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How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

As an admissions officer, I reviewed thousands of essays for students seeking admission and scholarships. The essay is one of the most important parts of the scholarship application process–a strong essay can go a long way. However, with so much competition, it is important for your scholarship essay to stand out. That’s why it’s important for you to start a scholarship essay off right!

There are some very simple things that you can do to ensure that your essay is engaging from the very first sentence. In fact, beginning your essay with an exciting opening is one of the most important things you can do, because it will immediately distinguish your essay from the others. 

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can nail the very first sentence and start your essay off right!

Engage the reader with the first sentence

No matter what type of essay you are writing, you will want to ensure that the very first line grabs the attention of the reader. One of the biggest mistakes that students make when starting their essay is simply restating the prompt. This is bland and boring. 

Now, you might be wondering, “how do I engage the reader with the very first line of my essay?”. The good news is that there are several ways that you can do this that are very simple to do. 

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Begin with dialogue

First, you could begin your essay with conversation. This can be an interesting and unexpected way to start your scholarship essay. Maybe someone asked you an unexpected question? Perhaps you were having an interesting conversation with a friend or family member? Either way, dialogue can be a powerful tool to start your essay.

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Put the reader in your shoes.

Alternatively, you can choose to start your essay by placing the reader right in your shoes and show them something from your life. Appeal to the senses and show the reader what you see, hear, smell, or taste. These specific details will help your essay come to life and make it even more memorable. 

Also recommended: What’s the best scholarship essay format?

Scholarship essay introduction example

Next,  we’ll look at a specific example of how you can open up your essay. Let’s say you are applying for the Questbridge scholarship program . One of the essays that you will be asked is:

We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most influenced you. How are they shaping your future aspirations?

You might be tempted to rephrase the question and start your essay with something like:

“I have grown up in a rural context and this has formed my aspirations and allowed me to accomplish academic success…”

This is generic and will not engage your reader at all. 

Instead, what if you started off your essay with something like this:

“I look outside my bedroom window and see Henry, my favorite chicken, pecking at something in the dirt.” 

Makes a big difference, right? As a reader, you are probably wondering: why does this person have chickens outside their bedroom window? Why did they name this particular chicken Henry?

See also: Here are our top writing & essay scholarships for students!

Keep the ending of your essay in mind as you write the opening

While crafting your opening, be open to ideas about how to close your essay. There is no need to stress about the ending now, but being mindful of effective ways to end an essay is always a good idea. Say you are opening your scholarship essay with Henry the chicken. Is there a way for Henry to make an impactful appearance at the end of the essay to close things out in a way that perfectly wraps everything up? The key is for the essay ending to be meaningful and memorable for the reader. 

Don’t miss: Our free scholarship search tool

If you can’t think of a “wow” scholarship essay beginning, keep writing!

Sometimes, we know what we want to say, point by point, but we are not ready to be creative when it comes to opening an essay. In that case, keep writing! There is always the option of going back and crafting an engaging opening after your essay is written. Simply write your main idea where the first paragraph would be to guide you as you write. After, go back when your creative juices are flowing, and craft the amazing opening (and closing) that your scholarship essay deserves!

Final thoughts

As shown, there are many questions that we as readers will have after reading an engaging essay opening such as the one just shared; We want to learn more about the student who is writing this essay. After all, as a writer trying to stand out in a pile of essays, that is our main goal. 

We hope that you have a better understanding of how to start a scholarship essay so you can maximize your chances of winning scholarships!

Additional resources

Scholarships360 is the go-to for all things college admissions and scholarships! Wondering how to write a 250 word essay and how to write a 500 word essay ? Curious how to write an essay about yourself ? Wow, do we have the resources to help! Additionally, check out our free scholarship search tool to help you finance your college education. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! 

Key Takeaways

• The first sentence of the essay is what makes the reader want to continue reading 
• Engage the reader by appealing to the senses
• Create a sense of wonder in your essay, making the reader want to learn more about you
• Keep the ending of the essay in mind as you craft the beginning

Frequently asked questions about how to start a scholarship essay

What is an essay hook, how long should my scholarship essay be, scholarships360 recommended.

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What’s the right scholarship essay format and structure?

Many scholarships require you to submit at least one essay – and maybe you’ve already got that covered . But now you’re wondering: how should your essay be formatted? Should it be double-spaced or single-spaced? Should you include a title? Should you include the prompt? What does a typical scholarship essay format look like?

Although you don’t have to worry about essay formatting at Going Merry ( we’ll structure and submit your application for you , with our pre-filled forms!), maybe you’re also applying to some other scholarships too. So we’re here to help you understand how to format your scholarship essay.

Where do I start? 

Does a scholarship essay need a title , how should a scholarship essay be formatted what font should i use , how should a scholarship essay be structured can i get a template or outline, scholarship essay format at a glance, should scholarship essays be double-spaced , start writing.

You’ll need to dive into a personal experience or tell your story of an accomplishment, a hobby, an interest to the scholarship provider, showing them your experience with a structured and descriptive essay. Create an outline of your essay (this can be old school, with pen and paper!), write it out, and then ensure you’re formatting it professionally and properly.  (Need more scholarship essay tips? Try these.)

This depends on the essay submission format.

If there is a text box entry, you can just copy and paste the body of your essay, without a title. This is the case, for example, when applying for scholarships through Going Merry .

If you’re attaching an essay as a Word or PDF document, you can optionally include a title, but this is usually unnecessary unless there are special scholarship essay format instructions to do so. (One popular reason you might need to do this is if the prompt is to write about any topic of your choice, or to choose your own prompt. In this case, to give the reader more context before you begin your essay, a title may be helpful.)

If you are required to create a title, we recommend doing one of two things:

• Think of a title early on. Write down that title, write your essay, and then circle back to the title to tweak it as needed. -OR-
• Write your essay and then come up with a title . Your creativity might be fresher once you’ve answered the prompt and included the meat and potatoes of the scholarship essay, which might help you come up with a suitable title at the end.

Also, don’t stress! While a clever title can improve your essay, it’s hardly a make-or-break. A very descriptive title that summarizes the prompt would work fine, as long as your essay is strong. 

Relatedly, you don’t need to include the essay question or prompt at the top of your essay. The scholarship committee will know what the topic or prompt is!

(Want inspiration from winners? Check out these winning scholarship essays .)

If you’re writing your essay in a document to upload to your Going Merry profile , or to submit to a scholarship application on a provider’s website , and the scholarship provider doesn’t have explicit guidelines, it’s best to just follow a standard professional style and format. That means using 1-inch page margins, 12-point font size double-spaced (or 1.5 spaced), and a “standard” font like Times New Roman in classic (default) black. Don’t get creative with fonts or colors here. You want the content of your essay to be what stands out, rather than your unorthodox formatting.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how to best structure a good scholarship essay. In fact, you can see how wide-ranging these winning essays are. In fact, how to best answer and structure your essay depends partially on the essay and partially on your personal writing style. 

However, one pretty common way of structuring your scholarship essay is how Going Merry winner John Flowers Jr did it . Here’s the template/outline:

• Introduction (1-2 paragraphs) : Draw the audience in with an attention-grabbing opening sentence related to the prompt. Introduce your main points that you’ll be sharing later in your essay.
• Example of an opening sentence from a Going Merry scholarship winner: “My parents were never given a shot at having an education beyond high school.” This tells us about the student’s parents and how it might have influenced the student’s decision to apply to college, setting the tone for the essay.
• Introductory paragraph: “My parents were never given a shot at having an education beyond high school. They were never given a shot to show their full potential and make a difference in the world. They had to start life at an early age. I want to succeed in college for them and for me. I want them to be proud of me for doing a task that they weren’t able to do.” – This expresses John’s understanding of what his parents had to do, and that they did not get a chance to attend college. John also expresses his determination, and his drive to attend college to do something for his parents.
• Body (1-3 paragraphs) – Expand on your main points. Back up your information with evidence, examples, and facts. This is where you’re encouraged to share details of how you got to where you are today, what inspired your hobbies, interests, or drive to attend college, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your academic and/or personal goals. Remember to use specifics rather than make general statements!
• Conclusion (1 paragraph): Explain how winning this scholarship would help support your goals (and maybe also have wider community impact) 
• An excerpt from John’s conclusion: “Winning this scholarship will make a difference to me because it will allow me to cover college financial issues that may hold me back from reaching my career. Being less stressed about worrying about college fees will allow me to focus more of my attention in class to earn the credits, and not worry about how I’m going to pay for the class.” – John explains how valuable this scholarship is for him, not just monetarily, but also how it will help him achieve his goals.

• Read the scholarship essay format guidelines carefully, to check if the scholarship includes instructions
• If you’re submitting your scholarship essay outside of the Going Merry platform, set up your document with a 1-inch margin
• Aim for a 12-point font
• The best font to use is Times New Roman. Other good options include Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, and Verdana
• Always get a second opinion on the scholarship essay format for grammar, punctuation, spelling, structure, etc.
• Online form
• Going Merry scholarship platform (apply to thousands of scholarships and upload your scholarship essay)

You’re probably used to double-spacing your high school papers and essays. Since adding line spacing can make essays more readable, using 1.5-spacing or double-spacing is a good idea if you’re attaching an essay as a Word doc or PDF. But again, unless the scholarship provider has specified this information, it’s not mandatory.

More important is to not leave your essay as one block of text. Instead, we recommend separating paragraphs when you’re starting a new thought or idea.

For scholarship essays on Going Merry, you won’t have to worry about formatting because we will do this for you whenever you submit applications through our platform.

We know you’re going to rock your essay with these scholarship essay format guidelines, so get to it! It’s best to start writing your essay as early as possible to give yourself time to review the essay, ask someone (like a parent, guidance counselor, or friend) to proofread your essay, and then make sure to submit it on time. (On Going Merry , we’ll send you deadline reminders on your favorited scholarships and draft applications, so you won’t miss them!)

When you’re ready to apply for scholarships, sign up for Going Merry ! You’ll create a free student profile, enter your information once, and then we’ll match you with thousands of scholarships that you can apply to with just the click of a button. Don’t worry about entering your information twice – we’ll pre-fill this for you!

If you need additional resources to accompany this scholarship essay format guide, check out these related blog posts for more writing tips:

• How to answer “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”
• How to Write the Best Personal Statement
• 10 Tips for Writing An Essay About Yourself
• How to Write a Career Goals Essay
• 6 Tips for Writing Scholarship Essays About Academic Goals
• College Essay Guy: How to write a scholarship essay
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• Applying For Scholarships

Use This Scholarship Essay Format (w/example)

David Dec 24, 2018

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Winning a scholarship can be hard. There is a lot of competition, especially for the more prestigious awards. It is important that you do as much as you can to increase your chances of winning.

You may do this in many ways. Of course, if you apply to more scholarships, you increase your chances of winning. Getting awesome letters of recommendation is also key.

And then, there’s the dreaded scholarship essay that so many students have trouble with. As challenging as the essay is, it is critical to your application. 

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Your resume may show off all your achievements. But your essay shows the scholarship committee who you are. This is the place for you to set yourself apart from other candidates.

No doubt, the content of your essay is very important. (Like having an engaging introduction and memorable conclusion ). However, the scholarship essay format is also important for making a good impression.

Often times, students invest so much of their time focusing on the content requirements of the essay, that they forget about the es say format.

Why the Essay Format is Important

Scholarship committees have many essays to review. Setting a general format for all students saves them time when reading essays. They will not make any exceptions.

The last thing you want to do is ruin your awesome essay with a lousy format. So, here are some tips on how you should format your essay to make it look professional. You want to come across as a serious contender and a top candidate for the scholarship.

How to Format Your Scholarship Essay

Most scholarship applications  have the same format requirements for the scholarship essay. If you come across an application that doesn’t specify how to format your essay, the following format is a safe option for you to go with. Remember, if you ever have doubts, contact the scholarship committee for clarification.

Essay Format: 

• Double spaced
• 12 point Times New Roman font (Arial and Verdana is also okay). Don’t use any fancy script fonts, as beautiful as you may think they are.
• 1-1.5” margins (top, bottom, and side)
• Indent every paragraph or insert a blank line in between each paragraph to set them apart
• Insert your last name and page number (for longer essays) on the top left. You may also choose to sign your name at the end of your scholarship essay.
• Titles are optional. But, a catchy title can make a difference and engage your reader. Think about it, the title is the first thing your reader sees. 

Follow the word count guidelines as set by the scholarship committee. Scholarship judges usually don’t want to read an essay that is longer than ¾ to a page in length.

If your essay needs to be 300 words, it is okay if you don’t meet that exact number, such as 294 or 310. But, if you hand in a 450-word essay, they might not accept your application. It is best to get closest to the number as possible.

It can be tempting to write a long essay on all your accomplishments. But this isn’t what the scholarship committee wants to see . Quality is more important than quantity. 

Of course, there are exceptions. Always make sure that you know what the word requirement is.

