So many scholarships, so little time. That’s what I thought when I was applying for scholarships. In this post I am going to provide you with four detailed ways to help you apply for and get scholarships. Let’s get to it!

First narrow your choices on which scholarships you want to apply for. For example, aim it for what you are interested in majoring in. Once you have found a good chunk of scholarships that fit, you get to work and start the essays, if needed. One thing that I advise you not to do is look at the dollar amount.  Take whatever you can get because it all counts in the long run and will soon add up.

Second, don’t be afraid to talk about yourself and the awards and things you have accomplished. People looking at your scholarship application want to see the great things you have done in and out of school. It’s okay if you have never played a sport in high school; the person looking is not going to throw out your application if you have never played any sport whatsoever. Put it on your application if you’ve volunteered somewhere, preferably consistently or if you’ve been part of a club. Scholarship givers want to see if you have been committed to and consistent in something.

Next, keep all of your essays for other scholarship essays because chances are most scholarships that ask you to write essays are going to ask questions that are almost identical. For example, in what ways have you given back to your community? Or the classic: What circumstance in your life has shaped you into the person you are today? All you have to do is tweak your former essays to fit the essay questions.  This saves you time and effort.

Finally, start early. Too many times I have seen friends who are panicking at the last minute scrambling to put together a halfway decent essay and send it through the mail. Don’t procrastinate. Ask for the application early.  If the due date is in a few months, get started ASAP. This way you have enough time to gather recommendations and revise essays without having to lose any hair at the end. Starting early gives you time to finish and revise and come out with the final edit and send it in. Then start on a new application.

It’s also a myth that you can only be a senior and apply for scholarships. I applied for the Achievers scholarship going into my junior year and received it my junior year. All you have to do is look around, ask your counselor, do some research.  One website I would recommend is http://www.collegeboard.com/.  On this website you can narrow your search to your specific needs.

Just remember take your time on the applications and revise, revise and revise! I cannot stress that enough. Any time someone has to write it takes this process – not just yourself but your teachers, peers, even people who are majoring in writing. Its ok if you get denied a scholarship, there’s always so many more other ones waiting to be caught by you.

Good luck!