Securing study funds WHAT sets scholarship appli- cants apart are their person- al essays. Students must ensure that these essays are "personal" and not "copy and paste information" for applica- tions. Preparation for scholar- ship interviews is also key, said Star Education Fund and STPM results. representative Reuben Chan. Applicants will be shortlist- "Many students don't pre- ed in early April and pare enough for interviews. informed via e-mail, while "When they are asked to interviews will be held from speak about themselves, they April to June. should think through what they want to share and draft Giving back it out before going for the interview. Scholarship recipients "This is to ensure they give Ashley Sean Lai-Foenander Ashley (left) gives advice about the scholarships under the fund. concise answers. Interviews and Hilmy Osman volun- aren't very long. Some think teered at the fund's booth of an answer only then," he during the fair. said to an attentive crowd at Ashley, 20, and Hilmy, 22, the talk "Star Education Fund are currently pursuing a Scholarship Awards" on the Bachelor's of Biotechnology first day of the Star in Taylor's University and Education Fair 2019. Bachelor's in Quantity "At the Star Education Surveying in Heriot-Watt Fund, we want to help University Malaysia respec- deserving students and tively. invest in their lives because "I worked temporarily this is ultimately nation with the fund last year so I building," he said. felt I should use my experi- He suggested that students ence to help other students file their certificates chrono- who want to know more logically, from the most about the scholarships. recent and most important "Common questions asked achievements. are whether die scholar- "Remember, it is quality ships are full or partial, over quantity. what fees are covered and "Also be responsible and the documents required for follow up on your applica- the application," said Ashley. tion. It shows your interest in Hilmy said he provided the application," he added. advice on the application The Star Education Fund is process. offering 285 scholarships "I've learnt so much, espe- worth RM15.1mil from 32 cially on communicating institutions this year. effectively with the visitors," Nilai University returns as he added. a partner-in-education. The 32 partners-in-educa- Since 1994, the fund has tion are Brickfields Asia benefited 3,908 recipients College; Erican College; with a total scholarship value HELP University; Heriot- of RM127.4mil. Watt University Malaysia; To be eligible for under- IACT College; Infrastructure graduate courses, students University Kuala Lumpur; must be Malaysians no older KDU University College; KDU than 25 years old as of Jan 1. Penang University College; These scholarships cover a Kolej Universiti Tunku wide range of fields and dis- Abdul Rahman; Limkokwing ciplines, from entry-level University of Creative courses to undergraduate Technology; Malaysian education and professional Institute of Art; Management studies, and are all bond- & Science University; MSU free. College Penang; Methodist Every scholarship applica- College Kuala Lumpur; tion is vetted by representa- Monash University Malaysia; tives from The Star and its Multimedia University; Nilai partner institutions. University; Oriental Nilam Star Education Fund man- College of Nursing & Health ager Susanna Kuan said 28 Sciences; Quest International partners presented then- University Perak; RCSI & scholarship pledges to Higher UCD Malaysia Campus; Saito Education Department direc- University College; SEGi tor-general Datin Paduka Dr University & Colleges; Siti Hamisah Tapsir and Star Sentral College Penang; Media Group chief content Sunway University; Sunway officer Esther Ng during the College; Sunway College opening of the Star Education Ipoh; Sunway College Johor Fair 2019 last Saturday. Bahru; Taylor's University; She said the other four UCSI University; UCSI partners are from the north- . College; University of ern region and will present Nottingham Malaysia and their pledges at the Star Universiti Tunku Abdul Education Fair in Penang in Rahman. March. For information, email The closing date for the [email protected] or scholarships is two weeks visit thestar.com.my/edu- after the release of the SPM fund. .