Brainstorm your thoughts beforehand, create an outline, and stick to it. This should help you keep to the maximum work number.

Body Paragraphs

Your essay should consist of three or more paragraphs. Each paragraph should have at least three sentences.

Include a thesis statement in your introduction paragraph. The thesis sentence explains what you will talk about during your essay. Remember, your introduction paragraph should reel in your reader. 

Each body paragraph should f ocus on a different aspect that represents your thesis statement. Your concluding paragraph should revisit the theme and wrap up your main points. 

Use logical transitions between your body paragraphs. These help to connect the different topics in your essay. 

Other Tips: 

•   If you need to print and mail in your essay, use high-quality paper and an envelope that will fit the paper without folding it.
•   If your instructions state not to staple your materials, follow the rule. You don’t want to be disqualified for something as silly as this after you’ve worked so hard.
•   Take time to revise your essay. Read your essay out loud and pass it along to a family member to revise it as well. Sometimes, it takes many times (and eyes) to find errors.

When reviewing your essay, make sure that it is easy to follow. Are you answering the essay prompt in a concise manner? Ask family members if they know what the essay prompt is from reading your essay.

Before starting to write your essay, get to know the organization awarding the scholarship. What is its mission? The information you include in your essay should match their expectations and goals.

Finally, make sure that your essay focuses on you and not somebody else, like a role model. If you are talking about a role model, explain how that person has impacted your life and your goals.

Some of the guidelines ma y seem unimportant. But, the scholarship committee pays attention to minute details. They usually provide guidelines as a way to see how well applicants can follow them. If they don’t provide instructions, follow the essay format we have listed for you above.

Clearly read all instructions of the scholarship application. Making trivial mistakes is a sure way to get your candidacy revoked. If there’s something you don’t understand, reach out to the scholarship committee. They are there to assist you and answer questions. 

You may be tempted to apply only to scholarships that don’t require an essay. These scholarship applications are easier to fill out. But, for this reason, they receive a lot more applications. 

Using a free scholarship matching service can help you find loads of scholarships in no time. Get the money you deserve by applying to scholarships you qualify for. Spend time working on those essays and you may be a lucky winner.

Scholarship Essay Examp le: 

From Dad’s Shadow to My Own

Growing up, I always thought that I was going to take over my dad’s automobile shop. I had helped him in his store from a young age, handing him a screwdriver when he needed to turn a screw and a Coca-Cola when he was thirsty. He called me his mini-me and nothing made the smile on my face wider. I hid behind the shadow of my dad, a shy and awkward middle-schooler. I wanted to be just like him, that is, until I grew into Sam Foster and realized my own potential. 

When I entered freshman ye

ar of high school, I looked for a way to get to know new people. I decided to join my school’s drama club. Never having acted before, it was a pretty random choice. Especially because I was so shy. But, not being the sporty type or the science type didn’t leave me with many other options. 

We got our first assignment to perform a monologue in front of everyone. I was absolutely terrified. I practiced in front of the mirror in the bathroom for hours every night. I couldn’t imagine performing it in front of 20 other students in the club. 

The time came to perform my monologue. I got up on stage, my entire body shaking. My director gave me the okay to start. What happened next was a miracle. I started reciting my lines and gained confidence that I’ve never felt before. I became my character and didn’t not ice the crowd in front of me. 

On that day, I realized my calling in life. I was born to be an actor. Since freshman year, I have starred in every play at my school. I have taken acting classes in my high school, and outside acting classes. Next year, I am starting at the University of Michigan where I will major in drama. 

Unfortunately, my parents haven’t been the most supportive of my career choice. They were expecting me to take over the family business and not pursue my own path. I will have to rely on taking out loans to fund my education. 

I am planning to find a part-time job at school, but with all of the studying I will be doing and participation in school clubs and shows, my time to work will be limited. This scholarship will greatly assist me in pursuing my educational and career goals. 

As proud as little Sam Foster w as in his dad’s automobile shop, the Sam Foster of today is even prouder. No longer is he too shy to stand on his own, but he thrives in the spotlight. 

I am so excited to begin my bachelor’s degree in the fall. I know that I will gain invaluable skills. My education is so important to me and to my future. 

Thank you for your time and consideration for this award, 

• Scholarship Essay

David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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• Writing Tips

​How to Write a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

6-minute read

• 22nd August 2022

Writing a scholarship essay can seem like a daunting task. For many students , higher education isn’t possible without financial aid, and scholarships are especially valuable because the money awarded doesn’t have to be paid back.

Even though the stakes are high, there are a few manageable steps you can take to ensure you write a great essay to submit with your scholarship applications. We have a few top tips to help you get started, along with writing examples to demonstrate some key points. Check out our guide below to learn more.

A scholarship essay is a great opportunity to present yourself and your accomplishments in an impactful way. It is, therefore, essential to be aware of each scholarship deadline so you can allow sufficient time for the writing process, which typically includes the following:

·   Read the essay prompt and brainstorm ideas.

·   Create an outline covering the key points you want to address.

·   Write a draft and seek feedback from trusted teachers, family, or friends.

·   Make any necessary revisions and proofread before submitting your final draft.

Scholarship review committees will be able to tell if you rushed through your essay, so give yourself the best chance of winning an award by staying organized and on schedule!

Who and What?

Researching the scholarship provider and diligently reviewing the essay prompts can help you write an essay that makes you stand out as a top candidate.

1. Who are you writing to?

Learn more about the organization offering the scholarship and why the scholarship fund was created.

For instance, a scholarship may honor its organization’s founder, and the founder’s qualities (e.g., integrity, good citizenship, and leadership) might be the same values guiding the scholarship program as a way to continue the founder’s legacy.

If you identify with any of the same qualities, you can incorporate those keywords into your essay to demonstrate your shared values. Remember to remain authentic, though!

2. What are you writing about?

You must read the essay prompt carefully to identify precisely what you need to accomplish with your essay.

Some prompts ask about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them or your achievements and the challenges you overcame to reach them.

You’ll write about common topics across multiple scholarship applications – some may even be similar to your college admission essay – so you can repurpose your essays as long as you’re diligent about tailoring each one to its prompt.

Your application will likely require other items such as transcripts and test scores, but the essay is your chance to offer something entirely unique. Write about key experiences that highlight who you are and what you’ve accomplished, or you could mention something you’re passionate about.

Remember to follow any specific instructions regarding length and formatting, and be sure to answer all questions listed in the prompt. It can hurt your chances if you’re unable to show the committee that you’re detail-oriented and can follow directions.

Structuring Your Essay

Your essay should follow a standard format that includes a clear beginning, middle, and end. Typically, you should:

·   Establish your main idea in the introduction.

·   Include a separate body paragraph for each key point that supports your main idea.

·   Draw it all together and revisit your main idea in the conclusion.

Scholarship committees read thousands of essays each year. And often, there are hundreds of applicants for an award that can only go to a select few candidates. Writing a powerful introduction and conclusion gives you a chance to make a lasting impression.

1. Introduction

Write an introduction that hooks the reader and encourages them to stay engaged till the end of your essay. Don’t be afraid to add personal, tangible details and an anecdote .

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For example, if you’re writing about your career goals, demonstrate why you’ve chosen that career:

It was the biggest game of the season, and the stands were packed despite the bitter cold. My heart was beating louder than all of the cheers, and I was filled with the anticipation that one more run into the end zone would give us the championship. Everything went silent during that run when the tackle shattered both my leg and my dreams.

My world has always revolved around being an athlete – until one day it couldn’t. I spent many frustrating months rehabilitating, but I got through it because of my dedicated physical therapist, who helped me recover both physically and mentally after a devastating loss. And it was that profound experience that led me to pursue a career in the exercise sciences.

2. Conclusion

The conclusion is the last thing your reader will see, so it’s another opportunity for you to make your essay memorable.

Rather than summarizing with a general statement such as “this is why you should award me a scholarship,” perhaps explain what the financial assistance will help you achieve:

My parents never had the opportunity to go to college, and neither did their parents. I watched them work hard every day just to make ends meet, and I often questioned whether I could achieve anything more. Nevertheless, I spent four years working as hard as I saw my parents work, and I beat the odds by getting accepted to college. A scholarship could be invaluable for me, as it would allow me to attend and be successful without having to worry about finances.

Persuasive Writing

While you don’t want your scholarship essay to be overly informal, you’re certainly allowed to add some creativity and personal details to help persuade your readers.

One of the best ways to do so is by writing with the modes of persuasion ; that is, ethos, pathos, and logos.

Demonstrate your credibility. Use your real-life experiences and interesting details to establish, for example, how you’ve contributed to your community:

I saw how much bullying was impacting so many students at my school, so I founded my high school’s first anti-bullying club and organized campaigns to bring attention to the harm that people can cause one another.

Evoke an emotional response. The “show, don’t tell ” writing technique, which involves using descriptive words when discussing actions and emotions, can be especially useful here:

During one of our first awareness assemblies, the theater was completely silent as I read aloud anonymous stories from students about the scars bullying had left on their lives. Tears were stinging in my eyes as I described the struggles my classmates were facing, but I persevered to give a voice to those who didn’t have one.

Convey your point with reason and facts. Use statistics to demonstrate what you’ve accomplished:

In the first year alone, our club improved students’ feelings of safety and acceptance at our school by 53%.

Proofreading and Editing

Don’t forget the importance of proofreading your essay, as spelling and grammar mistakes can leave a bad impression on your reader. Our expert editors can help ensure your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. Give yourself a better chance at impressing scholarship committees by submitting a free trial document today!

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Crafting Compelling Scholarship Essays: An In-Depth Guide to Making Your Mark

In the diverse and dynamic landscape of scholarship opportunities , it's not uncommon to stumble upon some unique, obscure options that may not attract a multitude of applicants. However, unless you're fortunate enough to discover such a niche and exclusive opportunity, you'll inevitably find yourself in a highly competitive environment vying for that coveted college scholarship award. The competitive nature of these opportunities is a universal truth, a consistent element that brings both thrill and challenge to every hopeful college student seeking to lighten their financial burden through these awards.

The fierceness of the competition is particularly intense when it comes to scholarship essays. These contests, attractive due to their straightforward entry requirements or substantial monetary awards, tend to draw a plethora of candidates from all walks of life. The potential scholarship money reward often outweighs the efforts needed to apply, making these contests an alluring target for a wide array of school students. Hence, the number of applications for these scholarships escalates significantly, causing a spike in competition levels that can be as exhilarating as it is daunting.

Consider, if you will, the colossal responsibility resting on the shoulders of the scholarship committees who are choosing the few scholarship winners. They find themselves facing a mountainous pile of college essays, each representing a student's hopes, dreams, career goals, and potential future.

In this scenario of high-stakes scholarship program contests, the thesis statement to your essay becomes a critical piece of your college application. It's not merely an opening paragraph or a preliminary summary of your thoughts. The scholarship essay introduction serves as your initial personal statement, the opening essay topic of your application symphony, and the spark that can ignite a genuine interest in your life story filled with personal experiences.

Capturing the Reader's Attention: The First Sentence

The initial sentence of your scholarship application is your first, best, and perhaps only opportunity to seize your reader's attention. If you're aiming to optimize your chances of bagging scholarships, you need to understand how to launch your essay on the right foot.

Outlined below are several tips to aid you in crafting an attention-grabbing introduction that steps through the door and grants your application the attention it rightfully deserves.

Crafting Your Introduction: Tips and Tricks

• Embrace Authenticity - Put it in Your Words: Though commencing with an inspirational quote is a prevalent tactic in speeches and certain forms of the essay writing process, it might not be the most effective strategy for a scholarship application essay. Beginning with a famous quote demonstrates to the reviewer that you're capable of reading, but it doesn't offer much insight into you or your ideas. Kick off with your own words and if a quote fortifies or elevates your argument, contemplate incorporating it later in your entire essay.
• Steer Clear of Clichés and Overused Phrases: One of your essay's key objectives should be to set you apart from the crowd, and it won't achieve this if it merely regurgitates the same trite expressions that everyone else uses. Bear in mind that the scholarship provider reviewing your essay will likely be perusing hundreds or possibly thousands of applications. What might seem clever or adorable the first time quickly loses its charm after the 50th or 100th repetition. A good principle to abide by is that if a phrase belongs on a bumper sticker or in an e-mail from your mom, it probably has no place in your scholarship essay.
• Establish a Personal Connection: If your experiences offer you a unique viewpoint on the essay's subject matter, reveal this to your reader. Many people are drawn to personal anecdotes, given that the tales are captivating and well-narrated. Make sure that the life experiences shared in your story actually enhance your essay and bolsters your overall message. Be careful not to get overly dramatic, and don't let your introduction get bogged down in an overly long, intricate, or irrelevant narrative but do mention all of your academic performances.
• Venture Beyond the Typical - Say Something New: Are you arguing a point that deviates significantly from the usual array of canned responses? Consider leading with your thesis statement, or at least some of the insights or revelations that steered your essay towards the hot topic of your choice. There's no superior way to differentiate yourself from a stack of fairly standard responses than to contribute something fresh and thought-provoking with your scholarship application.

