The Role of Scholarships and Financial Aids in Enhancing Access to International Education: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

In this qualitative inquiry, we explore the experiences of students in terms of their access to international education as an influence of scholarships and financial aids, particularly among social sciences students at the University of Narowal. The study uses a qualitative research design to gain insights into the experiences of students who have received or not received scholarships for international education. The study was done at the University of Narowal, and 50 students were sampled using a purposive sampling technique. The participants in the sample included 25 students who have won scholarships to attend international schools and 25 students who applied or intended to apply but encountered obstacles in obtaining financing. We conducted a study involving students belonging to the social sciences departments, English, Urdu, Education, Mass Communication, and Fine Arts, in our institution where the students possess much caliber but have limited international scholarships. The participants comprised students studying or expecting to study in these departments. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document review were used for data collection. In-depth exploration of students’ experiences and perceptions of scholarships and financial aids was made possible through semi-structured interviews. The focus group discussions in FS facilitated co-exchange of experience and peer light for award application. The primary data was triangulated with document reviews of official university documents, scholarship brochures, and application forms. Scholarships play a major role in improving access to international education, particularly for disadvantaged learners, and offering transformative opportunities for both academic success and personal development, the study concluded. Accessing these opportunities, however, is not easy barriers like awareness, application complexity, and resource limitedness identified. This study adds to the global conversation about education equity and universal access to scholarship funds, clarifying how well or poorly existing systems of financial support serve students in underdeveloped countries, such as Narowal, Pakistan. It urges the adoption of improved scholarship application processes such as increased awareness programs, application training, and travelling finance funds to help students overcome barriers and increase access to international higher education.