Make Your Scholarship Application Shine

In this era where college costs are soaring and grants at state colleges are diminishing, it’s more important than ever to pursue scholarships, and create applications that make you stand out from the competition. Here are a few things you can do to make your application shine!

·         Note unique qualifiers like your college major and extracurricular and athletic activities.  Also note characteristics such as being a vegetarian, adopted or a first generation student.

·         Extracurricular activities are also a great way to acquire personal experiences.  Expand on your passions and interests by joining a club or organization that’s related to your hobby, intended major or future career path.

·         Make an impact by getting involved in community service and volunteer opportunities.  The meaningful experiences gained will amplify your presence on a scholarship application.  Detail how these experiences have assisted your personal growth and helped you develop time management, problem-solving and organizational skills.

·         Quality, not quantity, counts in showcasing your leadership roles.  Show how your experiences have taught you people skills and how to successfully deal with conflicts.

·       Make your application error-free and meet all deadlines.

·         End with a personal statement that showcases your personality.

o   Start with a great “first impression” sentence or paragraph.

o   Sell yourself, but tell the truth.

o   Don’t use clichés – be unique and incorporate emotions.

o   Be optimistic.

o   Use active, not passive, verbs.

o   Proofread several times and ask another person to proof 
   it as well.

Places to Find Scholarships

There are many online sites to hunt for scholarships, including Scholarships.com, RaiseMe.com, Zinch.com, Fastweb.com, Cappex.com and more.  Also seek out scholarships through your high school guidance office, community foundation, local churches, and civic organizations such as your local Rotary, Lions, Eagles and Elks club.

Begin researching scholarship opportunities during your sophomore and junior year of high school, so you have time to plan out the steps you’ll need to take to earn scholarships that are the best fit for you.