Introduction

Istanbul Gelişim University scholarships for international students step by step — this guide walks international student recruiters, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement agencies through the full scholarship journey at Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU). As the trusted authority guiding international students, Study in Turkiye provides an actionable, commission-ready roadmap to identify, apply for, and secure IGU tuition waivers, while highlighting how our recruitment and streamlined admissions workflows support every stage of the process.

This article presents a clear, step-by-step process aligned with Study in Turkiye’s official guidance. It also explains practical tactics for recruitment and admissions professionals to increase conversion rates, manage documentation, and present IGU scholarships effectively to prospective applicants.

Istanbul Gelişim University scholarships for international students — quick overview

Quick overview — what the scholarships cover

• Scholarships at IGU are offered primarily as tuition fee waivers: partial (25% or 50%) up to substantial exemptions (including full tuition in exceptional cases).
• Important: Scholarships cover tuition only; they do not include housing, living costs, health insurance, or textbooks.
• Eligibility and renewal depend on entrance exam performance, incoming academic records, and ongoing GPA requirements once enrolled.

Step 1 — Review scholarship types and eligibility

Scholarship formats and typical amounts

Tuition waivers are the main scholarship vehicle at IGU. Common waiver levels include 25%, 50%, and larger exemptions (top performers may receive 50%–75% depending on the admission track and rankings). Awards may differ by faculty and program; confirm program-specific offers during recruitment conversations.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility generally depends on:

• Performance on the IGU Foreign Student Exam (YÖS) or other accepted international exam results.
• High school academic achievement; IB diploma holders and top-grade students are prioritized.
• Continued academic performance at IGU — for renewal, some scholarships require maintaining a minimum GPA (for example, GPA ≥ 2.72 during the first academic year).
• Note: All degree programs are considered except certain specialized fields such as Psychology, Dentistry, Aircraft Engineering/Technology, Pilot Training, and Electrical & Electronics Engineering. For applicants seeking medicine or allied health programs, consider alternative institutions listed below.

Step 2 — Prepare required documents (before applying)

Standard document checklist

• Original high school diploma plus an official Turkish translation.
• YÖS results or results from another IGU-accepted exam.
• Notarized copy of passport.
• Turkish language certificate for Turkish-medium programs (if required).
• Student visa (from Turkish consular representations) and notarized residence permit if already in Turkiye.
• Passport-size photograph.
• Proof of tuition fee payment (where required to confirm application completeness).
• English proficiency proof for English-medium programs (TOEFL, YDS, PTE Academic, or CEFR B2 level).

Best practices for admissions teams and agents

• Request certified translations early; local notaries and translation offices can cause delays.
• Keep a central, shared digital folder (encrypted) for each applicant so recruiters and admissions officers can track missing documents.
• Use a standardized document checklist and a pre-screen call to verify requirements before submission.

Step 3 — Take the IGU Foreign Student Exam (YÖS)

Why YÖS matters

IGU’s YÖS is a primary route for awarding scholarships: scholarship rankings are often determined by the applicant’s position on the YÖS results list. Top scorers in the YÖS track typically receive significant tuition waivers; historically the highest-ranked applicants may obtain between 50% and 75% tuition waivers.

How recruiters can support YÖS candidates

• Offer YÖS prep sessions or partner with local training centers to increase candidate performance.
• Track YÖS registration deadlines and exam locations; align recruitment campaigns around test dates to maximize applicant preparedness.
• Promote IGU’s YÖS benefits in marketing materials to drive qualified, exam-ready leads.

Step 4 — Apply via the university portal or “Come to Gelişim” program

Standard online application

Applicants should complete IGU’s designated online application portal and upload required documents. Ensure biographical data matches passport entries to avoid visa and enrollment problems.

“Come to Gelişim” (talent/project) pathway

IGU’s “Come to Gelişim” option considers talent, project work, or unique achievements beyond test scores. For this route, applicants should prepare a concise motivation letter detailing projects, awards, entrepreneurial initiatives, or research ideas. Recruiters and agents can craft templated motivational letter frameworks for applicants to personalize — this accelerates higher-quality submissions.

