Istanbul Aydın University Scholarships for International Students — Overview

Istanbul Aydın University (see university page) offers in‑course, non‑repayable scholarships for active international students who have demonstrated academic merit and meaningful participation in social and cultural activities. These awards are designed to retain and reward students already registered at the university — they are not available to prospective or unregistered applicants.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Type: Non‑repayable, in‑course scholarships for international students.
• Eligibility: Registered, active international students with at least one full academic semester (or two terms) completed.
• Minimum GPA: 3.00 / 4.00 cumulative. Students below 3.00 are not eligible.
• Levels Covered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral students (after completing the required enrollment period).
• Selection Model: 100‑point evaluation (GPA, cover letter, reference letter, ISSA evaluation).
• Application: Managed via the International Student Support and Activities (ISSA) Office and finalized by the Board of Trustees.
• Note: Incomplete applications are not considered; deadlines and availability may vary year to year.

Eligibility and Required Documents — Precise Checklist

Eligibility

• Student must be a registered, active international enrollee at Istanbul Aydın University.
• Minimum academic record: at least one full semester (or two terms) completed at the university.
• Cumulative GPA must be at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Evidence of participation in social, cultural or leadership activities is evaluated.

Required Application Documents

• Completed official scholarship application form.
• Official transcript showing the current cumulative GPA.
• Cover letter explaining motivation, achievements and contributions (scored component).
• Reference letter from a lecturer (must be verifiable by email).
• ISSA Office evaluation form (completed by the International Student Support and Activities office).

Important Policy Notes

• Only complete packages will be evaluated.
• Applications are initially reviewed by ISSA; shortlisted applications proceed to the International Relations Directorate and then to the Board of Trustees.
• Notification is provided using contact details in the application and successful applicants sign a scholarship agreement at ISSA.

Understanding the 100‑point Evaluation (How to Coach Candidates)

Point Breakdown

• GPA: 25 points for a 3.00; up to 40 points for a 4.00.
• Cover letter: Up to 20 points — clear articulation of motivation, academic aims, leadership and service increases scores.
• Reference letter: Up to 20 points — letters from lecturers that provide specific examples of student achievement and contribution are most persuasive; ensure the reference will confirm via email.
• ISSA evaluation: 20 points — completed by the ISSA Office, assessing social participation, leadership, teamwork and social awareness.

How Recruiters and Admissions Teams Can Help Applicants Maximise Points

• Encourage early coaching on cover letter structure: clear opening, concise achievements, measurable outcomes (projects, events, leadership roles).
• Provide templates and examples of strong academic reference requests to help lecturers provide evidence-based letters.
• Help students document extracurricular participation with verifiable records, photos, and event reports (boosts ISSA evaluation).
• Verify GPA calculations prior to submission to prevent ineligibility due to administrative error.

Step‑by‑Step Application Workflow for Partner Teams

1. Eligibility Check (Day 0–2)
   • Confirm registration status, number of completed terms and cumulative GPA.
   • If GPA is below 3.00, advise alternative funding options.
2. Document Preparation (Day 3–14)
   • Collect transcript, draft cover letter (coach for scoring), secure lecturer reference with email confirmation, gather extracurricular evidence.
3. Internal Review & Submission (Day 15–21)
   • Conduct mock evaluation with scoring grid; ensure each section has supporting evidence.
   • Submit completed application to the student’s ISSA Office or advise student on direct submission protocol.
4. Follow‑up & Tracking (Day 22 Onward)
   • Track confirmation emails and ISSA receipt.
   • Prepare the student for possible interviews or additional requests from ISSA or International Relations.

Comparative Context — How Istanbul Aydın’s Scholarships Fit Within Turkiye’s Private University Landscape

Istanbul Aydın University’s approach — focusing on in‑course support, GPA thresholds, and social participation — is representative of many private institutions that aim to retain high‑performing international students. When advising students or benchmarking scholarship programmes, recruitment teams should consider comparable universities and their scholarship models.

Relevant Institutional Pages for Recruiters and Admissions Benchmarking

• Medipol University – a large private university with robust international programmes.
• Uskudar University – noted for psychology and behavioural sciences; useful for students in social health fields.
• Halic University – known for a practical approach to industry partnerships.
• Ozyegin University – research and entrepreneurship focus that may offer alternative funding schemes.

Actionable Comparison Points for Recruiters

• GPA Threshold: Many universities in Turkiye require a baseline GPA; Istanbul Aydın’s 3.00 minimum is moderate and achievable for well-supported students.
• In‑Course Focus: Scholarships reserved for registered students are effective retention tools — emphasise to sponsors and families the benefit of enrolling early.
• Activity Weighting: The ISSA evaluation rewards community engagement — encourage students to participate in cultural and academic clubs to improve eligibility.

Practical Advice for Cover Letters and Reference Letters (Recruiter Script)

Cover Letter Essentials (Advise Students to Keep It Under 500–700 Words)

• Opening: state programme, current year and cumulative GPA.
• Motivation: explain why the scholarship matters for academic progress and career plans.
• Evidence: two or three achievements (academic projects, leadership roles, community events) with measurable impact.
• Closing: clear statement of gratitude and contact availability.

Reference Letter Essentials (Tips for Lecturers)

• Use specific examples that demonstrate the student’s academic capacity and personal qualities (leadership, teamwork).
• Provide a verifiable email and position title so the ISSA team can confirm authenticity.
• Keep the letter concise (one page) and provide contact details for follow‑up.

How Study in Turkiye Supports Partners — Recruitment, Automation, Compliance

Study in Turkiye is a leader in connecting international students with universities across Turkiye and in providing automation tools to streamline recruitment and application workflows.

Key Services Tailored for This Scholarship Model

• Partner onboarding: training modules for agents and university admissions teams on eligibility rules and documentation requirements.
• Candidate identification: data tools to find registered international students who meet the GPA threshold and have documented extracurricular participation.
• Compliance & audit trails: ensure documentation completeness to avoid disqualification due to missing evidence.

Why Partners Benefit from Working with Study in Turkiye

• Centralised access to university profiles, including Istanbul Aydın University (see university page).
• Best practice resources for recruitment‑to‑retention funnels that align with in‑course scholarship programmes.
• Dedicated support for agencies seeking to become official partners and scale student placement operations.

Recommended Partner KPIs

• Application completeness rate (target >95%).
• Scholarship submission to award rate (benchmark and improve over time).
• Time from document collection to submission (reduce via automation).
• Student retention after scholarship award (track academic progress post‑award).

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Istanbul Aydın University scholarships for international students are a practical, merit‑and‑activity based funding option for enrolled international students in Turkiye. For recruitment teams, admissions officers, HR and marketing professionals, and placement agencies, the key to maximising award rates is structured candidate identification, strong coaching on cover letters and references, and an automated workflow that prevents incomplete submissions.