How to Write a Good Scholarship Essay – Sample Included

The difference between a scholarship winner and others is usually the effect of a scholarship essay. A scholarship essay is a very important requirement for every student applying for scholarship funding. The essay you write speaks to the committee member about your qualities as a person and an individual.

When you are applying for scholarships, one of the most important things you can do is write an outstanding essay. Scholarships are based on merit, and the best way to show that you are worthy is by writing an articulate and compelling essay.

The scholarship essay is the perfect opportunity for you to show how much you’ve benefited from your education and how you plan to use your scholarship money. You want to make sure that the essay is well-written, informative, and persuasive.

Here are some tips to help you write a successful scholarship essay:

1. Start by outlining your thoughts on the topic. What do you want to say? What examples can you provide? Try not to ramble on; keep your essay concise and organized.
2. Write in a clear, easy-to-read style without too many fancy words. Use basic adjectives, adverbs, and nouns to help the reader follow your train of thought.
3. Make your points clearly and concisely. Be sure to explain why you are the best candidate for the scholarship, not just that you qualify.
4. Remember to focus on the benefits of your education, not just what you’ve done or are doing now. Show how this scholarship will help you achieve your goals in life.
5. Summarize your thoughts and include a concluding paragraph that pulls everything together.

What Should a Good Scholarship Essay Contain?

If you are going to write an outstanding essay, you could apply the tips mentioned above. Another is to ensure you state your achievement, understand the scholarship type (Merit, Charity, Need-based, etc.), and also ensure you keep it simple and clean for easy communication. So, What should a good essay contain?

1. The Essay should be well-written, informative, and persuasive.
2. The essay should state your achievement, understand the scholarship type (Merit, Charity, Need-based, etc.), and also ensure you keep it simple and clean for easy communication.
3. Remember to focus on the benefits of your education rather than just what you have done or are doing now.
4. Summarize your thoughts and include a concluding paragraph that pulls everything together.
5. Always proofread your work thoroughly before submitting it to a publisher or online service.

Here is a bit of what your essay should sound like:

Since I have consistently achieved excellent academic results, I believe that this scholarship would be an excellent investment. Not only will it help finance my education at a prestigious university, but the skills and knowledge I acquire there will be invaluable in furthering my career. This scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to explore new interests, develop new skills, and make lifelong friendships. I enthusiastically recommend that you award it to me.

The benefits of my education are clear: I will receive an excellent education at a prestigious university, which will help me develop skills and knowledge that will be valuable in furthering my career. Additionally, the new interests, skills, and friends I make during my time at this university would be invaluable assets in my future endeavors. Therefore, I believe that this scholarship would be an excellent investment for me, and I enthusiastically recommend that you award it to me. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, John Doe.

When writing a scholarship application, always remember to:

1. Summarize your reasons for wanting the scholarship.
2. Include letters of recommendation from people who know you best (e.g., teachers, family members).
3. Demonstrate how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals (e.g., how it will help you pay for tuition, expenses, etc.).
4. Tell the Scholarship Committee about any extracurricular activities you participate in (e.g., volunteer work).
5. Mention anything unique about yourself that might make you an excellent candidate (e.g., a disability, ethnicity/race, etc.).

Here are some Scholarship Essay examples:

Essay Sample to Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship $7,500:

I am applying for the Rainbow Scholarship because I want to study abroad in a place with great cultural diversity. My dream destination is Japan, and I am confident that this scholarship will help me achieve my goal. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures, and studying abroad would be an excellent way to do so. Not only will I gain new knowledge about Japanese culture, but I will also learn about other cultures around the world. This experience would be invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Kaiser Permanente is a great organization to network with, as I plan on working in one of their facilities someday. Therefore, I am applying for the NCS Foundation scholarship because it will help me financially and will give me the motivation to academically push myself further. Studying abroad would be an amazing experience, and I am confident that the Rainbow Scholarship will help make it possible.

What should you not write in a scholarship essay?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to write a scholarship essay will vary depending on the specific scholarship you are applying for. However, some things you should definitely avoid writing in your essay include:

• Bragging about your academic achievements or stating that you are a “genius”;
• Describing yourself as someone who is “unique” or who has a “special talent”;
• Recounting your personal experiences related to the topic of the scholarship; and
• Mentioning any personal injuries or illnesses that may have prevented you from participating in regular school activities.

While it is okay to briefly mention some of your accomplishments in an essay, it is not acceptable to make your entire application focus on these achievements. Instead, focus on explaining why you are a good candidate for the scholarship and how your experiences will benefit those who receive it.

Example:

Dear [Scholarship Committee],

I am writing in regards to the NCS Foundation Scholarship opportunity. I would be extremely grateful if you could consider me for this award. I have always been interested in helping others, and I firmly believe that my experience and skills would be of great value for me to reach out to persons in my community who would find them essentially beneficial. Please find enclosed my resume and transcript for your review.

You Should Avoid these Five Things While Writing Your Scholarship Essay:

1. Avoid telling your life story unless it is related to the Scholarship: While it is okay to briefly mention some of your accomplishments in an essay, it is not acceptable to make your entire application focus on these achievements. Instead, focus on explaining why you are a good candidate for the scholarship and how your experiences will benefit those who receive it.
2. Avoid writing about what you have done for others as this does not demonstrate unique qualities: Instead, discuss how your experiences have given you the ability to empathize with others, or how you have been able to provide assistance to those in need. This will show that you are truly deserving of the Scholarship.
3. Do not use clichés: Many students choose to write about their unique qualities or what they have done for others, but it is important to avoid using common phrases such as “diversity” or “commitment.” These words do not demonstrate your individuality and can be seen as clichéd. Instead, use terms that will make you stand out from other applicants.
4. Do not write about the Scholarship in a one-dimensional way: A good essay should discuss the benefits of receiving the Scholarship and how it will help you achieve your goals. In addition, be sure to explain why you are the best candidate for this type of award. Do not focus just on the monetary compensation; also mention how receiving this grant will help you to develop new skills, or help you to achieve your goals more quickly.
5. Be sure to proofread your essay: Once you have completed your essay, be sure to read it over carefully and make any necessary changes. This will ensure that your message is clear and that there are no grammatical errors. In addition, be sure to check for spelling mistakes and incorrect word usage. If you find any issues, please contact us so that we can correct them.

We hope that these tips will help you to write a winning essay. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.