The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of being awarded funding for college. Many students mistakenly believe that they are not eligible for scholarships or that the process is too time-consuming, so they only apply for a handful of awards.
The college scholarship process can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these ten tips that expert Griffin Ainsworth has shared, you can confidently apply for scholarships and win the money you need to pay for college. You can avoid some of the students’ most common mistakes when applying for scholarships.
1. Applying To Too Many Scholarships
It’s tempting to apply to every scholarship you come across to increase your chances of winning, but this is a mistake. Applying to too many scholarships can be overwhelming, and you will likely be unable to put your best foot forward for each one. Quality is much better than quantity when it comes to scholarship applications.
2. Not Proofreading Your Application
This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many students submit their applications without double-checking for errors. Typos and grammatical errors can make you look careless and unprofessional, so take the time to proofread your work before hitting “submit.”
3. Reusing Essays
Many scholarships will require you to submit an essay along with your application. While recycling an article, you wrote for another application might be tempting, resist the urge! Scholarship committees can spot a generic piece a mile away, which won’t reflect well on you as a candidate. Take the time to tailor your essay specifically for the scholarship you’re applying for.
4. Failing To Follow Directions
Make sure you read through the entire application before filling it out. Each scholarship will have different requirements, and failing to meet them could disqualify you from being considered. For example, some scholarships may require that you submit additional materials such as transcripts or letters of recommendation; if these materials are not included with your application, they will likely be tossed aside without being reviewed.
5. Applying At The Last Minute
Start working on your scholarship applications well before the deadline so that you’re not rushed and stressed when submitting them. This will give you plenty of time to gather all the necessary materials and ensure that your application is error-free before hitting “send.”
6. Not Doing Your Research
Before applying for any scholarship, understand the requirements and eligibility criteria. Applying for a scholarship you’re not eligible for is a waste of time and resources, and it could reflect poorly on you if the committee discovers that you didn’t bother to do your research.
7. Failing To Sell Yourself
Your scholarship application is your opportunity to sell yourself to the committee and demonstrate why you deserve to be awarded the funding. Be sure to highlight your academic and non-academic accomplishments and explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your future goals.
8. Submitting An Incomplete Application
Ensure you complete every application section and include all the required materials before hitting “submit.” An incomplete application will likely be rejected outright, so it’s essential to double-check that you’ve included everything that’s needed.
9. Applying For Need-Based Scholarships Without Demonstrating Financial Need
One of the students’ most common mistakes when applying for scholarships is this. Ensure you complete every application section and include all required materials before hitting “submit.” Incomplete applications will likely be immediately rejected, no matter how strong of a candidate you may be.
10. Not Staying Organized
When you’re applying for multiple scholarships, it’s essential to stay organized throughout the process. Keep track of deadlines, requirements, and materials, so you don’t miss anything or get overwhelmed. Consider using a spreadsheet or other system to keep everything sorted and in one place.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter if you have a 4.0 GPA, are the captain of your varsity team, or do volunteer work every weekend – if you make any of these common mistakes on your college scholarship applications, your chances of being awarded funding for college will be slim to none. Avoid these ten pitfalls and increase your odds of receiving the scholarships you deserve.
