Scholarship Tips

A common belief exists in the United States that millions of dollars of scholarship assistance goes unclaimed each year. Some financial aid officers argue the contrary and point out that millions of dollars are awarded annually. Perhaps the issue is debatable. However, one fact is very clear—your chances of receiving a scholarship will be zero unless you apply. Not many awards fall into your lap (or bank account)! Quite often, the manner in which the application is completed affects a scholarship committee's decision. You control the way you present yourself.
Remember, scholarship applications will be reviewed by humans. No matter how hard the readers try to maintain neutral thoughts, they are impressed either positively or negatively by what is present or absent from an application. In addition, they form negative or positive impressions based on the presentation of the material in the application.

Here are a few suggestions to possibly enhance your chances of impressing the reviewers (oftentimes called "readers" in financial aid terminology). Many scholarship winners will present thorough, neat, organized and correct applications. The thorough application will be one that is complete and addresses all aspects of the scholarship's requirements. If the scholarship requirements state certain grades and test scores are required—(obviously) make sure you meet them. Should documentation like a high school transcript be required, it should accompany the application. Do not just assume it will get to the reviewers because you request it from your school staff.

Many awards will have a leadership emphasis as well as grades and scores. This is an opportunity to make or break your application. The long-range planner will have kept or will keep a record of his/her school activities and involvements. This record will become the core of the leadership portion of the scholarship application. If a record has not been kept, create a list of your activities before you list and describe them on the application. Be sure to include all leadership positions and activities. Do not assume the reader will "read between the lines." Remember, if you have done it, include it; because, this is the only way the reader will know.

When you include an activity, give thought to what you are including. Readers will know what National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Student Council etc., means. Readers will oftentimes, however, be unfamiliar with what may be familiar to you. If the activity is of a local nature, give a simple, concise explanation of it. For example, you may be a tour guide for a local historical site. Selection for this position may be very competitive and being selected is an honor. State this in a way that explains the competitive nature and that it is an honor to be recognized in your community.

The next step is to organize the material. Likely, applications will have blanks or spaces to place grades and scores. If not, place them prominently on your application. Present your material in an organized way. Two methods seem to be more easily read. The first is organization by class year, placing all activities for the year in a category. Let's look at the example below:
Tenth Grade: Selected for Beta Club; appointed by president to chair car wash fund-raising activity to raise money for state convention attendance; varsity cheerleader, selected by panel of judges; selected for Mu Alpha Theta; academic honor roll every grade reporting period.
The second method involves categorizing your activities in the following manner :
Student Council: 9th grade homeroom representative, 10th grade candidate for secretary, 11th grade elected vice president, 12th grade elected president; 11th grade attended State Student Council Convention; campaign committee for state vice president who was elected; 12th grade candidate for state president, selected to attend the national convention. Beta Club: 10th grade selected for membership; appointed by president to chair car wash to raise funds to send delegates to state convention; 11th grade elected secretary.
While the examples have been given in paragraph form, activities are more easily read if they are listed with "bullet" designations. For example:

Student Council :
9th Grade, homeroom representative
10th Grade, candidate for secretary
11th Grade, elected vice president

The next step is to check grammar, spelling, etc. Be certain that all words are correctly spelled. Do not rely on a word processing spell check program. It can fail! If the word used is incorrect in context but still a correct word, the spell checking program will not catch the error. If you state "I lead the team," meaning "I led the team," a computer spelling check will not help. Both "led" and "lead" are words. Your sentences must be complete and phrases must be understandable. Have someone read the material to check for errors. Often, when one becomes too familiar with a piece of writing, mistakes become invisible. A second, third and even fourth opinion is always helpful because it allows the applicant to perceive how others will process and understand the information as it is presented. The key is proofread everything and when you have finished proofreading, proofread it again.

Neatness is the final contributor to a good presentation. When possible, type or use a word processor. Make sure there is adequate spacing between letters. If you must hand write the application, print neatly and legibly. (Some people's handwriting is beautiful in appearance but hard to read.)

A final reading by a teacher, a relative or a friend is always a good final step.

Good luck! There is money out there. You must put your best image forward.

Source: Bobby Ray Hicks is a former senior associate director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Alabama's main campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He first sat on a scholarship selection committee as an undergraduate freshman. Professionally, he has been a scholarship officer for 35 years.