With a robust introduction and a thoughtful, well-crafted response, you're well on your journey to authoring an essay worthy of a scholarship award.

Scholarship Essay Example

Title: unleashing ai's potential in battling climate change: my journey towards a green future.

Being a graduate student in computer science often feels like standing at the edge of a vast ocean, watching the waves of artificial intelligence (AI) crash onto the shores of every possible discipline, reshaping landscapes as we know them. In my view, nowhere is this transformative wave needed more urgently than in the realm of environmental conservation.

Climate change, a looming specter of our own making, has ceased to be a distant alarm - it is at our doorstep. Traditional methods have made strides but fall short when it comes to the scale of the task. This is where my chosen focus, AI, steps in - not as a magic wand, but as a potent tool in our toolkit.

AI’s ability to sift through mountains of data and draw out patterns can provide us with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of our environment. For example, analyzing satellite images can track deforestation, spot illegal fishing activities, or anticipate wildfires. These capabilities scratch just the tip of the AI iceberg.

Peering into the future is another strength of AI. It can help us predict various climate scenarios, enabling us to prepare and adapt better. Whether it's forecasting water shortages or anticipating extreme weather patterns, AI gives us a valuable head start against these challenges.

AI’s potential influence also extends to industrial and agricultural sectors. Algorithms can help optimize energy consumption, reduce waste, and minimize carbon footprints. In farming, AI can predict crop yields, manage water resources, and control pesticide usage, thus fostering a sustainable way to feed our ballooning population.

The journey of employing AI for environmental conservation, however, isn't without bumps. There are real concerns around data privacy, the digital divide, and the ethical implications of AI decision-making that demand attention. Transparency, fairness, and accountability are principles we must uphold in our AI systems.

As I stand on the precipice of my research, I acknowledge these challenges. But far from being deterred, I feel a surge of resolve. I am confident that a judicious mix of technological advancements, policy frameworks, and our innate capacity for innovation can help us navigate this complex terrain.

Winning this scholarship would catapult my research into new heights. It would enable me to probe deeper into the intersection of AI and environmental conservation, to collaborate with thought leaders across disciplines, and potentially to design AI solutions that make a substantial impact.

It isn't just a route towards a sustainable future; it's a lifeline for our very existence. I am thrilled about what lies ahead and am eager to leave a positive imprint on this world through my work. After all, our capacity to adapt and innovate is the essence of humanity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i avoid when writing a scholarship essay.

Steer clear of clichés, overused phrases, or information that doesn't support your argument. Also, avoid being overly dramatic or straying from the essay prompt. You need to follow the scholarship essay format and make sure that you check all the boxes when it comes to the scholarship application process. As much as you might want to, don't get carried away with fonts, stick to Times New Roman in 12-point font size. And don't be boring; write something you would actually want to read.

Can I start my essay with a quote?

Please don't. And don't start with "Webster's dictionary describes..." It's been done to death and no essay reader will find it compelling or set you apart from the rest of the essays they're reading. At least not in a positive way. Starting with your own words typically helps to establish a personal connection and set the tone for your essay.

How do I stand out in a scholarship essay?

Be yourself and speak from your unique perspective. Be genuine and ensure your essay reflects who you are. A fresh, thought-provoking idea can also set you apart.

Is it okay to reuse a scholarship essay for multiple applications?

You may find it much more efficient to do so, acutally. Just be sure to read the rules and instructions very carefully. If you can "re-use" an essay you've already written with some editing, it could save you hours of your valuable time. However, it's crucial to tailor each application to the specific scholarship and its unique requirements. Recycling an essay without adjusting it can make your application seem impersonal and unthoughtful.

How long should my scholarship essay be?

The length of your essay can vary depending on the scholarship's requirements. Typically, the number of words or characters or pages, font size and spacing will be specified in the official rules. Always stick to the guidelines provided. If no length is specified, aim for 500-1000 words, as this is a standard length that allows for depth without becoming too lengthy.

Should I share my scholarship essay with others for feedback before submitting it?

Absolutely, it can be extremely beneficial to have others review your essay. They can provide constructive criticism, catch any typos or grammatical errors, and provide an outside perspective to ensure your message is clear and compelling.

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Home / Blog

How To Write a Scholarship Essay

February 15, 2019 

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Paying for college is a top concern for many students in America today. Even just a generation ago, a student’s primary concern was more about getting into the college they preferred, instead of about being able to afford college at all. Now, young students are trying their best to budget and save up in order to afford a college education, and are planning ahead for how they will pay off their student loans.

As important as FAFSA is for most students , there are other options available to help students pay for their college education: mainly scholarships and grants. The best thing about these options? They don’t require repayment plans.

Debt.org notes on scholarships for students: “Each year, an estimated $46 billion in grants and scholarship money is awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and the nation’s colleges and universities. In addition, about $3.3 billion in gift aid is awarded by private sources, including individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, nonprofit groups, civic societies, veterans groups, professional groups, service clubs, unions, chambers of commerce, associations and many other organizations.”

But how can you take advantage of this $49.3 billion dollar (and growing) pool of grants and scholarships? Scholarships require either proof of academic excellence or that students meet a financial threshold, as well as completion of an application and, usually, a scholarship essay. Just as some colleges and universities require an entrance essay to apply, many scholarships also require an essay along with the application.

Writing an essay for school is one thing, but writing an essay to help you pay for college is another. Financial stability is on the line when it comes to scholarship applications, so writing a winning essay is key to impressing those granting the scholarships you’re applying for. Here are some tips to help you better prepare for your scholarship application and essay.

What Is a Scholarship Essay?

Scholarships are a form of student financial aid that do not require repayment, as long as you meet the terms of the award and use it as directed. They are often gifted based on merit, either through academic excellence, financial need (also known as “need-based” aid), or by meeting specific requirements set by the organization awarding the scholarship; such as specific scholarships or grants for women .

Aid may come from federal scholarship funds, state or local scholarship funds, or private organizations, such as churches, nonprofit groups, and more. Additionally, almost every scholarship will require an accompanying essay along with the application.

The scholarship essay varies depending on the requests of the organization granting the essay. It may require a specific word count, or be based on a prompt. Whatever the requirements are, it is essential to follow the guidelines presented in order to qualify for the scholarship. Preparing your essay is like writing a resume for financial aid, and depending on which scholarship you’re applying for, the competition may be anywhere from minimal to fierce. It’s important to write an essay that can stand out amongst the crowd of applicants.

Grant vs Scholarship

Although the terms “grant” and “scholarship” often refer to a similar idea — student financial aid that doesn’t require repayment — they are two fundamentally different awards. The key difference lies in how they are awarded, and where the funds are originating from.

Grants , such as Pell Grants, are typically awarded by the federal government and are generally awarded based on need rather than merit. There may be minimum requirements that recipients are required to live up to, such as family financial status limits, but these are often less specific than scholarship requirements are. Additionally, colleges and state agencies may also award grants based on need.

Scholarships on the other hand are often awarded based on merit. They may require that students meet (and sustain) a specific GPA in school, or that students with athletic excellence join the college’s sports team. Most scholarships will have rules that recipients are required to follow in order to continue to qualify for that scholarship. Many scholarships are funded by colleges, private organizations or donors, and some state or local programs.

Both grants and scholarships may require an accompanying essay with the application, although there are some rare cases of scholarships and grants that don’t require essays and are easier to obtain. Be cautious of fraudulent scholarships or online scams associated with “easy to obtain scholarships”, as they are becoming increasingly common online.

Steps for Writing a Scholarship Essay

Just as when applying to colleges, scholarship applications may require that you to send in your grades, academic achievements, test scores, and ambitions for the future. As such,  scholarship essays offer you the chance to speak to these accomplishments and ambitions. Here you can shine and win over the organization granting the scholarship.

Once you’ve found a scholarship that you qualify for or that interests you, it’s important to read over the instructions thoroughly to understand what is expected of you. Then, follow these steps to write the perfect application essay for the scholarship of your choosing:

The prompts can be anywhere from basic — “What was a challenging experience you faced in high school and how did you overcome it?” — to more complex or specific — “How has coffee helped you study for your SAT or ACT test?”

The prompt should help you start to formulate ideas on how you want to construct your essay. Be sure to fully understand what is expected of you by reading the instructions, and do your best to not stray from the topic being covered. Some essays may have a word or page count, while others may only request you answer the prompt.

Brainstorming is an important step to ensure your idea fits with the prompt and properly expresses what you are trying to communicate through your essay. You also want to make sure that you express what is meaningful and relevant about yourself that can help your essay stand out from all the others.

One of the best ways to start constructing and organizing an essay is to create a comprehensive outline. They serve as an essential tool to help you avoid structural mistakes, repetition, and to help you cover all your bases and ideas without rambling.

Your outline should read like a barebones argument for why you deserve this scholarship and how your idea relates to the prompt given. Once you start writing the essay in full, you can fill in more of the details needed to explain your point, or to describe yourself and your situation.

Scholarship Essay Formatting

Additionally, outlines can help you properly format your scholarship essay. Here are some essential tips for your scholarship essay format:

• Introduction that ends with a thesis or idea
• Explanation that supports and proves your thesis
• Conclusion that reiterates your argument and thesis
• 12 point font
• Times New Roman, Arial, Courier, Helvetica, or Georgia font (whatever is standard on your preferred writing system, nothing too stylized)
• Double spaced
• 1 inch to 1 ½ inch margins
• If there is no required word or page count, as a general rule, aim for ¾ to 1 full page in length.
• Be sure to include your name and the name of the scholarship you are applying for near the top of the page (either as a header or simply above the optional title).

Once you’ve brainstormed and outlined your article, you can officially start writing the piece. Be sure to follow your outline and cover all of the key ideas that you came up with while brainstorming. Be concise, avoid rambling, and ensure your point is clearly stated. Also ensure you’ve formatted your essay correctly and stay true to the word or page count, if applicable.

Take a Break

Once you’ve completed your first draft, you should take a break from writing. Go outside and take a walk, or spend some time cleaning — anything to help you get your mind off the essay so that you can return later with fresh eyes. If you find it hard not to think about the essay, wait a day (or even a few days) before coming back to reread it.

In general, spending time away from your work can help you clear your mind. When you do come back, you may be more likely to notice mistakes or see gaps which require elaboration. For any essay you write, this is always a helpful tip.

As you return to your essay, go through and nitpick your work. Use your fresh mind to rewrite sections or include more (or less) context, as needed. Ask yourself if the core idea that you came up with during your brainstorm is still apparent in the article. Are you communicating your ideas clearly?

Additionally, keep an eye out for grammatical mistakes, such as missing or too many commas, misspellings, or other typos. If you notice repetitive words, utilize a thesaurus to find acceptable replacements. Once you’ve gone through your essay, you can submit it as is, or you can follow the optional next step.

Peer Review

For many people, it can be hard for them to revise their own work because they hold biases about their writing or are unaware of personal mistakes. Asking another person to review your work may help you refine your essay even more. Additionally, having another person read over your essay can help you determine the clarity of your point: do they understand the flow of your piece, or are they confused by any information? Does the context you provide make sense to the overall idea, or does the reader still have questions?

If you have a friend, relative, mentor, or peer that has editing experience — or that is simply a voracious reader — ask them if they can take a moment to look over your piece and make comments or suggestions. You may be surprised at what they find that you missed!

Scholarship Essay Tips

Your scholarship essay is going to be your primary (and sometimes sole) form of communication with the organization granting the scholarship. That’s why it’s so important to communicate directly and clearly through your essay in order to attract their attention and garner their support. Here are some additional tips to help you better communicate your intentions through your scholarship essay:

How To Start a Scholarship Essay

First impressions matter, and your introductory paragraph will serve as your first impression to the scholarship organization. Refer back to your brainstorm to help identify your message and consider how to attract the attention of the reader through your introductory paragraph. For some people, it may also help to construct or outline the body of the essay before you construct the introduction, so as to better understand how to concisely get your message across.

Once you’ve properly outlined the entirety of your essay, you can start writing. In your introductory paragraph you’ll want to state in clear and succinct language who you are, why you are interested in college and this scholarship (or your hopeful direction), and what the reader will find in your essay.

Be Personal

Another important point to keep in mind while you’re writing is that this essay isn’t a book report (unless otherwise stated in the prompt); this essay is about you. Don’t write impersonally, but take a personal tone: use “I, me, myself” or other personal pronouns and avoid general statements unless they relate to your situation.

Through your writing you should also be revealing some of your motivations pertaining to why you’re going to school and why you’re seeking out this scholarship. Discuss how you will become an effective student in the coming years, and how you’ll make good use of the money you may be awarded. You may have more freedom to write about yourself in detail for some scholarship prompts, and less of the same freedom for others. Use your discretion.

