GRE Scholarships 2023 - Grants and Awards

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Jun 02, 2023 6:10 PM IST

One of the benefits of attempting standardised tests like GRE scores is that your prospects of getting a scholarship to study abroad at some of the best universities in the world improve significantly. Some universities across continents offer international students scholarships based on GRE scores among other requirements.

If you are interested in getting a GRE scholarship, then read this page thoroughly to understand the different scholarships available for you. You can check out the different types of scholarships you can apply for with your GRE scores as well as how you can find such scholarships. This page also highlights some of the popular GRE scholarships available in different countries for international students.

GRE Scholarships for International Students

International students often look for scholarships, grants, awards or financial aid to study abroad. One of the major ways to win a scholarship while applying to graduate courses at a foreign university is through GRE scores. Scholarships are the best way to reduce your financial burden of studying abroad. 

This is the one popular international tests that are accepted for admission to graduate and business schools across the world including Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts, Washington State University, Suffolk University, George Mason University; etc. It is on the basis of GRE scores that a number of private, and public institutions along with the universities themselves offer to international students.

ETS, the conducting body of the test, does not offer any scholarships to individuals scoring high on the test. Although very few organisations offer 100% scholarship opportunities to students, GRE scholarships usually work well in taking some financial pressure off of international students. 

 Know if You are Eligible for GRE Scholarships!

What are Good GRE Scores for Scholarships?

There is no definite answer to this question since it is all relative and would entirely depend on the minimum GRE score set by the university that you are applying to. 

The GRE exam is scored on a 130-170 scale in each section and according to the ETS performance statistics, the average GRE score for Quantitative reasoning is 153.39, Verbal reasoning is 150.37, and Analytical writing is 3.58, which makes the total score 303 (45th Percentile).

However, GRE scores given below will put you in the top 10 per cent of all GRE test-takers:

  • Verbal: 163 - 170

  • Quantitative: 165-170

  • Writing: 5.0-6.0

Deciding Factors to Win a GRE Scholarship

There are a number of factors that come into play when a GRE scholarship is granted, some of these are:

  • The performance of other international applicants

  • The total number of scholarships offered in a given year/ semester

  • GRE scoring trends in the academic year.

  • The statement of purpose (SOP) that you produce.

  • The letters of recommendation that you submit.

  • In case you have submitted any research project during your undergraduate study.

  • Also, when you send the application will also matter.

Types of GRE Scholarships for International Students

In general, there are two types of GRE scholarships that are open to international students. These are:

School-Based GRE Scholarships

While researching universities, check out the types of financial aid they offer. Usually higher education institutions especially in the US offer scholarships based on GRE scores along with other factors. These schools usually extend these scholarships directly to applicants. Although they use GRE scores as the deciding factor, the eligibility criteria may vary from one grad school to another. 

Your GRE scores are likely to be considered right when you apply to grad school. However, some may require you to submit a separate application for the same. 

Organization-Based GRE Scholarships

Apart from the schools, organisations also offer a large variety of scholarships, many of which base their evaluation on GRE scores. These organisations generally allow students to apply for the award at the institution they are going to be studying at. 

While good GRE scores play an important role here, some organisations may also ask you to meet other criteria such as status of residence, gender, race or ethnicity, region, religious affiliation, and more.

The organisations can be governmental or non-governmental. There are a host of country-specific government scholarships for students who have secured admission to master’s programmes in foreign universities. Apart from universities and government-sponsored scholarships, private entities also come forward to finance the education of students. They are generally trusts, endowments, charities or private foundations.

Fellowship

A fellowship is a type of GRE scholarship for Indian students that provides financial aid to study masters. There are no teaching or research responsibilities associated with it. These types of scholarships can be received from different internal and external authorities.

You must have an extremely impressive student profile to get accepted for fellowship awards. The fellowships not only cover tuition fees but also provide a stipend to meet living expenses and travel fares.

