Filling out your scholarship application correctly is very important, however, it is not the only thing you must do.  It is equally important to ensure your essay/ personal statement is completed to the best of your ability.  When writing your Essay/Personal Statement it is important that you remember to use ALL of your writing tools, (They include Instructors, Writing Lab, Internet Links/References and Reference Books).  The rules listed below are  general guidelines for writing your Essay/Personal Statement.

Writing Rules:

A.  ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

      SPONSOR. When in doubt ask your scholarship representative or

     call the sponsor's point of contact as a last resort.

B.   BASICS FOR SUCCESS, each sponsor may have slightly different

      requirements than those listed here, however, these are the basics

      and will point you in the right direction.  BUT! Ensure you read the

      sponsors' Essay/Personal Statement requirements.  

      1. Submit typewritten material

      2. Use plain white bond paper, 8 1/2 x 11

      3. All margins 1" on each side (that's approximately 6 spaces)

      4. Use block or indent style for paragraphs. Do not have

          hyphenated words.

      5. Center title on first page (Example: Journalism Scholarship

          Applicant or Personal Statement)

EXAMPLE: Center Title

CENTER TITLE

Journalism Scholarship Applicant

or

Personal Statement

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       6. Put your name (First MI. Last), address, and phone number on

           the first page of your paper. Place in the upper Right Hand

           corner (EXAMPLE A.).

        7. Put your name (First MI. Last), phone number," Scholarship

            Applicant", and page number of any additional pages. This

            information is placed in the upper Right Hand corner

            (EXAMPLE B.).

EXAMPLE: A. Address             

Jane R. Graduate       

777 Success Way        

Anyplace, CA. 92012  

(619) 123-4567         

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXAMPLE: B. Page Numbered

Jane R. Graduate

(619) 123-4567

Scholarship Applicant

Page Two

  

 

 

 

 

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        8.  Do a draft first. Organize your ideas. WRITE an outline of

             what you want to say. You can be creative - but do not get

             too cute in your writing unless you are applying for a creative

             writing scholarship.

        9.  Submit a clean copy, free of errors. Have someone (Instructor,

             or English Lab Tutor etc.) review your essay for neatness,

             clarity, and grammar. Make sure your paper addresses all the

             issues the sponsor is asking for.

             It is important to "tailor" your Essay/Personal Statement to

             the specifics in the scholarship. For example - if the award is

             for individuals involved in community service - talk about your

             involvement in community service. Read the qualifications

             carefully.

       10.  Also when writing, DO NOT elaborate on how "broke" you are,

             or you need to pay your rent, or get your car fixed, or need to

             pay a sitter for your kids so you can go to school, or you're

             receiving social assistance.

             Instead, focus on your determination to pursue your goal:

             Your dedication to your studies as will be evident from your

             transcripts; Your work experience paid and volunteer. If you

             are a single parent, say it and be done with it. If you are a

             first generation college student - elaborate on that.

             ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

             Scholarship sponsors want to give this money to people that

             have plans to make a contribution to society; that will

             become productive citizens; that will mentor to others; that

             will use the money for their education.

       11.  Keep a file of everything you send out and everything your

             receive. Also set up a template for your essay. That way you

             don't have to rewrite it every time you submit an application.

             Just move paragraphs around, "take this out and add that".

             The same thing applies to the application. Many times

             sponsors ask for the SAME INFORMATION. If you keep copies,

             you can just transfer the information to the new application.

THERE ARE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO GIVE AWAY.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS APPLY!