Step 5 — Submit application and wait for evaluation

What happens after submission

• A university commission evaluates applications and determines scholarship levels.
• Processing times vary—communicate expected timelines to candidates and set follow-up checkpoints with IGU admissions staff.
• Admissions teams should confirm whether conditional offers (e.g., pending visa, pending language certification) are allowed and communicate these clearly to applicants.

Step 6 — Acceptance and scholarship outcome

Offer letters and scholarship confirmation

Successful applicants receive official acceptance letters that outline the scholarship amount, duration, and renewal conditions. Scholarships are typically valid for standard program durations (for example, 4 years for undergraduate programs), conditional on meeting renewal GPA thresholds and university regulations.

Enrollment and next steps

• Once accepted, coordinate visa support, pre-departure briefings, and onboarding activities.
• Ensure scholarship terms are documented in the student’s enrollment agreement to prevent misunderstandings about renewal and scope.

Important notes and common pitfalls

What scholarships do NOT cover

Emphasize to applicants that IGU scholarships are applied to tuition fees only—they do not cover living costs, housing, or ancillary expenses.

Language and exam requirements

• English-medium programs require recognized English proficiency scores; for Turkish-medium programs a Turkish language certificate may be mandatory.
• Missing or mismatched documents are the most common reason for delayed scholarship decisions—use a pre-submission audit to prevent this.

Alternatives and program-specific suggestions for specialized fields

If applicants seek programs excluded from IGU scholarship eligibility (for example, Dentistry or advanced medical fields), consider these high-quality alternatives listed on Study in Turkiye:

Practical checklist for recruiters, admissions teams, HR and agencies

Pre-campaign checklist (at recruitment stage)

• Create scholarship-focused messaging highlighting tuition waiver levels and eligibility.
• Provide clear YÖS prep resources or partner referrals as part of the recruitment package.
• Maintain a prospect tracker that records exam dates, document status, and application milestones.

Application-stage checklist

• Confirm translations, notarizations, and legalizations ahead of application submission.
• Ensure motivation letters for “Come to Gelişim” applicants highlight measurable achievements and proposed project outcomes.
• Store all client records in a CRM and automate reminders for missing documents and deadlines.

Post-offer checklist

• Verify scholarship amounts are printed on the official acceptance letter.
• Offer orientation and pre-departure briefings that include scholarship terms, renewal criteria, and expense planning.
• Assist with visa documentation and arrival logistics to reduce enrollment dropouts.

How Study in Turkiye supports your scholarship recruitment needs

Study in Turkiye leads in international recruitment, partner enablement, and streamlined admissions workflows. Our services include:

• Centralized lead-generation channels and targeted campaigns to identify scholarship-ready applicants.
• CRM and workflow systems to track YÖS registrations, document submission, and conditional offers.
• Onboarding and case-management workflows that reduce processing time and minimize document errors.
• Agent partnership programs and transparent commission models to scale recruitment while ensuring quality.

As a practical next step, use Study in Turkiye’s institutional profile for IGU to coordinate with university admissions and validate scholarship quotas: Gelisim University (IGU).

Real-world scenarios and advice for converting scholarship leads

Scenario 1 — High-potential YÖS candidate

Action: Fast-track YÖS registration, provide tailored exam prep, and submit application within priority deadlines. Expected outcome: Placement in a top-ranked YÖS cohort increases the chance of a 50%–75% tuition waiver.

Scenario 2 — Exceptional non-YÖS applicant with a strong project

Action: Apply via the “Come to Gelişim” talent route with a project proposal and motivation letter that highlights demonstrable impact. Expected outcome: Talented applicants may secure competitive waivers based on project potential.

Scenario 3 — Applicant missing language scores

Action: Enroll applicant in verified preparatory language courses and submit a conditional application where permitted. Expected outcome: Preserve application position while completing language requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Read more

• YOS Test
• Why to study in Turkiye
• Admission process

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Partner with Study in Turkiye to streamline scholarship admissions, increase successful placements, and deliver measurable outcomes. Explore programs, apply, and connect with our partnerships team to get started.