Teaching Assistantship

A teaching assistantship is also one of the best GRE scholarships. Here, you will be an assistant of a faculty conducting the course. You have to help the faculty to deliver and conduct the course. You get a tuition fee waiver to serve as a teaching assistant. A good GRE score is required to gain this position where you need to perform for twenty hours a week.

In a teaching assistantship, you need to have a thorough knowledge of the course and need to help students in case of difficulties. Generally, undergraduate students discuss their problems with teacher assistants. You will also be assigned to check their homework and grade exams.

Research Assistantship

Research Assistantship is a common form of GRE scholarship in research-based universities. Here, you do not need to help students but work under a professor or a group of professors. Professors use a certain amount from the grants which they receive to pay research assistants.

A stipend is paid to students and the work consists of doing experiments, lab setups, programming and writing research papers

Importance of GRE Test Scores for GRE Scholarships

If you are applying for an MS or a PhD, your GRE test scores are important for applying to top foreign universities. Students with high GRE scores have a better chance of receiving financial help. To comprehend GRE scores, you must first comprehend GRE percentiles. Assume you received a 144/170 on the Verbal Section. Doesn't it sound good? No, it is not! A 130 on the GRE is equivalent to a zero.

 As a result, your verbal score of 144 places you in the 22nd percentile. This indicates that just 22 persons out of every hundred were found to do worse than you. This indicates that a total of 78 people outperformed you. 

GRE Scaled Score

Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank

Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank

170

99

96

169

99

93

168

98

90

167

98

87

166

97

84

165

95

81

164

94

78

163

92

76

162

90

73

161

87

70

160

85

67

159

81

64

158

78

61

157

74

57

156

71

54

155

66

51

154

62

47

153

58

43

152

52

40

151

48

37

150

43

33

149

38

30

148

34

27

147

30

23

146

27

20

145

24

17

144

21

14

143

18

12

142

16

10

141

13

8

140

11

7

139

9

5

138

8

4

137

6

3

136

5

2

135

4

2

134

3

1

133

2

1

132

2

1

131

1

130

Similarly, if your score is 154, you can see from the table that 63 out of every 100 people fared worse than you. That is what these percentiles indicate. A score of 160 in Quant seems amazing, but it only places you in the 78th percentile, which implies that 22 individuals out of every hundred were able to do better than you.  

Always consider your GRE scores in terms other than the absolute number (which you will often discuss). Universities, on the other hand, receive this percentile value in the score report that ETS gives. Most individuals focus just on the percentage; they do not consider your absolute score. 

Why do Universities Look at GRE Percentiles? 

Universities look at GRE percentiles for admissions and GRE scholarships because they provide highly valuable information.

For example, many GRE test takers found the Verbal Reasoning component to be more difficult than the Quantitative Reasoning section. A Verbal score of 162 and a Quant score of 162 correlate to completely distinct percentiles - 90th in Verbal and 83rd in Quant. That means that 90 people out of 100 have not performed better than you in Verbal, but only 83 are worse in Quant.

Can You Get a Scholarship with High GRE Scores?

Although it’s not required, many schools and organisations that offer graduate school scholarships usually consider the GRE score when assessing applicants. Basically, these types of scholarships are based on the GRE score.

The GRE score is often used as part of the scholarship application process, but other factors such as academic performance and personal characteristics are also taken into account when assessing potential recipients.

1. Browse the Scholarship Home Page

The scholarship's homepage is a good place to start. It can help you determine the kinds of GRE scores that the scholarship program is expecting from applicants. Most of the time, scholarships ask for GRE scores without giving any idea about the kinds of scores they want or expect from their applicants.

2. Connect With Past Scholarship Achievers

If your scholarship does not provide any information about the GRE score expectations, try searching for details on the scores of the previous scholarship recipients. Ask anyone who won the scholarship to reveal what their GRE scores were. You can also check online forums such as Reddit and The Grad Cafe to see if anyone would share their scores.

3. Search for Average GRE Scores

If you're applying for a scholarship that is based on an admission process, you might also be able to find the average GRE scores of the previous applicants.

