If you are reading this more than likely you have started your search for scholarships. Not only have you started but you have come to realize that it’s not as easy as your high school counselors make it sound. You’ve been told all your years of school that if you choose to attend college that there will be scholarships awaiting you and all you have to do is apply.
The truth is that there are hundreds if not thousands of scholarships available. The best ones have applications and they require that you write an essay. If you are having to write a scholarship essay don’t be afraid, in fact be happy that you have an opportunity to show people your writing skills. Not only that but a scholarship committee will be able to read the emotions that you put on paper.
Before you start writing your essay brainstorm on the following area of your life: community service, hobbies, GPA, leadership qualities, future ambitions and any extracurricular activities that you are involved in. Committees ask these questions so they can get a feel for who you are as a person.
Writing an essay
The best advice I can give you is to look for ways to stand out from the crowd, or in your case, other applicants. Members of committess will tell you that they look for students who are not just looking for money, they are looking for students in which to invest in. Give reasons as to why you want to be a finalist for a scholarship and how it will pave the way for you to help others in the future as well. Write about giving back to your community after you finish college.
Keep this in mind, everybody applying needs the scholarship. So write in such a way where you know you deserve the scholarship. So explain that you are active in the community, you volunteer at your local church or you are involved in after school programs. Let them think that you are too busy taking leadership positions and that getting a job would distract you from your full-time studies.
If you are the first in your family to attend college, it will be to your benefit to highlight that statement. Always mention a circumstance that you had to overcome to be where you are today. People want to read about how a financial contribution to your education will change your life forever. So get started writing your essay and be sure to write in a way that will capture a readers attention and pull out any emotions that you can. Besides, your story will be an emotional one because in a Hispanic family, when one student graduates, their whole family does as well.