Stay Focused

When you originally brainstormed your essay topic, you should have been able to narrow down your topic to just a few key points that you could communicate and cover in detail. As you fully flesh out your essay, you should ensure that you stay focused on these core ideas. Try not to ramble or get side tracked. Every sentence in your essay should be related in some way to one of your core ideas. If it’s not, delete it or rewrite the sentence so that it does relate.

Be Succinct

It’s important to keep in mind that your essay most likely won’t be more than a page, double spaced. Since you don’t have a lot of room for fluff or non-essential information, it’s important to stay focused, to the point, and brief.

Additionally, the organization that is awarding the scholarship is most likely going to be reading hundreds (sometimes thousands) of scholarship applications and essays. Everyone will most likely be working off the same prompt, so you’ll want to ensure that your essay stands out, gets straight to the point, and doesn’t waste any of the reader’s time.

Follow Instructions

Finally, the most important tip is to simply read and reread the instructions multiple times to ensure you understand the prompt, what is expected of you, and all of the other essential guidelines pertaining to your essay.

While you should be sure to do this before you start writing, you should also do this after you’ve written the piece. Simply double check your work against the requirements set by the scholarship organization, and make sure you’re following the instructions to the letter. Essays that don’t follow instructions will most likely be thrown out first, and you don’t want your hard work to go to waste simply because you forgot something in the instructions.

Scholarship Essays for Online Students

If you’ve decided to pursue your education through an online bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program , it can be even more important to communicate effectively through your scholarship essay. It is entirely possible that you will never meet your collegiate benefactors or professors in person, and will only communicate with them via your writing online.

Luckily, there are some unique scholarships out there that are aimed just for online or “distance learning” students. Keep in mind, even some of the smaller scholarships (such as those for $50-$500) can still help you pay for books, online texts or subscriptions, or other essential learning materials.

Writing an imaginative and thoughtful scholarship essay can help you pay for online schooling for either a bachelors or masters degree program. It can also get you started on the right foot to have a solid financial aid foundation to pursue your college dreams.

Whether you’re writing one scholarship essay or many, these tips will help you make a solid first impression, and hopefully will win over whichever scholarship organization you’re targeting.

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How to Write a Scholarship Essay (with Examples)

September 27, 2023

While applying to college, many students are faced with an additional, daunting task: how to write a scholarship essay. Financial need, already a sensitive subject, can become a stressful factor in the process alongside other existential unknowns. Luckily, scholarship essays will not require you to go tiptoeing around the taboo topic of money. Furthermore, most scholarship essay prompts more or less resemble standard supplemental essay questions. The trick then is to make your scholarship essay stand out. The following article and scholarship essay example will offer up pointers for anyone striving to win a college scholarship.

Organizing Scholarship Essays by Prompt

You may feel like melting into a lump of despair when facing a browser full of tabbed scholarships. The best way to avoid getting overwhelmed is to organize and analyze a list of prompts. Why? Because your first goal is not simply to figure out how to write a scholarship essay. Rather, you’ll want to know how to save time while writing complex and relevant scholarship essays.

As you look over the various prompts, you’ll notice that some sound fairly open-ended, while others ask for something quite specific. In response, you should annotate each prompt with thematic keywords. This will help you figure out when you can use the same essay for several prompts.

Your annotated list may look something like the following…

Sample Scholarship Essay Prompts

1) “Explain something that made a big impact in your life.”

• Keywords: event , personal development, growth, background

2) “We’re committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.”

• Keywords: minority, diversity, identity, study abroad

3) “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

• Keywords: background, identity, interest, talent

Sample Scholarship Essay Prompts, Continued

4) “Please explain a personal hardship or catastrophic life event that you have experienced. How did you manage to overcome this obstacle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it?”

• Keywords: event, personal development, growth, challenge, background

5) Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way.

• Keywords: world development, challenge, future

6) “Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you arrive at this list? Will these things be important to you in ten years? Why?”

• Keywords: background, values, interest, development, identity, future

Scholarship Essay Prompts ( Continued)

7) “What does it mean to you to be part of a minority community? What challenges has it brought and how have you overcome them? What are the benefits?”

• Keywords: minority, community, challenge, growth

8) “Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.”

• Keywords: community service, humanity, community, background, future, values, career

9) “Discuss in your essay any challenges or obstacles you have dealt with and overcome in life and how this will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer, community service or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and what it has taught you. May also include future educational plans and career goals.”

• Keywords: challenge, future, community service, interests, value, personal growth, career

How to Write a Scholarship Essay through Prompt Analysis

Let’s compare some prompts by keywords. You’ll notice that some prompts have a lot of overlap, such as prompts 1 and 4. Both have event, personal development, growth, and background as keywords . Prompt 4 includes the additional keyword challenge . This prompt explicitly asks you to explain how you have “overcome” a “personal hardship or catastrophic life event.” While prompt 1 is not so specific, it would be easy, even natural, to include this narrative arc in your response. This means depicting how you faced the thing that “made a big impact in your life.” In other words, these two essay prompts, though worded differently, allow you to tell the same story.

Other prompts provide potential overlap. In this case, it’s up to you to find and interpret these moments. You may consider the values, strengths, interests, and experiences you wish to relate. For example, prompts 7, 8, and 9 all mention community through different approaches. While prompt 7 focuses on one’s past involvement in a minority community, prompts 8 and 9 are more future-facing, and don’t mention minorities.

Scholarship Essay Examples (Continued)

Here, your best strategy involves answering prompts 8 and 9 together in a single scholarship essay. To do so, the essay would need to detail “a challenge or obstacle you have dealt with” (9) which has thus “shaped your perspective on humanity” (8). This narrative arc will thus inform your “future” educational and career plans (8 and 9). Note that prompt 9 allows you to mention extra-curriculars. However, I wouldn’t recommend it, since this would make your essay less relevant to prompt 8. After your essay is written, adapt it to align with prompt 7. Consider condensing the part about the future into one final sentence and focusing more on minority aspects of your community.

How to Scholarship Essay Avoid Burnout

The above tactic will allow you to avoid burnout by strategizing your essay approach ahead of time. In turn, you’ll be able to maximize your efforts from the get-go. You’ll also likely find that your essays become more complex and nuanced when you consider several prompts at once.

The next step involves editing. Refer back to the prompt, once you have a draft written. Ask yourself, did I answer the question fully? Do I need to edit this essay further to emphasize a particular point? Do I need to cut the essay down to fit a new word count? Contrarily do I need to bulk it up? If so, are there other essays in my portfolio from which I can borrow material? Strategic editing will allow you to respond to a large number of essays during peak essay-writing season.

Finally, you’ll notice that most essays require a word count between 250 to 600 words. It’s often easier to write a longer essay first. This will allow you to go into greater detail without censoring your ideas. You may find yourself including dialogue, scenery, emotions, and all sorts of other specifics that make an essay personal. As you whittle down this essay to comply with a similar prompt, you’ll want to identify which pieces of the essay do the most work to get your message across. Don’t simply condense everything by eliminating details, for details are often the most memorable aspects of an essay. More on this next.

How to Write a Scholarship Essay Using the Three Fs

The three Fs can be applied to any college essay, though they are particularily useful in scholarship essays. Why? Because the three Fs will enable you to impress readers and beat out other applicants. Ultimately, they’ll help you win financial support. Think of the three Fs as a checklist to go over, once you’ve completed an essay draft. Ask yourself, is my essay fabulous? Flawless? Fearless?

How to Write a Scholarship Essay (Continued)

If your essay is fabulous , it glitters with personality. It is detailed, unique, and does its best to highlight your impressive journey. If your essay lacks a little fab, ask yourself, how can I make this essay more enjoyable and memorable to read? If your essay is flawless , it lacks all spelling, syntactic and grammatical errors. It answers every aspect of the essay prompt, and leaves no room for vagueness or misunderstandings. To avoid flaws, give your essay to several people to proofread. Finally, if your essay is fearless , it is not afraid to get a little vulnerable. This may sound contradictory to the first F. On the contrary, this fearlessness refers to the confidence to tell your own story. A fearless story isn’t afraid to go deep, add complexity, or get emotional. It is unafraid to show why its author deserves a financial boost.

Scholarship Essay Example

Now that we’ve established how to approach the scholarship essay, let’s dive into a scholarship essay example. The scholarship essay below stems from a prompt we saw above: Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way (500 words).

My generation is growing up in a time of increased global turmoil. We’ve witnessed Brexit, the Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, a series of refugee crises, and the invasion of Ukraine. It’s easy to liken this moment to Europe in the 1930s, which saw a spike in fascism and propaganda (their version of fake news). Only now, my generation must also contend with the hottest summers on record, raging forest fires, and the beginning of the 6 th extinction. It’s no wonder we deal with it all through increased skepticism and existential dread.

While I don’t have a simple solution, I believe most problems stem from ignorance. Xenophobia and racism, offshoots of ignorance, can be overcome by exposing isolated groups of people to greater diversity. This begins in the classroom. While dictators are hard to dispose of, education provides critical thinking skills, which allow citizens to make informed decisions when electing officials. Finally, developing a willingness to learn at an early age creates an instinct to continue learning throughout life. We desperately need intellectual flexibility if we are going to adapt to the planet’s needs as a world population and put a stop to industry-led fossil fuel burning.

Scholarship Essay Example (Continued)

The change I’d like to make is free, enhanced education for everyone, at every level, from elementary school to post-doctorate research institutes. To do so, I suggest defunding national militaries and channeling this spending into schools. Imagine if 80% of the 877 billion dollars the U.S. military spends annually went into learning. Combating fascism and climate change would look more feasible. And yet, no leader would agree to making their country more vulnerable by relinquishing arms and armies. Change must come from the people.

As the planet continues to heats up, and conflict over land increases, we must work together. The first step towards increased education is communicating this need for education: through journalism, on social media, in the streets. Next, I suggest lobbying politicians for incremental change. Finally, I believe a global grassroots movement to implement future-focused education, led by activists, educators, and philanthropists, would make this theoretical idea a tangible reality.

Last year, my mother, who never received a college education, decided to offer free gardening courses in our backyard. I quickly joined in. While teaching a handful of neighbors how to provide year-round food for pollinators may seem trivial, I’ve already seen positive repercussions. One conservative neighbor has set up an organization that collects and redistributes leftover produce from the markets to refugees. Another neighbor is now teaching middle schoolers how to cook and compost. These efforts have brought unusual strangers together and given visibility to our movement, #futurefocusededucation. I’ve seen it firsthand. The more we educate, the sooner we can combine our knowledge to create solutions.

Scholarship Essay Example Dissected

This scholarship essay succeeds at answering all parts of the prompt. It includes the change the author wants to make, and inevitable obstacles she’d face at the governmental and international level. These obstacles may sound insurmountable. Yet the essay shows that individuals are not powerless to enact change when they work together towards a common goal. The author provides various thoughtful steps we might take in order to prioritize education and peaceful collaboration.

Finally, the author portrays herself as someone personally invested in the political, humanitarian, and environmental state of the world. She proves that she’s already begun to make the changes she wants to see at the microscopic level. Overall, readers of this scholarship essay can see that this student is invested in bettering the world. This student would make for a proactive participant in her academic environment.

What’s Next?

Now that you have some inkling of how to write a scholarship essay and have reviewed of our scholarship essay examples, you may want to delve into more aid-related articles on the College Transitions Dataverse. You can read up on Need-Based Financial Aid Grants , and learn about Selective Colleges with Generous Scholarships . Furthermore, you may want to create your own Scholarship Timeline , in order to stay on top of the various deadlines. Good luck!

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Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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The Scholarship System

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How to Win Scholarships with the Right Scholarship Essay Format

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Updated on October 25th, 2021

We all know that scholarships are great. Being selected for an award means your child can pay less out of pocket for college while avoiding costly student loans and other debts. Typically, your student needs to write an essay for scholarship applications, and having the right scholarship essay format is critical.

Often, students get distracted by the content requirements of the essay, so your child may neglect scholarship essay format details that can set them apart from the crowd (and help judges understand what they are trying to say!)

To help your student reach the higher echelons of success, here are some scholarship essay format tips that can increase their odds of getting noticed for the right reasons. And if you are curious where to find scholarships that your child is actually eligible, you can learn more here .

Follow All Scholarship Essay Format Directions

First and foremost, your child needs to follow any instructions that are listed regarding the scholarship essay format. This includes aspects like word count, line spacing, font choice, and the use of headings.

If an organization provides guidelines about the scholarship essay format, these are there to ensure everyone is competing at the same level AND to make sure your student can effectively follow directions.

Failing to follow the rules about scholarship essay format can lead your child to be immediately disqualified, so these should always take precedence over personal preferences or standard guidelines regarding how letters are constructed.

In many cases, requirements like word count, spacing, and font ensure that the scholarship committee can successfully review the anticipated number of submissions within the time they have available. And, typically, they won’t make exceptions.

