What Is a Scholarship in Education? Meaning, Types and How Scholarships Work
A scholarship in education is financial assistance awarded to a student to help cover the cost of education. Unlike a loan, a scholarship generally does not have to be repaid, provided the recipient meets the conditions attached to the award.
Scholarships can help students pay for expenses such as tuition, accommodation, study materials and other education-related costs, depending on the specific scholarship programme.
The term scholarship can also have a different meaning in an academic context. It may refer to advanced study, research and the development or application of knowledge.
What is a scholarship?
In the context of student funding, a scholarship is an educational award provided to a qualifying student.
Scholarships can be offered by:
- Universities and colleges
- Government departments and public entities
- Companies
- Foundations and trusts
- Non-profit organisations
- Professional organisations
- Other private institutions
The eligibility requirements depend on the organisation providing the funding.
For example, one scholarship may require strong academic results, while another may consider financial need, a particular field of study, sporting achievement, leadership or other criteria.
Do you pay a scholarship back?
Generally, scholarships do not need to be repaid like student loans.
However, students should carefully read the terms and conditions before accepting an award. Some scholarships may have conditions attached to the funding, such as maintaining a particular academic standard, studying an approved qualification or meeting other requirements set by the provider.
The exact conditions therefore depend on the scholarship.
What are the different types of scholarships?
Scholarships can be divided into several broad categories.
Merit-based scholarships
These scholarships are awarded based on achievement.
Academic performance is a common consideration, although some programmes may recognise achievements in areas such as sport, leadership, arts or other talents.
Need-based scholarships
Need-based scholarships are intended to assist students who demonstrate financial need.
The organisation providing the scholarship determines how financial circumstances are assessed and what supporting documents are required.
Field-specific scholarships
Some scholarships are restricted to particular fields of study.
For example, a funding programme could focus on engineering, medicine, information technology, agriculture, education, accounting or another area.
Company and foundation scholarships
Businesses, trusts and foundations may establish scholarship programmes to support students.
These programmes may have specific eligibility requirements, approved institutions or fields of study.
Government scholarships and bursaries
Government departments and public entities can also provide education funding.
In South Africa, students may encounter both scholarships and bursaries, although the terms are sometimes used differently depending on the organisation and programme.
Applicants should always check the specific funding conditions instead of assuming that every education funding programme operates in the same way.
What can a scholarship pay for?
The benefits depend on the individual scholarship.
A scholarship may contribute towards:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books and study materials
- Living expenses
- Travel or transport
- Other approved education costs
Not every scholarship covers all these expenses. Students should check the funding package before accepting an award.
Who can apply for a scholarship?
There is no single set of requirements for all scholarships.
A scholarship may be available to:
- School learners
- University students
- TVET college students
- Undergraduate students
- Postgraduate students
- Students studying specific qualifications
- Students who meet particular academic or financial criteria
Some programmes may also have requirements relating to nationality, residence, age, institution, academic performance or field of study.
Scholarship vs bursary
The words scholarship and bursary are sometimes used interchangeably, but individual funding programmes can have different purposes and conditions.
A scholarship often places emphasis on achievement or a particular area of study, while a bursary may be designed to provide financial assistance to students who meet specified academic, financial or other criteria.
The distinction is not always consistent between organisations, so applicants should focus on the actual terms and conditions of the funding programme.
What does scholarship mean in an academic context?
The word scholarship does not always refer to student funding.
In an academic context, scholarship can describe serious study, research and the creation, interpretation or application of knowledge.
For example, an academic may engage in scholarship by conducting research, analysing existing knowledge or developing evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning.
Therefore, the meaning of scholarship depends on how the word is being used:
Scholarship as financial aid: money or other financial support provided to help a student pursue education.
Scholarship as academic work: advanced study, research and the development or application of knowledge.
What should students check before applying?
Students considering a scholarship should carefully check the official information before submitting an application.
Important details include:
- Eligibility requirements
- Fields of study covered
- Approved institutions
- Academic requirements
- Financial-need requirements, if applicable
- What expenses are covered
- Application opening and closing dates
- Required supporting documents
- Application method
- Conditions attached to the funding
Students should also verify that the organisation offering the scholarship is genuine before providing personal documents or banking information.
Final takeaway
A scholarship in education is financial support awarded to help a student pay for their education, usually without requiring repayment. Scholarships can be based on academic achievement, financial need, a particular field of study, talent or other criteria.
In South Africa, students should compare the requirements and benefits of each scholarship or bursary carefully because funding arrangements differ between providers.
The word can also refer to academic research and serious study, so its meaning depends on the context in which it is used.
