Earlyface

If you need money to pay for your university tuition (and lets face it, most of us do) then of course you’ll be applying for scholarships. For some people, it may seem like a daunting task to begin filling out forms and writing up application essays, and it may even seem a bit futile when considering the talent pool your application will be thrown in with. This is the absolute wrong attitude to have! You need to be completely positive and keep in your mind that you are just as deserving of a scholarship as the next person is. Here are some ways you can make sure your scholarship stands out in a crowd.

Do Your Research
There are many scholarships out there, so do your research before applying to understand what scholarships you are qualified for. You will probably also find many that you not only qualify for, but for which you are the perfect candidate. For example, there are many scholarships for students of specific subjects or universities. Check for information online, there are many scholarship guides available to help you.

Follow Directions to the Letter
Saying that you need to read and follow the directions of the application may sound painfully obvious but it is just so important that it needs to be mentioned. It’s shocking how many applications are thrown away once it is discovered that they’ve been filled out incorrectly. There is zero tolerance for an error on an application, so you must be absolutely positive that you’ve filled the application out to the letter of the instructions. Double and triple check your forms before you send them out.

Don’t be Shy
Your application is a chance for you to truly highlight your achievements. Don’t be afraid to show off a little and be confident. Let the scholarship review board know the areas in which you have succeeded and give them specific examples. You don’t want to be cocky or arrogant, just confident and honest about the things you’ve done. A little modesty and humility is refreshing as well. You want to highlight your strengths but also confide a weakness or two and how you’re doing to improve.
Get a Second Opinion
Have someone with a good eye for detail that you trust read over your application before you send it out. It’s so easy to miss a mistake yourself, so an extra pair of eyes can be invaluable. Someone else’s input could be beneficial as well as they can tell you other things you should mention in the application.

Nothing really bad can happen by applying, but you might just win the scholarship if you do. Don’t put your eggs in one basket; apply for more than one scholarship to increase your chances. Plus, the more you write, the more practice you get so you’ll be able to fine tune your applications to be their best. There are many scholarships out there and they could have your name on them, but you can’t be awarded if you don’t apply.

This is a guest post by Mary Johnson, a freelance editor specializing in education and career related articles, currently working for Tradestable.com.ng