For example, if an essay needs to be 300 words, the committee will likely be fine with submissions that aren’t exactly 300, as hitting a target that specific can be challenging. So, if your child submits a piece that is 297 or 304 words, that could be okay. However, if your student turns in a 400-word essay, they’ll likely disqualify themselves from consideration.  In the end, the closer to the target, the better. In our online course for students , we recommend always maximizing the word count by getting as close to the limit as possible but avoiding going over.

Standard Scholarship Essay Format

Generally, this means creating a piece consisting of three or more paragraphs, with each paragraph being at least three sentences long. The introductory paragraph should contain a thesis statement that provides an overview of what will be discussed while the last paragraph should be dedicated to a conclusion and reiterating the primary point.

Any middle sections provide additional depth to the essay and typically represent the bulk of the content. However, in a standard scholarship essay format, each paragraph should focus on a single point that supports the larger thesis. When it’s time to cover a different point, another paragraph should be created, preferably leading off with transition sentence that creates a bridge between the previous point and the next.

Scholarship Essay Format Tips

When there isn’t specific guidance, your child may struggle with certain formatting choices.

To help them navigate tricky scholarship essay format decisions, here are some general tips:

• When not otherwise specified, your student should use a font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, Times New Roman, and Verdana fonts are typically considered the easiest to read and more professional, so your child one of those if a specific one isn’t required.
• If there is a page requirement (such as when a scholarship committee requests a two-page essay), your student shouldn’t use double spacing to meet the minimum unless it is explicitly requested. Otherwise, it may be perceived that your child is trying to take a shortcut. However, if there is no page minimum, 1.5 or double line spacing is acceptable.
• Your student can designate new paragraphs by either adding an extra blank line or by indenting the first line. However, they shouldn’t do both.
• Make sure to set all paper margins to one inch.
• If the essay must be printed and mailed, use a high-quality paper and use an envelope that prevents your student from having to fold the document.
• This sounds crazy but some committees specifically state not to staple the materials. If that’s the case, make sure not to staple them! Silly little things like this can lead to disqualifications (we’ve seen it..)
• Your child should always double (if not triple) check their scholarship essay for spelling or grammatical errors as these can significantly hurt their chances of being selected.

Keeping the Content on Target

As your child writes their scholarship essays, it’s easy for them to drift off on a tangent. While they may find the additional details interesting, falling off target can be seen as them not following instructions, a lack of focus, or trouble with self-editing.

When writing their scholarship essay, your student needs to ask themselves a few key questions, including:

• Can the scholarship committee follow what I am saying or the story I’m telling?
• If I didn’t know what the essay prompt was, could I reasonable ascertain it based on the content of this piece?
• Does the story focus on me (even when asked about role models) or do I spend too much time focusing on someone else?

That third point can be especially tricky when an essay question is asking about role models or people who’ve influenced your child’s life. While your student needs to touch on what they found inspiring about the person, they should spend the majority of the content talking about how they were moved/inspired/influenced and what that means for their lives. The rest can provide the necessary backstory and other details about their role model.

Ultimately, the scholarship essay format and content need to provide a cohesive narrative that helps the judges learn about your child.

If any part of the content doesn’t stay on target, it needs to be adjusted or removed. This is especially true when there is a word count or page length requirement, as superfluous details may look like your student was trying to create filler content or “fluff” as a means of hitting the minimum.

Reviewing the Essay

Ideally, your child should enlist the help of someone else, such as a trusted teacher, friend, or parent (like you!) to review their essays before they are submitted. Often, it is easier for a fresh set of eyes to catch errors that may be overlooked by the person who wrote the piece. Additionally, it can serve as confirmation that your student stayed on target and that everything feels cohesive when it’s reviewed by someone who hasn’t created it (or even knows what the prompt was).

Now, that doesn’t mean you should assume your child will want you to do the revisions. It can be tough to have writings as personal as scholarship essays read by family members, as it may make them feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. And, in the end, being able to write openly and honestly about their experiences can be the difference that sets them apart and helps them score scholarships.

So, don’t be afraid to offer your help, but, if your child says no, remember that that’s okay. Just be there to support them through this journey and provide encouragement. In the end, that can make more of a difference in the long-term than taking a red pen to their essay ever could.

What is the craziest essay prompt you’ve seen? Share it below!

Did you find this helpful? If so, share it with your friends and family so they don’t forget anything either.

Related Articles:

• Make Scholarship Essays Stand Out by Avoiding These 4 Clichés
• 3 Quick Tricks to Streamlining Your Scholarship Process

Related Videos:

• 7 College Scholarship Essay Ideas to Win More Funding
• How to Reuse Scholarship Essays & Win Over and Over

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November 19, 2018 at 5:06 pm

Thanks for info!

November 20, 2018 at 7:37 am

My pleasure!

November 29, 2018 at 1:29 pm

Set aside time each day to search for and apply to scholarships. You should be consistent in your search and make sure you are continually giving yourself every opportunity to win a scholarship. Don’t give up! It will take time and effort, but with the right focus, you can find the scholarship that is right for you.

November 29, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Great advice!

May 28, 2022 at 8:25 am

Loving your tips on reading the essay and pinpointing vague areas, as well as your suggestion that the essay as a whole should leave no doubt as to what the essay is about!

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Scholarship Essay Writing

How to Write a Standout Scholarship Essay | Tips & Examples

13 min read

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Scholarship Essay Format Explained with Examples

Top Scholarship Essay Examples: Winning Essays for 2024

Scholarship Essay Prompts 2024 For Students

Are you a student hoping to get financial support for your education? You're in the right spot! 

Writing a scholarship essay could be your key to getting those much-needed funds for your studies. But don't worry – we know it might seem a bit overwhelming. No need to stress!

In this guide, we'll break down how to write a winning scholarship essay into easy, manageable steps that can boost your chances of success. 

So, let's dive in!

• 1. What is a Scholarship Essay?
• 2. How to Structure a Scholarship Essay?
• 3. Steps to Write a Scholarship Essay
• 4. Scholarship Essay Format
• 5. Scholarship Essay Examples
• 6. Scholarship Essay Prompts
• 7. Scholarship Essay Tips

What is a Scholarship Essay?

A scholarship essay is your chance to show why you deserve financial support for your education. It's a piece of writing where you explain your goals, achievements, and what makes you unique. 

Think of it as a way to introduce yourself to the scholarship committee and convince them that you're the best candidate. It's more than just an essay; it's your opportunity to tell your story and stand out from the crowd.

 What to Write in a Scholarship Essay?

• Share a unique and meaningful personal experience.
• Describe your educational and career aspirations.
• Highlight key achievements and experiences.
• Show how you align with the scholarship’s mission.
• Explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.
• Highlight what sets you apart from other candidates.
• End with a powerful summary of why you’re a strong candidate.

Now that you know what a scholarship essay is all about, let's learn how to write one that shines! 

How to Structure a Scholarship Essay?

Structuring your scholarship essay is like building a strong foundation for a winning application. 

Here's a simple scholarship essay template to help you write a winning structure:

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Steps to Write a Scholarship Essay

Writing a scholarship application essay can be a straightforward process if you break it down into manageable steps. Here are complete steps to develop a compelling essay:

Step 1. Understand the Prompt

First, read the scholarship essay prompt carefully. Make sure you understand what the scholarship committee is looking for. Pay attention to keywords like "leadership," "goals," or "community service."

Example: If the prompt asks you to describe your leadership experience, answer the prompt by focusing on instances where you took charge and made a difference.

For sample prompts check out our ‘ Scholarship Essay Prompts ’ blog!

Step 2. Brainstorm Ideas 

Take some time to brainstorm and jot down your thoughts. Think about your achievements, experiences, and goals that align with the prompt.

For instance; If the prompt is about community service, list all the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in and choose the most impactful ones.

Step 3. Create an Outline 

Organize your thoughts into a clear outline. This will help you stay on track and make sure your essay has a logical flow.

Example Outline:

• Introduction: Hook, introduce yourself, state why you’re applying.
• Body Paragraph 1: Educational background and achievements.
• Body Paragraph 2: Goals and how the scholarship will help.
• Body Paragraph 3: Extracurricular activities and community service.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate your case.

Step 4. Write the Introduction

Start with a strong opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself and briefly mention why you’re applying for the scholarship.

For Example: "Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the world of medicine. Growing up in a rural community, I witnessed firsthand the lack of healthcare services, which fueled my passion to become a doctor."

Step 5. Develop the Body Paragraphs 

Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your personal story. Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph and provide supporting details and examples.

• Body Paragraph 1: "My academic journey has been challenging yet rewarding. Despite facing financial difficulties, I managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA and graduated as valedictorian of my high school."
• Body Paragraph 2: "Receiving this scholarship will enable me to attend medical school and pursue my dream of becoming a healthcare professional in underserved areas."
• Body Paragraph 3: "In addition to my academic pursuits, I have been actively involved in community service. Volunteering at the local homeless shelter has taught me the importance of empathy and giving back."

Step 6. Write the Conclusion

Summarize your main points and restate why you are the best candidate for the scholarship. End with a strong closing statement.

Example: "In conclusion, my dedication to my studies, my clear goals, and my passion for helping others make me a strong candidate for this scholarship opportunity. I am committed to using my education to improve healthcare access in underserved communities."

Step 7. Edit and Proofread 

Review your essay for any grammatical errors or typos. Make sure that your sentences are clear and concise. It’s helpful to have someone else read your essay and provide feedback.

Tip: Read your essay out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or mistakes you might have missed.

Step 8. Follow the Guidelines 

Make sure your essay adheres to the scholarship’s guidelines, such as word count, format, and submission instructions.

Example: If the institute requires a 500-word essay for scholarship, stay within that limit and ensure your document is formatted according to their specifications.

Scholarship Essay Format

So, what should a scholarship essay look like? A scholarship essay follows the below-given pattern.

• Follow the Guidelines: Adhere to any specific formatting instructions provided by the scholarship committee.
• Font and Size: Use a readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, in 12-point size.
• Margins and spacing: Set margins to 1 inch on all sides and double-space your essay.
• Alignment: Align text to the left and indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch.
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the header or footer if the essay is more than one page.
• Title and Headers: Write your essay title at the top of the first page in the center. Add your name, scholarship name, and date above the title.

To get detailed insights, make sure to read our blog post on the scholarship essay format .

Scholarship Essay Examples

Here are some winning scholarship essay examples for you to understand better.

Let’s take a look at a 300-word scholarship essay:

Below are some winning scholarship essay examples pdf to help you get inspired: 

Describe the Financial Need for this Scholarship

Scholarship Essay Examples Financial Need

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Scholarship Essay Examples About Career Goals

Scholarship Essay Sample About Why I Deserve The Scholarship

500 Word Scholarship Essay

For additional samples, be sure to check out our blog on scholarship essay examples .

Scholarship Essay Prompts

Wondering what to write about in scholarship essays? H ere are some trending and commonly asked sc holarship essay topics:

• Tell us about a significant challenge you've faced, including how support from family members played a role in overcoming it.
• Discuss a person or experience that has had a profound impact on your life and why.
• Describe your academic and career goals and how this scholarship will help you achieve them.
• Share an accomplishment or achievement that you're proud of and its significance.
• Explain how your background and experiences have shaped your identity and aspirations.
• Discuss a current issue or problem in society that you're passionate about and how you plan to address it.
• Reflect on a time when you demonstrated leadership skills and their impact.
• Describe a book, movie, or work of art that has influenced your perspective and personal growth.
• Explain the importance of diversity and inclusion in your life and community.
• Discuss your most meaningful extracurricular activity and how it has contributed to your personal development.

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Scholarship Essay Tips

When it comes to scholarship essay contest, you need to go beyond the basics. Here are some pro tips to help you stand out from the competition:

• Start Early: Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm and revise.
• Address Weaknesses: Use the essay to explain any gaps or challenges positively.
• Be Specific: Answer the question specifically and avoid general statements.
• Research the Organization: Tailor your essay to align with the scholarship’s mission.
• Use Active Voice: Make your writing more engaging and direct.
• Focus on Impact: Show how you’ll use the scholarship to make a difference.
• Keep It Personal: Share unique aspects of your background and goals.
• Stay Organized: Ensure your essay flows logically and is easy to follow.
• Show Enthusiasm: Demonstrate your passion and commitment clearly.

Common Scholarship Essay Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some specific errors to watch out for:

• Repetition: Repeating the same points or ideas.
• Lack of Structure: Disorganized or hard-to-follow essay.
• Ignoring Word Limit: Writing too much or too little.
• Being Overly Humble: Not highlighting your achievements enough.
• Generic Introductions: Starting with a common or unoriginal opening.
• Plagiarism: Copying content from other sources.
• Overly Complex Language: Using jargon or complicated sentences.
• Unfocused Narratives: Wandering off-topic or not staying on point.
• Failure to Reflect: Not explaining how your experiences have shaped you.

