10 Secrets For Winning Scholarships

A scholarship is financial aid that is given to a scholar to further their education. A scholarship is not a loan, and therefore does not need to be repaid. It is awarded based on certain criteria which usually reflect the values of the donor.

Since a scholarship does not need to be paid back and you can be awarded multiple scholarships this is an excellent avenue to pursue to pay for education, especially if you are not eligible for a student loan and there is no other way to pay for further studies.

It must be noted that there is a little bit of work involved in applying for scholarships so be prepared to put that effort in. Here’s how to win those scholarships:

1. Start researching available scholarships as early as possible. There are scholarships available for school going children as well as for college and university too. You don’t want to miss any application deadlines so get started as soon as possible.
2. Before applying for a scholarship research the donor and make sure that you understand their values and goals so that you can be sure to ensure that your application reflects what they are looking for. If you are applying for the Chrissy Weems Scholarship make sure to read the about me page on her website and also do an online search for any other information you can find. This will give you an edge over the applicants that don’t bother with that little bit extra.
3. Apply to every suitable scholarship that you can find. Remember that the smaller scholarships will be less competitive and easier to win and the money will add up nicely if you manage to get a number of them. Apply for the bigger, more competitive scholarships too, you never know you may win one.
4. Make sure to be yourself and to be personal in your scholarship essays. Be passionate and make sure that you stand out from the crowd. Write about a topic that interests you and that inspires you.
5. Include a plan for giving back in some way even if the application does not require it.
6. Make sure that your application and essay not only provides what is required, but also goes above and beyond. Remember that the donors will be looking for someone that fits the profile of the type of person they are looking for, but also someone that will take the opportunity offered to them with both hands. Make sure that you appear to be that person.
7. If you have difficulty writing make an outline of the key points then record yourself speaking and transcribe it later. It can be much easier to speak than it is to write.
8. Proofread your essay and your application before sending it in. Asking a friend or family member that you trust to check it over, point out any errors and give you some feedback before sending in your application is a great idea.
9. Keep organized with a list of the available scholarships, the scholarship amounts and the deadline for each application. Make sure to mark off all scholarships that you have applied to and keep copies of each application you have sent in.
10. Research yourself online by typing in your name and make sure that your online presence is respectable. Remove anything embarrassing and immature from your social media profiles. Make sure that when anyone Googles you that your online profile is respectable and professional.