Full scholarships, also known as full-ride scholarships, are a type of financial aid that can cover the majority of your college expenses, including tuition and living costs, for three or four years.
This can help you focus on your studies and social life without having to worry about finances. However, these scholarships are not easy to obtain, and they are highly competitive. Despite this, it’s still worth applying for them.
Read on to find out how you can increase your chances of being awarded one of these highly sought-after scholarships.
How to Find Scholarships to Apply for?
Thanks to the wide range of search engines and online resources available on the internet, you can easily find and apply for thousands of scholarships. In this article, we will discuss some of the common resources that you (and your parents) can use to find scholarships to apply for.
Step 1: Look for Scholarships That You Qualify For
Looking for scholarships to apply for can be quite a task. It is recommended to divide your search into scholarships based on merit and those based on need.
The scholarships that are based on need are only available to those who require additional financial support and are based on your or your family’s financial situation. On the other hand, merit-based scholarships are awarded to candidates based on their achievements or skills.
These scholarships can be available for a variety of fields, including academia, arts, and sports. Apart from these, there are also situation-based scholarships available for women, minorities, journalism majors, and gamers, among others.
Step 2: Finding and comprehend the application requirements
It is important to note that each scholarship has unique requirements, which may include submitting different materials or completing varying tasks.
Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly research and understand the requirements of the scholarship you are applying for.
Below are some of the most common documents and materials that may be required when applying for a scholarship:
2(a). Scholarship Application Form
Make sure to fill out the scholarship application completely with correct information. Our platform, Going Merry, can automatically fill in your profile information on the application forms to save time.
2(b). Essay
The essay section of your scholarship application is your opportunity to stand out. Even if you don’t consider yourself a strong writer, this section allows you to showcase your personality, ideas, and opinions.
Scholarship sponsors are interested in seeing how you will make the most of the limited space you have to share your story.
2(c). Letters of Recommendation
When requesting a letter of recommendation for a scholarship, give the person you are asking at least four weeks’ notice. Most scholarships require letters of recommendation from individuals with whom you have had personal or professional relationships, such as teachers, professors, or guidance counselors.
2(d). Resume/CV
Having an updated résumé when applying for scholarships might be helpful. Your CV, along with your essay, should be a key component of your application, where you can showcase your qualifications and achievements.
Step 3: Create a calendar
It is crucial to apply for scholarships in a timely manner. So, it is advisable to start your applications as early as possible. Sometimes, deadlines can come as a surprise.
Therefore, it is good practice to create a list of the scholarships you wish to apply for, their respective deadlines, and the materials needed (whether on paper or in an Excel sheet).
You can also get a rough estimate of the time required for each application with the help of Going Merry. Initiating your scholarship applications early on will give you an advantage over your competitors.
Be prepared to submit a media project, such as a film outlining your case for the scholarship, for certain applications.
Step 4: Write a stellar essay
It is crucial to give your essay the time and attention it deserves since it has the power to either make or break your application. Even if you lack confidence in your writing abilities, there are some simple strategies that can help you improve your essay.
Essay Tip #1: Study the Guidelines
The most crucial part of your scholarship application is to carefully follow all instructions. Make sure to read and follow the guidelines for writing your essay.
Essay Tip #2: Give yourself time
Giving yourself sufficient time to complete the essay will provide more opportunities to organize your thoughts and edit the content, while planning ahead can help prevent errors and increase confidence in the process.
Essay Tip #3: Forge Your Course
When you apply for a scholarship, you will likely be given the same writing prompt as many other candidates. This means that competition can be tough.
Therefore, it is important to think about how you can make your essay stand out. Consider what unique contribution you can provide to the situation and take some time to reflect on your strengths.
This will help you come up with ideas to make your essay more memorable and increase your chances of being selected for the scholarship.
Essay Tip #4: Make an outline
An outline can help organize your essay into a logical order without requiring detailed summaries.
Essay Tip #5: Make It Livelier
Nobody wants to read a boring essay, especially scholarship committees who have to review hundreds of applications. It’s important to let your personality and passion shine through in your writing.
Step 5: Submit Your Materials
The last step in the scholarship application process is to submit all the materials you have gathered. It’s important to check the submission conditions for each scholarship, as some may require physical mail submissions while others may require online submissions.
If you have asked someone to write you a recommendation letter, make sure they are aware of the deadline and provide them with a stamped envelope or the correct email address to send it to.
Step 6: Verify Your Scholarship Status, but Take Your Time!
It is important to keep track of scholarship application deadlines, as the majority of scholarships will provide you with a deadline for receiving a response.
Once you have submitted your scholarship application, ensure that you have filled it out completely and then check on its status.
After submitting your application, take a deep breath and relax while you wait for a response from the scholarship sources. We recommend keeping a positive outlook during this time.
To keep track of the amount of money you have applied for, it is also a good idea to maintain a detailed list of the scholarships you have applied for. Be sure to update this list once you learn the results of your scholarship applications.
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