Scholarship Essays Vs Other Essays -H3

People often confuse scholarship essays with other types of essays and application materials. Here are a few common confusions:

• Personal Statements : Although similar, personal statements are typically broader and may be used for college admissions or graduate school applications. They focus on your overall personal and academic journey rather than a specific scholarship's criteria.
• Statement of Purpose : This is usually required for graduate school applications and focuses on your academic and career goals, research interests, and why you’re interested in a specific program. It's more about your future aspirations and less about personal achievements.
• Admission Essays : These are used for college or university applications and often ask about your experiences, goals, and fit for the institution. While similar in structure to scholarship essays, they are geared towards admissions rather than funding.
• Essays for Competitions: Essays written for contests or competitions might differ in tone and purpose from scholarship essays. They often emphasize creativity or originality, whereas scholarship essays are more focused on personal achievements and goals.

In conclusion, scholarships can open doors to your dreams and a brighter future. Crafting a standout scholarship essay is key for any college-bound student. 

If you're uncertain about your ability to write a compelling scholarship essay, seek assistance from an essay writer at MyPerfectWords.com.

We understand the academic challenges and that is why our essay writing service for students offers the best writing help. 

Simply reach out to our scholarship essay writing service , and rest assured, that your essay will be delivered punctually.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a scholarship essay be.

A scholarship essay should typically adhere to specified word or page limits, which can range from 250 to 800 words, depending on the scholarship provider's guidelines. It's essential to respect these limits to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions.

Can I reuse the same scholarship essay for multiple applications?

Reusing the same scholarship essay for multiple applications is generally acceptable as long as it aligns with the specific requirements and prompts of each scholarship, and you make necessary adjustments to tailor it accordingly.

How do I ensure my scholarship essay reflects my authentic voice and experiences?

To make sure your scholarship essay reflects your authentic voice and experiences, be genuine, share personal anecdotes, and avoid over-editing to preserve your unique perspective and personality.

How to win a scholarship?

To win a scholarship, start by carefully reading the application instructions and tailoring your essay to meet the criteria. Highlight your unique strengths, achievements, and goals, and make sure to follow all formatting and submission guidelines. Proofread your essay for errors and ask someone to review it before submission.

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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How to write a scholarship essay

A step-by-step guide with instructions, outlines, and samples

Great scholarship essays show, not tell, why the applicant is a strong contender through personal stories. Writing a winning scholarship essay involves showcasing your accomplishments, skills, and volunteer work in a intimate, yet professional tone.

A great scholarship essay can increase your chances of receiving financial aid by helping you stand out from a crowd of applicants. In this guide, we’ll cover how to write a winning scholarship essay, so you can feel even more confident in your college application process.

Here’s what we’ll review:

• Why scholarship essays are important
• What makes a great scholarship essay
• What makes scholarship essays different from traditional essays
• How to stand out from the crowd by writing a great scholarship essay
• A sample of a scholarship essay (with explanations)
• Pro-writing tips and advice

Applying for college financial aid is a multi-step process, and an outstanding scholarship essay plays an important role.

Scholarship essays serve an important purpose

If you plan on applying for financial aid, you’ll need to know how to write a stellar scholarship essay. Writing a scholarship essay may be one of the most challenging parts of your application process, but it’s also one of the most important.

A scholarship essay is a tool that shows your college’s scholarship committee why they should support you financially. Through a concise, brief yet detailed and well-written essay , you have the opportunity to show your college how you’ll use the financial aid they give you to reach your goals and become an asset to the community.

You get to tell your college committee, in a professional way, why they would want you as part of their team.

Need a scholarship?  Click here to see scholarships that Ultius offers.

This requires you to highlight your strengths and accomplishments in a humble way that doesn’t sound like boasting. We’ll review some stylistic writing tips later that will help you do this. But first, let’s review the foundational elements of a scholarship essay and what makes it different from other academic writing.

Scholarship essays are different from traditional academic essays

A primary factor distinguishing scholarship essays from other types of academic essays is the fact that scholarship essays are, simply stated, all about you and your college: the entire focus is persuasive , and as described above, the purpose of the essay is to explain why and how you’ll use the financial aid you receive in the best way possible.

Before we dive into the “how to” of writing, let’s review some basic elements of a great scholarship essay.

What makes a great scholarship essay?

#1 the introduction.

Think of the introduction to your essay not just as an overview of what you’ll be discussing, (though it should give the readers a glimpse of your theme and main points), but more importantly as a chance to capture attention.

The title of your essay functions as a hook, engaging your reader. In the same way, the introduction should be interesting. It functions to make your reader want to continue reading your entire essay.

For example, which of the following headlines are you more likely to read?

• “Scholarship Essay for James Smith,” or,
• “Using a College Degree to Help Make American Schools More Affordable and Fun, by James Smith.”

Most likely, you’d want to read the second one. The first one is pretty dry and boring, and doesn’t really say anything about what the essay is about-- other than it being a scholarship essay.

There’s no incentive to read it.

Still stuck?  Consider using essay writing services from Ultius to get 1-on-1 help with your scholarship piece.

The second title, however, queues you as reader to read on. It is a title you can relate to as a student and a school administrator. Most students would like school to be fun, most parents would like it to be affordable, and most teachers would like it to be both. The second title is engaging because it is specific, relatable, and tells the reader about the value contained in the essay that follows.

Make your title and introduction specific and think about how you can say them in an interesting way that shows the reader your essay has value.

#2 Themes and examples

An organized and convincing essay generally has one primary theme that weaves all parts of the essay together. For instance, a scholarship essay may have a central theme like “community service,” or “ nursing and healthcare ,” or “business management,” depending upon the education, interests and life goals of the student writing.

The idea here is that, in writing your scholarship essay, you want to be sure to not only tell your college’s scholarship committee what your goals are, but also to demonstrate how you’ll apply your education to the real world, and what experience you have so far to help you do this.

#3 Anecdotes

Anecdotes are short, amusing stories about events or people. Similar to how we talked about using examples above, anecdotes are effective at demonstrating how the ideas you present in a scholarship essay apply to real life. Anecdotes help your ideas come to life.

For example, if you’re writing a scholarship essay about business leadership, you may choose to tell a story about how your work cleaning houses taught you about attention to detail in all areas of life. The example essay we’ll review below uses an anecdote about helping the family business better manage checkbook balancing.

Through stories, you have the chance to catch your readers’ attention by highlighting how you can contribute to the world with your skills and experience

#4 Writing with passion

Writing with passion is important because it shows the scholarship committee you’re applying to that you care, and that you’ll make your best effort to use the financial aid you’re given in a productive, meaningful way.

Passion also helps your reader(s) stay engaged by writing in a way that others can empathetically relate to.

Said simply, writing with passion makes your essay interesting.

The example essay later in this guide demonstrates passion in the concluding paragraph by explaining why the essay writer wants to study business management—in order to improve the lives of employees and community members through providing wholesome food.

In this way, the essay becomes personal, and reveals the writer’s individual values and motives.

#5 Getting the formatting correct

Great scholarship essays are formatted according to the requirements of the school the essay writer is applying to. Following correct formatting requirements demonstrates that you are organized and able to follow instructions. Different schools may have different requirements when it comes to formatting, so be sure to clarify your instructions.

A general rule of thumb, especially if you’re given few instructions, is to double space your essay and use one-inch margins. If you quote or paraphrase any information from another source, be sure to cite it correctly and in the style the college you’re applying to requires. Common citation styles are APA and MLA.

Generally, you probably won’t have many citations in a scholarship essay since it is primarily focused on how you will apply your personal experiences and education to further your career goals.

Last, great scholarship essays have appropriately spaced paragraphs and phrases. They avoid run-on sentences and break up information into digestible bits. Generally, a single paragraph shouldn’t be more than two-thirds of a page if it’s double-spaced, or a third of a page if it’s single-spaced. Separating and organizing different thoughts into different paragraphs makes your writing easier and more enjoyable to read.

#6 End with a strong conclusion

Fantastic scholarship essays don’t neglect the chance to leave a lasting impression with readers. A common mistake inexperienced writers make is putting lots of attention into the introduction but little attention into the conclusion .

Clearly, it makes sense that the conclusion would be an easy area to neglect from a writer’s standpoint, since the writing process is almost complete and a simple re-cap of your main points should suffice, right?

The conclusion is just as important as the introduction. The introduction flags readers’ attention and makes sure your essay is read in the first place, whereas the conclusion makes sure the reader remembers and acts on what he or she has just read.

And in the case of a scholarship essay, acting on what was just read means choosing the essay writer as a financial aid candidate.

Review: the elements of a great scholarship essay:

The diagram below illustrates the components that make up a scholarship essay that is easy to read, interesting, relevant, and organized.

How to stand out and write a winning scholarship essay

Now that we’ve reviewed the basic elements of a great scholarship essay, let’s dive into the steps you’ll need to take to write an essay that will win you the college education you’re aiming for.

#1 Know what your audience wants to hear in your scholarship essay

The first step in being able to choose a theme that is relevant to your goals and experiences and sounds appealing to your scholarship committee, is to know what your audience looking for.

Think about what’s important to the school you’re applying to. This is a balancing act. You don’t want to write an essay that sounds too salesy, or appears to obviously “schmooze” your scholarship committee, but you do want your essay to be relevant to what your committee cares about.

The best way to do this is to understand the scholarship you’re applying for , and why it’s offered.

Likewise, if you’re applying to a scholarship offered based upon GPA, you’ll probably want to talk about your experience with grade achievement, critical thinking capacity and how you plan to apply those skills to your college and professional goals.

Finally, if you’re applying to a nurse educator scholarship, you’ll most likely want to highlight what life experiences contribute to your ability to be a fantastic future nursing leader.

The key, when understanding your audience, is to ask:

“Why are the donors of this scholarship (the people providing the money) offering financial aid?”

In other words, who do the donors want to support? Who would be their ideal candidate?

Next, list some reasons why you match what they’re looking for and some corresponding real-life examples. You can use this list later when you create your writing outline.

#2 Find your scholarship essay theme

This second step is similar to the first, since in understanding your audience you’ll likely find your theme. However, during this second step, you’ll start to elaborate. Instead of just understanding what your audience, or the scholarship committee, is looking for, you’ll identify a theme that unifies your goals and experiences with what’s important to your audience.

Remember the list you created in step #1?

Here’s where it starts to come in handy. What’s the common theme that emerges as you look at the reasons you match what your audience is looking for? Likely, they’ll match the type of scholarship you’re applying to.

Or, if you’re applying for an arts scholarship, you’ve had experience painting murals with school groups and you want to become an art teacher, your theme may be “helping classroom education come to life with visual arts.”

Your theme won’t necessarily be the title of your essay (though it could be). Rather, it will guide your title, and it will also guide the rest of your writing. Your theme is like a compass. Everything you write should point back to your theme, explaining why and how you’re an ideal candidate for the scholarship.

#3 Create an outline for your scholarship essay

This step should be relatively simple. Use the list you made in step one to help you. Your outline should start with an introduction and end with a conclusion (see the earlier section of this blog for how to write an effective intro and conclusion). In the middle should be the main body and point(s) of your essay (you should do this whether you decide to buy an essay or not).

The body and main points will be filled with examples of your experiences that relate to your educational and professional goals.

Start by listing the goals and the examples you want to write about, and then arrange them in an order that logically flows and makes sense.

As you write, use transitional phrases and storytelling so that your writing doesn’t feel like a “list,” but instead, flows seamlessly.

#4 Be creative and original

The word creative is used a lot today, but what does it actually mean? In the case of a scholarship essay, being creative means being original. You’ve got to stand out from a crowd of other applicants.

That means avoiding generic stories and phrases. It also means avoiding generalizations and clichés . When you tell a story or share your experience, get specific. If you get specific, it’s hard not to be original, because chances are, no one else has had experiences quite like yours.

#5 Show, don’t tell in your essay

Imagine trying to learn to play basketball just by being told about the game through a lecture, and then being thrown into your first game. It’d be pretty frightening, to say the least! You’d probably stumble all over the court and drop the ball. However, if a coach took you out onto the court and showed you how to dribble and shoot, you’d learn more quickly, because you’d be able to observe the game actually happening. You’d be shown.

If you’re an adult applying for a scholarship to help financially because you want to go back to school, you can be extremely descriptive in your reasoning for needing that scholarship.

The same concept applies in writing. If you tell your reader about something, you’re likely to have less of an impact. But, if you show him or her, they’ll understand and be able to visualize what you’re saying.

#6 Use stories in your scholarship essay

Stories are effective ways of showing, instead of telling, your reader what you’re trying to say. In a scholarship essay, this couldn’t be more important. For instance, consider the “telling” versus “showing” example we reviewed above. If you’re trying to tell your reader about your business management skills, show him or her how you solved a specific challenge for a business.

#7 Proofread and know when to ask for help!

