Every year, thousands of scholarships open up for international students, and many Nigerians miss out simply because they didn’t apply on time. For some, they only hear about the scholarship a week before the deadline. For others, they find out months after applications have already closed.
But here’s the good news: There’s a pattern to when most international scholarships open. If you understand this pattern, you can plan your year better, get your documents ready early, and increase your chances of winning a fully funded scholarship.
In this post, we’ll break down the best time of the year Nigerians should start applying for scholarships, based on real examples and timelines from top global opportunities.
Why Timing Matters in Scholarship Applications
You may have heard that scholarships are very competitive. That’s true. But what many people don’t know is that most winners are not necessarily the smartest — they are simply more prepared and apply early.
Starting early gives you time to:
- Prepare and polish your personal statement
- Gather recommendation letters
- Write a strong CV
- Pass English tests (like IELTS or TOEFL if required)
- Get and verify your academic transcripts
- Avoid rushing or making errors in your online forms
Late applicants often miss out or submit incomplete applications. If you’re serious about getting a scholarship, your timing is everything.
Let’s break down the general timeline for scholarship applications worldwide.
August to October: Peak Season for UK and Commonwealth Scholarships
This is when most UK-based scholarships open. These include:
- Chevening Scholarship – Opens around August and closes in early November
- Commonwealth Scholarship (UK) – Usually opens around September
- University of Oxford and Cambridge scholarship deadlines – Between October and December
If you’re targeting the UK, August is the best month to start preparing your documents and submitting early.
November to February: Key Season for Canadian, US, and European Scholarships
Top scholarships during this time include:
- DAAD Germany (EPOS programs) – Most deadlines fall between October and February
- Fulbright Scholarship (USA) – Usually starts from October
- Erasmus Mundus (Europe) – Typically opens from November to mid-January
- MasterCard Foundation Scholarship (Canada, UK, Africa) – Varies, but most begin late in the year
If you want to study in Europe, Canada, or the US, this is a critical period to start applying.
March to May: Second Wave for Specific Universities
Some individual universities open new rounds of scholarship applications during this period. For instance:
- Some Canadian schools accept scholarship applications from March to May
- Asian countries like Japan, China, and South Korea open their government scholarships around this time
- University of the People and other online universities allow applications on a rolling basis, often starting new cohorts in April or May
This is a good season to target Asian scholarships, online degrees, and smaller university-based funding.
June to July: Low Season, but Still Worth Checking
Most major scholarships would have closed by this time, but:
- A few universities accept late applicants
- Short courses and professional training grants open up
- Some online programs and African-based institutions still offer financial aid
- It’s a perfect period to start preparing for the August–October window
Use June and July to prepare your documents, build your CV, and improve your writing so you’re ready for the next major cycle.
So, When Should You Start Applying?
Short Answer: Start Preparing 6–8 Months Before You Plan to Study
If you want to resume studies in September 2026, you should begin applying between September 2025 and February 2026. But your real preparation should start as early as June 2025.
This means:
- Get your passport (if you don’t have one)
- Prepare your transcripts early
- Write a general personal statement draft
- Research schools that match your interest
- Get ready for English proficiency exams if required
Monthly Breakdown: Scholarship Timeline for Nigerians
| Month | What to Do |
|---|---|
| January | Apply for Erasmus, DAAD, Fulbright, and MasterCard (if still open) |
| February | Finalize applications, especially for European scholarships |
| March | Look out for Asian government scholarships |
| April | Apply for online degrees and some African scholarships |
| May | Prepare documents, work on motivation letters |
| June | Take IELTS/TOEFL, draft personal statements |
| July | Finalize recommendations and set scholarship alerts |
| August | Begin applying for Chevening, Commonwealth |
| September | Continue with UK and Germany applications |
| October | Finish UK applications; target Fulbright |
| November | Apply for DAAD, Erasmus; follow up with references |
| December | Wrap up all early 2026 applications |
Tools That Can Help You Track Application Dates
- Google Calendar Alerts – Add scholarship deadlines and set reminders
- Excel/Google Sheets – Create a scholarship tracker table
- Email Folders – Use Gmail labels to organize scholarship emails
- Krain Naija News – Subscribe for real-time scholarship updates and deadlines
- Telegram (with caution) – Follow only verified groups that share deadline-based alerts
Final Thoughts
The best time to apply for scholarships is not when you see someone posting about it online — it’s months before the deadline even arrives. As a Nigerian student, starting early gives you an edge that most people don’t have.
If you truly want to study abroad or secure a scholarship for higher education, you must treat it as a full-time plan. Track deadlines, prepare your documents, and apply ahead of time.
At Krain Naija News, we don’t just tell you about scholarships — we show you when, where, and how to apply. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
