Looking for a scholarships is just half of the whole college application process. A winning application package is needed to get that scholarship you want. This process entails lots of dedication and patience so you need to invest your precious time in preparing for a good scholarship essay.
How an essay can help you land that scholarship
Like the usual “essay about myself” for college admissions, scholarship “about myself” essays are a crucial part in the application process. Writing the essay is another way for the admissions panel to know you better in a more personal way. This is to assure the panel members that the scholarship will be given to the most deserving students. In reality, most of the applicants really deserve to have a scholarship so it is important to make your scholarship essay appealing to the admissions panel. Check the Internet for a sample essay about myself that can help you write your own.(1)
Express your situation without resulting to pity
In writing your “about myself” essay, it is very important to choose the topic that will emphasize your personality, values, and experiences coherently. If you are going to write about a depressing experience such as a death of a relative, your debts and financial incapability, or a parent who is suffering from a serious injury, you should always bear in mind that your primary purpose is to highlight your qualities.(2) It doesn’t follow that just because something bad has happened to you, the scholarship will be yours. Nobody wants to sound like a pathetic applicant who uses merely emotions to capture the sympathy of the panel members. It is best if you will be remembered as the applicant who showed the willpower and strength to surpass all the negative things that happened to him or her.(3)
Discuss what you can contribute to the school community or to the organization behind the financial aid
Writing about your possible contributions is also an essential part of the essay. Behind every scholarship program lies an unwritten “social contract” wherein you will extend the most possible effort that you can give for the benefit of the institution behind your scholarship. You have to write your intentions in such a way that the administration panel will see your willingness to contribute something to the organization behind the scholarship program without being obligated.
(1) http://www.k-state.edu/artsci/scholarship/essay.shtml
(2) http://www.med.ufl.edu/oea/finaid/sgfl-writingtheessay.shtml
(3) http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/scholarship/essay-tips.html
You have been preparing for it ever since you started school. You had worked yourself off to obtain the highest grades that you can. Your parents did their part by saving for it. But college is just too expensive. Fortunately, there are several financial aid and scholarship programs available in each college and university to help in fulfilling your dream.(1) However, the financial aid system of the country varies from district to
district or even school to school. So, the question now is how can you be able to get the best financial aid deal that will really suit you?
It should suit your current financial status
Just like looking for a pair of jeans that suits your current size, a financial aid program should meet your current financial status. If you or your parents have savings to provide for your tertiary education, then you do not necessarily need a full scholarship with other benefits. On the other hand, if you are in dire need of money and are sure that you can’t pursue your studies without financial aid, then go for full scholarships instead of the partial ones.
It should be flexible in terms of payment
Like a pair of jeans that can be worn comfortably anywhere, a financial aid program, particularly for student loans, should have flexible payment terms. You wouldn’t want a student loan which would practically hold you on your neck immediately after graduation. Stick to study grants and student loans from the government that can be deductable from your salary after graduation without totally compromising your income.(2)
It should be from a trusted agency or organization
Just like a pair of jeans from a trusted brand or retailer, your scholarship should be from a trusted agency or institution. After all, it’s money that you are dealing with. There are different kinds of reliable financial aids and scholarships available, such as grants and bursaries from the government, federal student loans, financial assistance programs from provincial aid organizations, and scholarships from private
institutions.(3)
To be able to get that scholarship, make sure that you come up with an excellent scholarship essay. Just like an admissions “essay on myself,” the scholarship essay should convince the readers that you deserve a slot. To help you write that scholarship essay on myself, try to read a sample essay about myself online. A well-written scholarship “myself essay” is clear, engaging, direct to the point, and is a reflection of your personality.
(1) http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/12.13/99-finaid.html
(2) http://www.yale.edu/admit/freshmen/financial_aid/index.html
(3) http://www.college.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_jgoGDnQG8nY0MDFws3AyPz0BB_Q2cfQwMDM_3g1Dz9cJAuPKoMIPIGOICjgb6fR35uqn6kfpQ5whSLEHdTA0-D0BBXd0M3A5BdkTmp6YnJlfoF2V4e5fmOigATc04e/dl2/d1/L0lJSklna2shL0lCakFBQ3lBQkVSQ0lBISEvWUZOQTFOSTUwLXchLzdfU1JTQ1FLQjMxOFRHNTBJMFVURUcxRjAwMDY!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_SRSCQKB318TG50I0UTEG1F0006_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/college/college/howtopay/learnwhatsavailable
Whether you are entering into college, graduate school or a graduate program, financial aid can definitely help you save some money for other important expenses. Many people believe that it is difficult to obtain financial aid, because of the requirements or the application process. In truth, however, it is not as hard as people think it is. For this purpose, we will demystify some of the common misconceptions that people have about financial aid.
Misconception #1: Financial aid is not for everyone
Many people are discouraged from applying for financial aid because of certain circumstances. Some people rule themselves out from such aid because they believe their academic or financial status does not fit the criteria. In truth, you should try to assume that you are eligible for financial aid, regardless of circumstances or status.
Misconception #2: Good grades equal good aid
Most people think that you need to have good grades in order to be accepted for financial aid. There are numerous other factors that influence whether or not you are accepted for aid. Some of these factors include your ethnicity, your geographic origin, your major field of study and your involvement in your field.
Misconception #3: Financial aid is free
Financial aid usually comes in a combination of grants and loans. Grants are not paid back, but loans are. The fact is that loans are a form of financial aid, as well. This means that there are numerous forms of financial aid out there that you can apply for and be accepted to.
Misconception #4: It’s not too late to apply
While you are allowed to submit your applications on the last day of your deadline, this is not an advisable practice. The earlier that you send you application for financial aid, the better your chances are to be accepted into a program. This is because there are more openings available earlier on rather than later.
Misconception #5: Large amounts of scholarship dollars are unclaimed
Both the government and private sectors help in providing financial aid, but there is only a small amount of scholarship dollars that goes unclaimed. In truth, this misconception is only used to scam money from students and their parents.
Misconception #6: Scholarship services are worth paying for
There are many companies that seek to scam money from people by offering scholarship searches and scholarship grants at a cost. The truth is that many of these resources and services are available for free from colleges and government organizations.
Misconception #7: Applying for financial aid is not worth it
Some people believe that applying for financial aid is a burdensome task that takes too long to accomplish. With the technology and resources available to people these days, though, applying has never been easier. You can easily use the Internet to gather sources, information and tips on how to apply for financial aid. This will allow you to get financial aid with ease and convenience.
Photo Credit : GiselaGiardino