Another round of editing can mean the difference between a polished essay that wows critical eyes of your scholarship committee, or one that gets set aside just because of a few fixable errors. Submitting a proofread paper shows that you’ve taken the time to correct your work and put your best impression forward. Proofread your work at least twice, and have a friend read it as well to catch any last errors. Finally, if you feel stuck, know where to find help. The Ultius writer help section is a great place to find comprehensive guides on essay writing.

Example scholarship essay:

Pro writing tips (best practices and advice):.

Check out the table below for additional hints and advice on crafting an outstanding scholarship essay. If you still have questions, visit the Ultius writer help section ! Best of luck, and remember, have fun with the writing process!

Plan your essay

Take time to strategize and plan a well-thought outline. It’ll make the writing process much easier and your ideas will likely flow better for your reader.

Watch the tone and voice in your scholarship essay

Don’t try to be too fancy. Remember, you want your essay to be relatable and down-to-earth, while still keeping a tone of professionalism.

Be persuasive, but stay humble

You want to do a little boasting about yourself in your scholarship essay. But, ironically, you don’t want it to sound like boasting. In other words, you want to highlight your strengths and all you have to offer, but in a way that’s humble and appreciative.

Let your individuality shine!

It’s easy to fall into the unconscious trap of sounding “like everyone else.” While other scholarship papers can serve as helpful examples in terms of organization, tone and style, you’ll have the best luck by using those examples as a foundation and then writing your own essay that stands out enough to catch your committee’s attention. In a pool of hundreds or thousands of “similar” essays, how can you give yours a different twist?

Answer hidden questions in your essay

If you’re writing a scholarship essay for nursing education, don’t just answer the obvious prompt such as, “explain why you want to study nursing education.” Instead, think about what the scholarship committee is really asking you. Most likely, they’re asking, “how will you add value to our school and the professional nursing community?”

Re-read your essay intro

Remember, the introduction is arguably the most important part of your essay, aside from your conclusion. Proof read it again, even when you think it’s finished. As you proofread, pretend you’re someone on your scholarship review committee. How would it sound to them? How can you make it better?

Ask for help with your scholarship essay if you need it

Don’t let the pressure of time keep you from asking for a quick proof read from a friend, or from getting professional help from professionals at Ultius. It may not seem critical at the time, but it could make a big difference in your future college education!

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Scholarship Essay Writing

Scholarship Essay Examples

Winning Scholarship Essay Examples for Students: Tips Included

37 min read

Published on: Mar 14, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

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Many students face financial barriers when it comes to pursuing higher education. The rising costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses can be overwhelming. 

This is why the scholarships offer a lifeline by providing financial aid to students, but the competition is fierce. 

That's where CollegeEssay.org comes in. 

In this blog post, we are providing scholarship essay examples that will inspire and guide you in creating your own exceptional essay. 

These examples serve as beacons of success, offering valuable insights into the art of scholarship essay writing. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

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Scholarship Essay Examples Financial Need

Why This Scholarship Essay Worked

This scholarship essay example effectively conveys the applicant's financial need and their determination to overcome the challenges associated with it. Here's why this essay worked:

• Personal Storytelling: The essay begins with a personal anecdote that establishes a connection between the applicant's background and financial constraints. This helps create empathy and demonstrates the genuine impact of financial challenges on their educational journey.
• Resilience and Resourcefulness: The applicant showcases their resilience and resourcefulness in navigating financial hardships. They highlight their proactive approach to seeking part-time employment and actively pursuing scholarships.
• Academic Commitment: Despite the financial strain, the applicant emphasizes their commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a high GPA. This showcases their dedication and ability to prioritize their studies amidst challenging circumstances.
• Community Involvement : The essay also highlights the applicant's involvement in community service. This demonstrates their desire to give back and make a positive impact.
• Connection to Scholarship: The applicant clearly articulates how receiving the scholarship would benefit them. This demonstrates a strong alignment between their goals and the purpose of the scholarship.

Want more examples, check out these winning scholarship essay examples.

Financial Aid Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Financial Need

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Why this Essay Worked

This scholarship essay worked for several reasons, such as:

• It effectively showcases the applicant's passion for mathematics, community engagement, and resilience.
• It compellingly conveyed the applicant's dedication, ambition, and potential for making a positive impact. This makes them a deserving candidate for the scholarship.
• Clear connection to the scholarship's goals and how it would further the applicant's educational journey and impact.

Here are some scholarship essay examples about yourself; get an idea from them, and create a successful essay.

Scholarship Essay Example About Yourself

Scholarship Essay About Yourself

Scholarship Essay Examples for Nursing

Why This Essay Worked

This essay worked due to its compelling portrayal of the applicant's genuine passion for nursing, coupled with their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in patient care.

The essay effectively demonstrates the applicant's well-rounded preparation for a nursing career and their clear alignment with the goals and mission of the scholarship, making them a strong candidate for consideration.

Below are some more examples of scholarship essays for nursing.

Nursing Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Nursing

Scholarship Essay Examples About Career Goals

This essay worked for the following reasons:

• Clear and Specific Career Goals: The essay effectively outlines the applicant's career goal of becoming a clinical psychologist specializing in mental health support. The clarity and specificity of the goal demonstrate a well-defined path and a strong sense of purpose.
• Demonstrated Preparation and Commitment: The essay showcases the applicant's comprehensive preparation for their career goals. It also demonstrates their readiness and dedication to excel in the field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: The essay effectively highlights how the scholarship will contribute to the applicant's career aspirations. This includes attending conferences, workshops, and advanced training programs.

If you find difficulty writing the scholarship essay about career goals, get help from the below-mentioned examples, and submit a well-written essay.

Scholarship Essay Examples About Leadership

Three reasons why this essay worked are:

• Demonstrated Leadership Experience : This essay effectively highlights the applicant's practical experience in leadership roles, showcasing their ability to lead teams, organize events, and coordinate volunteers.
• Commitment to Personal Growth : The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to leadership development by seeking formal training and participating in workshops focused on honing their skills. 
• Emphasis on Collaboration and Empowerment: The essay emphasizes the applicant's belief in collaborative leadership. It promotes inclusivity and empowers team members to contribute their unique perspectives. 

Here we gather some good scholarship essay examples about leadership that help in your writing.

Leadership Scholarship Essay Example

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Scholarship Essay Examples About Community Service

Here are the reasons:

• Genuine Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's genuine passion for community service, highlighting their long-standing involvement and the transformative impact it has had on their life. 
• Integration of Service with Education: The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to integrating their passion for community service with their educational pursuits.
• Aspiration for Social Change: The essay goes beyond personal experiences and highlights the applicant's aspirations for broader social change.

Here is an excellent community service scholarship essa y that can help you write for community college.

Scholarship Essay Example about Community Service

High School Scholarship Essay Examples

• Clear and Convincing Goals: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's strong desire to pursue higher education despite financial constraints.
• Demonstrated Leadership and Well-Roundedness: The essay showcases the applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities. It highlights their ability to balance academic responsibilities with active participation in clubs, sports teams, and community service initiatives.
• Emphasis on Giving Back and Community Engagement: The essay not only focuses on the applicant's personal aspirations but also highlights their commitment to giving back to their community.

The following are the best high school scholarship essay examples, use this for your help, and write an attention-grabbing essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for High School

Scholarship Essay for High School

Scholarship Essay Examples for University

Why This Essay Works

Three reasons why this essay works are:

• Strong Personal Motivation: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's unwavering commitment and determination to pursue a university education.
• Articulation of Long-Term Goals and Social Impact: The essay goes beyond highlighting the applicant's academic achievements and financial needs. It emphasizes the applicant's desire to contribute to their community and make a positive impact on society.
• The connection between Scholarship and Applicant's Potential: The essay effectively illustrates how receiving the scholarship would directly address the financial burden. Plus, it will enable the applicant to fully embrace the university experience.

Here are some excellent scholarship essay examples for university students that help you in writing the essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for University Students

Scholarship Essay Examples for Engineering

This essay worked because of the following reasons:

• Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's deep passion for engineering. It also shows their genuine commitment to making a positive impact in this field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: It clearly establishes the connection between the scholarship and the applicant's goals in engineering.
• Future Impact and Growth: It also communicates the applicant's aspiration to contribute to the field of engineering and make a positive difference in the world.

The following is another scholarship essay example that can help you in creating the perfect essay on your own.

Scholarship Essay Examples for Masters

This essay worked for several reasons:

• Clear Purpose and Goal: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's clear purpose and goal of pursuing a master's degree. It highlights the transformative impact that a master's degree can have on personal and professional growth.
• Financial Need and Scholarship Alignment : The essay addresses the financial challenges associated with pursuing a master's degree. It demonstrates the direct alignment between the scholarship and the applicant's needs.
• Impact and Giving Back : The essay goes beyond personal aspirations and emphasizes the applicant's intention to make a broader impact on their community and society.

Here is an example that you can use as a guide and write a perfect scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Examples

Three brief reasons why this essay worked are:

• Clear and Convincing Arguments : The essay presents concise and compelling arguments to support the applicant's case for receiving the scholarship.
• Personal Connection : It demonstrates how receiving the scholarship would directly impact the applicant's academic journey
• Gratitude and Future Commitment : It expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity and emphasizes the applicant's commitment to making the most of the scholarship.

Here is an example, take help from them for your scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Example

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Examples

• Compelling Personal Story: The essay effectively presents the applicant's personal story and highlights their dedication and commitment to their education
• Addressing Academic Excellence and Financial Need : The essay successfully addresses both academic excellence and financial need, which are two crucial aspects considered by scholarship committees.
• Commitment to Making an Impact: The essay goes beyond the applicant's personal goals and emphasizes their dedication to making a positive impact in their community. 

Here’s another example for this scholarship essay below:

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Example

Tips for Writing the Effective Scholarship Essay

When it comes to writing an effective scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind. 

By following these guidelines, you can maximize your chances of standing out and impressing scholarship selection committees. 

Here are some essential tips to help you craft a compelling scholarship essay:

• Understand the Prompt

Take the time to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or topic provided by the scholarship provider. Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines given.

• Research the Scholarship

Familiarize yourself with the organization or institution offering the scholarship. Understand their values, mission, and objectives. This knowledge will help you align your essay with their goals and demonstrate your fit for the scholarship.

• Tell Your Unique Story

Use the essay as an opportunity to showcase your personal experiences, like obstacles you might encounter, achievements, and aspirations. Highlight what sets you apart from other applicants. Be authentic and genuine in conveying your story, like overcoming personal failures.

• Start with a Compelling Introduction

Grab the reader's attention from the beginning with a strong and captivating introduction. Consider starting with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement.

• Structure Your Essay

Organize your essay into a clear and logical structure. Start with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs that support your main points, and end with a concise and impactful conclusion.

• Be Concise and Specific

Scholarship essays often have a word or character limits, so make every word count. Be concise in your writing and avoid unnecessary fluff. Focus on providing specific examples and details that support your claims.

• Showcase Your Achievements

Highlight your academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvements, community service, leadership roles, or any other relevant achievements. Link them to the values and goals of the scholarship.

• Address the Selection Criteria

Ensure that your essay addresses the selection criteria specified by the scholarship provider. If they are looking for specific qualities or skills, tailor your essay to showcase how you possess those attributes.

In conclusion, writing an effective scholarship essay is a crucial step in securing the financial aid you need for your education. 

By following the tips outlined here, you can enhance your essay-writing skills and create a compelling narrative that captivates scholarship selection committees.

Be authentic, concise, and specific in your writing. Tailor your essay to align with the values and objectives of the scholarship provider. And above all, believe in yourself and your potential to make a difference through education.

If you're seeking further guidance and support in your scholarship essay writing journey, consider partnering with our AI essay writing tools !

We also have a team of experienced and professional essay writers who can provide personal essay writing service with valuable insights. 

Hire our college paper writing service  today and take the next step towards securing the financial aid you deserve.

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Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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Tips and strategies for crafting an outstanding scholarship essay.

Scholarship essays are an essential part of many scholarship applications. They provide an opportunity for you to showcase your personality, goals, and achievements to scholarship committees. Crafting a winning scholarship essay requires time, effort, and attention to detail. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with tips and strategies to help you write a compelling and successful scholarship essay that sets you apart from the competition.

From understanding the prompt to drafting your essay and polishing the final draft, we will walk you through each step of the process. You will learn how to identify key themes, structure your essay effectively, and highlight your strengths and experiences in a way that resonates with the scholarship committee. Whether you are a high school student applying for a local scholarship or a college student seeking a national award, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to create a standout scholarship essay.

The Importance of Scholarships

Scholarships play a crucial role in helping students achieve their educational goals. They provide financial assistance to deserving individuals who may not have the means to fund their education on their own. This support can make a significant difference in a student’s ability to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

Furthermore, scholarships not only alleviate the financial burden on students and their families but also promote academic excellence. By incentivizing students to strive for academic success, scholarships encourage individuals to work hard, stay motivated, and excel in their studies. This can lead to a more educated and skilled workforce, benefiting society as a whole.

