Scholarship Application Tips

Ever wonder what the folks who award the scholarships want to see? FastWEB has polled scholarship providers across the country, asking for their tips on applying for scholarships. Here's the top ten tips for winning scholarship applications. 

1. Apply only if you are eligible. - Read all the scholarship requirements & directions carefully and make sure that you are eligible before you send your application.  Your application won’t make one bit of difference if you are not qualified to apply.

2. Complete the application in full. - Be sure to complete the entire application.  If a question does not apply, note that on the application.  Don’t just leave it blank.

3. Follow directions. - Provide everything that is required, but do not supply things that are not requested; you could be disqualified.

4. Neatness counts. - Make extra photocopies of all forms you receive.  Use them as working drafts as you develop your application packet.  Always type the application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly. 

5. Make sure your essay makes an impression. - The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific.  Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “when” of your topic.  The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected. 

6. Watch all deadlines. - To help keep you on track, impose a deadline for yourself that is at least two weeks prior to the stated deadline.  Use this “buffer time” to proofread your application before you send it off or deliver it.  Don’t send the materials in late; the committee will refuse late applications.  We do not allow extensions.

7. Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to go. - Before sending your application, make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file.  If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it quickly.  Make sure your name appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

8. Give it a final “once-over.” - Proofread the entire application carefully.  Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors.  Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well. 

9. Ask for help if you need it. - If you don't understand the application process, visit your school’s Scholarship Office.  If your school has a Writing Center go and have a tutor review your essays. (P.S.: Moorpark College does have a Writing Center!) 

10. Remember: your scholarship application represents you! - Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It’s your face to this organization.  Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.

By Lunch-Money.com

Lunch-Money.com talked with school counselors to help unravel the mystery of winning a scholarship. While there may be no "magic formula," we did uncover some useful advice for making yourself a great scholarship (and college) candidate.

Tip #1: Get involved in something you are passionate about

• Every school counselor we interviewed had this piece of advice: "Be yourself."
• Do not think of this process as trying to fit into some "scholarship winner's" mold. Pursue activities that you enjoy doing and participate in organizations that you are passionate about.
• There are thousands of organizations out there looking to give money to high-achieving students, whatever the activity may be. Not every scholarship requires that you participate in a sport, that you be on the school newspaper, or that you play an instrument.

Tip #2: Quality over Quantity

• Pick a handful of activities and do them well. Most scholarship committees are not interested in seeing that you participated in dozens of activities for 5 minutes each, but would rather know that you dedicated considerable chunks of time to a few activities.
• Scholarship committees want candidates who have made significant progress towards a goal or who have achieved something meaningful. By really immersing yourself in an activity, you demonstrate that you are a committed and responsible person=

Tip #3: Don't Just Participate, LEAD!

• Scholarship committees want people with initiative. They want students who will squeeze what they can out of the opportunity that a college education offers.
• Therefore, once you've selected the activities in which you are interested, it is important to display as much leadership and initiative as possible. Don't just join the environmental club, start a recycling program. If you are in the Spanish club, run for treasurer.

Tip #4: Make Yourself Known

• Don't be a stranger to teachers and school counselors. They can be great resources of information on college, scholarships, and other opportunities in your school and your community.
• Also, lots of scholarships require letters of recommendation. If you have built a strong relationship with a handful of teachers and counselors, they are better equipped to write effective recommendations. This could just be the difference between being a finalist and winning a scholarship.

Tip #5: Keep Track of Your Accomplishments

• Don't just throw away your "A" papers or your 1st Place ribbons. Start a file where you can save all these important documents and awards. They will come in handy down the line when you are preparing your scholarship and college applications.
• An outstanding English paper could give you a great idea for a scholarship essay. A collection of your Speech Team ribbons could help you as you create a list of all your high school achievements.

Tip #6: Be Confident

• Don't sell yourself short. Most students have a story to tell about their accomplishments. The easiest way to be eliminated is by not applying at all.
• You got this! 

