Do’s and Don’ts For Scholarship Applications

To apply for scholarships online, one needs to have a clear idea of the do’s and don’ts. With the right knowledge of the process of online scholarship application, half the battle is won. Here is a list of guidelines that you should keep in mind when you apply for scholarships. These tips can make the process less overwhelming and help you complete your scholarship application with ease. 

Do’s	Don’ts
Apply for scholarships as early as possible	Don’t leave it till the last moment
Search for other scholarship providers	Don’t forget to proofread
Mark the deadline of the scholarship application	Don’t fall prey to a scholarship scam
Make sure you have all documents	Don’t share login details with others
Ask someone else to read your application	Don’t submit an incomplete scholarship application

Do’s for a Scholarship Application

If you want to increase your chances of winning a scholarship, you need to make sure that your online scholarship application is flawless. For starters, make sure you are using a computer instead of a phone to make the process faster for time-bound applications.

• Apply for scholarships online as early as possible

When you apply for scholarships, do it as early as possible. Scholarship providers value applications that are submitted before the deadline. It shows how serious you are about winning the competition. Besides, organizations that provide funding only have limited amounts of funds available. Therefore, the earlier you apply, the easier it will be to win the scholarship.

• Search for other scholarship providers

It’s always best to have backup plans. Always look for alternate scholarship providers and apply to as many as you can. Research is necessary. Reach out to people and former scholarship winners, use resources such as the library, magazines, the internet, etc., to look for available funding opportunities. You can also contact your university’s office and see if they provide additional funding.

• Mark the deadline of the scholarship application

The deadline is pivotal when you are applying to online scholarship applications. Remember that organizations hardly make exceptions or give students a second chance. Thus, if you miss the due date to apply for scholarships, you miss your opportunity at getting funded. Many scholarships are granted on an annual basis, and you can always apply in advance. However, you must be aware of all the instructions provided, including the last date of application. Use the reminder option in your smartphone calendar to get timely reminders for submission.

• Make sure you have all the documents

The online scholarship application process is tedious and requires many supporting documents. When a student fails to submit necessary documentation, the application remains incomplete and unsuccessful. All scholarships require you to upload documents such as your mark sheets, proof of identity, bank details, photograph, personal details, proof of family income, and so on. Make sure you have both soft copies and hard copies of all these documents before you apply for scholarships. To avoid any confusion, maintain folders for organizing and storing the documents

• Ask someone else to read your online scholarship application

When you apply for scholarships online, make it a point to proofread the application. Constructive feedback from others is also useful as it helps you identify your strengths and achievements. Those who ask for feedback from others on their application have less chance of making errors. When someone looks at your application with a critical eye, you have a significant chance of improving your online scholarship application by listening to their advice. Make sure you ask someone who knows you and your strengths well, such as, parents, teachers, friends, etc.

Don’ts for a Scholarship Application

• Don’t leave it till the last moment

To avoid last-minute panic, it is best to submit your online scholarship application before the deadline. Don’t procrastinate and leave your essay till the last moment. When it comes to scholarship essays, you should always think it through and put in enough time and effort before you finalise the draft. Sometimes, scholarship portals hang due to heavy traffic during the last day of submission. To avoid missing the submission date, make sure you apply for scholarships a few days before the last date.

• Don’t forget to proofread

Always proofread your application when you apply for scholarships online. This will reduce the chances of making grammatical errors and other mistakes. If you want to win the scholarship, it should be as polished as possible. Those who proofread their application before submitting make fewer errors and have more chances of securing the funding.

• Don’t fall prey to a scholarship scam

The internet is brimming with misinformation and fraud. Never pay for a scholarship search and an application fee. Scholarship applications are always free of cost. Additionally, you should make sure that the websites on which you apply for scholarships are authentic. Only apply through the official scholarship website.

• Don’t share login details with others

When you apply for scholarships online, you will be given a unique log-in ID and password. This is sensitive information that shouldn’t be shared with anyone. It may affect your chances of winning the scholarship. Always make sure that you fill in your details by yourself and only involve those you trust.

• Don’t submit an incomplete scholarship application

Last but not the least, never submit an incomplete application. Scholarship test providers only ask for the information they need to process your funding. Therefore, if you leave out any crucial piece of information, it may result in you losing your opportunity. If you submit an incomplete application, you will be disqualified.

These are all the dos and don’ts you need to keep in mind for online scholarship application. Don’t think it is impossible for you to win when you apply for scholarships. Believe in yourself and may the odds be in your favour!