It’s a good idea to take your time when filling out a college scholarship application. Examine the materials provided to ensure that you understand what information you must provide in order to be considered for a college or university scholarship. Each one will have its own set of requirements, and you’ll want to make sure you meet them all. If you don’t, your college scholarship application may be thrown out without being considered.
It may be tempting to include information that was not requested in order to demonstrate to the scholarship committee that you are a deserving candidate for financial aid. Unfortunately, this strategy has the potential to backfire. It makes you appear as if you can’t follow instructions or don’t have a keen eye for detail on a college scholarship application. Neither of them makes a positive first impression.
If the scholarship you’re applying for is based on financial need, you’ll need to include a statement on your college scholarship application indicating that there’s a gap between your resources and the cost of your education. The scholarship committee also wants to get a sense of who you are as a person, so you’ll be asked about your extracurricular activities and community service as part of the application process. You can include this information with your application if you have been recognized for an outstanding achievement.
Take advantage of the opportunity to tell the scholarship committee about yourself if you are asked to submit a personal statement as part of your college scholarship application. You might want to pretend you’re speaking to someone in the room and write it that way. Explain why you chose to major in a particular subject and what it would mean to you if you were awarded the scholarship funds. Outline how achieving your educational objectives will impact your future career plans.
Your official transcripts must be included with the materials you submit because your academic history is considered as part of the college scholarship application process. You can also submit letters of recommendation with your college scholarship application. Make sure to read the instructions carefully to see if a letter outlining your academic achievements or community involvement is required. Teachers, professors, and employers are all good sources of this information for scholarship committee members.