The number of available scholarships for prospective undergraduates has boomed in recent years. Earning just a handful of scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of your education – but only if you stay on top of the process. “Early and often” is a useful motto when it comes to seeking scholarships.
Most scholarships require a personal essay of some sort. The prompts for these essays are as diverse as the scholarships themselves, but it is safe to say that you will be asked to write a bit about your past experiences, as well as your future aspirations.
Here are some tips for tackling this process effectively:
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Write a multi-use essay. Many scholarships do have very similar essay prompts, so it makes no sense to write a completely original essay for each one. Compile a list of all the scholarship questions, and identify the most common one. Then, write that essay. Using that essay for, say, five scholarships that ask essentially the same question will save you a great amount of time and energy.
Know what type of applicant they are looking for. Make sure you read the scholarship’s website. Who are they trying to help? What exactly is their organization trying to promote? Every scholarship is a little different. If it is, say, a scholarship for strong young women, you should reflect on your experiences and draft an essay that demonstrates how your accomplishments have made you a strong young woman.
Spell check! This may seem petty, but many readers will use spelling and grammar as a “gatekeeper” when reading essays. If your essay is rife with mistakes, they will assume that you are not truly serious about getting financial help – and therefore are more likely to give money to someone who does. Don’t be afraid to have a teacher, parent, or friend proofread your essays before you submit them.
Aim for scholarships that match your qualifications. Do not waste too much time working on scholarships that are not closely related to who you are or what you’ve accomplished. It can be tempting, especially if the scholarship award is large, but it is always better to spend your time working on the scholarships that you have a good chance of winning.
If you need assistance with essay writing, give us a call 888-354-0052 and ask for Kara Hill. We have a grant writer who provides guidance in this process.
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