Scholarships 101: Key Steps To Getting A Scholarship

Applying for Scholarships and Loans 

Most if not all top universities offer scholarships for their students. So, what are you waiting for? Start preparing your applications. You just need to do some research, such as what kind of scholarships they are, where to get them and criteria needed to be eligible. Although putting together a successful scholarship application can be time- consuming and quite exhausting, the fruits of your labour will be worth it when you are successful at the end.

Deadlines and Research 

Before doing anything, always check the deadlines of the applications. The last thing you want to do is to prepare everything and realise that they are not accepting applications anymore. So, mark the due dates on the calendar, your phone, and computer desktop - anything that reminds you of the due date so you don’t miss it. Then, work your way backwards to figure out how much time you have left to fill in and submit the applications.

Another thing worth noting is, start your research early. Never put unnecessary pressure on yourself and build up the anxiety. Instead of putting everything off to the last minute and apply for the scholarship that you’d die to get your hands on, you can get more options if you start early and search for the ample scholarships available to you. With good time management, the process of completing your application – scholarships research, information request and form application – will be a breeze and you might even have extra time after that to pamper yourself for the good job you have done. 

Eligibility

Know what you are actually looking for. In this case, you need to fi nd out what scholarships you are actually eligible for. Why spend unnecessary time and effort in applying for those that you are not even entitled to when you can spend the precious time by applying for those that you are suitable for and increase your chance at scoring a good scholarship? Spend your time working on applying for those. 

Organisation

While working on your scholarship application, lessen your headache with good organisation. For starters, come up with a separate file, consisting of only your scholarship material such as high school transcript, standardised test scores, financial aid forms, parents’ financial information, essays, letters of recommendations, and proof of eligibility for the scholarship. You might also need to prepare for an interview. Other than that, an audition or portfolio might be required if you’re competing for a talent-based scholarship. With a separate folder for your scholarship files, you will always know where to find it and it will be easy to update. You will also be able to keep track of the multiple due dates of your scholarships. Maybe you could stick a scholarship due dates list in big red marker in front of your folder to make sure you are on track.

Instructions and Information

Follow the instructions given. If it is stated that your essay should be less than a thousand words long, don’t submit one with a thousand and one words. Keep to the word limit. Don’t send in supporting materials if they are not requested.

Then, include all the required information and provide the correct ones. Make sure that you provide whatever that is required of you in your application. You don’t want to miss a thing; it simply does not make the best first impression, especially if you omit specifically requested information. The correct information, such as your name, address, contact number and such, is important for a smooth processing and to avoid any delays as well as making you look professional with everything done flawlessly.

Check and Re-check Your Application 

Before submitting your complete application, you should always proofread your applications or ask someone reliable to proofread it for you. Make sure that all the necessary blanks are filled and run spell checks and grammar checks. If you do not know how to fill in part of the application, do not hesitate to call up the scholarship sponsors. Ensure that your handwriting is legible to others and printed in a neat manner. Another important thing to note is your reused materials. With a few applications that you are filling in, you are bound to use the same one, such as a cover letter or essay. In this case, make sure that you are filling in the correct names.

Last but not least, remember to sign and date your application. It is also a good idea to keep copies of your application for records purposes or just in case the application materials get lost during delivery. This suggests that you should use a certifid mail or request a return receipt to confirm that your materials are safe in the hands of the recipient.

The concept in applying for a loan is also almost the same with how you apply for a scholarship. Do your research, check your eligibility, make sure that you know when the deadline is and keep your things organised and finally check your application for any fl aws before submitting.