Difference between Scholarship and Freeship
Talk to Expert
For many international applicants studying abroad is an expensive affair. Arranging funds to pursue higher education is a reason for worry for many students. This is where scholarship and freeship come into the picture. Both scholarship and freeship differ on the basis of merit and need. In this article, we will inform you about the difference between a Scholarship and a Freeship.
To put it simply, scholarship refers to the financial grant awarded to academically meritorious students. Whereas, freeship is a financial aid provided to students who need exemption from paying the tuition fees due to financial restrictions. Scholarship and Freeship both allow students to feel motivated to pursue their higher education. Both scholarship and freeship have been invented to promote education and are used collectively to indicate financial aid to students. Read this article to learn about the differences between scholarships and freeships.
- Difference Between Freeship and Scholarship
- What is Freeship?
- What is a Scholarship?
- Difference between Scholarship and Freeship FAQs
Difference Between Freeship and Scholarship
There is a difference between a freeship and a scholarship for international students studying abroad, thus the following table throws more light on the same:
| Scholarship |
Freeship |
|---|---|
| A scholarship is a financial grant aid awarded to students that help them pay for their education |
Freeship is a financial aid provided to students that remit the whole or half of the institution fees. |
| Scholarships are given to students who are excellent in academics |
Freeship is granted to needy students. It can be also offered to outstanding sportsmen, provided students meet the requirements of the concerned authorities. |
| Students are not required to apply for the university scholarships formally with application forms. The selection for scholarships is based on students’ academic records. However, for some scholarships, you may have to apply |
To apply for Freeship, students are required to follow the eligibility terms and conditions of the concerned authority |
| Scholarships cover a broader range of student expenses such as their travel, accommodation and other living costs along with the college tuition fee. |
The freeship is only limited to college's tuition fee. |
| The application process to a scholarship (if external) is pretty competitive, you may be required to submit an essay stating your aim, achievements and a clear description of why do you deserve the scholarship. |
The application process of a freeship is pretty simple, you must check your eligibility for a freeship and then apply for one at your university in the desired format along with certain required documents such as the income certificate, mark sheet of the last exam, college fee receipt, and cancelled cheque of the student's bank account. . |
| The criteria for granting of a scholarship may range from academic excellence, sports achievement and financial need. |
The sole criterion for the grant of a freeship is financial need. |
What is Freeship?
Freeship is a financial grant that helps in the remission of the whole or half of the institution’s fees. In other words, it means an exemption from paying tuition fees. Many educational institutions offer free to students who are in need. The government also grants freeship to certain categories of students.
Related Reads:
What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is a monetary aid offered to students after recognizing their talents and academic achievements. After getting a scholarship, students can go for higher education without giving much thought to the expenses. Some scholarships require students to apply, while, some others do not need a formal application. Before applying for the scholarship, students are required to meet the eligibility conditions. Oftentimes, scholarships are merit-based. However, at times, need-based scholarships are also offered. Students can use the scholarship amount for tuition fees, college supplies expenses, air travel, living and accommodation costs, etc.
Also Read:
Type of Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are financial grants that are given to students on their past academic achievements and/or extracurricular activities like sports or service to the community.
The Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are the ones that are provided to those students who are having financial difficulties. These scholarships are provided to those students who are from weak financial backgrounds and are unable to afford the tuition fees and cost of living abroad. To apply for the need-based scholarships, students are required to provide some proof such as family income proof tax statements employment documents.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| Types of Scholarships Offered Abroad | Description |
|---|---|
| Merit-Based Scholarships | These scholarships are offered on the basis of the academic performance of the applicant. |
| Need-Based Scholarships | Applicants are awarded these scholarships based on the financial need of the applicant. |
| Athletic Scholarships | Students with athletic backgrounds and those representing the universities are awarded this scholarship. |
| Course-specific Scholarships | Students enrolled in a particular course of study have certain dedicated scholarships available for them which can be availed. |
| External / Private Scholarships | These are scholarships that are awarded by external agencies that may be for non-profit or may be private to international students. |
| Country-specific Scholarships | Students going to study in a specific country can also apply for certain scholarships that are awarded to international students only. |
| Government Scholarships | These are scholarships that are offered by the government to international students gong to study abroad. |
Read in detail about the types of scholarships to study abroad.
How to apply for a Scholarship?
