How to Write a Scholarship Essay and Win a Scholarship
Ok, you decide to go to college and want to get a scholarship. This is not only a bunch of money that can cover your educational expenses but also a recognition as one of the best candidates. But here’s an obstacle on your way – an essay. That is why you’re reading this text, aren’t you? If so, time to stop wasting time and proceed to the priceless knowledge of how to write a scholarship essay and succeed with it.
The end of your essay is a conclusion. Believe it or not, here you’d need to provide a reader with a summary of what you’ve written before. But in a case of a scholarship essay, the conclusion needs to be as memorable as possible. There’s something more significant than a semester mark at stake so think of making some strong statements in the last paragraph. Your introduction should be short, sweet, and to the point. This is the place to establish for the reader what you will be discussing in the rest of the essay.Your introduction should include the following three things: 
- Attention-grabbing first sentence
- A short explanation for what you will talk about in your essay
- The thesis statement in which you address the essay prompt
Your introduction should be short, sweet, and to the point. This is the place to establish for the reader what you will be discussing in the rest of the essay.
Do you have a short story you can open your essay with? Jokes, metaphors, and anecdotes are a great way to capture your reader’s attention. Try to develop a personal connection with the reader from the start of your essay- readers are more likely to remember you if you give them something personal.
Take a look at the following two examples:
- Example #1: It is important to take responsibility for your actions for a few reasons.
- Example #2: December 2, 2015 was the day my life took a major turning point.
Do you notice the difference? Which example makes you feel like you want to know more about the writer? Of course, example #2. This is the effect that your essay introduction should have on the reader.
Be sure to maintain a unique voice in your introduction and throughout your essay. Remember that there are many other accomplished students like yourself who are fighting for the scholarship. Dive into your passions and share with the reader what makes you special.
Also, remember to keep in mind the values of the organization or the school that you are writing the scholarship for. Express yourself in a way that the readers will appreciate. Yes, it’s important to be yourself. But, it’s also important to share the side of yourself that your reader will appreciate. To find this information out, you must research your audience to know what their values are. Did you know that the U.S. Department of Education awards approximately $46 billion in scholarship money each year? While most of them are federally funded, there are also a lot of private scholarships out there to help students pay for their college tuition.Step 5 - Editing Checklist
- Did you follow the essay instructions?
After you’re done writing your first draft, go back and read over the instructions. Is there any part of the prompt you left unanswered? If it’s a multi-question prompt, the tendency can be to focus more on one part. Make sure you give equal attention to each part of the question. - Have you shown it to a least 2 other trusted peer editors or teachers?
One of the best ways to edit your essay to ask someone else to read it. If you have a trusted teacher who’s willing to look over it, even better. They’ll have a more trained eye for what the admission committee is looking for. - Did you nail your introduction and conclusion?
The introduction is important because it grabs the reader and makes them want to read further. The conclusion is also essential because it’s the last impression they’ll have of you before choosing which pile your essay goes into (rejected or in the running) so make sure you leave them dazzled.
Writing a scholarship essay can be a daunting experience, but with some careful planning and effort, you can put yourself in the running to take advantage of some great scholarship opportunities. Good luck!
Whether they are private or federally funded, students may or may not have to present letters of recommendation and transcripts in order to apply for scholarships, but one thing is for certain: nearly every application requires an essay.