Documents For UG Application: Foreign-Born Indian Students Studying At Indian Schools, This Is For You

If you are a foreign-born Indian student, and have completed your education in India, there are certain requirements to keep in mind when you are applying for further studies abroad. Please note that each university and often, each country too, has its own specific requirements. Remember to always cross check with the university directly to ensure that you have met all the entry requirements, and have all the required documents ready well in advance as well.

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Requirements for the USA

• High school transcripts, from Grades 9 to 12
• 1 counsellor recommendation letter
• 2 teacher recommendation letters
• SAT / ACT score for the universities that require or recommend it, unless you are applying to test optional schools
• English language proficiency test scores – TOEFL or IELTS

In addition to these, if you are a US citizen, here are some other things you can keep in mind for financial aid and scholarships:

Social Security Number

The Social Security Number is a unique, nine digit identification number issued by the US government to US citizens, permanent residents, and certain categories of temporary residents. There are multiple forms where you would be expected to fill out your Social Security Number, so do keep it handy. From being required on the Common App form to the FAFSA application, the SSN is essential information.

FAFSA Application

By submitting the FAFSA application along with your undergraduate application, US-born citizens can expect to receive an average of $5,000 a year. This is an application form used by students to apply for financial aid and helps mitigate college expenses such as tuition, lodging and other expenses. The FAFSA is used by federal, state governments and colleges and universities, to determine the eligibility of a student to apply for aid. The FAFSA application is available from 1st October every year, and it’s important to complete and send it out soon. You can access the form from the official FAFSA website. You will have to add your financial details here.

Requirements for the UK

• Final Grade 10 results
• Counsellor recommendation letter
• Predicted Grade 12 results, to be sent by your school counsellor
• Statement of purpose
• English language proficiency test scores – IELTS

In addition to these, if you are a UK citizen, here are some other things you can keep in mind for scholarships:

Scholarships

There are certain UK universities and organisations that offer scholarships to UK citizens. Check the website for each of the schools on your list to see what options are open to you in particular. You can also directly reach out to the admissions office of each of the universities that you are applying to, and they can then help you with the specific requirements and deadlines for each. Sometimes, additional information is also uploaded on your UCAS portal, so make sure you are checking it regularly post submission.

Requirements for Canada

• High school transcripts, from Grades 9 to 12
• 1 counsellor recommendation letter
• 2 teacher recommendation letters
• SAT / ACT score for the universities that require or recommend it, unless you are applying to test optional schools
• English language proficiency test scores – TOEFL or IELTS

In addition to these, if you are a Canadian citizen, here are some other things you can keep in mind for financial aid and scholarships:

Scholarships

There are several Canadian universities that offer merit based scholarships. These usually depend on the student’s academic achievements. In some cases, the applicant may need to be nominated via their school. You can also apply for scholarships offered by the Canadian government by visiting their official websites.

Most universities have a separate scholarship deadline, so do remember to do your research thoroughly and keep track of each of your school’s requirements. Good luck.

The author is employed as manager at OnCourse Global, an international education counselling organisation that supports and guides students in their overseas education journey. Shreya has mentored children from Grades 8-12 in their college admission journey, and is also a teacher of SAT English.

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