applying for a scholarship?
Each scholarship is unique and usually establishes different processes for applying for it, but to be eligible for any of them you will have to:
- Read the terms and conditions of the call for applications . They specify the amount of aid and the requirements that must be met to obtain it.
- Prepare the documentation . Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork to be granted.
- Fill out the application . Most scholarships require you to fill out a form that asks for some basic information about yourself.
- Review the data . Check that everything you have entered is correct so that you are not later asked to rectify it and the entire process is delayed.
- Submit the documentation and follow up on the application . Try to stay up to date with the latest developments regarding the grant.
- Be alert to possible problems in the process. If your application is denied, or documentation is missing or one of the papers you submitted is not correct, there are ways to appeal.
What alternatives are there if I am not awarded the scholarship?
In the hypothetical case that you have not been awarded any of the scholarships you have applied for, some study centres offer some facilities that, although they are not exactly scholarships, can make the outlay more bearable:
- Payment in installments . In some cases, it is possible to pay for the registration fee or the entire course in installments, which significantly reduces the cost and gives you more time to gather the money.
- Financing or loans . Another option is to ask for financing from entities that deal with student loans. Many times the interest rate they offer can be interesting.