4. Estimates the GRE Scores You Might Need

If you’re having a hard time finding the GRE scores of past scholarship recipients and admitted applicants, try estimating the scores using percentiles. It’s also important to remember that the sections are most relevant to your field of study.

What are the Benefits of GRE Scholarships for Indian Students?

GRE scholarships are awarded directly based on a student's exam scores. The following are the advantages of GRE exam scholarships for Indian students:

  • A foreign university education is not cheap. As a result, international students typically look into scholarships and financial aid to lower their out-of-pocket education expenditures. The scholarship based on GRE score might assist students in doing so effectively.

  • Aside from tuition, the GRE scholarship amount can also cover living expenses, travel, personal expenses, and so on.

  • Many universities, government and private organisations, financial institutions, and other organisations provide scholarships to Indian students to cover the full or partial cost of their education.

  • These organisations examine candidates based on their prior track record in terms of academic credentials, employment experience, accomplishments, and extracurricular activities, among other things.

  • Students must acquire the required GRE score for this.

Increase Chances of Getting GRE Scholarships!

How to Find GRE Scholarships?

Grad school scholarships are not the easiest to find, but there are plenty of them out there. Follow these three simple steps to find a scholarship that uses GRE scores.

1. Look for Scholarship Information Online

First, find out if your university does offer international GRE scholarships. If it does not, try broadening your search to include organisation-based scholarships. On Google, type in the term "grad school scholarships" to narrow down your search. Then, insert other words related to the field of study to narrow down your results.

You may also want to look up the list of schools and fellowship sponsors that are approved to receive the GRE scores. This list is updated every year and includes the schools and fellowship sponsors that are approved to receive the GRE scores. You can only send your GRE scores once you apply for a scholarship and submit them if required by a fellowship sponsor.

2. Contact Universities

If your search for scholarships doesn't come up with any results, contact the schools directly and ask for information about available scholarships. They may be able to give you information about the types of scholarships that consider the GRE scores. This will help you figure out what funding options are available for you.

3. Applying

Now that you know the details of the scholarships that are available to you, it's time to start applying. Most of the time, these scholarships require a variety of materials to complete their application. These may include general application, transcripts, GRE scores, Student Resume/CV, Letters of recommendation and personal statement

Before applying, make sure that you're qualified to receive the scholarship. Also, make sure that you finish the scholarship application before its deadline. If you're thinking of taking the GRE to improve your score, take the test at least three weeks before the scholarship deadline. This will help ensure that your scores arrive at the scholarship office in a timely manner.

Top Colleges Offering GRE Scholarships to International Students

If you have one of the highest GRE scores for scholarships, you may take advantage of it by applying for GRE scholarships. Studying abroad necessitates a significant financial investment, and any assistance in the form of scholarships is always very appreciated. Consider the following colleges in different study abroad destinations that provide various GRE scholarships to international students:

Name of the University

Scholarship Name

GRE Scholarship Amount

Clark University, USA

Clark University Scholarships

Up to USD 25,000 per year for 4 years

Concordia College, USA

Concordia College Scholarships 

Up to USD 28,000 per year for 4 years

New York University, USA

New York University Wagner Scholarships 

USD 25,000-45,000 covering partial or full tuition

Dartmouth College, USA

Dartmouth College Scholarships 

Based on financial need

University of British Columbia, Canada

The University of British Columbia Public Scholars Award 

USD 11,635 per year up to 2 years

University of Calgary, Canada

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship 

USD 7,755 per year

University of Manitoba, Canada

The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship 

USD 10,850 per year up to 2 years

University of West London, UK

University of West London International Ambassador Scholarship 

USD 6,000 per year

University of Oxford, UK

Clarendon Scholarships 

Full tuition and living expenses

University of Sussex, UK

University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarship 

Varies

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting a GRE Scholarship

According to Forbes, the cost of education in the US is outpacing wages. In other countries, the same issue is happening. The rising cost of education around the world is making it impossible for many students to attend top universities. Most students end up with student loans to pay for their education. If you’re a student who can’t afford to pay full-time fees, then you’re in the right place.

