20 Common Scholarship Interview Questions and How to Answer Them with Examples

My Experience Behind This Post

I still remember my fresh years in level 100 at KNUST, where I was selected for a scholarship interview. Before that interview, I still remember the anxiety, and even before the anxiety trickled into my emotions, there was my companion fear. My fear in the first place was that I wouldn't be selected for this opportunity. Now the opportunity had come, but I still found myself anxious. 

 After that encounter, I had the opportunity to participate in other scholarships as well. Sometimes, it is intercalated between semesters or a year. At all those intervals, there were a few trends that I noted concerning the questions they asked. Very common questions that I want to share and the answers you can give to each (examples).

So here is the thing, if you're looking for a guide to succeed in your scholarship interview, so you can be able to continue with your undergraduate, master's, or PhD programme? I have got your back. You know, one sad experience I have had was when some applications failed even after the interview. It is always very heartbreaking to go through all the application stages successfully, only for you to get to the interview stage and fail. As a result, it is very necessary to familiarize yourself with interview questions that are common and cut across most interviews.  

In this article, I, Bansi, of  scholarship180.com, present to you twenty common scholarship interview questions I came across during scholarship interviews and examples to answer them. This, I am very certain, will prepare you to answer interview questions confidently without flaws, without fears, and without hesitation. 

Let us set the ball rolling. Time to be on the track with the twenty common questions. 

1. The Number One Common Question: Tell Us About Yourself.

There is a reason why this question is always asked in every interview. It is good to hear your story beyond your application. This, you shouldn't see as an opportunity to tell the interviewer what is on your CV, no. It is one of the lucky chances you are given to tell them what they should know beyond your CV.

So, to answer this question, it is advisable to share your background, where you're from, what you're studying, and what keeps you going. It is the time to flow and tell your story. Don't be too emotional; you are not there to make them feel sad for you. You are there to let them see what you are made of.

Still finding it challenging to answer this question? 

I have got you a good example. Check it out.

I’m Kojo Emma, a recent graduate of Real Estate from KTU, and I come from a rural town in the Western Region of Ghana, where finding opportunity is harder than opening the door to your room with a key. That sad aspect of my story has always been the reason why my passion for making sustainable development more inclusive, especially in communities that are often underserved. Right now, my focus is on environmental policies and how with my field of study. Real Estate. 

2. Let's flow along with the second question: Why do you deserve this scholarship?

'Why do you deserve this scholarship?'. This is one of the common trends of questions I have noticed are always asked at scholarship interviews. Sharing this with you from my experience, before applying for any scholarship, you should ask yourself, Am I fit for this scholarship or not?  

But don't be mistaken, the reason why this question is often asked is to know how humble and respectful you are. Most of us deviate; I have to, on several occasions, until I find the right answers. Don't go talking about you don't have anyone to help you.

To answer this, try and focus on your potential on how beneficial the scholarship will be to you. Talk about the fact that getting the scholarship will help not only you, but it will also help improve the lives of other people around you and the community where you come from. How did I answer mine?

Quoted a good example below for you.

“I’m not asking for the scholarship just for myself; I’m asking because I know the multiplier effect it will create. With this support, I’ll be able to pursue advanced training in sustainable urban development and return home to improve housing policy and community planning for thousands.” 

3. Catch on with me on the third question: What are your greatest strengths?

You are not there to talk about the number of blocks you can raise in a day, or the kilos of rice bags you can lift within hours. This question is asked so you can tell the interviewer about the areas of life you are good at. Are you a good communicator? Are you good at conversations and teamwork? Are you enduring hard times? That is the answer your focus should be on. Not to tell them you had a grade A in your maths exams when you were in creche. 

The Good Example: My Own Story I Usually Tell

“I would say one of my greatest strengths is endurance. Because, as it is, I still recall a moment during my undergrad studies at UCC. It was a time when I could not afford to pay for my hostel and had to miss five weeks of lectures to work on the streets of Cape Coast. With help and determination, I caught up, passed my exams, and graduated as the best student of my class.”

4. Have a look at the opposite of the third: What is your biggest weakness?

Interviewers will usually ask you questions just to know if you are honest and working towards improving yourself. This is not the time to let them know Paul is a good boy by telling misaligned stories. It is the time to tell the interviewer that you don't have any weaknesses. The fact is that every human being has a weakness at some point. It is not bad to mention your weakness, but let them know that you are working on improving yourself and will certainly conquer that. 

To answer this, mention a real weakness and what you're doing to improve it. Remember, it is where your honesty takes effect.