First of all, visit all the scholarship websites, university websites, or online communities to check the details of the available scholarships to study abroad. Keep the list of the scholarships ready before you finally sit to apply for them. Students can also reach out to the university or agency directly. By doing so, students can get the updated details of the scholarship.
After this, customize your resume for each scholarship that you are aiming to apply for. Get a letter of recommendation from your professors or direct managers as some study abroad scholarships require you to send personal references. The most important thing while applying for scholarships is to keep track of deadlines. The next step is to apply for the scholarship and submit the application.
Scholarships are offered by:
- Governments
- Educational institutions/university
- Private organizations, companies and NGOs
Popular scholarships and Fellowships:
- Chevening Scholarship – Complete Guide
- Erasmus Mundus Programme
- Fullbright Fellowship
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Similar Articles:
- How to Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad?
- Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants
- What is the Right Time to Apply for a Scholarship?
- 50% fee scholarships for engineering students
Need some assistance for funding your education? Apply for Education Loans.
Difference between Scholarship and Freeship FAQs
Q. What is a freeship?
A. Freeship can be defined as financial aid provided to students belonging to economically weaker sections of society. It is basically an exemption from the tuition fees. These are not supposed to be paid back by the applicant unlike a scholarship. These are mostly offered to students who do not have a good financial background.
Q. How can one get a 100% scholarship?
A. To get a full-ride scholarship, first of all, check the details of it from the concerned university’s or agency’s website. Prepare in advance to keep the scores in academics good. Make yourself stand out from other applicants and for this, you can take part in extra-curricular activities. Usually those who are meritorious are awarded 100% scholarship and those who also are into athletics can also demand for 100% scholarship. In some cases, based on need also applicants who are meritorious can be chosen for a 100% scholarship.
Q. Do you need to pay back the scholarship?
A. No, you are not required to pay back the scholarship. It is basically provided to academically gifted students. Scholarships are provided by colleges / agencies / governments. The scholarships are awarded on the grounds of merit and once the applicant receives it, they are not required to pay the schoalrship provider back. Payin back is always in case of grants and loans but not in case of scholarships.
Q. For how many scholarships I can apply?
A. You can apply for as many scholarships as you want but can avail one. However, the condition of availing a scholarship will vary from provider to provider. The applicants can apply for scholarships irrespective of their type that is, if they are offered by the university or the givernment or based on course or for a country specific study only, etc. The university in the end will require one scholarship detail only from the applicant and not multiple ones, thus, in case the applicant gets selected, they should choose wisely.
Q. Does freeship mean free education?
A. Freeship may be fully or partially funded. This means that the freeship might cover all the cost of education or just a fraction of it. Usually the education fee is covered and the other costs like for accommodation, travel, personal expenses, university student fees, etc. may or may not be covered. Thus, the provider must be consulted for these details and they should accordingly plan for their expenses.
Q. Are freeships and scholarships the same?
A. Even though both a freeship and a scholarship are the types of financial aid available for students to ease their financial burden of higher education abroad, they are not the same.
A freeship involves complete exemption from the tuition fees. It is provided to students who belong to lower-income or financially disadvantaged backgrounds. At some places in the US, a freeship is often termed as a need-based scholarship. A freeship does not include any other additional financial support such as living expenses, food and travel costs.
Scholarships on the other hand are awards granted to meritorious students based on their needs and performance through an academic degree. It may include other benefits such as travel, food and living costs.
Q. Does 100% scholarship mean free education?
A. Yes, a 100% scholarship typically means that you will receive free education. This means that the scholarship will cover the full cost of your tuition fees. However, it's important to note that while a 100% scholarship covers tuition, it may or may not cover other expenses such as room and board, books, or living costs.
Q. Is freeship card acceptable to study abroad?
A. While a "freeship card" is a form of financial aid, its acceptance for studying abroad depends heavily on the specific program, institution, and country. It's generally used for tuition fee exemptions within India and may not be directly applicable for international education.
The minimum PTE scores required for the UK Tier 4 General Student visa for the degree level and above courses is 59.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(1)
P
3 years ago
After applying to Hertfordshire University UK, the applicants are going to receive an initial decision about their application within 2-3 working days. After the submission of the application and documents, the applicants are required to pay their tuition deposit. Then, complete the Sponsorship interview and the financial declaration. International students are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 before registration. The balance can be paid in line with the liability dates related to the year and entry of the semester.