Scholarship funds available

Your scholarship application is the tool the colleges use to get to know you and create their first impression of you. Remember you won’t be there for a physical interview, therefore your application should pack a punch! If you want to get a scholarship , you need to make a great first impression.

Colleges and universities are not just interested in your academic excellence, they want a well rounded individual. They want to know what your personality is, beyond academics. It’s students who are well rounded and show other skills that make the scholarship list.

There are several ways of getting your application to move from the bottom to the top of the pile of applications of your desired college.

Leadership roles

Any leadership role in school is a plus. Class captain, prefect, club President and so on. It’s good to document what you did and outline details of your responsibilities in that role. It could also be leadership of a church group. Leadership always stands out for college admission boards. It tells them you are mature and able to work with a team to achieve a goal. It also speaks to your self confidence.

Extracurricular activities

School clubs like the debating society, dancing , knitting, farmers club and so much more are also good for your application. The school wants to know what else interests you;  it also tells them you are disciplined, and a team player.

Sports

Any sport that interests you is also a win. Athletics, swimming, basketball, tennis, whatever it is. It shows you are disciplined enough to give the sport the required time and sacrifice required  to excel in it.

Internship

No matter how short it is, the college sees any form of experience in your course of interest as a plus.Your passion for your preferred course of study also shines through. Don’t waste the holiday time, use it to shore up points for your scholarship application.

Work experience

Any kind of work is a plus, although colleges don’t expect much of this from secondary or high school leavers. Any work experience shows your level of maturity working with others and reporting to work everyday. Work means you are capable of taking instructions and completing tasks is an added bonus. Any project you started and completed at work should be stated.

Activism

Any form of activism, political environmental or social shows you have convictions and are ready to follow through with your convictions. It also shows that you are ready to stand up for what you believe.

Charity work

Going out of your way to extend a hand to the needy is a fantastic thing to do any day. The ability to look beyond yourself and see others in need, and reach out to them speaks of compassion and selflessness. Doing something for an orphanage, getting old books or donations to buy books and supplies for indigent children, getting involved in feeding the homeless and much more. The list is endless. Just get involved in something that tugs at your heart.

Travel

If you have had an opportunity to travel, this can be included. This is just to share your experience, learning and interactions on those trips. You come across as someone who is tolerant of others and accommodating . Please don’t brag.

A note of warning though, your application shouldn’t be crowded, just pick some of the things you have done that will make the most impact. If it’s too lengthy, and crowded, then it gives the admission committee more work. You also don’t want to give the impression that you just run around town doing one thing or the other, or that you are confused.

Cheers to a successful scholarship application.