There are many reasons you may be interested in getting a scholarship for your college studies. In particular, scholarships help to relieve the financial stress of funding your studies and keep you as far away as possible from heavy student loan debt.

Funding your studies with a scholarship will help you stay focused on making the most of your college life and graduating in flying colours. Although the process of securing a scholarship can be tiring and highly competitive, there’s no denying that it’s worth a try.

Sometimes, these external hurdles to obtaining a scholarship can make you feel your chances of getting shortlisted are slim. But the truth is, whether or not you’re likely to be shortlisted depends mainly on your level of preparation and determination.

College boards direct thousands of aspiring students and select only the best. So depending on the competition, you may have to apply for more than one scholarship opportunity before eventually getting shortlisted, and that’s where your determination and relentlessness comes to play.

We have written these 5 practical tips to help boost your chances of getting a college scholarship. These are proven tips that have helped many aspirants land scholarship opportunities, so if you want to be the next scholar, keep them in view.

1. Begin The Process Early

The earlier you start the application process, the greater your chances of preparing well. This is a rule of thumb, and it has a massive impact on your success. When scholarship enrollment deadlines are set, don’t wait until the eleventh hour before submitting your application.

Commencing the process early gives you more than enough time to thoroughly review the requirements and note important information. And if there are any necessary documents you currently don’t have, you can quickly work towards obtaining and submitting them before your deadline.

On the other hand, a late application often means rushing to fill out forms and meet deadlines, resulting in missing important information or even supplying incorrect details. Start early, when only a few people are submitting applications, and you will boost your chances of getting a scholarship.

 

2. Look In The Right Direction

This is one of the most critical steps that can make or mar your scholarship dream. When you look in the right direction on how to get scholarships for college or areas of opportunity, you’re probably going to find one that works for you.

On the other hand, looking in the wrong direction will not only waste your time and effort, but it can also dwindle your motivation and willpower.

Thus, the first step to knowing where to look for funding opportunities is knowing your college choice. Once you identify the college you desire to study in, go to their official website for details about their scholarship and the requirements. This is especially important if you’re very specific on your college choice or your desired course is only available in a few colleges.

However, if you aren’t very specific about your college, there are tons of opportunities out there. You only need a quick google search to see the list of scholarships available in your country or the country you wish to study in. You can as well follow blogs and websites that post scholarship updates online to be among the first few to hear about the opportunity. These platforms usually include options in different study destinations, scholarships centred on specific subjects and scholarships prepared for particular student groups such as African students, Asian students, etc

 

3. Prepare Well For Interviews

Some scholarships require physical or online examinations where aspirants are tested and scored afterwards. This score, alongside other criteria, are then used to rank students and select the best. If you apply for such a scholarship, it’s crucial to study hard and smart. You shouldn’t rely on your past grades as that will not be the only factor considered.

One great way to study smart in this context is to look out for past questions and study their solutions. You’re likely to find a trend in the pattern of setting questions or even get repeated questions. If there are no past questions, speak with students who are current beneficiaries of the scheme. Learn from their experience and take note of the kind of resources they prepared with.

Also, if the scholarship requires physical interviews, you want to make sure you arrive as early as possible on the deal day. Late arrival is an automatic turn off for most interviewers, and you don’t want to be disqualified before even getting the chance to show your competence.

Dress smartly and keep a friendly appearance with a moderate smile. If you can, ask relevant questions about the scheme and the college. It shows you’re motivated and present-minded, which boosts your chances of being shortlisted.

 

4. Stand Out From The Crowd

Everyone wants a scholarship, no doubt. Students jump at every opportunity in thousands, which makes selecting the best a daunting task. One core way to propel yourself far ahead of the competition is to stand out in various areas. Here are some ways you can stand out from the pool of aspirants.

First, engage in extracurricular activities that show your level of diversity and activeness outside the classroom. If you belong to certain groups or clubs, include them in your application and state your contribution to their growth and development. Even something as simple as a sports group can separate you from others.

Second, if you’ve once volunteered in local community service, include it in your application as that can also show your selflessness and team spirit. Being able to work hand-in-hand with others reveals a whole lot about your personality and social life.

Third, if there’s any instance wherein you led people in a project or for a cause, this can be a great chance to show your leadership skills. Scholarship boards are often particular about students who display effective leadership skills, so having leadership experience under your belt can make a huge impact on your application.

 

5. Read and Follow Instructions Carefully

Even when you get all the previous steps right, not following instructions can outrightly get you disqualified. Suppose you were instructed to enter some information and input the wrong data, or you were told NOT to fill an area, but you went ahead to fill it; what chances do you stand against others who diligently followed the instructions? Practically none.

It’s essential to read and follow instructions to bolster your chances of falling on the list. Finally, ensure you submit a carefully crafted scholarship essay or cover letter that highlights your strengths and displays how studying in the college will be of great value to you and the college.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2021