How do you increase chances when applying for more scholarships?

I've got a few scholarships lined up but need more to cover my college costs. Any strategies on how to negotiate or argue for additional scholarships from a college?

To increase your odds of getting more scholarships, you could consider taking a few different steps. Some strategies are:

1. Apply for as many scholarships as possible: The rule of thumb here is that the more scholarships you apply to, the higher your chances of winning. This is a sheer numbers game to an extent, but be sure to do your research and target the scholarships where you fit the criteria extremely well.

2. Tailor your essays: One-size-fits-all rarely works for scholarships. It's important to tailor your essay to each scholarship prompt. The reviewers should feel like you wrote it specifically for their scholarship.

3. Include concrete examples in applications: Don't just tell, show. Concrete examples carry more weight than generic descriptions. They help illustrate your qualifications and make your application more memorable.

As for negotiating more scholarship money from a college, this is a different process altogether. Here's a general approach:

1. Leverage Other Offers: If you have received more generous financial aid offers from other schools, you might be able to use those as leverage.

2. Write an Appeal Letter: You'll want to write a clear, polite, and compelling letter explaining why you are requesting additional scholarship money. Include compelling reasons, including any changes to your family's financial circumstances or key achievements that occurred after your initial application submission.

3. Provide Documentation: Be prepared to provide documents to back up your claim. This might include other financial aid offers, documents reflecting a change in your family's financial status, or new accolades/awards you have earned.

Remember, there are no guarantees with this process, but it's worth a try. Finances are a key aspect of the college decision-making process, and schools generally understand this. Be respectful and thoughtful in your requests, while being honest about your needs.