Scholarship awards are essentially free money* to help you pay for college. Any award money you win will lower your student loan debt by that much. With so much riding on scholarship awards, you want to make sure that every application you put together is as close to perfect as it can be.
You’ve done the research, shortlisted opportunities that you qualify for, and made a note of the application deadline for each scholarship. You’ve also gathered together the documents you need, worked on your applications, and are finally ready to submit the first completed application.
But before you take that final submission step, it’s a good idea to go through your scholarship application one last time. You want to make sure you haven’t overlooked something that may take you out of the running to win.
1. Review The Submission Guidelines Of Your Scholarship Application
Every scholarship has its own rules, guidelines, and requirements. Double check the submission guidelines of the application you’re ready to send.
- Have you completed everything the application asks for?
- Do you have all the documentation required and ready to go? Depending on the type of scholarship, you may need to submit your transcripts or certificate of achievement in a specific field.
- Do you have the number of recommendation letters required? Some organizations require applicants to submit one letter of recommendation, but others may ask for two. On the topic of recommendation letters, don’t wait until the last minute to get yours. It takes time to compose a strong letter and you want to make sure your letter writer has the time they need to work on it.
Go through each requirement listed and ensure that you have everything that the scholarship asks for. It’s no fun to hit “Submit” only to realize that you forgot to attach a certificate, or you haven’t got enough recommendation letters, or whatever else the case may be.
2. Ensure The Application Form Is Filled Out Correctly
Details matter when it comes to scholarship applications. Having the right information is crucial to you receiving these awards. The smallest mistake in your contact details could result in you not receiving notification of your win.
Go through your application in detail. Make sure you’ve completed every section accurately. Check that your name, contact details, and prospective school are spelled correctly.
3. Read Through Your Essay and Short Answers
When reading through your essay and short answers, proofread for spelling and grammar.
Try to approach your writing as though you don’t know what it’s going to say. That will help you catch any mistakes: accidentally writing “of” instead of “if”, or “an” instead of “and”, punctuation errors, and sentence fragments. Also, ask yourself the questions “Does this make sense? Is my point/argument clear?”
It’s a good idea to ask someone else to read through your answers and essays. A fresh pair of eyes is more likely to spot an error than the person who has worked on the content.
4. Make Certain Everything is Up to Date
If you started the scholarship application earlier, double-check that all the info you’ve used is updated. Examples might include FAFSA and CSS information, updated GPA or transcripts, or scholastic awards/achievements. If you are reusing any application components, such as an essay, be sure that its content works for the particular award you are applying to.
5. Confirm The Submission Method
Every scholarship sets their own submission method. Some may give applicants a couple of different options, others may list a specific method.
Confirm how that scholarship application should be submitted, whether online, by e-mail or mail. Ensure you’re using the correct submission method and make sure you’ve used the correct address, so your application reaches the scholarship committee.
6. Make A Copy For Your Records
Although not mandatory, it’s a good idea to save a copy of the application and all associated documents before you hit send or seal the envelope. This can be helpful for tracking what you submitted and may help for future applications too.
If you win the award and want to apply for the same scholarship the following year, reviewing your application can give you an idea of what worked. And if you don’t win, reviewing your application may help you understand what didn’t work and what you need to change.
Things To Think About When Applying To Scholarships
There are several things you need to do before you get to the stage of submitting a scholarship application. Here’s a brief snapshot of the most important factors to consider when applying to scholarships:
- Don’t limit your scholarship search to academic and athletic accomplishments. While these are the most common type of scholarships, they aren’t the only type. You can find scholarships for various criteria from creative pursuits and specific demographics to physical attributes such as having red hair or being left-handed.
- Make a note of the requirements and the submission due date for each. This will ensure that you complete and submit each application well before the deadline.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. There are benefits to submitting scholarship applications early.
- If the scholarship requires an essay, start working on it early. The scholarship essay is likely the most important part of your application and getting it right can take time. Take sufficient time to create a draft, tweak it multiple times, proofread and even give it to someone else to critique.
- Never pay any money when applying to a scholarship. Legitimate organizations never ask applicants for money upfront. Instead, they are committed to helping deserving students by covering some of their college costs. If a scholarship is asking you to pay first, it is most likely a scam. Take time to recognize common scholarship scams so you know what to avoid.
Use College Raptor’s scholarship finder database to find thousands in FREE scholarship money for college from various institutions, private, and government organizations.
*While a scholarship does not have to be repaid, there may be other obligations associated with the scholarship.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
|
|
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
