1. Write a unique scholarship essay
Most scholarship organizations ask you to write an essay about yourself and your future plans. Your essay is your chance to speak directly to the scholarship committee, as well as to share your unique story.
“The essay is the heart of the scholarship application, so students need to focus on learning how to write an essay that moves the judges,” said Monica Matthews, scholarship specialist and founder of How to Win Scholarships.
A key scholarship essay tip from fellow expert and founder of The Scholarship System Jocelyn Paonita Pearson is to open your essay with a “hook.”
“A great way to capture attention is by starting with a story or painting a picture for the reader,” said Pearson. “Start at the most intense moment in the story or the main plot and then rewind if you need to give some backstory.”
Pearson also recommends tying in core values so your reader understands who you are and what’s important to you.
“Students should identify values that are important to them and relate to those in these essays,” she said. “This naturally leads to a more passionate, memorable essay, which can increase the odds of winning.”
And Matthews says not to forget about the core values of the scholarship organization, as tying them into your responses could show you’ve done your homework.
“Take a little time to learn the background and mission statement of the organization offering the scholarship,” suggested Matthews. “This information can be weaved into the essay when it corresponds with the prompt and values of the student.”
By following these scholarship essay tips, as well as customizing your essay for each application, you can boost your chances of winning a scholarship for college. For more advice on the essay part of the application, check out our in-depth essay guide and some mistakes to avoid.
2. Gather impressive letters of recommendation
As with a college application, you’ll likely need to secure one or more letters of recommendation. These typically come from a teacher, but might also be from an advisor, principal, coach, supervisor or other adult you’ve worked with in a meaningful way.
Matthews recommends thinking carefully about who to ask.
“Students need to strategically choose who they would like to write their letters of recommendation and have them tailor each letter to fit the focus of the scholarship,” Matthews said.
“For example, a student entering the engineering field and applying for a STEM scholarship should ask their higher-level math teacher to write a letter of recommendation and mention the student’s strong math skills,” she said.
Along with asking the right person, you can also help your recommender write a strong letter by giving them your resume or an activity list.
“Handing the letter writer a scholarship or activity resume is another smart move that will help students get more detailed and personal letters,” said Matthews. “This also makes the letter writer’s job much easier, and their appreciation for the student requesting it will shine through in their writing.”
The best letters don’t just repeat your resume, but also give insight into who you are and what makes you tick. By taking the above steps, you could help your recommender put together a powerful endorsement for your scholarship application.
3. Be careful filling out the application form
Most scholarships request that you fill out forms with your personal information. While this part of the application is fairly straightforward, it’s important to look it over closely.
Make certain all your information is accurate and up to date, and read all the instructions closely to ensure you’ve fulfilled all the requirements. The last thing you want is to have your application rejected on a technicality.
Finally, reread everything — maybe a couple of times — before sending it off to check for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Pearson also recommends having a friend, family member or teacher look it over.
“Always have a second set of eyes to proofread the application,” said Pearson. “Silly mistakes can lead to the application landing in the trash.”
4. Request your school transcript early
If you’re applying for a scholarship that takes academic merit into account, you’ll need to send off your transcript. Some organizations will let you upload your own transcript, while others might ask your school counselor to upload it or send it directly in a sealed envelope.
Whether or not the organization requires this kind of confidentiality, it’s important to make your transcript request early. Your school counselor might be helping hundreds of students, all of whom are juggling their own scholarship and college admissions deadlines.
Let your counselor know about your deadlines at least a few weeks in advance, and follow up with them to ensure everything gets there in time. Using a planner or online calendar to track your deadlines will also help you stay organized.