What if you had all the secrets to winning a scholarship? Would you
tell the world -or keep them for yourself? Nationally recognized
financial aid and scholarship expert, Mark Kantrowitz, does have all the
secrats, and fortunately, he's spilling everything he knows.
1.
Start searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Don’t wait until
spring of your senior year in high school to start searching, or you’ll
miss half the deadlines. There are many scholarships available to
students in grades 9, 10 and 11, not just high school seniors. There are
even scholarships for students in grades K-8. Continue searching for
scholarships even after you are enrolled in college.
2. Answer all of the optional questions on a scholarship matching web site for about twice as many matches.
3. Use a free scholarship matching service like scholarsipnations.com.
Scholarshipnations.com database is updated daily, and the site will
email you notifications of new scholarships that match your personal
background profile.
4.
Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the guidance
counselor of financial aid offices, or the library’s jobs and careers
section.
5.
Apply to every scholarship for which you are eligible. Pursue less
competitive scholarships, such as small awards and essay contests, since
they are easier to win and the money adds up and helps you win bigger
scholarships.
6. Don’t miss deadlines. Use a calendar and checklist to get organized.
7. Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
8.
If you have difficulty writing essays, try recording yourself as you
answer the question out loud, and transcribe the recording later. Most
people can think and speak faster than they can write or type. Create an
outline afterward to organize your thoughts.
9.
Personalize your essay and be passionate. Write about something of
interest to you. Make your application stand out from the crowd. Talk
about your impact on other people. Give examples and be specific.
10. Google your name and
make sure you have a professional online profile. Use a professional
email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Clean up the
content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature
material.
11. Proofread a printed copy of your essay and the application for spelling and grammar errors.
12.
Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it. Send the
application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery
confirmation.
