As the cost of higher education continues to rise, scholarships play a crucial role in providing financial support for students. We’ve compiled a list of essential tips to improve your scholarship chances through proactive research, planning and organization.

Start early. The scholarship application process requires time and effort. Begin your scholarship search early to identify opportunities that align with your interests, qualifications and academic goals. A good place to start looking for scholarships is on the official Student Aid website. On a related note, it’s also never too late to apply, even if you’re already attending a college or university!

Stay organized. Keep track of your scholarship research and applications by creating a calendar that outlines deadlines and requirements for each one. This will help manage your time effectively and ensure you don’t miss any opportunities.

Research local or niche opportunities. Look beyond the national and state scholarships. Many smaller organizations and institutions offer awards for various fields and backgrounds. Local scholarships also tend to be less competitive and more attainable. Your school’s financial aid office or local city Chamber may have additional information to help guide you. Credit Human also offers a scholarship. Mark your calendar for January 2025 when applications open again.

Spend time on your essay. Scholarship essays provide an opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, interests and ambitions. Keep your essay concise and sincere to resonate with the reader.

Talk about your achievements. Ensure your application showcases academic achievements, leadership roles, community involvement or other relevant awards or honors that set you apart. Keep a digital “brag sheet” of your accomplishments so you can easily transfer this information to each application. Be ready to discuss your involvement, what you learned and how it impacted you.

PRO TIP: Keeping an active list of your accomplishments is also helpful when resume building, applying for jobs or notating in a performance review!

Don’t rush. The scholarship application process can be time-consuming but it’s important to always check for spelling and grammatical errors and verify that you’ve met all requirements and submitted necessary documents.

Be persistent. Not every scholarship will be a right fit, and that’s ok! Don’t get discouraged by rejection; keep applying and improving your application with each attempt.


While scholarships are a valuable way to help fund your education and reduce the burden of student loans, we know they sometimes don’t cover enough. To discuss what changes need to be made in your spending plan to factor in your education costs, visit your nearest Financial Health Centers.