Okan University Scholarships for International Students — Overview and Key Categories

Okan University scholarships for international students are designed to attract high-achieving and diverse global talent to Istanbul while providing financial relief for those with demonstrated need or merit. This guide explains the scholarship types, eligibility criteria, application requirements, and tactical advice for international student recruiters, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals, and placement agencies.

Merit-Based Scholarships

• Who they target: Applicants with outstanding high school or prior-university academic records.
• Typical benefit: Tuition reductions ranging from 25% up to 100% depending on grades and program.
• What recruiters should note: Merit bands are often established by GPA or national exam ranking; highlight cumulative and subject-specific excellence in candidate profiles.

Board of Trustees Honors Scholarship

• Who they target: Students placed into 100% scholarship programs at Okan who rank among the top nationally.
• Typical benefit: Monthly cash stipend during the academic year plus free room and board.
• What admissions teams should note: This award is highly competitive and requires verification of national ranking — ensure timely submission of official ranking documents.

Need-Based Scholarships

• Who they target: Students demonstrating significant financial hardship.
• Typical benefit: Partial to full tuition coverage, depending on documented need.
• What agencies should note: Need assessments often require bank statements, letters of support, or government documentation.

International Student Scholarship

• Who they target: Non-Turkish residents applying to undergraduate or graduate programs.
• Typical benefit: Partial to full tuition reduction; eligibility varies by program.
• What recruiters should note: This is an important selling point when consulting students from regions where tuition is the primary barrier.

Sports, Cultural and Artistic Scholarships

• Who they target: Students with exceptional achievements in sports, arts, or culture.
• Typical benefit: Tuition reduction up to full coverage; often requires proof of competition, portfolio, or auditions.
• What admissions teams should note: Coordinate with university sports and cultural departments to validate claims.

Graduate Scholarships (Master’s and PhD)

• Who they target: Master’s and PhD candidates with strong academic records or research potential.
• Typical benefit: Tuition waivers, possible stipends and research support depending on department budgets.
• What HR in higher education should note: Align offers with faculty supervisors and research grants.

Special Note on International Programmes (HND/HNC)

Okan’s International Programmes (HND/HNC certificates) do not typically carry direct Okan-funded scholarships. However, students can leverage strong academic records from these programmes when applying for scholarships at partner institutions abroad.

Eligibility, Documentation and the Typical Application Workflow

Common Eligibility Criteria

• Non-Turkish citizenship or residency when applying for international scholarships.
• Minimum GPA thresholds or national exam rankings for merit awards.
• Demonstrated financial need for need-based awards (documented via official statements).
• Proof of achievement for sports/cultural scholarships.
• Research proposal or supervisor statement for graduate-level scholarships.

Documentation Recruiters Should Gather With Every Candidate

• Completed Okan University scholarship application form (if separate from admission form).
• Certified academic transcripts and grading scale conversion.
• Standardized test or national ranking documents where required.
• Personal statement or motivation letter tailored to scholarship type.
• Letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional).
• Financial documents for need-based applicants.
• Portfolios, certificates or competition verification for arts and sports scholarships.
• Passport copy and residency documentation for international applicants.

Typical Workflow and Timelines

• Phase 1 — Pre-screen (0–2 weeks): Verify eligibility, collect documents, calculate scholarship matches.
• Phase 2 — Application submission (1–2 weeks): Submit admission and scholarship forms together where possible.
• Phase 3 — Verification & interview (2–6 weeks): Some scholarships require interviews or additional verification.
• Phase 4 — Award decision & acceptance (1–4 weeks): Notification and scholarship letter issuance.
• Phase 5 — Onboarding (before semester): Secure housing, orientation, and stipend setup for recipients.

Practical Tips to Increase Award Success (for Recruiters and Admissions Teams)

• Use targeted profiles: Match candidates to the most appropriate scholarship category.
• Start early: Ensure time for document retrieval.
• Build robust evidence packages: Accelerate review with strong documentation.
• Coordinate cross-departmentally: Synchronize to deliver offers with stipends included.
• Offer mock interviews: Practice sessions raise candidate confidence.
• Maintain clear communication with candidates on timelines and scholarship conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Next Steps — For Recruiters, Universities and Placement Agencies

• Build a standardized scholarship dossier template.
• Establish direct communication channels with Okan’s international office.
• Benchmark comparable scholarship offerings at partner universities.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Okan University scholarships for international students offer versatile pathways that can be leveraged to attract top international talent. Explore further with Study in Turkiye to streamline your scholarship recruitment process.