Scholarship Essay Guide

BIG Ideas:

• A strong scholarship essay can show who you are beyond your grades, test scores, and achievements.
• Make sure you answer all prompts, include personal stories, and have your essay proofread before sending. 
• Follow the scholarship requirements and give yourself plenty of time to write, revise, and submit your essay.

Interested in that scholarship to help with paying for college? That’s great. There’s nothing like free money to help make that dreaded tuition bill more affordable. There’s just one slight problem. Hundreds of other students may have the same idea. 

So, what can you do to stand out?

Well, good grades and your activities, interests, and awards can certainly help. But they don’t tell the whole story to a scholarship committee. There’s only one person who can do that – YOU!

That’s the whole point of the scholarship essay.

Sure, it may seem like a stressful assignment – another item on your jam-packed list of things you must do before you can set off on your college journey. But that essay is actually your opportunity to shine. 

To help you make the most of the opportunity, we’ve put together this scholarship essay guide with pointers on how to write a winning scholarship essay.

What is a Scholarship Essay?

A scholarship essay is your chance to tell scholarship committees more about you than your grades and test scores alone show. Think of it as a blank canvas that allows you to really paint your own picture of who you are, what interests you, and how you’ve become the individual you are today. 

So now that you know what a scholarship essay is and how it can help, let’s look at some scholarship essay tips as the next step in our scholarship essay guide.

What to Do Before You Start Writing

• Research the organization. Before you even fire up your computer, it’s important that you know the mission and values of the organization offering the scholarship. This will help you determine how your goals or interests align with what the organization values. 
• Know the deadlines. You could write the most compelling, beautifully crafted essay that stands apart from others. However, if that essay is submitted late, you’ll take yourself out of the running. Submitting your essay on time shows the scholarship committee that you are conscientious and eager to be considered. 
• Read the requirements carefully. Many organizations will provide specific instructions for your scholarship essay format, such as word count and how the essay should be submitted, etc. Scholarship essay lengths can vary, so always follow the word count provided by the organization. The organization may also provide scholarship essay prompts (more on that later).
• Plan ahead. Knowing the deadline can also help you plan. You can create a schedule of milestones, such as brainstorming ideas, creating your scholarship essay outline, writing a first draft, rewriting and editing your drafts, and getting someone to proofread your essay. 
• Research scholarship essay examples. Many colleges and organizations provide scholarship essay examples that can help you see what a well-crafted scholarship essay looks like. Read them to get inspiration, not to copy them. 
• Write it in your words. Remember the whole point of the essay is for the scholarship committee to learn more about who you are and what you value. The only person who really knows what you value is you. No one else can express that better than you – not your parents, friends, or artificial intelligence.   

How to Write a Scholarship Essay that Stands Out

Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to get writing. Here are some tips to help you and your essay get noticed:

• Tell your unique story. After the scholarship committee reads your essay, they should have a good sense of what makes you unique. This is the most important part of your essay. The committee wants you to write about you, not what you think they want to hear. Is there a specific event or experience in your life that will show them who you are? It could be a challenge you have overcome or something that made you stop and look at your life differently. 
• Land a great opener. Committees read hundreds or thousands of essays. If you want to get their attention, start with a compelling opener like a provocative question or a strong statement, such as “I thought getting cut from the basketball team was the worst thing that could happen to me. I had no idea how much it would help me.” 
• Answer the scholarship essay prompts. Many organizations provide scholarship essay prompts to guide you in writing your essay. Read each prompt carefully and make sure your essay answers the question being asked. Again, you can write the best, most interesting story, but if it doesn’t address the prompt provided, it won’t help you. 
• Paint your picture. Rather than tell the scholarship committee that you’re a leader, dedicated worker, or someone who cares about others, share real-life examples that show those qualities. For example, you could share a story about how you mentor incoming freshmen or coach young children. 
• Finish strong. This is your opportunity to close the loop on your compelling opening and talk about how your personal story helped you become who you are today. Be sure to include how the scholarship will help you advance your interests. 

Common Scholarship Essay Mistakes to Avoid

After you finish your essay and before you hit “SEND,” be sure to check for these common scholarship essay mistakes. 

• Exceeding the word count provided by the scholarship organization.

• Not answering the prompts provided by the organization. 

• Having typos. Ask a teacher, guidance counselor, or friend to proofread your essay.

• Making your essay impersonal by telling the organization what you think they want to hear. 

• Reusing the same scholarship essay for every application you complete. 

Now that you’ve read our scholarship essay guide and know how to write a scholarship essay, it’s time to get cracking. Because scholarships can make a big dent in your college costs, it’s important to carve out time to plan and to give it your all. With some dedication, commitment, and this scholarship essay guide by your side, you can do it!

And if you want to put your new skills to the test, Brazos awards a $5,000 scholarship every month. Learn more about the Murray Watson, Jr. Scholarship or apply today.  

Brazos Can Help You with Affordable Private Student Loans, Too.

And if you need help with paying for college after scholarships and financial aid, including grants and student loans from the federal government, Brazos is here to help. As a Texas non-profit student loan lender, we offer competitive rates, no fees, and co-signer release on private student loans to help make college more affordable. Contact us today to learn more.