When you wish upon a star, keep your fingers crossed...hehehe

On the 10th and 11th january, The star had their annual education fair. This time it was held at KL convention centre. It was done on a huge scale but as we know it that there are not many places on post-graduate music and so the quest on finding the perfect match for me goes through here. There were talks conducted during the course of the fair and that I managed to catch one talk on funding for the higher institution.

The speakers are from the star education fund, PTPTN, and MACEE. The reason I actually came to listen is more on MACEE because PTPTN does not give loans for other than local universities, Star education fund only gives to the private institutions and thus leaves me out.

So these were the 3 speakers.

From left, the star education fund, PTPTN and MACEE

These were the audience that came, which was quite full towards the end.

Th first talk was from Star, which the director clearly states the applicants are mostly for undergraduates and there are only few oppurtunities for post graduates. Even the post graduates are not in Music. The appications close 2 weeks after the results for SPM or STPM are up for those interested and they even brought 2 of the scholarship winners to give a talk.

This student, was doing well in her Science subjects and in science stream. However she was determined to do buisness related major and said that was her passion. I clearly understand how she feels because growing up in my school too is an all science streem school. Anything else you need to change schools. So we were so called forced to continue in science even if you are not interested. I know some people would argue that if you feel like arts is for you, that you should change but the hastle of changing and being in a new environment might effect someone like me. The school to is a good school with almost the best teachers so what more could you ask for. You might think that its not worth it....haiz.

I believe the girl made a good choice. She also got into Universiti Malaya for statistics but she went where she believed in. If I were in her shoes, Id still go to UM and go for one semester and change to another course then apply for JPA scholarship, but you still need to be up to par always. For me, my first choice is to go to a local university. *very patriotic*

This girl I believe is in Sunway university collage. She is a high scorer in her exams. Good for you but the real task is when she goes out in the actual work force...I wish you all the best.

Next is the PTPTN. I kinda had this talk like a gazilion time. So i realy didn't pay attention. I just found out that they also arrange for payment after you finish and that the interest is applicable only when you finish. So 1% is actually very affordable. For those reading my blog and arn't paying. PAY BACK THE MONEY OR MY CHILDREN WILL NOT GET LOANS AND I SHALL NOT FORGIVE YOU. I heard people become successfull but still manage to get away and I have sooo little respect for those whose who do so.

Now is the time where the actuall substance takes place. I believe the speaker's name is Ms Doreen John if not mistaken. She managed to give us great tips on what to look out on types of funding in the US.

One of the options are you could work study where you could work and study at the same time on your student visa and after you graduate, you could work up to a year to gain some experience. If you are a scholarship holder you have other obligations I assume but if not then it should be okey.

There is 2 types of scholarships offered that is:

1. The NEED base

2. The MERIT base

The need base is very competitive, it covers on what is the situation the students have like the financial and other needs the student has to provide.

The merit base doesn't look at the needs and gives an amount according to your merits. This is not as competitive but possible. It can cover 1/3-2/3 of the tuition expenses.

The key to scholarships is the amount of research that you put in. Some companies offer scholarships so be sure to check its web sites to keep updated. There are also scholarships for specific topics like an sports scholarships, a music scholarship, a leadership scholarship, that you need to find out. *so need to search and do more searching*

There are scholarships that require you to re-apply every year. So that you keep at par with you grades and keeps them updated. Some institutions require you to do community service while on scholarship. I have never heard hows that about but I sure dont mind to do community work if I got a scholarship.

She mention a few institution like the Wesleyan-Freeman Asian Program which offers 21 scholarships to 11 countries, The Fullbright, GE, and many more.

There are more scholarships for postgraduates as masters is about 2 years and Phd is about 5 years or less. The scholarships that are in favour are in a form of Research assistants, and teaching assistance. There are also opportunity grants that the university could offer.

There is also and finace aid to cover up-front cost like paying your visa, air flights and such.

Here are possible websites that you should look up into:

• http://www.macee.org.my/
• http://www.petragroup.net/
• http://www.fundingusstudy.org/
• http://www.fastweb.com/
• http://www.finaid.org/
• http://www.iefa.org/
• http://www.internationalstudent.net/
• http://www.malaysia-scholarship.com/mara.html

And so my long whole day alone at KLCC ended here although I becky did came a little later. I hope this post brings some info to those that might wanna pursue their dreams and goals and have trouble in finance like me. So keep searching and hopefully you'll find your match.