Keeping up with you. Here is an Example

I still remember the days I used to struggle with public speaking. It is even sadder how I usually got nervous before the presentations. The thought of someone laughing at me when I mispronounce a word always kept me on my toes. To battle this, I joined the university’s debate club and started leading meetings. With time and practice, it’s now one of my strongest skills.” Hint: You just turned that weakness question into another strength of yours. 

5. The fifth: What are your academic and career goals?

Your plans for the future are another aspect that interviewers are always interested in.  Knowing your future plans probably gives them how you really perceive things. That is, whether you think and plan towards the future or just want to live the days of 1855.

Most get confused along the line, but I have got your back.

Here is what you can say.

Having been in areas that have faced the severe impacts of climate change, and how communities are becoming vulnerable to these changes, my plan is to pursue a master's degree in Environmental Policy. The goal is to find myself in the future making policies that help the government and institutions make informed decisions.

Before we continue, you can read these recommended articles.

1. How to Write an SOP that Makes Graduate Schools Say Yes

2. How to Write a Strong Research Proposal: Essential Components and Structure   

3. Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Personal Statement 

6. Let's Land on Six: How Do You Handle Failure or Setbacks

Let me just forget about it. Oh no, I just have to keep trying. Is that how you handle the failures or the difficult moments in your life? How mature are you? That is what asking the question of how you handle your setbacks is meant to assess. It is normal that everyone, in one way or the other, faces setbacks. But how you handle it really matters. With a relevant example, narrate how you faced a setback and how you took care of it. What lessons did you learn from it by stopping the situations that almost hindered your success?  

The best way you can answer it.

I remember the year I failed my first data analytics; it actually felt like the end of the world to me. I questioned myself. "Was I even cut out for the field? But instead of giving up, I decided to learn from that failure. Within a few months of my hard work and determination to succeed in life, I passed my next projects, and I did it this time with excellence.

7. The Seventh: Who is your role model and why?

There are many I can call a role model, but the best among them all is my mum, honestly. Just flow in your speech. Everyone has someone they look up to as an example to themselves. A role model is someone you look up to, someone you admire, someone whose steps you want to follow. 

Let's Look at This Example

“My mother never went to school, but she made sure I did. Even if she has to sell her only clothes or jewelry, she will do that so I can go to school. Her sacrifice reminds me that education is a privilege, and I owe it to others to make it count.”

8. Hope you have gotten this far along with me? The Eighth: Describe a time you demonstrated leadership.

Almost every scholarship provider is looking for leaders. They look for people who can lead to make positive differences in their communities. Scholarship providers are not ready to offer scholarships to people to just go and study and then go back and be sitting idle. You should know that their very aim is to help you, so you can also give back to the people and the community where you belong. That place where you grew, the place you come from. It can be a town, a village, a city, or even the country where you belong. In this question, talk about the leadership roles you have held and your contribution to the association or organization.

Hope this one offers a little help

“I was once the president of the Rotaract Club. As a president, I organized a one-week boot camp that gave voice to 200 students with skills in data science and social media marketing. This was a move that helped many students realize careers they had never considered before.”

9. Let's continue: How do you plan to give back to your community?

How do you plan to give back to your community? After the scholarship benefit, when you are done with your education. Have in mind that individuals without any initiative to give back to their communities are not awarded any scholarship. When asked this question, see it as a chance to express yourself.

You can express yourself as I have stated below.

“I plan to set up a nonprofit organization that mentors young people in Northern Ghana on green careers, scholarship opportunities, and digital skills. I’ve already started by mentoring three students through their university applications.”

10. What do you know about this scholarship program?

The providers ask you this question to know whether you really know about the scholarship or just Googled something. To answer this, you should learn more about the scholarship provider, what they do, and the criteria. You can do this through their websites, social media handles, or through current or past scholars who have also benefited from the same scholarship opportunity.

Let me offer you a little help. You can do it as below.

“I know this scholarship body as one that not only funds education, it also helps individuals find a purpose. It helps communities develop and gives a voice to those who don't have one. It is a body that wants to help those who have no help.

11. What makes you different from other candidates?

This is not the point for you to say, I am better than A or B. It is not the opportunity you have to use to compare C to D. It is the opportunity that helps the provider find your unique edge against other applicants in the pool. What exactly is unique about you? Be honest, don't beat about the bush.

This here can be of help. 

“I bring a combination of academic excellence, lived experience, and grassroots leadership. I have worked with over 200 young girls to help them improve menstrual hygiene and led climate action campaigns. I am not just interested in change, I live it.” Hint: Do not be afraid to talk, remember you are there for the win.

