An academic scholarship is a financial award given to a student based on their academic achievements, such as high grades or other scholarly accomplishments. It is offered by schools, universities, governments, or private organizations to support students in continuing their education to a higher academic degree, such as an MS or PhD etc.

Universities offer scholarships to international students for several strategic and educational reasons. One key motivation is to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to contribute to their academic and research environment. Scholarships make it possible for high-achieving international students, who may not otherwise afford tuition, to join these institutions. Their involvement often enhances the quality and output of research at the university. In turn, this improved research profile helps universities secure funding from external organizations, governments, and industry partners.

When international students succeed and later excel in their careers, they become ambassadors of the university. This boosts the university’s global prestige and visibility.

We regularly share open scholarship positions on our WhatsApp channel and Facebook page. Join or follow us there to stay updated. 

Applying for a scholarship involves several steps, and the exact process can vary depending on the scholarship provider. However, a general procedure for the scholarship application has been outlined here.

Yes, you can apply for most scholarships during the final year of your bachelor's degree.

It is best to start at least 3–6 months before the deadline to gather documents, write your letters, and get recommendation letters. 

No, research experience is not a requirement for master's scholarship applications. 

Maths Volunteers does not offer scholarships directly. However, we share information about open external scholarship opportunities on our social media channels and provide free guidelines and support to help you with your applications.

To apply, you typically need to provide the following: 

• ID document (preferably National ID or Passport) 

• Academic transcripts and certificates 

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (refer to the guideline template here)

• Application or cover letter (see the guideline template here)

• Personal statement or motivation letter (follow the guidelines and template here)

A cover letter is a short letter that accompanies your CV. It highlights your key qualifications, explains why you're a good fit for the scholarship or position, and shows your interest in the program or institution. 

Sometimes, universities require a cover letter outlining your motivation and fit for the program. 

📌 See here for cover letter guidelines for tips and a template. 

Keep it 1–2 pages long and focus on your academic background, career goals, and motivation for choosing the program. Highlight your passion for the subject, key experiences, and why you're a good fit. 

📌 For structure, tips, and template, please see our guidelines.

For most Master's and PhD scholarships, proof of English proficiency is required. Many universities accept an English Proficiency Letter from your previous institution confirming that your Bachelor's or Master's degree was taught in English.

However, some universities—especially in English-speaking countries—do require formal English language test scores (such as IELTS or TOEFL), regardless of your academic background.

For Bachelor’s degree scholarships, most universities do require an official English language test.

✅ Please check the specific English language requirements for each scholarship or university before applying.

Requirements vary: 

USA: Some programs still require the GRE, but many have made it optional or waived it entirely.
Europe: GRE is usually not required.
Gulf Countries: IELTS or TOEFL is usually required if your previous degree was not taught in English. However, some universities may accept an English Proficiency Letter from your previous institution. GRE is generally not required for most universities in Gulf countries (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), especially for master's programs. However, some competitive PhD programs may request GRE scores as part of the application. 

For most scholarships, you need to apply directly through the official online application portals. Avoid contacting professors unless the scholarship advertisement or their website explicitly invites you to do so. 

Some scholarships do require emailing applications—if so, follow our detailed guidelines here: Apply for Scholarships via Email. 

Always carefully read the application instructions before sending any emails. 

For most scholarships, you need to apply directly through the official online application portals. Avoid contacting professors unless the scholarship advertisement or their website explicitly invites you to do so. 

Some scholarships do require emailing applications—if so, follow our detailed guidelines here: Apply for Scholarships via Email. 

Always carefully read the application instructions before sending any emails. 

Most European universities (especially in Germany, UK, Norway, and France) do not charge any application fee. 

In contrast, many universities in the United States, Italy, Canada, or Australia do require a fee, although fee waivers may be available. 

Always check the specific university’s application instructions. 

A recommendation letter is written by someone like a teacher or supervisor to support your application by highlighting your skills and character. 

How it works: 

• You provide your referees’ names and emails during your application.

• The university usually contacts them directly to request the letter or have them fill an online form.

• If your referees need help, you can share our recommended templates to guide them.

For templates and tips, see our Recommendation Letter Guidelines. 

No, the application guidance provided by Maths Volunteers is completely free. However, some universities may charge an application fee, which is separate. 

Yes, you are encouraged to apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously to increase your chances. 

Yes, we offer document review and feedback to support your scholarship applications. If you need help with your CV, Cover Letter, Motivation Letter, Statement of Purpose, or other documents, feel free to reach out. 

You can contact us via our social media platforms or send a direct email to themathetf@gmail.com.

📌 Before reaching out, please make sure to read our Application Guidelines to understand the process and what to prepare. 

Some scholarships have age restrictions. Check the eligibility criteria of each specific program before applying. 

It varies by program, but generally, the process takes 3–6 months from application to final decision. 

Application cycles vary by country and university: 

• USA: Typically opens in September–October and closes by December–January for the next academic year.

• UK: Deadlines vary—some PhDs are advertised year-round or by cohort deadlines, especially for funded projects.

• Italy: Often opens between April and June, with varying deadlines by university.

Always check individual university websites or use the resources in our Popular Scholarship Websites section.

Yes, many PhD programs with predefined research projects are posted throughout the year on a rolling basis. 

Visit the Popular Scholarship Websites section to stay updated on new calls. 

Study gaps are common and not necessarily a problem. Just be honest and clear in your application. Briefly explain the reason (e.g. work, illness, personal circumstances) and highlight how you used that time productively or how you’re now prepared to continue your studies.

You can address this in your Motivation Letter or CV, if needed.

Many scholarships consider more than just your CGPA. Factors like motivation, research experience, leadership, and community involvement can also strengthen your application. 

However, some scholarships have minimum CGPA requirements—check the specific criteria carefully. 

Focus on highlighting your strengths and explaining any challenges in your Motivation Letter. 

Yes, you can change your research field for your PhD. Many students do this to pursue new interests. However, you should be prepared to explain your motivation for the change and show how your skills and background will help you succeed in the new field. 

It’s a good idea to check the specific requirements of the PhD program and discuss your plans with potential supervisors. 

Yes, you can start your application without a passport, but you will need one before any final selection or travel arrangements. 

Thanks to our generous team members, we offer partial financial assistance to math students from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria facing serious financial difficulties. Funding isn’t guaranteed, but we’ll do our best to find a sponsor. 

Read more here: Financial Support Details 

Maths Volunteers is run by a dedicated team of management, lecturers, associates, and guest speakers who volunteer their time. Some also contribute financially to support students. We welcome skilled, committed individuals to join us.

Learn more: Our Team

Thank you for your interest! We deeply value volunteers who are passionate about education and want to make a difference. Your contribution can vary based on your skills and availability. 

You can support us by:

• Helping us identify and invite guest speakers for our sessions.

• Sharing verified scholarship opportunities and research positions.

• Assisting students in document review (CVs, motivation letters, etc.).

• Helping with content writing, editing, or translation.

• Managing or growing our social media outreach.

• Designing visuals or improving our website content.

• Mentoring students in your area of expertise.

If you're interested, please email us at themathetf@gmail.com with a brief introduction and how you’d like to contribute. Together, we can reach and support more students from underrepresented backgrounds. 

You can book an appointment with us for personalized guidance through the application process. 

⚠️ Please make sure you have read our guidelines before booking. We may cancel appointments if the guidelines haven’t been reviewed. 

You can book an appointment with us for personalized guidance through the application process. 

⚠️ Please make sure you have read our guidelines before booking. We may cancel appointments if the guidelines haven’t been reviewed.