Things You Must Do To Win Your First Scholarship

Things You Must Do To Win Your First Scholarship Getting a scholarship is one of the best and most convenient ways to finance your university studies. Unlike loans, scholarships are gifts that never have to be repaid. we know how difficult the scholarship process must be for you. That’s why we’ve put together these top 10 tips to help you not just apply for scholarships, but win them.

Tuition is at an all-time high, which has led to even greater demand for scholarships. About three out of four graduates leave with more than $40,000 in debt, which (on average) takes years to pay off. To avoid this, it is best to apply for as many scholarships as possible (ie – put your eggs in as many baskets as possible). Let’s dive in.

Things You Must Do To Win Your First Scholarship

1. PRESENT A STRONG PERSONAL STATEMENT

Before you try to convince a scholarship committee that you deserve a scholarship, you must first convince yourself. Identify your strengths and weaknesses: be realistic but optimistic. Review your academic achievements, your extracurricular activities and think about your long-term goals. To stand out from the crowd, have a clear answer to the following: If you got a scholarship, what doors would it open for you? And how would you use these opportunities to make the world a better place? Make sure this shows within your written essays. Scholarship committees are more likely to invest in a strong story than a strong GPA and a glamorous extracurricular program.

2. PUT YOUR EGGS IN DIFFERENT BASKETS

Like I said, start putting all your eggs in different baskets. Let’s be real. Scholarships are a numbers game. You’re not going to win them all, but through repeated, consistent effort, you’ll win a good percentage of those you apply for. If you are eligible for scholarship then apply without any further questions or doubts. Some of the scholarships are not that big or prestigious, but applying for them will increase your chances of winning more money and lower the cost of your/your child’s education. Always remember that you can not only cover tuition and living expenses with one, but many scholarships. Never think that the amount of financial aid is too small. they can still cover your teaching materials, rent and extra expenses.

3. GET SUPPORT

Remember that you don’t have to go through the process alone. If and when you need support, ask for it. Many colleges offer counseling about scholarship opportunities, ask for information at the school, in your community. This way you can get valuable information and help.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask for moral encouragement. Applying for college scholarships is a stressful process, and the people around you can provide support. There are also various online student clubs and various social media platforms that offer help and encouragement during the scholarship application process. They can share information about scholarship opportunities as well as provide friendly comfort.

4. BE ACTIVE ONLINE

We live in the digital age where even your social media profile picture can say a lot about you. Before applying, make sure your social media profiles match the values and opinions you’ve expressed in your essays. Many college scholarships ask for social media links, and many committee members consider the overall information they get from your social media profile. You can use your social media accounts to make a good impression and use them to your advantage.

5. RESEARCH

It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised! Make sure you read the instructions carefully before you start filling out your application. Don’t assume you already know what to do.

Do your research! We know it’s time consuming and exhausting, but trust us, it’s worth it! Find out what kind of scholarships fit your interests and background. Look for different options online. Remember, there are many scholarships based on gender, academic achievement, special skills and talents, nationality, etc. There are college scholarships that match very specific talents and interests, and you may be eligible for these opportunities.

6. BE PREPARED

Answer each question. If a question is not relevant, do not leave the answer field blank. Write “N/A” in the field or, if the reason for the question is not obvious, include the reason. Be sure to provide all additional supporting materials, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays.

Any document supporting your academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or other activities should be collected in advance (think: resume, transcript, etc.) This way, you will be prepared for any scholarship application. All these documents prove that you are a worthy candidate and can have a huge impact on the scholarship committee.

7. WRITE INSPIRATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal, authentic, and specific. Include specific details to bring your experience to life. Even the simplest experience can be monumental if you honestly present how you were affected.

This is one of the most challenging parts of the scholarship process. In your essays, you don’t want to state the obvious, but you want to show the committee your goals, your passion, your ambitions. This is where you will be able to showcase the narrative you have created for yourself.

8. CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP “TO DO LIST”

Give everything the app asks for, but don’t give things that aren’t asked for – you could get banned.
Organizing information is critical to the overall success of any student. To stay organized, we recommend creating a scholarship list. Track which scholarship needs which document and make sure you don’t miss anything. As this is a joint struggle between students and parents.

To stay on track, you must impose your own deadline, which is at least two weeks before the official deadline, except for programs with shorter notice. Use the perfect moment to make sure everything is ready on time and you don’t have to rush through the application. Don’t rely on extensions – very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

9. TRACK SCHOLARSHIPS

It can be difficult to keep track of all the different scholarship and funding programs, and to solve that, you can create a scholarship calendar. You can note each scholarship deadline as well as winner announcement dates. This trick will not let you miss any deadlines and will ensure that you stay updated on the status of your application.

10. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Most scholarships, especially competitive ones, usually require you to attend an interview session as part of the application selection process. It is said that practice is the key to your success. Research common questions during scholarship interviews and think about your answers. You can write them down and then practice them in front of a mirror. The best option is to have a friend or family member interview you and give you feedback. You can also record yourself and then see and rate whether you expressed your thoughts eloquently. Make sure you are dressed properly, even though the interview is online it is important to look professional.