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Scholarship Links
Assistance
Links
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Scholarship
Mistakes & Tips
The most common scholarship mistakes are listed below.
Place your cursor over the term
or phrase to see the related information.
Misspellings are the fastest way to ensure an essay is disqualified. When combing through a stack of essays, a
judge will first rule out the essays with simple misspellings. Long story short: run a spell check and have someone else you trust look
over it. It’s always best to get a second set of eyes.
Helpful SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIPS
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Read all scholarship requirements/criteria carefully to make sure you
are eligible to complete the application.
Tip #1: Applying for eligible scholarship |
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and
specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come
alive: the who, what, where, and when of your topic. The
simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly
how you were affected.
Tip #6: Write a strong essay |
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Provide everything that is required, DO NOT
supply things that ARE NOT requested as you could be
disqualified.
Tip #2: Follow ALL Directions |
Proofread the entire application package carefully, check for
misspelled words, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Ensure
all required documents are present. Ask a professors,
teachers, or the writing center to proofread your package.
Tip #7: Give it a final “once-over” |
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Always type your application, even if you must insert textboxes,
do so neatly and legibly. If needed save each application as a
“.pdf” before you fill them out. Make a working drafts of your
application packet.
Tip #3: Neatness is most important |
Before sending the scholarship package, make a copy of the
entire packet.
Tip #8: Keep a back-up file of all
applications |
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If you have problems with the application, do not
hesitate contact your scholarship specialist.
Tip #4: Ask for scholarship help |
Know the required DEADLINE. Once completed
send your application in, at least two weeks prior to the
official deadline.
Tip #9: Watch all deadlines |
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If a question does not apply, note that on the
application (N/A). Do not leave a line blank on the
application. Supply all required/supporting material, such as
transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.
Tip #5: Complete your application in full |
Put all application materials together in one
package and correctly addressed.
Tip #10: Ensure your application package is
complete |
Remember, each sentence should have a subject (someone or something) and a verb (action). Wondering if your
sentence is complete? Here is a hint: A complete sentence tells a complete thought.
Underlining is not required or appropriate. Do not use all caps to make a point.
Make sure the apostrophe is correctly used, (Example its or it's) Spell out your words do not use contractions.
it is bad enough not to capitalize words at the beginning of a sentence, but at the beginning of a paragraph it
stands out even more!
Ensure you have the proper command over the use of commas,
semi-colons, and colons — namely are they missing, in places or should they have been added,
or not used/are not required.
Read the question, ensure you understand the question. Answer the
question completely and use examples if required.
Make proper word choices, improper grammar and mistakes such as having too many spaces between words.
Another example of poor grammar is the confusion of grammatical persons — in the beginning of the essay the writer uses the first
person plural (we) and toward the end, the writer uses the second person (you).
As a rule, try to keep sentences no longer than 35 words each.
The writer submitted the essay as one block of text with no line breaks or paragraphs. Not only is this improper
English, but it’s a turn-off to judges who will find it hard to read.
For further assistance or information contact:
Use capital letters properly! That means they should be used at the start of a sentence and for proper names.
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