10 amazing tips to create an ideal scholarship application

Studying at a world-renowned university is an expensive affair and not everybody can afford the costs, but this should not hinder your aspirations of pursuing your dream education. Universities offer help in the form of scholarships, to a limited amount of students. These scholarships can range from 5%-100%. So what’s the secret to getting that scholarship of your dreams and reducing your education loan burden? The answer is – A well-presented scholarship application!

Whether you are applying for a scholarship given by a university or an organization, it is vital that you present an impressive application. Something that has the “Wow!” factor that convinces them that you are a suitable candidate and that giving you this economical support will result in something very rewarding.

This can be a tough process. But we think using the following tips when filling out your scholarship application will take you a step further to getting that coveted scholarship.

Investigate which scholarships are available.

You must take time to browse all scholarships you are eligible for. And do it with anticipation, so you can be sure to meet all the requirements and deadlines set. Don’t jump over the first scholarship you find, think before choosing which of the offered scholarships will benefit you the most and apply to them.

Bonus tip – Make sure you don’t apply to scholarships that you aren’t eligible for. Organizations don’t appreciate that!

The story behind the scholarship: A plus if you use it.

Sometimes scholarships are named after inspiring individuals or organizations who wish to support students to achieve their educational goals. The reasons for them doing so are countless. Therefore, we recommend that you look for the reason behind the scholarship name and highlight the most positive aspects of it in your application. This will help the reviewers realize that you truly care, even for things that most people take for granted.

Be unique

It might sound like a cliché, but you need to remember that if you don’t customize your application in order to stand out and be perceived differently, you’ll just be a name or a number in a pile of applications. As long as you keep it respectful, do not be afraid of opening yourself up to them, so they truly get to know you and deem you as somebody worthy of being considered.

Read (and make sure you get the instructions) before writing!

Complete your scholarship application in full. If there are questions that do not apply to you, note that on the application; do not leave any fields blank. Make sure to provide the data and information exactly as the university or company requires it from you and nothing other than that.

When writing your personal statement, go straight to the point!

Not too little, neither too much, just in between to be fully balanced. Your scholarship essay should be concise, clear, and not too sentimental. Check that you are taking into consideration all the things expressed in the guidelines. Regardless of what you are writing, do not waver from the objective of your text. Being realistic is also a plus, but be careful that you don’t sound pretentious when talking about your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “People have always loved me for my writing skills”, you could say “Writing has always been my strong point”.

Check how the others did it!

When I say ‘check others’ applications’, I definitely don’t mean copying them. However, you can definitely check the applications of the students who received their scholarships and ask them if they did anything differently. You can also ask them if they followed any specific tips that might help you as well. For example, some students add images to their essays. This is never a full-proof tactic because the image you add must be very relevant. But, if it’s the perfect fit it will certainly highlight the points added in your essay.

Go local before you go global

There are of course hundreds of organizations worldwide that are willing to give you a scholarship. Some of them might be more famous than others. Maybe that’s why you know about some famous Google scholarships but did you know that there are local charitable/social organizations that probably offer the same amount of scholarship?

Here’s the biggest thing you need to know: There are millions of applicants for that Google Scholarship. However, your local scholarship will definitely have lesser applications. This means that your chances of getting the same amount of scholarship money just went up. Simple, isn’t it?

Choose who will be your reference wisely!

This is as important as your personal statement. It is essential that the person who is going to recommend you is reliable and in a position of authority. Their testimony about you needs to be coherent and go hand in hand with what you say about yourself in your application.

Check, check, check!

Think before pressing the “Send” button. Proofread and check for typos or any other errors that could weaken your application, for it can mean the difference between advancing forward and losing it all. If you know the name of the reviewer you are sending your application to, make sure you write it accurately; if it is a company, do the same. Have some water, maybe wash your face to refresh your ideas and thoughts, take a deep breath in, and then proofread thoroughly.

Apply to as many and do it before time!

There is never a limit on the number of scholarships you can apply for. We suggest you take full advantage of this opportunity and apply to the maximum number of scholarships that you are eligible for! All you have to do is find these scholarships beforehand and apply to them as soon as possible.

Last thoughts

As mentioned above, your scholarship application process will require research. Search through thousands of these scholarships and apply to the best ones. Make sure check for scholarships in your home country as well as your destination country. There are often many options available and you may will be able to find sufficient funds for your education abroad.

If you want to know more about scholarships and studying abroad, feel free to reach out to us.

Liked this blog? Read How to study abroad without breaking the bank

FAQs

Q1. What should a personal statement for a scholarship include?

Answer – Your scholarship personal statement is like a written picture of you as a person, a student and a potential scholarship reciepient. It is here that you have the opportunity to talk about your background, family and expereinces in a way that helps you stand out from other applicants.

Q2. What documents are required to file a scholarship application?

Answer – You will be required to submit all your educational documents, bank information, your resume, LORs, test scores, essays and your SOP.

Q3. How to search for local scholarships in your country?

Answer – The best place to know about local scholarships or grants is to visit the department of education, and family or youth government agencies in your area. There are also a few private organisations that provide financial aid for international students, which you should consider.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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