Getting a university education is free in many countries around the world, particularly in Europe. Either that, or it is so heavily subsidized that it is effectively free. College tuition fees are still stratospherically high in some countries, and in some places, they even tend to rise. For this reason, scholarships and grants are widespread, both rewarding academic excellence, and providing for the needy. Previously, I talked about how it is possible to get a scholarship or grant for nearly anything if you put your mind to it. Certain factors could put your chances of obtaining one at risk, however, regardless of how easy it might seem to obtain. The thing is, that there is no guarantee of gaining a scholarship. Not only this but there is less chance of getting extra funding following the first year, this is the case when it comes to scholarships based on merit, at any rate.
Academic Grades
The better your grades, the more likely it is that you will get a scholarship or grant, right? This is correct. There is something that many students, particularly undergraduates do not take into account, however. Obtaining scholarships and grants are made easier by having good grades. This makes sense on every level. The thing is, that there is not that much direct correlation between your grades upon leaving high school and those at university. The only possible link between the two is that your grades are likely to fall. As a result, without taking measures to boost your grades through extra effort, you are likely to miss out on scholarships and grants to which you had previously been entitled.
Discipline
This is very difficult for students. Once again, particularly for new ones. Many scholarships and grants are dependent on the student demonstrating a certain level of discipline. This goes from the extreme example of not going to jail, getting into other legal trouble, or simply breaking school rules. For example, doing something as seemingly innocuous as plagiarizing someone else’s work could not only result in you forfeiting any previously deserved scholarship or grant but even academic suspension.
