How to Write a Scholarship Letter by Laura Difiore Found in Scholarship Packet

Top Ten Mistakes Made on Scholarship Applications
By Laura DiFiore

1. Forget to include your name and/or address! You would be surprised how many students do not include their name or address on an application!

2. Submit an incomplete application. Make sure you include all required references, photos, transcripts, and essays.

3. Be rude or abusive to the judges. Telling the judges that they will burn in Hades if they don’t pick don’t pick you, or that they are idiots because they don’t accept applications from students in your major is a sure-fire way to guarantee you will NOT be considered for this application, and that the judges will tell all their judge friends how nasty you are.

4. Submit a dirty application. Use a plate for your lunch, not your application. Don’t spill beer on your application!

5. Apply when you do not meet their minimum requirements. If they require a minimum 3.0 GPA and you have a 1.2 GPA, don’t waste your time!

6. Send it “postage due.” Oops!

7. Mail the envelope but forget to out the application in it. Surprisingly common!

8. Submit inappropriate supporting documentation, such as including a picture of you at age 6 months when the application asks for you to include a photo, or including a copy of your arrest record as a reference! (This really happened!)

9. No one can read your application. The use of fancy, hard to read script typefaces on your essay pr handwriting that even a doctor would be ashamed of.

10. Spelling errors! Even ONE spelling error can doom your application! Remember, if you do not take the time to spell-check your application, the judges won’t take the time to read it!