Allow yourself plenty of time during the scholarship application process.
College can be expensive, so many students hope to win scholarships to reduce the cost of attending university. Unlike loans, scholarships don't have to be repaid; they're gifts of money to help pay tuition, student fees, books; and in some cases, housing, food or studying abroad. Scholarship applications can be complicated and the process quite competitive. Researching advice before beginning the process can get you started in the right direction. Keep in mind that each scholarship will have its own distinct requirements and guidelines, so not all advice applies across the board.
Timing
Don't rush through the scholarship application process; you'll likely miss important details or accidentally include an essay containing errors. Plan to spend 10 to 15 hours per application, according to Scholarship Help.org. This includes gathering together required materials, completing individual applications, writing a short essay and assembling the scholarship package. As you become more adept, the process may become more streamlined. Provide ample time when requesting transcripts or letters of recommendation; it may take several weeks after your initial request before they're in hand.
Essay Writing
Submitting the same generic essay to multiple scholarship applications doesn't work, since organizations tend to have specific requirements of what they're looking for in applicants. Instead, read over essay prompts for your various scholarship applications to identify ways to combine topics with current high school or college research essay assignments. It's also possible to quilt together paragraphs from different scholarship application essays to create something new. Don't plagiarize or make up stories; these will disqualify your application. Avoid lofty, preachy or false tones when writing. Application reviewers want to get a sense of who you really are.
Proofread
Once you think the scholarship application is perfect, proofread all materials. Ask a trusted friend, family member or teacher to check your spelling or review the application checklist to make sure all materials are included. Don't leave application questions blank or scrawl "Not applicable" to questions that don't pertain to you; instead, make sure all blanks are completed with a short sentence explaining why the question doesn't pertain to you. Materials should be assembled within the package according to the order of the required materials checklist.
Presentation
Appearances do count, so stick with a plain, classic font for typed materials and make sure pages are wrinkle-free. Don't stuff scholarship materials into a business envelope; spring for an envelope large enough to hold your application without folding. Address the envelope neatly and double-check the address. Personal presentation is also key--don't forget to write thank-you letters to people who've written your letters of recommendation. Follow up to let them know when you've been awarded a scholarship. Feeling invested in your success may encourage supporters to step in again during the next round of scholarship applications.
Tags: scholarship application, make sure, application process, become more, letters recommendation, required materials