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TÜRKIYE Welcomes Talent – Top 10 Scholarships for International Students

TOP 10 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO STUDY IN TURKEY

Turkey is ranked within the top ten destinations for international students. The following is a list of scholarships available to international students to study in Türkiye.

TÜRKIYE Scholarship Bursalari

This fully-funded scholarship is offered by the Turkish Government and offers full financial coverage including flight tickets, tuition fees, and a monthly stipend. This scholarship is open to all nationalities except Turkish citizens. Applications are usually received every year in January and February. For further information, contact Turk Grads and visit https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/fulltimeprograms

HEC Scholarships for Turkey

Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has signed a Document of Understanding (DoU) with a number of Turkish Universities to support Pakistani Ph.D. or M.S. & Ph.D. students wishing to enroll in selected universities: Bilkent University, Istanbul Technical University, KoC University, Sabanci University, Middle Eastern Technical University and Izmir University of Economics. HEC scholarship covers maintenance allowance, and return airfare. For details please contact Turk Grads or visit https://hec.gov.pk/english/scholarshipsgrants/pages/default.aspx

Success Scholarship Program (1 year)

This program is available for international students currently studying in Turkish universities. This program is available to undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students. The duration of the Success Scholarship is 1-year. The scholarship entails rewards academic performance and entails a monthly stipend. For further information, contact Turk Grads and visit https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/shorttermprograms

Research Scholarship Program

This program is exclusively available for international researchers who would like to work in collaboration with Turkish academia. Ph.D. holders or scholars may apply to this program. Research Scholarship applications are open throughout the year. Under the Research Scholarship, 4000 Turkish Liras are awarded as a monthly stipend for a duration of 3-12 months. For further information, contact Turk Grads and visit https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/shorttermprograms

KATİP

This program is designed for foreign public officials, diplomats, academics, and researchers who wish to learn the Turkish language and experience Turkish culture. Announcements and applications for the KATİP Program are made through the Turkish Embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the relevant countries. The program provides a monthly stipend of 3000 Turkish Liras and accommodation. To learn more, visit https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/shorttermprograms

SPARK Scholarship Program

This program is funded by the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRIT). This scholarship is available only to Syrian students under temporary protection who are pursuing higher education in their countries of residence. Students are offered a monthly stipend, tuition fees, health insurance, and Turkish language education under this scholarship program. To learn more, visit https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/partneredprograms

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Program

This scholarship program is funded by the Islamic Development Bank and is offered to students from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states and other countries. Students are offered a monthly stipend, tuition fees, health insurance, introductory Turkish language education, and flight tickets. However, this scholarship is available in selected fields which are mentioned here https/ScholarshipsProcess/IslamicDevelopmentBankScholarshipProgram.pdf

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Scholarship

This scholarship program is funded by the World Intellectual Property Organisation and is offered to students of Ankara University studying the Intellectual Property Law Post Graduate Program (non-thesis track). The scholarship duration is one semester and covers a monthly stipend. https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/partneredprograms

Higher Education Support Program

This program is funded primarily by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This program supports Syrian students in continuing their education at the university level. This program also supports the social development of Syrian students through counseling, training, and internships. The program further developed an online education platform to support Syrian students in various fields. Students are provided a stipend twice a year. https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/partneredprograms

A Step by Step Guide to Secure a Turkish Visa (for Pakistani Students)

PREPARE DOCUMENTS

A visa application requires you to submit verified documents including your identification documents, financial documents, academic certificates, etc. Here’s what you need to apply:

PASSPORT

A passport is a basic travel document and it enables you to travel internationally. You should check your passport expiry date before applying for the visa. Ideally, the passport shall be valid for the number of years you need to complete your education in Turkey. For updated information on how to obtain a Pakistani passport, please visit https://dgip.gov.pk/passport/ordinary-passport.php

FAMILY REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (FRC)

You might not already have it. This certificate is issued by NADRA and it mentions details about your family including your siblings and parents. There are two types of FRCs providing information about your parents and siblings/ spouse and children. If you are married you have to submit an FRC by marriage and if you are unmarried you have to submit an FRC by birth. FRC can be obtained by visiting any nearest NADRA center or can be downloaded from the NADRA website through the e-services section. Visit https://id.nadra.gov.pk/e-frc/welcome

EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES

All of your academic certificates including transcripts/degrees etc. must be original and verified by respective offices. For example, your matriculation or intermediate certificates must be verified by the Board and equalized by the Inter Board Committee for Chairman (IBCC). Your university degrees must be verified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). In case your documents are not in the English language, you might be required to provide a notarized translation of documents in Turkish or English.

INCOME CERTIFICATES

You are a student and might not have any income to show. However, to cover this part, you should attach the bank statement of your sponsor – usually your parent or legal guardian – alongside an affidavit stating your relation with your sponsor and his/her readiness to pay for your expenses in Turkey. Additionally, attaching salary slips of the last six months or a national tax certificate or income tax returns of the last two years will make your case far stronger.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

Attach the bank statement of your sponsor as well as your own. Students often ask “How much money should a bank statement demonstrate?” The answer to this depends on your estimated expenditure in Turkey. The rule of thumb is that your bank statement must show sufficient funds for studying the course of your choice, including living expenses. Your bank statement must be stamped by the bank and shouldn’t be older than 10 days before submission of the visa application. Also, you must submit an account maintenance certificate from the same bank.

ACCEPTANCE LETTER

This is the main document that the visa officer would like to see. Universities usually issue a conditional acceptance letter and require you to submit a fee before they issue an acceptance letter. Your acceptance letter must mention that you secured admission to a certain program and are the expected date of graduation. If you are living on campus, ask the university to mention your accommodation details.

PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION

After being admitted, finding accommodation should be your top priority. Whether you decide to live on on-campus university housing or an Airbnb, your application must include the details of your residence for the duration of the program. A reservation confirmation or hostel allotment is sufficient.

TICKET RESERVATION

Whatever your travel plan is, reserve a ticket and attach a copy of the reservation with your visa application. You can book your ticket online as well.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Travel health insurance can be obtained by any insurance provider. Read the criteria and buy a plan that covers the financial coverage of what is required. Travel insurance can be bought from a visa center or online through https://www.mawazna.com

COVER LETTER

Your cover letter addresses the Councilor General and summarizes why you require a Turkish student visa. State the details of your intended study plan, including the educational institution, program, duration of the degree, field of study, expected expenses during stay in Turkey, sponsor, etc.