If you’re trying to secure a scholarship so you can get some extra money for school, then you know that it’s not easy and there are many hoops to jump through.
Hopefully, these nine scholarship application examples will give you an idea of what you need to do in order to apply successfully. Remember, the more unique and original your scholarship application is, the more likely you are to earn a free ride through college! Good luck!
Scholarship Application Examples
1) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
No matter how much time you spend on your scholarship application, there’s no guarantee that you’ll win. And even if you do, there are no guarantees that it will help to pay for school.
But getting scholarships is about more than getting money; it’s about showcasing your skills and achieving your goals. The lesson here? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your attention on what really matters and don’t get distracted by what doesn’t (like money).
Instead of stressing over scholarship details, simply remain confident that all things will work out in your favor.
2) Give Them What They Want
When writing your scholarship application, it’s important to think about what scholarship judges want to see. Most of them won’t read every word you write; they’ll only look at key details like your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
Make sure those are present in your essay; also don’t forget accomplishments that show leadership and responsibility because those things stand out, too. To give a point of reference for scholarships you should apply for—and make sure you’re giving judges what they want to see.
3) Tailor Your Essay to Each Opportunity
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to tailor your essay for each scholarship. You never want to simply copy and paste an essay you’ve written for another opportunity into a new application.
The reason is simple: it shows that you didn’t put much effort into trying to get awarded a scholarship – and if you didn’t care enough about one scholarship, why should a financial panel care about giving you money?
Your best bet is to put in some time and effort writing essays for each scholarship. Not only will it help win you more awards, but your efforts will also help show off your creativity, growth mindset, and commitment level.
So be sure that each essay reflects what makes YOU stand out! Here are some helpful tips on how to write an essay that gets noticed by scholarship committees.
Read Also: How to Choose an Online Nursing Degree Program
4) Sell Yourself
Scholarship application examples can be broken down into two categories: scholarship essays and scholarship personal statements. It’s important to keep in mind that a scholarship essay and a personal statement are not one and the same.
While there is overlap, personal statements should focus on who you are as an individual and how you’ve used your skills, talents, experiences, etc. to become successful; while essay prompts will ask you to elaborate on why exactly you deserve said scholarship money.
For example, if your dream is to attend law school but you lack financial resources—the key word here being resources—and could really use some help along with having perfect grades and SAT scores.
5) Study Examples and Avoid Common Mistakes
Before you can submit a scholarship application, you need to study some of what’s already out there. You’ll learn how to write an essay and how not to write an essay in order to see what scholarship committees are looking for—and what they’re not.
Many students make common mistakes on scholarship applications and it will help if you read up on these common mistakes. It’s also a good idea to read through great essays that won’t put you out of contention.
6) Being Unique Will Set You Apart
A lot of students think that simply submitting a good essay and a record of past achievements is enough to get them an award. And for some awards, it is! But there are a lot of scholarships out there that have very particular requirements.
In these cases, you’ll want to make sure your application goes above and beyond. One way to do that is by being unique. Don’t try too hard though; authenticity is key. Just make sure that your application demonstrates your true personality, interests, and strengths in a way that will make committees take notice. Not only will it help you stand out among other applicants but it can also help demonstrate why you deserve funding.
7) Show Why You Are Better Than Everyone Else
The number one thing to remember when writing your scholarship application is that you are competing against other people for a limited amount of money. The more compelling your argument is, and it must be very compelling, that you are in some way better than everyone else applying to the same scholarship.
Don’t just say, I want to go to school and take out student loans. Show why they should pay for your education rather than someone else’s. Also, consider how you can leverage other existing platforms—such as blogging on a related topic—to prove your exceptional qualifications.
Read Also: 5 Great Options for Free Online Courses with Certificates
8) Color Makes A Difference
Even though coloring inside the lines is important, new research demonstrates that the effects of color on your life are much more important. For example, studies have shown that students who color-code their notes tend to do better on exams and can remember what they learned better.
Since there are many scholarship applications that provide detailed instructions for formatting, it should come as no surprise then that you pay close attention to these instructions; along with looking professional, they’ll also boost your chances of winning a scholarship (and receiving financial aid).
9) Keep Your Work Ethic Alive While Studying Abroad (No Matter How Tiring or Boring!)
Here’s an important consideration: It is incredibly easy to slack off or give up while abroad. It’s a vacation, right? You’re supposed to be enjoying yourself! But that can also mean you may want to keep your downtime low and spend most of your free time in class, at museums, or whatever other places of interest there are.
The good news is that it doesn’t matter if you slack off a little. What really matters is that you keep in touch with your work ethic and continue doing great work when you get back from your trip. If nothing else, being able to say I passed all my classes on time even though I was abroad will look very good on a resume.
Conclusion
Scholarships are fantastic ways to pay for college. The application process can be intimidating, but with a little planning and research, you’ll be writing award-winning applications in no time. We hope these examples have given you some ideas and inspiration for your own scholarship applications. Good luck! Read more here.