Scholarship Application Tips
We're here to help you maximize your award!
- You should apply for scholarships
early and often. You don’t have wait until you’ve been accepted by a
college or university to apply for scholarships. In fact, you can start
applying for scholarships sometimes as early as a year before you start
your academic journey in higher education
- As with any
deadline, pay close attention to scholarship application deadlines. You
will be disqualified for eligibility if you miss the submission
deadline
- If you find you’ve missed a deadline for a scholarship
you had your eye on, keep looking – there are hundreds of scholarships
out there, all with different deadlines
- Don’t discount the
smaller scholarships – a few hundred dollars can offset costs, and being
awarded more than one smaller scholarship adds up quickly
- You
don’t have to be an incoming freshman to qualify for scholarships. Be
sure to investigate scholarships each year you’re in college. Nearly 50
percent of available scholarships are for students already in college
- Many
scholarships are based on financial need and academic achievement, but
there are many others that have different eligibility requirements such
as community service, first-generation, race and ethnic identity,
community involvement, major or minor degree program, age, special
talents and hobbies, or memberships in organizations
Submitting Applications
- Submit your scholarship application on time
- Make sure you are qualified for ALL scholarship criteria
- Are you in the field of study for which the scholarship is intended, if applicable?
- Do you meet the minimum test scores or grade point average, if applicable?
- Assemble ALL requested information in the order in which it was requested, if one is specified
- Include at least the minimum number of recommendations
- Make your application and essays as neat as possible
- Make your application and essays clear. Need some help? Check out the CU Denver Writing Center
- If requested, reference all community service work and community affiliations
- If required, complete the FAFSA for financial aid
Stay Organized
- When retrieving letters of recommendation, obtain multiple
copies and have each signed in ink. Letters of recommendation may not be
considered valid if the signature is copied and not signed
- Always save copies of your essays for future reference
- Make an ongoing list of activities and affiliations that you are involved in to refer to when completing applications
- Taking time on your application conveys that you will take time and do well in the endeavor you are pursuing