Paying for post-secondary education can be challenging, but scholarships and bursaries can help reduce the amount you need to borrow. The challenge is that many scholarships are competitive. A strong application isn't simply about having excellent grades—it is about following the requirements, communicating your experiences clearly and showing why you are a strong fit for the award.
Whether you're applying for your first scholarship or looking for additional ways to fund college or university, these tips can help you create a stronger scholarship application.
Quick answer: The best way to make a scholarship application stand out is to carefully follow the application requirements, tailor your answers to the specific scholarship, provide specific examples of your achievements and experiences, proofread your application and submit it before the deadline.
Before writing anything, make sure you understand exactly what the scholarship requires.
Pay attention to:
Don't assume that a strong application can make up for missing a requirement.
Follow the instructions exactly. If an application asks for a 500-word essay, for example, don't submit 1,000 words because you have more you want to say.
For each scholarship, create a simple checklist containing:
This makes it much easier to keep track of multiple applications.
One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until the deadline approaches. A scholarship application can involve much more than completing an online form. You may need to:
Starting early gives you time to improve your application instead of rushing to submit it. It also gives your references enough time to write a thoughtful recommendation.
Tip: Create a calendar of scholarship deadlines and work backward from each deadline.
Avoid sending the exact same application to every scholarship. Even if several scholarships ask similar questions, the organizations offering them may have different goals and values. Before you begin writing, research the organization offering the scholarship.
Ask:
Then make those connections naturally in your application. A tailored application demonstrates that you've taken the time to understand the opportunity.
One of the best ways to make a scholarship application memorable is to show rather than simply tell. Instead of writing:
“I am a strong leader.”
Explain what you actually did.
For example:
“As captain of my school's soccer team, I organized weekly practices and helped new players become comfortable with the team.”
The second example gives the selection committee evidence of leadership rather than simply making a claim.
Whenever possible, use specific examples from:
Your experiences don't have to be extraordinary. What matters is explaining what you learned and why it mattered.
Academic achievement can be important for some scholarships, but it isn't the only thing that can make an application stand out. Think about what you have done outside the classroom.
You might have:
These experiences can demonstrate qualities such as leadership, perseverance, responsibility, creativity and community involvement. Don't underestimate experiences that may seem ordinary to you.
A scholarship essay should sound like you. Selection committees read many applications, so generic statements can make it difficult for your application to stand out.
Instead of simply describing what you have accomplished, explain:
What happened → What did you do → What did you learn → How did it influence your goals?
For example, don't just say that volunteering was important to you. Explain what you experienced while volunteering, what you learned from it and how it influenced the person or professional you want to become. Your personality and perspective are part of what makes your application unique.
If a scholarship requires references, choose people who can speak meaningfully about your character, accomplishments and potential.
Depending on the scholarship, a reference could potentially come from a:
Ask well before the deadline.
When requesting a reference, give the person:
This gives them the information they need to write a more relevant recommendation.
Typos and grammatical mistakes can distract from an otherwise strong application.
Before submitting:
Don't rely entirely on spellcheck. A sentence can be grammatically correct while still saying something you didn't intend.
A scholarship doesn't have to cover your entire tuition to be valuable.
Smaller awards can still help pay for:
Applying for several smaller scholarships may also increase the number of opportunities available to you. Don't automatically skip a scholarship because the award amount seems small.
Don't let one unsuccessful application discourage you. Scholarships are competitive, and not receiving an award doesn't necessarily mean your application wasn't strong. Keep a record of the applications you've completed and save useful material that can be adapted for future applications.
You may be able to reuse parts of:
Just remember to rewrite and tailor your application for each scholarship rather than submitting the same response everywhere.
Before you submit your application, ask yourself:
If you're struggling with your essay, start by answering these five questions:
1. What experience has had the biggest impact on me?
2. What challenge have I overcome?
3. What am I passionate about?
4. What have I learned from my experiences?
5. How will this scholarship help me achieve my goals?
Your answers can become the foundation of a much more personal and memorable application.
Scholarships and bursaries are only one part of planning for post-secondary education.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to explore:
The goal isn't simply to find a way to pay tuition today. It's to create a plan that helps you manage the total cost of education while minimizing unnecessary debt. For additional financial planning guidance, speak with a qualified financial professional about your options.
Y NCU is here to help you understand your options and build a financial plan around your education goals.You can also explore YNCU's financial literacy resources for additional information about budgeting, saving and managing education costs.