How to Apply for Academic Scholarships

Considering the number of college applicants there are for each individual college, it is not surprising that there are also a considerable number of people applying for each school's scholarships. So, how is it that you can make yourself stand out enough (because that is the end goal) to win that scholarship or fellowship? Well, the answer is easy if you just follow a few simple steps.

Before looking at what you should do, it is important that you realize how your application will be processed by the school. Most schools have scholarship committees that review applications and make decisions as to where scholarships are awarded. These committees are generally very busy and may need to review hundreds or thousands of applicants for each scholarship. So, you need to do what you can to make your application stand out from the crowd and mark you as a desirable student.

With that in mind, let's examine what you can do to increase your chances of getting that scholarship you want:

1. Contact each school's Financial Aid department either by mail, or preferably through the Internet. The Financial Aid department should have a copy of all the available scholastic awards and scholarships. Included in these listings will be the application's necessary for each scholarship or award.
2. Prepare an academic "resume" to send in with each school's academic scholarship application(s). This resume should include, at a minimum, a letter of introduction, personal data or a personal profile, your educational history (i.e. school's name, GPA, and SAT or ACT scores), employment history through out your high school career, honors and awards that you earned, any school or community activities, and around three references (preferably reference letters written by professionals and teachers that know you well). Make sure that each resume packet is individualized for each school, but don't use a "form letter" style of resume packet.
3. It is probably a good idea to include a video presentation of yourself with your scholarship application. This will give the awards committee more of an idea of who you are, as well as add a more personal touch. As with any application that you send in, ensure that you stay as professional as possible. This is your opportunity to toot your own horn, just don't go over the top.
4. Most academic scholarships will ask for some form of a writing sample, usually an essay, to be included in their application packet. If this is the case, do not just jot off a quickie note and call it good enough. You will want to make sure that you write an insightful, well thought out essay. This means that you will need to actually proofread what you write. If at all possible, get someone like your English teacher to proofread and edit your submission. Whatever you do, do not just rely on spell check and your own abilities.
5. Apply for as many different scholarships, at as many different schools as you can, as early as you can. This will, in the long run, enable you to better your chances of success. Do not just rely on one school, and only one scholarship at that school. Go for as many as you can, since there is no limit to how many you can apply for.