Although the process of applying for a college scholarship award has become somewhat easier over the years, most grant providers still require a written essay as part of the application. The question asked or the prompt given is usually based upon the nature and purpose of the award, as well as the nature and purpose of the organization or institution granting the funds. For students hoping to study medicine and applying for a scholarship award from the medical community, for example, the question may ask what changes they would make in the health care industry if given the opportunity. The student’s response to this question will therefore define the leading theme of the essay.

Thousands of other students who also need money for college will be answering the same question, so every thought and word must count. Scholarship committees make their award decisions for those students best convey their ideas and meaning, successfully demonstrate their qualifications, express the personal importance of the award, and convince the judges that they will be making the right decision by granting them this money for college.

Judges also want to learn about the students they will be awarding. Students should share some personal history, but it should directly relate to the scholarship intent and should be limited to pertinent life episodes, influential people, school and community involvement, club and organization membership, work history or any other relevant experiences that have helped shape, inspire and encourage them.

Scholarship award committees also appreciate hearing why a student needs or is requesting money for college. While hardship and disadvantage is a common thread in many students’ essays, this information should be kept upbeat and positive instead of self-piteous and pessimistic. Judges are more interested in a student’s solutions rather than problems and learning how a student overcame obstacles and challenges. This optimistic, confident tone should prevail throughout the essay. Controversial political and religious issues or antagonistic, critical opinions should be avoided unless they are only briefly used as a springboard for a positive, thoughtful, problem-solving explanation related to the essay’s theme.

When starting to write, students should brainstorm a list or freewrite a draft of topic ideas. After selecting one or two, they can experiment with thesis statements that most clearly express the main idea. Once the thesis statement is written, the development should easily follow with supporting statements and examples that further explain the theme and lead to a strong conclusion. Clarity, sincerity, personality and articulation are essential to a well-written essay, as are proper grammar, punctuation, usage and spelling. Friends, family, teachers, employers and advisors are almost always willing to be a fresh set of editing eyes and can often spot overlooked mistakes or muddled syntax. Scholarship award committees pay close attention to these details and appreciate students who make the careful effort to write a coherent, intelligent, polished essay.