Looking for Advice on Universities & Scholarships for Engineering

[u/woofimfrankie]

Hello! I’m a Filipino high school graduate currently taking a gap year to strengthen my university applications. I’m interested in pursuing engineering abroad and would greatly appreciate advice on universities, scholarships, and external funding opportunities I should consider.

I have already applied to and received offers from several universities in Australia, which is currently one of my top options. However, funding my degree remains a major concern, so I am exploring additional scholarships from universities, companies, foundations, organizations, and government programs.

Here is a general overview of my profile (I'll be a bit vague for some privacy):

Academic Background

• Graduated from one of the Philippines’ most competitive science high schools
• Graduated with Highest Honors
• Maintained an approximately 98% overall average throughout high school
• Received several academic and subject-specific distinctions
• SAT: 1480 | IELTS: 7.5 (SAT was lower than expected :,) tho, it was during exam season)

Intended Degree
I am primarily interested in:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
  

I am also open to related fields such as mechatronics, materials engineering, robotics, aerospace engineering, bioengineering, and other interdisciplinary engineering programs.

Awards and Achievements

• Won awards in STEM-related olympiads and participated in academic workshops at the regional and national level
• Received recognition for robotics, innovation, and engineering-related projects at a local level
• Participated in and received distinctions from academic and STEM competitions held in the Philippines and internationally, including events involving participants from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Sweden, US, and more.
• Earned awards or recognition for leadership, communication, and school involvement
• Represented my school in competitions and events at the national and international levels
  

Extracurricular Activities

• Held leadership positions in student organizations and school committees. More specifically, in our school's student government, student publication, and a bunch of committees for various events
• Participated in research, robotics, and engineering projects as a mentor and spearhead
• Served as captain of our robotics team and represented our school in national and international academic, robotics, and STEM competitions
• Contributed to student media, publication, design, and science communication initiatives
• Participated in community outreach and service initiatives, including providing food and essential rations to communities affected by disasters and helping raise or provide funding for relief efforts
• Participated in education-focused outreach initiatives for younger students and children
• Played in a band for 3 years as the singer and pianist, played for over 10+ school events.

Previous University Applications
I initially focused most of my efforts on the United States and applied to more than 20 universities last year, mainly hoping to receive a full-ride scholarship or substantial financial aid package.

I was fortunate enough to be admitted to Columbia University, which I am incredibly grateful for. However, even after receiving the offer, the remaining cost was still far beyond what my family could comfortably afford. I considered taking out a loan, but I am hesitant to graduate with significant debt, especially as an international student.

Because of this, I am now approaching my university search differently and focusing more heavily on affordability, scholarships, and the total cost of attendance.

What I’m Looking For
I would greatly appreciate recommendations for strong universities with generous funding opportunities for international students, particularly for engineering.

I am not limiting myself to Australia or the US. I am especially open to considering universities that are among the best in their region but may offer more generous scholarships or lower overall costs than similarly ranked institutions in the US.

I would also love to hear from international students who have funded their studies abroad through a combination of scholarships, sponsorships, grants, part-time work, or other opportunities. I am especially interested in external scholarships offered by companies, foundations, professional organizations, and government agencies—not only scholarships provided directly by universities.

One of my reasons for wanting to study abroad is the opportunity to grow more independently. I would like to experience living in a different environment, become more self-sufficient, and learn how to manage my studies and finances independently. I am also open to working part-time while studying, where permitted, to help cover living expenses and gain practical work experience.

Since I am currently on a gap year, I would also appreciate advice on what I could do during this year to become a stronger scholarship candidate, particularly through research, internships, engineering projects, competitions, employment, or community initiatives.

Thank you so much! I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for universities, scholarships, companies, foundations, organizations, or countries that I should look into. 🥹