10 Tips for writing winning scholarship essays.

This article covers 10 tips for writing winning scholarship essays. So if you desire to win a scholarship fast, this is for you.

Scholarship opens door of new opportunities and breakthrough. It has a great  impact on a beneficiary’s future. Scholarship is a great quench to thirst of a beneficiary and it brings about a great peace of mind. When applying for a scholarship, grant, or award, there are some basic and specific requirements that must be followed and met while writing.

Even with the help of family and friends, Filling out scholarship  applications takes a whole lot of time, effort and energy. Even with all the stress that scholarship comes with, it’s still manageable compared to the stress of finding tuition fee.

Scholarship is a schooling grant given to students who seek for free financial aid to pay for college. They necessarily don’t have to be paid back. 

Mostly, scholarships are based on merit. Sometimes organizations use grants and scholarships interchangeably, so be sure of the requirements before submitting your applications.

As already known, nothing good comes easy. Getting a scholarship is not by mere child play. It is followed by series of essay, interviews and examinations, so, brace up for it. Many students find the essay part to be  the most challenging of all the application

Even as a naturally gifted writer, write the essay persuasively, write it like you are persuading the scholarship board that you are the right candidate to receive the offer. Apart from your school GPA and results speak of you, these essays carries a lot of information about you.

The 10 tips for writing winning scholarship essays.

Before we proceed to the 10 tips for writing winning scholarship essays, you might be interested in reading this article on 6 Tips on how to create a perfect resume.

As discussed earlier, these are the 10 tips for writing winning scholarship essays;

1. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS:

One of the first approach to writing a winning scholarship essay is following instructions. Each essay has its own requirements, and also do most platforms, there are different scholarship platforms and they also have their different requirements.

The platform requirements also  varies according to the scholarship. So, it is better to pay close attention to the details and have a clear understanding of the specifications. For most applicants, It might seem like one of the more common scholarship essay, do not just jump into writing, because, many applicants make their first mistake before they even begin. It is better to follow the instructions.

Be conscious of the word counts. Also, cross check to make sure your response is on the right order. Make note of any key requirements such as minimum and maximum length, word count, formatting,  basic font and font size, line spacing, submission deadlines, and any other guidelines or instructions.

2. PLANNING AHEAD:

Do not wait until the last minute to write your scholarship essay, as this may result in bad quality. It is advisable to start early, explore scholarship opportunities sites on time so as to get prepared early. There are different types of awards for all sorts of students.

And it is commonly known that these scholarships are mostly granted to geniuses and top athletes. Even, at this it is better to start early.

Scholarship cuts across Gender, race and ethnicity, athletic ability, military affiliation, education, SAT/ACT scores, community services, religion, major, disabilities, student organizations e.t.c.

Select the ones related and relevant  to your background. Planning ahead helps to stay on track and gives an applicant enough time to complete all the applications available. Planning ahead helps to give enough time for the planning phase, and also enough time to proof read before submission.

3. REMAIN POSITIVE MINDED:

In every aspects of life, be positive. Give out points on how you have faced and overcome challenges, or how when granted the scholarship, you aim to fight challenges if granted the scholarship. One of the most important scholarship essay tips is based entirely on your perspective and tone.

Be positive and full of inspirations when writing these essay. Rather than just writing about being negatively affected by an event, focus on how you grew from the experience and overcame the obstacles.
When writing the essay, try to make the reader feel hopeful about your future by staying positive throughout the entire essay.

4. BE CONCISE:

Be specific when writing this essay. Be straight forward when writing this essay. Just go straight to the point, and avoid  distractions. Use simple words, avoid big grammars that you can’t explain.
Outrightly, use the most simple and most direct word choices as they are the most effective.

5. MAKE RESEARCH OF THE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD BEFORE APPLYING:

Make research of the scholarship board before applying. Check out the company or organization running the scholarship program? Find out about them on their website’s home page. Read up on the board mission and their motivation for giving this scholarship.

When you have better information about the scholarship committee, you will know reliable shortcuts to be able to convince them on your essay.

Also, you can read up the profile of former beneficiaries of the program by checking on the website of the scholarship board. Go through their essay and look out for qualities that made their essay convincing to the board and how they were able to win the scholarship. look ot for these qualities and work in line of the qualities.

6. CHOOSE A TOPIC THAT YOU HAVE PASSION FOR:

To write essays meant for scholarships, choose a topic that is most befitting for you. Don’t necessarily choose a very difficult topic, choose a topic that you are passionate about. This topic has much and an heavy impact on your listeners. If your story is less intriguing and boring, that means your listeners too will be bored.

In this regard, choose a topic that you have passion for, and a topic that interests you.

7. USE A CATCHY INTRODUCTION:

To catch the attention of the scholarship board, use a catchy introduction. Your introduction should be able to catch onto the readers attention. One your introduction is intriguing, your essay will be read through to the last page.

A strong introduction can help you to stand out among a large crowd of applicants. To help you out, think of books you have read in the past that caught your attention, or sent shrills down your spine.
Starting the essay writing with a compelling fact that will grab the readers attention and make a good impression right on the spot.

Also, you can check up on sample of scholarship essays and samples that past beneficiaries wrote.

8. BE HONEST IN YOUR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS:

You don’t necessarily have to lie to convince your readers. Don’t make up stories you won’t be able to back up in a bid to look more deserving of the scholarship fund than your counterparts.
Your authenticity and honesty is much more important than fallacy, which you might not be able to back up.

9. BE APPRECIATIVE IN YOUR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS:

Learn to be appreciative. While writing this essay, your character, dedication, and integrity would naturally  show in your writing. Avoid overcrowding your essay with gratitude and praise because of the opportunity you are seeking for. Your gratitude should not overcrowd the real motive of writing the essay.

A brief thank you is thoughtful and appropriate. No need for a long epistle of thanks. An appreciative note can also be sent after the scholarship has been granted.

10. PROOFREAD YOUR SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS BEFORE SUBMISSION:

As the popular saying goes, ‘No one is perfect’ we all make mistakes in one way or the other. In this regard, Before your final submission, Let a friend, colleague, or family member help to review and provide feedback on your writeup. You yourself might not see the mistakes, but a second set of eyes can help to catch glimpse of mistakes you have missed.