1. Finding Appropriate Scholarships

Getting a scholarship is not as hard as it seems. In order to get one, you need to first study for a specific scholarship that fits your needs. Do you need a fully-funded scholarship or do you need to pay for some of your expenses? There are also different types of scholarships available for different reasons.

Once you have a list of scholarships that are available for your chosen level of study, carefully read through it. Make note of the deadlines by reading scholarship news and applying within the given time frame. After you've identified all the scholarships that are available to you, the next step is to look for additional ones.

2. Write an Excellent SOP

SOP stands for Statement of purpose. It is a vital part of your scholarship application and can help set you apart from the other applicants. SOP is often used to describe a specific purpose in an application. It can also be used to set yourself apart from the other applicants.

3. Choose Your LOR Referee Wisely

You should also make sure that the people who will be providing references for your application are the ones who will be contacted by the scholarship organization. Teachers, employers, and other people who have experience with academic excellence are also helpful sources of references. Since the scholarship organization will most likely contact them, it's important that the person who provides the recommendation is efficient.

4. Have a Good Social Media Presence

While filling out the GRE scholarship forms, you will be asked to provide a link to your social media accounts. The scholarship committee will use these accounts to get a sense of who you are and what type of person you are.

Social media presence checks are also part of the scholarship application process when applying to universities in other countries. These checks are made to ensure that the institution is not selecting someone who has a negative social media presence.

If your profile is filled with racist and/or religious memes, this should not disqualify you from getting a scholarship. It just means that you should not be disrespectful to a certain group of people.

5. Enhance Your Extra-Curricular Game 

When it comes to making an impressive application for a scholarship, having a variety of activities can help boost it. A great academic record is not the sole thing that makes someone eligible for a scholarship. Having an excellent extracurricular record is also important.

Being active is also important to the institute's evaluation process. It will help them determine if they can add value to the student. This is because the institution that accepts students will take into account how active they are as both a person and a student. Some of the activities that can help boost your chances of being accepted to a scholarship include debating societies, adventure clubs, volunteer activities, writing platforms and athletics.

6. Adequate Research in Your Field of Study is Integral

In Australia and other countries, some graduate scholarships require that students apply before they're accepted to a specific program. This means that if you're applying for a scholarship, that application will be made after you've been accepted to a certain program.

In such cases, the scholarship application will most likely include a question about why you decided to study in the first place. Doing so helps you answer the basic questions about the field of study.

If you've decided to change your field of study, be prepared to provide a compelling reason why you did it. This can be a simple reason that you're not afraid to try something new, or it can be a result of an event or realization that led to your decision.

7. Keep Applying to Scholarships

You can apply to as many graduate scholarships as you possibly can. Even if they are not granted, try to get as many as possible. There is a wide range of scholarships for Masters available from various organisations and institutions, be it private or government-sponsored.

The more you apply for, the higher your chances of getting one. Also, by highlighting the mistakes you made in your initial applications, you will be able to improve upon them.

Do these 7 things to increase your chances of obtaining a GRE scholarship. Be sure to also maintain a good academic record in order to stand a better chance of getting one. 

GRE Scholarship Search Mistakes to Avoid

It takes a lot of hard work to bag a scholarship and often, you make mistakes while searching for the GRE scholarships. These mistakes can cost you a huge financial burden in the form of student loans. Therefore, we have enlisted some GRE scholarship search mistakes which you should avoid in order to increase your chances to get a GRE scholarship.

Starting the Scholarship Search Late

Often students do not devote ample time to search for a scholarship and it can lead to a huge waste of time. Therefore, as soon as you get the acceptance letter, you should start applying for scholarships.

The best way is to begin your scholarship search even before you get an acceptance letter so that your time does not get wasted. There is a mad race for getting study abroad scholarships so it is important to remain proactive.

Limiting the Scholarship Search

It is a very common mistake made by students. They do not apply to all the types of scholarships available at their disposal. It is necessary that you apply to scholarships that are popular as well as in those where competition is less.

