This post may contain affiliate links, see full disclosure policy here.
You hear claims all over the internet: “billions of dollars in scholarships available!” “Millions go unclaimed every year.” There are countless books written by authors who won extraordinary amounts of scholarship money. You begin to wonder what’s going on. After all, you are are diligently applying for scholarships and hearing nothing but crickets.
This can be so frustrating! But it doesn’t have to be! Here are 5 easy ways to make yourself stand out from other scholarship applicants so that you to can win extraordinary amounts of available scholarships.
Sell Yourself
Many students have a hard time speaking honestly and openly about who they are. Students usually fall into one of three categories:
- Those students who are somewhat reluctant to sing their praises.
- Students who over exaggerate to the point that their application is all about them.
- Those who are afraid to talk about how they messed up in the past and turned things around.
But here is the thing, applying for scholarships is about selling yourself. You honestly need to sell yourself the same way you would try and sell a product. In order to sell someone a product, you have to show that person why they need your product and you have to show them how your product can fulfill that need.
In order to sell someone a product, you have to show that person why they need your product. Also, you need to show that person how your product can fulfill that need.
Do the same thing on your scholarship application. Let them know why they need you to represent their organization. How you will excel in college and share with others your gratitude to the organization for being a part of your college success.
Don’t be afraid to sell yourself!
Know your Customer
You must be strategic in how you complete the application and essay. It is important to look at who is offering the scholarship, and why are they offering the scholarship. Do they have a desire to bring to light a certain social cause? Are they wanting to help financially impoverished individuals or minorities? Many, many scholarships will have a statement about why they are offering the scholarship. You need to read that statement carefully and tailor your essay and application accordingly.
Do they have a desire to bring to light a certain social cause? Are they wanting to help financially impoverished individuals or minorities? Many, many scholarships will have a statement about why they are offering the scholarship. You need to read that statement carefully and tailor your essay and application accordingly.
Many, many scholarships will have a statement about why they are offering the scholarship. You need to read that statement carefully and tailor your essay and application accordingly.
Make your essay relatable to them. Yes, you need to talk about yourself and your accomplishments, but do it in light of what is important to them.
Be Specific and Confident
The reality is you have limited space in your scholarship application to let the people know why you are the most deserving individual and sell yourself.
You need to let them know how your college education and future plans will benefit them, others and/ or their cause. Be specific about how you can do this. You need to be confident in who you are and how you can help promote their cause better than anyone else. You need to take the opportunity in the application and essay to show them that you are a leader and convince them that their cause is your cause. Talk about your past, talk about your family and talk about your future plans, just make sure to relate it all to the statements they have made in the scholarship information sheet. Be as specific as you can.
You need to be confident in who you are and how you can help promote their cause better than anyone else. Make sure you take the opportunity in the application and essay to show them that you are a leader and convince them that their cause is your cause. Talk about your past, talk about your family and talk about your future plans, just make sure to relate it all to the statements they have made in the scholarship information sheet. Be as specific as you can.
Talk about your past, talk about your family and talk about your future plans, just make sure to relate it all to the statements they have made in the scholarship information sheet. Be as specific as you can.
Fully Answer The Prompt.
In a recent scholarship opportunity from the Flag Manufacturers Association of America, they state:
A primary objective for the FMAA … is to increase public awareness about the millions of American flags that are manufactured in China and sold in the United States each year. Many are mislabeled so they appear to be manufactured by reputable manufacturers here in the U.S., which is damaging to the reputation of the flag industry, and may are identified as being made in the U.S.A. when they are not. While the FMAA is focused on stopping major retailers from carrying counterfeit American Flags and prohibiting misrepresentation of reputable manufacturers on any websites, here is where YOU can help us!
You are then invited to create a public service announcement geared to consumers that ask the question: “How do you make sure the American flag you are buying online is made in America?”
Do not try and tell your entire life story. Pick some specific aspect of your life that you can apply to the essay prompt and purpose.
Do you have a relative who has labored in American made goods? Have you ever purchased an inferior product online that may have been counterfeit? Why is the American Flag important to you or your family? Why is stopping counterfeit goods important to you?
Let them know how your past, and/or future plans relate to their concerns over stopping counterfeit production of the American Flag.
Remember you need to make your essay relatable to them and talk about yourself and your accomplishments in light of what is important to them.
Let the Reader Get to Know You
Think about it, it is much hard to say no or turn down someone you know and like than it is a stranger. When you are writing your essay, you want the reader to feel what you feel. This is your opportunity to let them get to know you through some specific aspect of your life. If they feel like they know you and can relate to you, you will stand out from all the other applicants.
Now apply for some scholarships this week and go and make today your favorite day!!
Leslie says
Great tips! My kids aren’t quite old enough yet to apply for scholarships, but I’ll know what to do when the time comes. Selling yourself is a versatile skill that they can start putting into practice now. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.