Most current students know it can be a challenge to land a scholarship, especially if you are looking for one that will cover your full college education for the next four years.
This guide will help you answer the question: how can you stand out as a scholarship applicant? There are many scholarship programs, each with its unique eligibility requirements and different amounts of scholarship money.
To stand out in scholarship applications, you’ll need to pay attention to various details. This guide will take you through essentials like:
Table of Contents
Let’s discover we can make your scholarship application stand out!
Apply for Scholarships That Are a Good Match
First, you’ll want to pay attention to the scholarships that you may be interested in. You must check out the eligibility requirements for each type of scholarship that may be available to you. This way, you can tailor your work and scholarship-related efforts as soon as you start high school because you can make sure you’ll get the best grades and check all the requirements in time to meet the admissions application deadline. If there are extracurricular activities or volunteering work requirements, for example, you’ll also have enough time to make sure you’ve fulfilled all essentials.
Keep in mind, there could also be even bigger criteria to keep in mind when you start applying for a college scholarship.
Some scholarships require you to major in a specific program like business, political science, or medicine. If you’re not interested in those fields, you’ll have to look for alternatives.
Before you apply for a scholarship, see if they have an online process available to streamline everything. Also, find out the scholarship deadlines so you can mark them on your calendar. Work each day toward achieving this goal!
If you start early, you will have the chance to apply before the other students. It will also give you enough time to gather all the required materials. This includes letters of recommendation, school transcripts, and others. You may also need a copy of a college application for admission to your school of choice.
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Get Letters of Recommendation Early
Letters of recommendation are a must for a strong scholarship application. You’ll want to get these as early as possible. As a rule of thumb, consider asking a teacher, advisor, peers, coach, or anyone who may write one a few weeks in advance.
Every scholarship may have specific requirements when it comes to the format and information featured in the letter of recommendation. Check these requirements and communicate them to the person who’ll be writing the letter.
The best letters of recommendation are based on an applicant’s individuality.
Take some time to choose the right person for the task. The best letters come from people who know you well and who can provide specific examples of accomplishments, character strengths, and work ethics.
Scholarship Essay Tips: Focus on Uniqueness
As part of the process, you’ll need to write a scholarship essay. Admission essays can sometimes make or break a student’s application. Make sure you practice answering essay prompts to write a convincing scholarship essay.
However, if you want to make the most of your chances of getting a scholarship, try to keep your essay original for each type of scholarship. Do not use the same essay over and over again. The reason for this is that each scholarship application will be unique in terms of what the scholarship providers want in the essay.
Scholarship success is heavily dependent on writing a good essay. How can you stand out as a scholarship applicant? Consider the following essay tips:
- Read the prompt carefully and tailor your writing as much as possible
- Reflect on your academic journey and provide specific examples (start with a brainstorming session to pinpoint the moments worthy of inclusion in the essay)
- Use your own voice and avoid the clichés
- Don’t forget to proofread your essay carefully (having someone else to read it is also a good idea)
- Format your essay to enhance readability and put emphasis on the most important points
Pro Scholarship Essay Advice: Speak to the Right Audience
You’ll want your essay to apply to the right audience. That is why it is important to do your due diligence on who you are writing for, what institutions they are associated with, and more. The more you know, the more personalized your essay will be.
You’ll want to know about things like their mission statement, the donations the institution has made, or some other details that will help you write a relevant essay. If you are applying for a private scholarship sponsored by a corporation related to your major, talk about why you want to work in that specific field and why being assisted with your financial needs is in the corporation’s best interest.
How to start a scholarship essay that gets noticed?
Start your scholarship essay with a vivid personal story or a powerful statement that reveals your motivation and values, something that immediately shows who you are and why you care about your goals.
How Can You Stand Out as a Scholarship Applicant: Mix Professional with Personal
A good scholarship application essay is a fine mix of professional and personal. The style, tone, and format all need to be indicative of adherence to the best standards. At the same time, a few personal touches can make all the difference in the world.
You can talk about who inspired you to pursue the field you’re interested in. You might consider business management because you are the son or daughter of a small business owner. Sharing your story when submitting your application is one of the most authentic ways to stand out.
Point out your personal positives and talk less about any negatives. If you have a story about the challenges you’ve faced, talk about what they were and how you were able to conquer them.
Talk about What Makes You Unique
Uniqueness is what makes each person interesting. You can discuss the activities you have done inside or outside of school. You can talk about any sports you’ve played or the part-time job you work on the weekends.
Incoming students will always have a story about what they have accomplished. Even international students looking to study in the U.S. come from different walks of life. But their goal is to get the best education possible, which means applying for scholarships is one of their most important missions in life.
How to answer “what makes you stand out from every other scholarship applicant?
Focus on the unique combination of your experiences, values, and goals. Show how your perspective or actions set you apart and align with the scholarship’s mission. Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact and authenticity rather than generic achievements.
Proofread Your Essay
After you have written your essay and gathered the needed documents, you can submit the application package. Before you do, you’ll want to edit your essay. To do this, you can look it over or even read it out loud to see if it flows well. Essay writing is all about sharing relevant information in a distinctive way. The more time you have to proofread and fine-tune, the better the outcome is going to be.
If you’re working with Morzep college coaches, you can be sure they will proofread it for you and suggest ways to improve it if need be. Fix any mistakes. After the finished product is complete, submit it and wait for any further updates.
Send a Thank-You Note
Whether you get the scholarship or not, sending the scholarship provider a thank-you note will always be a great idea. A little can go a long way. You can thank them for taking the time and consideration to look over your application.
Make the Most of the Scholarship Offer
If you are considering a scholarship for a university or even a community college, applying for one right now will be a good idea. Finding competitive scholarships like national scholarships can be great for those who have an excellent academic record and have excelled outside of the classroom.
You can also consider other types of scholarships, such as need-based scholarships or institutional scholarships. Some institutions have their own scholarship programs and are looking forward to meeting exceptional students. If you have any questions, you can ask the school’s admissions department, the financial aid office, or, better yet, one of our college counselors.
In case you may not qualify for scholarships, you may want to consider bookmarking the FAFSA application online. This way, you’ll have an alternative plan to fund your college education.
What is the number one way to increase your chances for a scholarship?
The number one way to increase your chances for a scholarship is to tailor every application—essay, resume, and recommendation—to the specific scholarship’s values and criteria, showing clearly why you’re a perfect fit.
We’ll Help You Write the Best Scholarship Application
Morzep college coaches are familiar with the surprisingly impressive variety of scholarships available to current college students and will make sure to help you choose the scholarships that resonate with both your academic performance and goals.
We will also help eligible students fill in and send their scholarship application forms, and do our best to increase their chances for scholarship consideration. We know how scholarship committees think and what they want to see in a scholarship application.
Morzep college coaches have all the necessary scholarship search tools, insights into the application process, and experience to help you get into the academic scholarship program. Furthermore, we can show you additional scholarship opportunities that you haven’t thought of and make it easier for you to find ways to cover the costs of your college education. Get in touch today!
