Getting a scholarship isn’t just about having perfect grades, it’s about showing what makes you stand out. While strong academics are the foundation (since universities want to ensure you can thrive in their programs), what truly sets you apart is your story, your growth, and your impact. The secret formula lies inside – How have you developed yourself beyond the ordinary? At Sekolah Victory Plus, an International Baccalaureate school in Indonesia, we cultivate a supportive and enriching environment for students to unlock their potential for success at school and beyond.
How to Stand Out?
Think about what excites you and how you’ve taken it to the next level. Maybe you love music— did you start by learning an instrument, then perform at events, and eventually organize a concert or teach others? Or perhaps you’re passionate about community service—did you start by volunteering, then take initiative to lead a project, and finally create a lasting impact in your community? Showing growth, commitment, and creating an impact are the kinds of stories that stand out in an application.
Remember that your voice is unique, and no one else has the same experiences or perspective as you. What makes your story powerful is what you do with it—how you use your passions, talents, and experiences to create positive change for yourself and others. Scholarships recognize students who don’t just follow the usual path but create their own. As an IB school in Indonesia, SVP provides the platform for you to amplify your voice by taking action and making a difference!
Build Your Scholarship Profile at Sekolah Victory Plus
Besides the enriching and rigorous IB curriculum, our school offers many opportunities that can help you grow beyond academics to stand out in scholarship applications:
- MYP Personal Project
- Service as Action Project
- DP Extended Essay
- Creativity Activity and Service
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Joining an ECA
- Joining a competition
- Joining/starting a club
- The Student Council
- Model United Nations
- Performing at the Musical Production
- Exhibiting artwork at the VA Arts Exhibition
Types of Scholarships to Explore
Each type of scholarship has different eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefits. Scholarships have unique requirements, so it’s important to research eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application procedures.
Government Scholarships
These scholarships are offered by the government of your home country or the country you plan to study in. These scholarships often cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Examples: ASEAN Scholarship, Hong Kong Belt & Road Scholarship, DAAD (Germany), MEXT (Japan).
University Scholarships
Provided by universities to attract talented students. These can be merit-based, need-based, or specific to certain fields of study.
Examples: UWA Global Excellence Scholarship (University of Western Australia), University Entrance Scholarship, Outstanding International Student Scholarship (University of British Columbia), Melbourne International Student Scholarship (University of Melbourne), President’s Scholarship (NTU Singapore).
Private Foundation Scholarships
Funded by organizations, companies, or philanthropic foundations. These scholarships may be linked to leadership potential, specific fields of study, or community impact.
Examples: Jardine Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholars Program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, CIMB ASEAN Scholarship.
Where to Find Scholarships
Scholarship information can be found on each university website. As an international school in Indonesia, SVP offers a dedicated Career Counseling program and experienced Career Counselors who support students in building strong applications for a wide range of scholarships.
This article was written by Maria Monalisa Victorio Handoko, our Career Counselor at the Secondary School. Monalisa graduated from the University of Notre Dame and is an alumni of Sekolah Victory Plus. She is a Network of Indonesian School Counselor committee member, LPDP Awardee, and has guided over 200 students at our school to apply to universities around the world.