Online scholarship applications for college – tips?

With so many scholarships available online, I’m overwhelmed. What’s the most efficient way to apply for college scholarships online? How can I keep track of deadlines and make sure my applications stand out?

Here's an approach that I recommend based on the principle of staying structured and organized:

1. Create a Spreadsheet: To keep track of all the scholarships you're applying for, create a spreadsheet. This may sound like an additional task, but it's worth it. Include columns for the scholarship name, link to the application, deadline, required materials (like essays, recommendations, etc.), and your application status (not started, in progress, submitted).

2. Start Early: The earlier you start, the more scholarships you can apply for. Scholarships often have deadlines throughout the year, so starting the process in your junior year of high school (or even earlier) can give you a leg up.

3. Read the Requirements Carefully: It saves time to verify that you qualify for the scholarship before you start working on the application. A surprising number of students miss out on scholarships because they overlook a requirement or two.

4. Prioritize: Apply to scholarships that align with your profile and offer substantial financial help. These might be harder to win but they are often worth the effort.

5. Personalize Applications: Try to connect your personal experiences to the scholarship's theme or mission. Share real experiences and be genuine. If you're asked to submit an essay, spend time crafting a well-thought-out response, and revise and edit it for clarity and impact.

6. Proofread: Mistakes can make you look careless and reduce your chance of winning. Be sure to proofread all application materials, or better yet, have someone else review them for you.

7. Recycle Wisely: If you notice similarities in the essay prompts or application questions, you might be tempted to use the same responses. While this can be a good strategy to save time, make sure each application is tailored to the specific scholarship.

Good luck with your scholarship search! The process is a bit of work at the beginning but ends up being a very beneficial exercise as you get a clearer understanding of your own goals and abilities while also potentially securing financial assistance for college.