At some point in your scholarship search, you may have come across the name of a scholarship and its requirements. You may have thought, “Oh, I have a shot at winning that!” but the application wasn’t available online or you didn’t know where to get one. Here are a few steps and suggestions for the best way to find applications and the potential methods for applying.
Write an application request letter to the organization
If you find a scholarship that doesn’t have its application available online or in your career center, you should write a letter to the organization so they can send you an application. You can write a simple friendly letter (Google “friendly letter format” if you don’t remember how to write a formal letter) to request an application. Browse the scholarship website for a contact address and perhaps contact name. If you find it in a book, copy down the address and any other relevant information. If you write the letter to a specific person or committee, you are more likely to get a response than to just send a letter without identifying the destination of your message.
Typically, two short paragraphs and a closing sentence should suffice. Your first paragraph can state where you heard about the scholarship and why you want to apply for it. You can also mention who you are and where you are from. In your second paragraph, you can ask for the application and provide the address to which you would like the application and any other material sent. Make sure to provide your contact info in case they need to contact you. Finally, close with a sentence thanking them for their time. For a sample letter, click here. Remember to sign it with a black or blue pen and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for them so they can send you your application. Once you receive your application, send them a hand-written thank you note to let them know that you received it and appreciate their response.
Online versus Paper
When you’re ready to actually fill out the application, you may have two different options: online or paper. Many scholarships today offer an online application that may include several pages. You will have the option of saving your information at several points throughout the application so you can finish it in several sittings. The advantage of applying online is that your application is entered into the system automatically, and you will receive confirmation that they have received it shortly after.
For some scholarships, like the Gates Millennium Scholarship, you can submit your essay(s) online. Most of the time there will be an indicator for word or character count. It may be easier to type your essay in a word document, edit and revise it, and then copy and paste it directly onto the application. Be sure to look over the application completely so you have no mistakes in your application. Before you press the “Submit” button, take a moment to print off your application so you have a copy for your records. Another option is to save the application as a PDF file. You can do this with Adobe Acrobat (which you may need to purchase) or PDF995 (which will allow you to create PDF files for free). Some online scholarship applications even include an option for downloading your entire application as a PDF. Save it to a scholarship folder on your computer for future reference.
If you apply on paper, it is a good idea to print off a first draft for you to practice filling out the application with your information. You may find that you’ll think of additional information to put on your application after you start filling it out. Once you figure out the best way to report your information, transfer it to a final application using black or blue ink. Avoid using white out. If possible, type your information onto the application. Some applications are available as PDF files with fields that you can type in. Remember to make a photocopy of your application before submitting it. You may also want to scan it and save it on your computer.
Read the application instructions
Before you start filling out the application, take a few minutes to read the instructions. You will find valuable information and answers to any questions you may have. You may find that you need to choose one of two essay questions instead of writing two essays. Reading the instructions can save you time and energy. It’s always a good idea to either print out a copy or save it on your computer.
Organize your applications
As you begin applying for scholarships, it’s a good idea to develop a method of organizing your applications. You can set up a filing system with different folders for scholarship opportunities, scholarships you are currently working on, and scholarships you have applied for. Other students have set up scholarship portfolios in which they include articles like their transcripts, resumes, certificates, and other notable awards and achievements. This can be useful for interviews for both colleges and scholarships.
You’ll find throughout your scholarship search that organization and attention to detail are important to compiling competitive scholarship applications. You’ll discover your own method for finding and organizing your scholarship applications as you start for more and more scholarships. Before long, you’ll be able to apply for all scholarships for which you qualify.