In addition, scholarships can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many students. They can provide access to top-tier universities, prestigious programs, and valuable experiences that can shape a student’s future and career prospects. Scholarships empower individuals to reach their full potential and pursue their passions without the constraints of financial limitations.

Overall, scholarships are not only important for individuals seeking to further their education but also for society as a whole. By investing in scholarships, we invest in the future of education, innovation, and progress. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and the world, thanks to the support and opportunities provided by scholarships.

Why You Should Apply

Applying for scholarships is a smart and strategic move for students looking to further their education. Here are a few reasons why you should take the time to apply:

• Financial Support: Scholarships offer a valuable source of funding that can help offset the cost of tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
• Merit Recognition: Winning a scholarship is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and academic achievements. It can boost your confidence and open up new opportunities.
• Reduced Debt: By securing scholarships, you can reduce the need for student loans and graduate with less debt, giving you a stronger financial foundation after graduation.
• Networking Opportunities: Many scholarship programs provide networking opportunities with other scholars, mentors, and industry professionals, helping you build valuable connections for the future.
• Personal Growth: The process of applying for scholarships forces you to reflect on your goals, achievements, and aspirations, fostering personal growth and self-improvement.

Overall, applying for scholarships is a worthwhile investment in your education and future success. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure the financial support and recognition you deserve!

Benefits of Winning

Winning a scholarship can offer numerous benefits to students, both academically and personally. Some of the key benefits include:

• Financial Assistance: Scholarships provide financial support for tuition, books, and other educational expenses, reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
• Recognition and Prestige: Winning a scholarship can enhance a student’s academic resume and demonstrate their merit to future employers and academic institutions.
• Opportunities for Growth: Scholarships often come with additional opportunities such as internships, networking events, and mentorship programs, which can help students develop their skills and build connections in their field.
• Increased Confidence: Achieving a scholarship can boost a student’s confidence and motivation, encouraging them to aim higher in their academic and personal goals.
• Debt Reduction: By receiving a scholarship, students can decrease their reliance on student loans and minimize the amount of debt they accumulate during their education.

Overall, winning a scholarship can have a transformative impact on a student’s educational journey, opening doors to new opportunities and providing valuable support along the way.

Key Elements in Scholarship Essays

Scholarship essays are crucial for securing financial aid for your education. To craft a winning scholarship essay, you must include key elements that showcase your unique qualities and experiences. These elements include:

1. Personal Story: Share a personal story that highlights your values, goals, and aspirations. This will help the scholarship committee get to know you better.

2. Relevance: Make sure your essay is relevant to the scholarship you are applying for. Tailor your essay to fit the requirements and objectives of the scholarship program.

3. Clear Structure: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Use transitions to connect your ideas smoothly.

4. Strong Thesis: Present a strong thesis statement that outlines the main point of your essay. This will guide your writing and keep your essay focused.

5. Unique Voice: Use your unique voice and perspective to stand out from other applicants. Avoid clichés and generic statements.

6. Proofreading: Proofread your essay carefully to eliminate errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A polished essay shows your professionalism and attention to detail.

By incorporating these key elements into your scholarship essay, you can increase your chances of winning financial aid for your education.

Understanding the Prompt

One of the most crucial aspects of writing a winning scholarship essay is understanding the prompt. Take your time to carefully read and analyze the prompt provided by the scholarship committee. Pay attention to the key points and requirements outlined in the prompt, such as the essay topic, word limit, formatting guidelines, and any specific questions that need to be addressed.

Create a table or list to break down the prompt into manageable sections. Highlight the main themes or keywords that you should focus on in your essay. By understanding the prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay directly addresses the criteria set by the scholarship committee and increases your chances of success.

Highlighting Your Achievements

When crafting a scholarship essay, it is crucial to highlight your achievements in a way that showcases your skills, talents, and accomplishments. Be sure to emphasize your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service involvement, leadership roles, and any awards or recognition you have received. Use specific examples and anecdotes to demonstrate the impact of your achievements and how they have shaped you as a person. By highlighting your achievements, you can effectively communicate your potential to the scholarship committee and increase your chances of receiving the scholarship.

Tips for Writing a Standout Essay

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind to ensure your essay stands out from the crowd:

Showing Your Unique Voice

When crafting a scholarship essay, it’s important to remember that you are the only person who can truly tell your story. Don’t be afraid to let your personality and voice shine through in your writing. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd and show the scholarship committee why you deserve to win.

Whether it’s through a unique storytelling style, a powerful personal anecdote, or a quirky sense of humor, find a way to make your essay memorable and engaging. Your essay should reflect who you are as a person, not just your accomplishments and achievements.

Use your own words and express your ideas in a way that is authentic and genuine. Your unique voice is what will make your essay memorable and resonate with the scholarship committee. Be yourself, and let your personality shine through in every word you write.

Structuring Your Essay Effectively

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, the structure is just as important as the content. Here are some tips on how to structure your essay effectively:

1. Introduction: Start your essay with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself and provide some background information about your achievements and goals.

2. Body paragraphs: Divide your essay into several paragraphs that each focus on a specific point or idea. Make sure to provide clear examples and evidence to support your arguments.

3. Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate why you are the ideal candidate for the scholarship. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

4. Editing: Before submitting your essay, make sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as clarity and coherence in your writing.

By following these tips, you can structure your scholarship essay effectively and increase your chances of winning that coveted award!

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• How long is an essay? Guidelines for different types of essay

How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay

Published on January 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The length of an academic essay varies depending on your level and subject of study, departmental guidelines, and specific course requirements. In general, an essay is a shorter piece of writing than a research paper  or thesis .

In most cases, your assignment will include clear guidelines on the number of words or pages you are expected to write. Often this will be a range rather than an exact number (for example, 2500–3000 words, or 10–12 pages). If you’re not sure, always check with your instructor.

In this article you’ll find some general guidelines for the length of different types of essay. But keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity – focus on making a strong argument or analysis, not on hitting a specific word count.

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Essay length guidelines, how long is each part of an essay, using length as a guide to topic and complexity, can i go under the suggested length, can i go over the suggested length, other interesting articles.

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In an academic essay, the main body should always take up the most space. This is where you make your arguments, give your evidence, and develop your ideas.

The introduction should be proportional to the essay’s length. In an essay under 3000 words, the introduction is usually just one paragraph. In longer and more complex essays, you might need to lay out the background and introduce your argument over two or three paragraphs.

The conclusion of an essay is often a single paragraph, even in longer essays. It doesn’t have to summarize every step of your essay, but should tie together your main points in a concise, convincing way.

The suggested word count doesn’t only tell you how long your essay should be – it also helps you work out how much information and complexity you can fit into the given space. This should guide the development of your thesis statement , which identifies the main topic of your essay and sets the boundaries of your overall argument.

A short essay will need a focused, specific topic and a clear, straightforward line of argument. A longer essay should still be focused, but it might call for a broader approach to the topic or a more complex, ambitious argument.

As you make an outline of your essay , make sure you have a clear idea of how much evidence, detail and argumentation will be needed to support your thesis. If you find that you don’t have enough ideas to fill out the word count, or that you need more space to make a convincing case, then consider revising your thesis to be more general or more specific.

The length of the essay also influences how much time you will need to spend on editing and proofreading .

You should always aim to meet the minimum length given in your assignment. If you are struggling to reach the word count:

• Add more evidence and examples to each paragraph to clarify or strengthen your points.
• Make sure you have fully explained or analyzed each example, and try to develop your points in more detail.
• Address a different aspect of your topic in a new paragraph. This might involve revising your thesis statement to make a more ambitious argument.
• Don’t use filler. Adding unnecessary words or complicated sentences will make your essay weaker and your argument less clear.
• Don’t fixate on an exact number. Your marker probably won’t care about 50 or 100 words – it’s more important that your argument is convincing and adequately developed for an essay of the suggested length.

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In some cases, you are allowed to exceed the upper word limit by 10% – so for an assignment of 2500–3000 words, you could write an absolute maximum of 3300 words. However, the rules depend on your course and institution, so always check with your instructor if you’re unsure.

Only exceed the word count if it’s really necessary to complete your argument. Longer essays take longer to grade, so avoid annoying your marker with extra work! If you are struggling to edit down:

• Check that every paragraph is relevant to your argument, and cut out irrelevant or out-of-place information.
• Make sure each paragraph focuses on one point and doesn’t meander.
• Cut out filler words and make sure each sentence is clear, concise, and related to the paragraph’s point.
• Don’t cut anything that is necessary to the logic of your argument. If you remove a paragraph, make sure to revise your transitions and fit all your points together.
• Don’t sacrifice the introduction or conclusion . These paragraphs are crucial to an effective essay –make sure you leave enough space to thoroughly introduce your topic and decisively wrap up your argument.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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I've been applying for a few scholarships lately and I'm not sure how long these essays should be. To those who've written scholarship essays before, any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! It's great that you're applying for scholarships. The length of scholarship essays can vary depending on the specific requirements provided by the scholarship organization. Some may have a strict word limit, while others might have a suggested range or not specify a length at all.

In general, a good rule of thumb is to aim for about 500-800 words for a scholarship essay unless otherwise specified. This length typically provides enough space to effectively communicate your main points and elaborate on your thoughts, while also remaining concise and engaging for the reader. Always make sure to carefully read the guidelines and follow any word count or formatting instructions provided for each scholarship you apply to. Good luck!

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FAQs About Get Schooled’s Free Essay Review

Last updated August 22, 2024

Drafting a college or scholarship application essay can be intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone! If you’re curious about Get Schooled’s essay review service, read below to learn more about how it works and what you can expect from us! 

We offer so much more than just free essay review create an account to start exploring our resources that have supported over 1 million young people since 2010 in reaching their college and career goals. , is get schooled’s essay review service legit .

Yes! Launched in 2017, our free college and scholarship application essay review service has helped thousands of students across the world revise and polish their essays and personal statements for submission. There’s no catch or secret terms and conditions, and we never share or sell student data. 

Is Get Schooled’s essay review service free?

100% of our resources and services, including college application and scholarship essay review, are completely free. 

Why does Get Schooled review essays for free?

If you’re new to Get Schooled, hello! 👋🏾 We’re a nonprofit organization that helps young people get to college, find first jobs, and succeed in both. Everything we do is centered around the idea that students–particularly Black, brown, first-generation, and immigrant students–deserve free access to resources that help them plan for the future. Read more about our values and how we do what we do.

How does essay review work? 

Once you submit your essay(s) , our reviewers will get to work! They’ll set up your essay in a Google Doc, leave personalized and specific feedback, and email it back to you within 7-10 days. If you do not receive your essay after 14 days, please email [email protected] or resubmit your essay . Please note that we cannot review essays that are submitted via email–they must be submitted through our website. 

What kind of feedback will I receive on my essay? 

Feedback will vary based on the essay we receive. We don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to our essay reviews, since we believe that our feedback should be just as personal to you as your essay is. Generally, though, we look out for things like:

We’ll offer feedback about the prompt you’ve chosen. Does the prompt you chose best help you tell your story? Does your essay address the entire prompt? 

Length and word count

We’ll give feedback about the length of your essay–whether it’s too long or short based on the prompt you’ve chosen and the required word count (if applicable). 

Grammar, punctuation, and sentence flow

We’ll identify present issues with spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Additionally, we’ll point out sentences or sections that are lengthy or harder to follow, offering tips for better flow and readability.  

Storytelling

Storytelling is a very important component of a college application essay! We identify whether you’re showing your story through specific details and examples, or just telling. We offer ideas for how to best lean into storytelling to draw your reader in and really understand what was at stake in your story.

Personal growth

This is one of the most important elements of your essay! Regardless of the prompt you choose or the story you’re telling, your essay should demonstrate personal growth and share hopes for the future. We’ll look for indicators of both within your essay and offer advice on how to best reflect on these things in your writing. 

Can I submit other types of essays beside my college application essay?

These are the types of essays we are able to review:

• College application essays
• Personal statements
• Supplemental college application responses
• Scholarship application essays and personal statements 

We only review essays being submitted to undergraduate postsecondary institutions (two- and four-year colleges, universities, and trade schools). We do not review high school or college class essays of any kind.

How many times can I get my essay reviewed? 

As many times as you’d like! We’d love to work with you to finalize your essay(s) for submission. You can submit multiple essays or drafts at once, or resubmit your essays after each round of feedback you receive from us. 

Do I have to be in the U.S. to have my essay reviewed?

While students do not need to be based in the U.S. at the time of submission, they must be applying to a college or university in the U.S. For example, if you’re based in Mumbai but are applying to a college in New York City, we can review your essay!

How can I get started?

Submit your essay for review here or by clicking the button below. Note: you must create a free Get Schooled account. 

How else can Get Schooled help with my essay? 

Check out our resources about college and scholarship applications here , and text #Hello to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our text Advisors if you have any questions!

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