12. Here is another common question at twelve: Tell us about a challenge you overcame.

You might have had a lot of challenges in your life; did you pamper them? You didn't have to. This question is asked so you can tell your provider how you were able to overcome such challenges. Do not narrate stories; remember you are working with time, and 1000s are waiting in line. Just be quick with it already.

Got you covered. This can be of help. 

There was a time in my life when I was displaced by a tribal conflict in Mali. It was one of the hardest moments in my life, and I had to continue my education in a refugee camp. I knew it wasn't going to be easy to overcome such difficulty, so I had to study hard and find opportunities that helped me get this far.  

13. The question that tests your emotions: What motivates you?

Talk about what motivates you to pursue the scholarship, how important it is, and how it will go a long way to benefit others. 

Observe the answer below.

“Knowing that my journey can inspire someone from a forgotten village to believe in their own strength. I want to be proof that where you come from doesn’t limit where you can go, and that has been my motivation for years: To be an example to others.

14. The question to know some beautiful moments in your life: What’s your proudest achievement?

Have you represented your school in a quiz and won before? OR, You have were you the first best student during your WASSCE after results? Yes, this is what they are looking for. This seeks to know the relevant achievements you have. Be it academic achievements or not. 

Example:

“Graduating as the best student of my class, especially knowing the odds I had to beat, all the financial struggles, the language barriers that came in the way, and the daring moments to adjust to city life. It reminds me that grit and grace can take you far.”

15. Leisure hour rush: How do you spend your free time?

This is to know whether you use your time judiciously or not. Do you use your time for things that benefit others? The trick here is that you talk about your volunteer activities.

This is the best approach.

I love volunteering. On weekends, I help with digital literacy programs for high school students and serve as a mentor on CV writing and scholarship prep. My favorite is book reading. Books on leadership and development to inspire myself. 

16. The Test Question: What would you do if you didn’t get this scholarship?

They ask this question to know your level of determination and backup plans. Let them know that you will keep doing what you were doing. Mentions things that are in line with scholarship criteria. 

Example:

I will be disappointed, but not defeated. I will keep applying, keep improving my skills, and continue to have a positive effect on my community, however I can. 

17. The Teamwork Question: Describe a time you worked in a team.

Probably you might have worked with people and in groups before. This is the time to describe that. So your teamwork can be assessed. This is done to know if you can work and partnership with others.

A little help here for you: A good example.

As the Organizer of the political science department activities, I helped coordinate a field trip for over 350 students. We faced transportation delays, but through good communication and the teamwork we had, we made sure that every student made it safely and had a great experience.

18. The about your stress question: How do you deal with stress or pressure?

Don't dodge this question. You have done a lot to get to that interview, so what do you want to tell me? That you can't answer this? No, this is to test your ability to handle pressure or stress. How have you been able to handle the difficult tasks and times in your life?

How can I answer this? Don't be troubled, I have an example each step of the way.

I break my big tasks into small steps and set priorities for the ones that matter most. I also read journals and talk to my mentors (those who have gone before me and walked the path that I am on). I may be under depression, and my mental health is one that I don't joke with. So, to handle my stress? I do everything necessary to get back to my usual self. Mental health is something I’ve learned to take seriously.

19. The passion rush question: What are you passionate about?

This is the moment where you seize the opportunity to talk about what you love doing. What your heart follows, the desires you feel inside you. Don't go off the hook; things can get really tricky when you deviate. You will have to be defending questions you have already answered. So, tell them about your passion,  and make sure to include examples. 

Let me help you

“I am passionate about environmental sustainability, especially in how urban planning can protect natural resources. I have led clean-up campaigns and campus forums. These were platforms that I used to raise awareness. 

20. The big opportunity questions: Do you have any questions for us?

Never say no to this question. Try and say something, or otherwise you can ask a question. It is an opportunity question where you have the room to learn something new. So if you can't ask a question, then say something at least. 

Here is what you can do.  

“Yes! I would like to know more about how the scholarship alumni stay connected and support each other after the program.”

What I have left for you. 

I have tried my best not to leave you lecture notes. One that you will not understand after reading this article is meant to help you. I have been in that room before, where I am the only one who is a stranger to the faces before me. Where I have to talk for myself and let people see the value in me. So, if you are feeling stuck, know that there are many who have been in that interview room before you. An example to let you know, yes, you can do it.

I am not here to instil fear in you; I am here to guide you with my own steps. Maybe you are having doubts; you can check my LinkedIn profile. So go out there, answer those questions, and grab the opportunity that the world has brought you.

Are you still stuck or need help and more guidance? Connect with me on WhatsApp. I am just a text away.