These are the types of items usually found in a scholarship. Unless otherwise specified, this is the order the items should be placed when you turn in your scholarship application.
Application
Should be completed neatly in pen or typed…no pencil
Should be completed…no blanks
If the application has a school official section (ACT scores), the counselor will fill those out after you have turned in the application.
Paper clipped…do not staple
Cover letter
Resume
Needs to be completed in the Fall and updated in the spring.
Too much is too overwhelming…keep resume to 2-3 pages (maybe 4). No need to explain; just bullet
Transcript (if 2 pages, make sure you have both pages)
Essay
It is your job to make your essay stand out from the rest.
Proofread your work. Ask a parent, friend, or teacher to proofread your completed application.
If you are asked, do not be afraid to highlight your strengths and to talk about yourself.
Be sure your essay is on topic
Most scholarship committees who require an essay request these topics:
Current event essay
Describe yourself telling what you what to pursue in life
Letter(s) of recommendation
You need to start this as soon as possible by asking people if they would write you a letter of recommendation
Make sure the people you ask to complete recommendation forms know you well. Send your recommendation requests early so your contacts have ample time to follow through.
You should give them a resume to help them with your letter.
Acceptance letter: Only if asked to provide
Statement of financial need or tax income return or the SAR (Student Aid Report) from your FAFSA: Only if asked to provide:
These might be required for certain applications.
The Student Aid Report (SAR) is the report that is sent to students who have completed the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The Community Foundation uses the Estimated Family Income (EFC) number found on this sheet as a factor in the decision process.
Please Include a copy of the first page only of your Student Aid Report (SAR) and
Write your name at the top of the sheet.
Profile sheet(s): Only if asked to provide. Be sure to read the directions as to who can fill these out.
You are responsible for making sure that ALL parts of the application are complete.
Financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them.
If letters of recommendation or transcripts are required, give the people who will provide these documents generous lead-time.
We strongly recommend that you work on your essays in a separate document where you can easily review and proofread your work. Cut and paste your essays into the online system once you are satisfied that they are complete and represent you well.
Like many students, you may feel that the personal essay is the hardest part of your application to complete. Remember - it is also the part of the application where you can stand out from the rest of the crowd.
The Scholarship Review Committee will have many essays to review. Write an essay that grabs their attention during the review process. This is your job!
Key elements of a strong essay:
Be personal and specific.
Include details about yourself so the reader can get to know who you are and what you stand for.
Be truthful and honest.
Tips to writing a strong essay:
Think before you write. Brainstorm to generate some good ideas and then create an outline to follow when writing the first draft essay. Expect to edit your draft! If you are required to address specific questions, express your answers clearly.
Be original. Be creative in your answers. Do not be afraid to highlight your strengths and to talk about yourself.
Don’t tell us, show us. Use concrete examples to individualize your essay and demonstrate the point you want to make. Avoid vague references or cliches. Instead, use descriptive words to make a strong impression.
Know your audience. Personal essays are not “one size fits all.” Write your essay to fit the requirements of that scholarship fund.
Proofread. Check the spelling and grammar. Ask a parent, friend, teacher, or counselor to proofread your completed application and essay.
Lately it seems as though fewer students are actually reading the guidelines before they submit their applications. Don’t be lazy in following directions. Just like most things in life, scholarships come with rules. Scholarship providers don’t simply give away money because students ask nicely for it; providers want to know that the investment they are making is a good one and that’s where scholarship guidelines play a part. If students are unwilling to spend the time needed to review the rules and submit a quality essay, they probably won't be willing to go above and beyond in college, either. Although that may not be the case for all students, it’s the rationale used by many providers to weed out possible contenders. In general, three fatal flaws that continue to keep most students from reaching the coveted finalists pool.
Word Count
Many students express their frustration over the limitations placed on scholarship essays, but the word count is there for a reason. In most cases, scholarship essays are kept to 500 words or less. It makes it easier for committees to review hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of submissions and ensures that students are staying on topic. It’s also an easy way for scholarship committee members to reject those applicants who failed to read the directions. No matter how brilliant the essay may be, if it doesn’t meet the word count, no one will be reading it. It is simple rule but 2 out of 10 won’t follow it.
Twitter has derailed many students in this area. So many have grown accustomed to fitting in 140 characters in their everyday conversations that it seems to have filtered into their scholarship essays, as well. Many times students use the lowercase ‘i’ instead of the appropriate version, not to mention all the acronyms littering the page. In addition, spelling errors can cause an issue. Many are obvious keystroke errors, but simply having another set of eyes proofread the essay would save many students from this fatal flaw. Many scholarship reviewers use the baseball rule when it comes to grammatical errors; 1-2-3 and you're out!
Students should work smarter by reusing some of their previous work. That does not mean, however, submitting an essay that has nothing to do with the scholarship prompt. For example, an essay about the zombie apocalypse probably shouldn't be used for an essay about ice cream. Nothing is more frustrating than coming across a submission that was obviously meant for another scholarship program. It basically screams, ‘I want the money, but I don’t want to work for it.’ Another fatal flaw is when students write why they deserve a scholarship or list all of the hardships in their life; unless the scholarship provider specifically asked for this information, students need to stick to the script and stay on topic. They may think that it will tug at the scholarship committee heart strings, but if their essays do not answer the scholarship prompt, they'll be headed for the rejection pile. So many students complain about not winning scholarships, but if more would take a few moments to review the guidelines and learn to stick to the rules, they would have a better chance at actually earning some cash for college.