As a college student, you know that scholarships are not easy to come by.
Scholarships could be the difference between taking out student loans or being able to pay for your education with cash.
It’s a daunting task trying to write a compelling answer about why you deserve this scholarship when so many other students have applied for it as well.
But don’t worry.
We’ve got nine things you should include in your response that will help make sure yours is one of the ones they read.
1) Start by Introducing Yourself
Your name and where you are from should be the first thing in your answer.
This is a scholarship, not a job application, so don’t start with what you do or what position you seek.
The committee wants to get to know you as a person, not just another applicant.
“My name is Sarah, and I am currently attending college at ABC University.”
“I am originally from Chicago, but I have been living in Los Angeles for the past four years.”
If your GPA or test scores are particularly impressive or something unique about your background that makes you stand out, be sure to mention it here.
But don’t brag – stay humble.
You can also note your intended major and the career path you hope to take after college or how this scholarship will help pave that road.
“I have a GPA of at least a B+ in all my classes, and I am on the Dean’s List.”
“My SAT scores were 1520 (700 reading + 800 math), which is over 300 points higher than the average score for accepted students here at ABC University”.
“This scholarship would mean so much because it will allow me to finally pursue my dream of studying abroad while getting an MBA from one of our top business schools.”
“Hi. My name is John Doe, and I am from Cleveland, Ohio.”
or
“Hello. My name is Jane Smith, and I am currently attending college in San Diego, California.”
“I am applying for this scholarship because it will help me achieve my dream of becoming a doctor.”
“My mother has been involved in the local music scene for years, and I would love to continue her legacy through my involvement. This scholarship will be a huge help in achieving that goal.”
“I have always been passionate about helping others achieve their goals. Supporting this cause is just one way that I can do it.”
Your answer should include your name and where you are from at the beginning, so they know who you are.
If you start talking about what you want to accomplish with the money before giving these details, they might not read any further than your introduction because there’s no reason to keep reading if they don’t know who you are or why they should care yet.
2) Mention Why This Scholarship is Important to You
This scholarship isn’t just any old scholarship- it’s specific to your field of study or area of interest.
This shows that the committee has taken the time to find a scholarship that matches what you are looking for, and they want someone passionate about it.
Mention how excited you are about the scholarship and how grateful you are for being given the opportunity.
You can say something like: “I am so excited for this opportunity because it will help me pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I have always been interested in helping others, and this scholarship will allow me to do just that. I am very grateful for your consideration.”
“Thank you so much for this scholarship. I am very interested in your organization and will be an active member as soon as possible.”
This scholarship is specific to those who want to pursue a career in music, which means it’s important and meaningful enough that they took the time to create one.
It would be best to mention how much you appreciate their efforts and why this matters so much to you.
“Thank you so much for creating such a great opportunity- As someone passionate about helping youth through music, I feel like we have similar goals and would love the chance to work with your company.”
Don’t just say something generic or write that because everyone else has said it too ‘; the committee wants someone who cares about these issues.
Show them what makes you different by personalizing your answer and explaining why it matters to you precisely.
3) Be Specific About Your Goals
Telling the committee that you want to help people isn’t enough- they want to know how you plan on doing it.
Talk about what experiences or opportunities you have had in the past will make you successful in this field.
If you don’t have any experience yet, talk about why you are interested in this area and what makes it essential to you.
“I have been a volunteer at the local animal shelter for two years now, and I love working with animals. I am planning on majoring in Veterinary Science so that I can continue helping animals after I graduate. This scholarship will be a huge help in achieving my goal.”
4) Show Your Personality
This scholarship is for people who want to pursue their dreams in the world of music, so you must mention what your dream job or career path would be.
The committee wants someone who knows and cares about this area enough to put time and effort into pursuing a career in it- they’re not just handing out money with no strings attached.
They are looking for students passionate enough about helping youth through music to dedicate themselves fully.
Be sure to show them how much thought you have put into this decision by mentioning why these careers are meaningful to YOU specifically.
“I feel like my passion lies in working directly with kids, which is why I am applying for jobs as a teacher. This scholarship will help me pursue my dream of becoming a music teacher and helping kids learn how to love music just like I do.”
It’s crucial to stand out in your answer, but don’t forget the basics.
Please make sure you are polite and thank them for their time.
5) Thank Them for Their Consideration
By thanking them for their consideration, you show that you understand this is a big decision for the committee, and they want someone who cares about it.
“Thank you so much for your time and effort in creating this scholarship – I know how important it is to find students passionate enough about helping youth through music.”
6) Include Your Contact Information
This is super important.
If you are selected, the committee will need to reach out to you.
Make sure they have a way of contacting you by including your email address and phone number in your response.
“My email address is [email protected], or my cell phone number is 555-555-5555.”
If there’s one thing I hope this post has taught you, it’s that standing out isn’t about doing something crazy or gimmicky for attention; It’s about being yourself and showing who YOU are because
THAT’S what makes each applicant different from everyone else.
Everyone applying for this scholarship wants help achieving their dreams, so show them why YOU should get it by making yours stand out above all the rest.
7) Be Yourself
This is super important.
If you are selected, the committee will need to reach out to you.
Make sure they have a way of contacting you by including your email address and phone number in your response.
8) Proofread
It’s always important to proofread your work, but especially when it’s a formal document like this.
Typos or mistakes can make you look unprofessional and careless.
“I am excited to be applying for the [name of scholarship] scholarship.
I am passionate about helping youth through music, and I know that with this scholarship, I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a music teacher.”
Proofread.
It’s always important to proofread your work, but especially when it’s a formal document like this.
Typos or mistakes can make you look unprofessional and careless.
9) Check the Requirements
Before you submit your answer, be sure to check that you have included all the required information.
This includes your name, contact information, and a brief response on why you are applying for the scholarship.
Make sure to double-check everything before submitting because mistakes can cost you points in an interview or selection process.
“I am passionate about helping youth through music, and I know that with this scholarship, I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a music teacher.”