From Study.com 

A letter of recommendation is exactly what it sounds like: a message from someone who knows your strengths and agrees that you're a good candidate for a scholarship. Letters of recommendation help put a more personal touch on your application by providing qualitative assessments of your accomplishments. This helps to balance out information like your GPA and standardized test scores. If a scholarship you're applying for requires letters of recommendation, here are some tips:

Ask the right people. You'll want your letters to come from recommenders who speak highly of you and know you well. You'll also want to choose people that scholarship committees will respect, so think about coaches, teachers, and employers with whom you've worked closely. Strong letters of recommendation should discuss more than just your grades; they should give readers a sense of your character. Consider whether your letter writers can honestly describe positive attributes like determination and enthusiasm. The cardinal rule of letters of recommendation? Parents are always an inappropriate choice to ask because they cannot speak objectively about you.

Provide information your letter writers need. Even if your letter writer knows you very well, you can still make the process easier on them by providing with specific information they could include in the letter. Pass along information on any recent academic accomplishments, leadership positions you've held, or community organizations you've been involved with. You can also help out by giving them your resume, transcripts, and completed scholarship application.

Ask the right way. When you make your request, it goes without saying that you'll want to do so politely. Make sure you ask your letter writers if they'd be willing to write a recommendation letter for you, and explain why you think they would provide a strong letter of recommendation. You can ask in person or over email. Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute! The academic standard for requesting letters is generally two weeks before the deadline, so make sure to plan your time accordingly.

The Comprehensive Scholarship Guide at Study.com has information about the scholarship process from start to finish. Here's a few tips on how to ace a scholarship interview. 

Although not as common as essay requirements, some competitive scholarship programs require finalists to complete an interview. Here are some tips on how to effectively navigate interviews in a professional setting.

Prepare and practice. More than anything else, preparing in advance can help you succeed during an interview. This process involves anticipating questions the interviewer might ask and brainstorming some answers. The most effective way to practice is to participate in a 'mock interview'. Ask a friend, teacher, tutor, or counselor to pose some questions to you and give you feedback on the quality of your responses. Another aspect of good interview preparation is to come up with a list of questions to ask your interviewer. Asking questions demonstrates your engagement and enthusiasm.

Be your own advocate. The interview is an excellent opportunity to promote yourself and make a case for why you're a good candidate for the scholarship. You don't have to brag; just discuss your accomplishments clearly and professionally, mentioning specific achievements like awards and leadership roles. It is also important to connect your achievements with the values of the organization behind the scholarship.

Be professional. Approach the scholarship interview as you would a job interview. Potential employers prefer candidates who are enthusiastic, motivated, and reliable; scholarship committees are impressed by those same qualities, too. During the interview, maintain a professional but conversational tone, and be sure to show some enthusiasm. Finally, make sure you wear professional attire to the interview, and plan to arrive about 15 minutes early.

Demonstrate that you are a good fit. Many scholarships are designed with specific values, goals, and missions in mind. While eligibility criteria often takes these factors into account, interviewers will remember you if you talk about how your past and your future plans fit into the scholarship's goals and values. Remember to explicitly make those connections; do not rely on your other application materials to do it for you.

Scholarship Scam Alert! 

There are many businesses who would like to sell you the opportunity for them to search for scholarships  for you.  They will promise to locate several sources of scholarships which you qualify for.  Be aware! 

Below are scholarship scam warning signs: 

• The fee - The best rule of thumb:  financial aid should never cost you.  Never invest anything beyond the cost of a postage stamp in search for scholarships.
• The "money-back guarantee" - especially if the company tries to 'guarantee' that you will win an award.
• Credit card verification - if they ask for a checking account or credit card information for 'verification' or to 'confirm eligibility', stop listening.  Scammers use this ploy to get your financial information and then drain your account or run up charges on your credit card.