Hey i’ve been looking at universities abroad and all but i’m so confused about this financial aid thing 
How do people even get it? Is it only for toppers or like can normal average students apply too?? Need help!
No you don’t need to be a topper topper. There are different types of financial aid for study abroad like need-based (depends on how much money your family can afford) and merit-based (for good academics or test scores).
Some universities automatically consider you when you apply, others have separate applications. deadlines for aid can be earlier than regular ones so check that.
Hi @latathakur, Totally get the confusion “financial aid” sounds fancy but it’s basically just money to help cover your tuition/living costs, and yes, you can apply even if you’re not a topper.
There are usually two main types: need-based aid (based on your financial situation) and merit-based aid (based on your grades, achievements, or skills). For need-based, you just have to show proof that you genuinely can’t cover all the costs universities assess this from your financial documents. For merit-based, decent grades plus a strong application (SOP, recommendations, any extra-curriculars or projects) can give you a shot it’s not always about being #1 in your class.
Also, a lot of scholarships are offered by governments or private organizations, not just universities, and some are open to everyone who meets certain criteria. Best move is to shortlist your unis first, then check their website’s “Financial Aid” or “Scholarships” section, and apply for as many as you’re eligible for.
You can also browse this list of scholarships for international students it’s got programs from universities, governments, and private bodies all in one place.
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Hey @latathakur you definitely don’t have to be a topper. I’ve seen people with average grades still get aid because they had good extracurriculars or showed genuine financial need. Just shortlist your unis early and keep an eye on deadlines (some close way before the main application ones). And apply for both uni (internal) and external scholarships more chances that way.
@latathakur Financial aid isn’t just for toppers it really depends on the university. Some give need-based aid (based on your family’s finances), and some give merit-based aid (for grades, projects, or talents). Even if you’re not a topper, you can still applylots of “average” students get partial scholarships or fee waivers. It just takes research and applying on time.