It's Worth a $100 Million Dollars!

Share YOUR Story: It's Worth a $100 Million Dollars

By Araceli Ortiz

     Did you know that according to the National Scholarships Providers Association approximately $100 million dollars of scholarship money goes unclaimed every year? That’s right! $100 million dollars! Money is just waiting to be given to you. What do you have to do? It’s simple:  APPLY. One of the top reasons why students are not winning scholarship money is because they simply don’t apply!

     Applying for scholarships can be very scary, overwhelming, and time consuming. Most of us are terrified with the idea of writing a scholarship essay. These are all valid reasons and fears for not applying. However, applying for scholarships is more than just writing an essay. It’s about taking the opportunity to share your life story!  This is your chance to let other people know what an amazing human being you are.  Here are three main focus points you can share that will help effectively and successfully present your life story:

• Obstacles- big or small, we all have obstacles in our lives. We all have had to live through a significant experience that has taught us how to be a better person. What kinds of skills or qualities have you learned from that experience? Scholarship committees want to invest in someone who is resilient and open to growth opportunities.
• Community Service- What kind of projects or work have you done to help out your community? Perhaps you have volunteered at your local food bank; maybe you regularly babysit your sibling after school or maybe you traveled abroad to help build a school. Whatever it maybe, tell the scholarship committee about the amazing things you are doing to make your community a better place. What are you learning about yourself in the process? How are you bettering self as a result of this experience? 
• Life Purpose- What is your life purpose?  What makes you get out of bed each day? What motivates you? This is your chance to share your strengths, goals, gifts, talents and dreams.  It is important to recognize that a career choice is not a life purpose but rather a vehicle to help you fulfill your purpose in life.  This portion of your essay is one of the most important ones because the scholarship committee wants to see what you have a clear vision of life and know exactly what you want to accomplish in life.  In addition, it also helps you stay grounded and focused when making daily life choices.

     Reflecting on these three concepts may take a few hours but in the end you will be grateful that you sacrificed a few of your favorite T.V. episodes when you graduate from college debt free.

     What about if you are rejected for a scholarship? Well, you send a thank you card to the committee for taking time out of their busy schedules to review your story and move on to the next. True, rejection hurts but there are plenty of other committees that are dying for a chance to get to you know and invest in you.
     Apply, Apply, Apply, and keep on applying. 

To learn more about how to write a winning scholarship essay please refer to “Path To Scholarships®” website:  www.edudaris.com.