Many governmental scholarships are available for women and minorities or students belonging to specific countries studying specific courses. Apply to different fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships in order to increase your chances.

Writing the Same Scholarship Application for All

The scholarship committees expect students to be their representatives and therefore, if you send similar scholarship applications to all without addressing the questions they expect you to answer, you will largely reduce your chances of getting a scholarship.

While writing applications, customise them to suit the needs of the scholarship you are applying for. It is necessary to address the needs of each scholarship specifically.

Getting Demotivated or Giving Up Hope

Even if you are not successful in your first few scholarship applications, it does not mean you stop trying. There are plenty of eligibility criteria across which the scholarship committees take decisions. Even if some do not get impressed by your profile, others may select you.

Hence, you should keep applying for numerous scholarships and give your best to it. Keep your hopes high and work towards your goal.

Apply to Top Universities Abroad Based on Your GRE Score!

FAQs on GRE Scholarships

Do Universities in the UK offer GRE scholarships?

Yes, there are various universities in the UK that offer GRE scholarships. Some of these universities include the University of Nottingham, University College of London and the University of Sheffield. In order to avail of these scholarships, candidates must successfully submit their college application and ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements of the scholarship.

Do Universities in the US offer GRE scholarships?

Yes, there are several universities in the USA which offer GRE Scholarships. These scholarships are merit-based and can be availed by students with strong academic backgrounds. Certainly, having a good GRE score will also be a plus point in getting these scholarships. In general, anything above 300 is considered a good GRE score for scholarships in the US.

Do Universities in Canada offer GRE scholarships?

Various Universities in Canada offer GRE scholarships to international students with strong academic backgrounds. Hence, it is quite important for students to score high on the GRE General Test to get such scholarships from Canadian universities. To get into a good Canadian university with scholarship, a GRE score above 300 is recommended.

What GRE score is needed for a scholarship at Harvard?

Generally, students are required to score above 320 in order to get into Harvard University. Harvard is one of the top universities in the world with some of the most sought-after master's degree programmes in the field of science. To get a scholarship, students must aim to score 330 and above on the GRE General Test.

How to maximise my chances to get a GRE scholarship?

To maximise your chances to get a GRE Scholarship, other application factors such as your SOP, LOR, previous academic transcripts, and your motivation to study in the desired programme are taken into consideration. Hence, students must pay attention to their complete application while applying for a scholarship based on GRE scores.

Which universities offer GRE scholarships?

Various top universities offer GRE scholarships such as Harvard University, UC Berkeley, Cal State University, New York University, Yale University, Chicago University, and more. The GRE scholarship duration and amount of these universities vary but they provide significant help to students studying various postgraduate courses in the given universities.

Does ETS offer scholarships/financial aid?

No, the ETS does not offer any scholarships or financial aid to students. ETS is only in charge of conducting the GRE exam. Instead, the scholarships are provided by universities and other government and private organisations based on GRE scores. If you have high GRE scores, then you have a high possibility of getting a GRE scholarship.

What is a good GRE score for scholarships?

Generally, a good score for a GRE scholarship is more than 310 to get scholarships to top abroad institutions though every university has its own criteria for admission and considers different factors when providing scholarships to students. Hence, the average GRE score accepted by top abroad institutes is variable and depends on the applicant pool of the particular admission cycle.

Are there scholarships available for international students based on GRE scores?

Yes, there are several scholarships available for international students based on their GRE scores. However, students should note that GRE score is not the only factor considered when providing scholarships. The application factors such as your SOP, LOR, previous academic transcripts, and your motivation to study in the desired programme are taken into consideration.

Can I avail 100% scholarship with a GRE Score?

No, it is not possible for students to get a 100% scholarship solely based on GRE scores. These scholarships are merit-based and can be availed by students with strong academic backgrounds. Certainly, having a good GRE score will also be a plus point in getting these scholarships. But other factors will also be taken into consideration.

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