Scholarship Application Tips | Financial Aid & Scholarships

Meet all application deadlines.Use a calendar or planner, make a schedule, and stick to it. If you miss a deadline, even by just one day, you may not be considered.Gather application materials early.Give yourself plenty of time to complete each step. Applications that have been rushed look sloppy, and incomplete applications probably won’t be accepted.Don’t ignore small awards.Small awards can add up. Plus, the larger the award, the more competition you’ll face.Request letters of recommendation early.Some applications require letters of recommendation. Think carefully about who should write these letters and choose people who can speak to your strengths and ability to overcome your weaknesses (letters from family members are generally a no-no). Give your recommenders no less than two weeks notice so they have time to write the letter. Be prepared to provide them with additional information about yourself or the scholarship. Make sure to follow up with your recommender to assure that yo...