Scholarship Application Tips
Completing a scholarship application can be a difficult task. Below are some tips to help you complete your application and essay(s).
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
To avoid scholarship scams the Federal Trade Commission cautions students to watchout for these key phrases:
For more information on scholarship scams check out this government sponsered website.
Scholarship Search Tips
Even though there are many scholarships available, it can difficult to find all of the information you need. Below is a list of sources for scholarships that will help you in your search.
Colleges
When beginning your search for a college to attend, make sure to check out all that you are interested in applying to. Often one general application will qualify you for several scholarships offered through your college of choice. Many scholarships are also offered through college departments, by major or by area of interest. Check with the financial aid office for additional scholarships.
The Community
Communities are a great source for gift aid such as scholarships. Often your chances of receiving a community scholarship are greater because the applicant pool is smaller. Your high school counselor should have a list of local community scholarships and you should check with churches, private organizations and area businesses for more information. Large companies in your area and your parent’s employers are also great places to search. In some cases you do not have to be directly associated with an organization to qualify for a scholarship.
The Internet
The Internet is a great source to find a wide variety of scholarships. Use a search engine such as “Google” and type in your interest areas, possible career choices, colleges you wish to attend, etc. As you surf the Net remember to watch out for scholarships scams. You should never have to pay for a scholarship search!
You have the best chance of locating scholarship dollars if you start your research 10 to 16 months before the academic year of interest. Below is a list of websites that contain FREE scholarship search engines. Many of these sites provide additional information on financial aid as well. Sites such as Essay Edge and Super College can help you improve your scholarship and college admission essays. You can learn a lot by reading through the sample essays, sample book chapters and questions on these sites.
Careers & Colleges
College Board - SAT Testing
College NET
College Scholarships
EduPrep
Essay Edge
Fast Aid
Fast Web
Fin Aid
Fresch
Mapping Your Future
Montana Career Information System (MCIS)
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Office of Indian Education Programs
Peterson’s Scholarship Search
Scholarship Experts
SRN Express
Super College
The Gates Millennium Scholars
The Scholarship Page
The Princeton Review
- Pay close attention to scholarship application deadlines as applications submitted past the deadline will not considered. The first scholarship deadlines begin in the fall for the following school year.
- Prepare a resumé. This is a good way to outline your thoughts and showcase your activities and achievements.
- Consider submitting additional materials with your application unless specifically directed otherwise. These materials will help the scholarship committee get a more complete picture of who you are. Ideas include additional activities, awards received, a resumé and writing examples such as research papers, essays or news articles.
- Prepare letters of recommendation. Ask a few people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf so you will have them ready for future scholarship and college applications. To avoid generic recommendation letters you want the letters to showcase your talents and personality, and demonstrate why you are an outstanding and talented individual. If you will be asking someone for 20 different letters of recommendation throughout the year offer to lessen the workload. Bring a floppy disk for the first letter to be saved on. Once saved on a disk the following letters can be updated with new addresses, names, dates and information as you apply for different scholarships. Instead of writing 19 more letters ask the reference to read through and then sign the additional letters.
- When writing your essays let your personality shine through. While scholastic achievements are important, in most cases, they are not the only items considered. Think about including your club, sports, volunteer and community involvement, honors and achievements, financial need, personal stories or valuable lessons learned.
- Proofread your essays and applications in addition to having at least one other person proofread your application. Spelling errors or poor writing skills will have a negative effect on your chances of receiving the scholarship.
- Keep a copy of everything you submit!
- If you are notified that you have received a scholarship always send a thank you note to the donor. If appropriate, continue to keep the donor informed of your progress throughout the year.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
To avoid scholarship scams the Federal Trade Commission cautions students to watchout for these key phrases:
- "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
- "You can''t get this information anywhere else."
- "May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship?"
- "We''ll do all of the work."
- "The scholarship will cost some money."
- "You''ve been selected by a ''national foundation'' to receive a scholarship" or "You''re a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
For more information on scholarship scams check out this government sponsered website.
Scholarship Search Tips
Even though there are many scholarships available, it can difficult to find all of the information you need. Below is a list of sources for scholarships that will help you in your search.
Colleges
When beginning your search for a college to attend, make sure to check out all that you are interested in applying to. Often one general application will qualify you for several scholarships offered through your college of choice. Many scholarships are also offered through college departments, by major or by area of interest. Check with the financial aid office for additional scholarships.
The Community
Communities are a great source for gift aid such as scholarships. Often your chances of receiving a community scholarship are greater because the applicant pool is smaller. Your high school counselor should have a list of local community scholarships and you should check with churches, private organizations and area businesses for more information. Large companies in your area and your parent’s employers are also great places to search. In some cases you do not have to be directly associated with an organization to qualify for a scholarship.
The Internet
The Internet is a great source to find a wide variety of scholarships. Use a search engine such as “Google” and type in your interest areas, possible career choices, colleges you wish to attend, etc. As you surf the Net remember to watch out for scholarships scams. You should never have to pay for a scholarship search!
You have the best chance of locating scholarship dollars if you start your research 10 to 16 months before the academic year of interest. Below is a list of websites that contain FREE scholarship search engines. Many of these sites provide additional information on financial aid as well. Sites such as Essay Edge and Super College can help you improve your scholarship and college admission essays. You can learn a lot by reading through the sample essays, sample book chapters and questions on these sites.
Careers & Colleges
College Board - SAT Testing
College NET
College Scholarships
EduPrep
Essay Edge
Fast Aid
Fast Web
Fin Aid
Fresch
Mapping Your Future
Montana Career Information System (MCIS)
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Office of Indian Education Programs
Peterson’s Scholarship Search
Scholarship Experts
SRN Express
Super College
The Gates Millennium Scholars
The Scholarship Page
The Princeton Review
