Well-designed and well-written admissions essays can help prospective students make a positive first impression.
When filling out a scholarship application form, it’s a good idea not to rush. Please read the materials provided to ensure you understand what information you need to provide to be considered for the college or university scholarship. Each one will have different requirements, and you’ll want to make sure you meet all of them. Otherwise, your scholarship application may be discarded without consideration.
It can be tempting to include additional information that was not requested to show the scholarship committee that you are a worthy candidate for this type of financial assistance. Unfortunately, this tactic can backfire on you. On a scholarship application form, you come across as someone who can’t follow directions or doesn’t have a keen eye for detail. Neither of them makes a good impression.
If the scholarship you are applying for is based on financial need, you will need to provide a statement that there is a gap between your resources and the cost of your education when applying for a college scholarship. The scholarship committee also wants to get a sense of what kind of person you are, and you will be asked to provide information about your extracurricular activities and community service as part of the process. If you have been recognized for notable achievement, you may include this information on your application.
If you are asked to provide a personal statement as part of your scholarship application, please use it as an opportunity to speak about yourself to the scholarship committee. You can pretend you are talking to someone in the room and write accordingly. Explain what receiving the scholarship funds would mean to you and why you chose to major in a particular subject. Define how achieving your educational goals will affect your future career plans.
As your academic record is considered part of the scholarship application process, you will need to include your official transcripts with the materials you submit. Letters of recommendation can also be submitted with your college scholarship application. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to see if you need to send a letter about your academic achievement or community involvement. Teachers, colleges, or employers are good places to provide this information to scholarship committee members who are considering your application.