Background:
A student from India, pursuing a Master’s in Data Science, aimed for top universities in the USA and UK. The program costs exceeded $70,000 per year, making full funding essential.

Approach:
The student applied to public scholarships like Fulbright and Chevening, focusing on academic excellence, leadership, and clear career goals. Simultaneously, they targeted private scholarships offered by tech companies, foundations, and universities that rewarded innovation, projects, and extracurricular impact.

Outcome:
The student received partial funding from private scholarships and full funding from a public scholarship, covering tuition, living costs, and travel. The combination reduced financial stress, allowed participation in additional research projects, and provided networking opportunities across alumni networks.

Key Learnings:

• Applying to both private and public scholarships maximizes funding chances.

• Strong academic records and clear, impactful applications increase success rates.

• Combining multiple sources reduces reliance on a single scholarship and ensures flexibility.

Conclusion:
Students can significantly enhance their funding and career opportunities by strategically pursuing both private and public scholarships, tailoring applications to each program’s strengths.