These are Top Twelve Tips on Winning a Scholarship
wait until the spring of your senior year in high school to
start searching, or you'll miss half the deadlines. There are
many scholarships available to students in grades K-11, not
just high school seniors. Continue searching for
scholarships even after you are enrolled in college.
2. Use a free scholarship matching service like Fastweb.com.
The Fastweb database is updated daily and the site will
email you notifications of new scholarships that match your
personal background profile.
3. Answer all of the optional questions on a scholarship
matching web site for about twice as many matches.
4. Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the
guidance counselor or financial aid offices, or the library's
jobs and careers section. Also look in the coupon section of
the Sunday newspaper. Improve grades for more matches.
5. To win more scholarships, apply to every scholarship for
which you are eligible. It's a numbers game. Even among
talented students, winning involves a bit of luck, not just
skill. Pursue less competitive scholarships, such as small
awards and essay contests. They are easier to win and help
you win bigger scholarships. You can't win if you don't
apply. It gets easier after your first 6 applications. Essays
can be reused and tailored to each new application.
6. Don't miss deadlines. Use checklists to get organized.
7. Tailor your application to the sponsor's goals. Read and
follow the instructions carefully.
8. If you have difficulty writing essays, record yourself as you
answer the question out loud and transcribe the recording.
Most people think and speak faster than they can write or
type. Write an outline afterward to organize your thoughts.
9. Personalize your essay and be passionate. Write about
something of interest to you. Make your application stand
out from the crowd. Talk about your impact on other
people. Give examples and be specific.
10. Google your name to ensure that you have a professional
online presence. Use a clean email address, such as
firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Review your Facebook
account, removing inappropriate and immature material.
11. Proofread a printed copy of your essay and the application
for spelling and grammar errors.
12. Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it.
Send the application by certified mail, return receipt
requested or with delivery confirmation.
