Key takeaways
- Scholarship winners share consistent traits. They research the scholarship thoroughly, stay organized, communicate well, and present their strengths and weaknesses with confidence.
- Strong scholarship applications won’t have cookie-cutter answers. Instead, they have clear, authentic stories that show who you are, what you value, and why you’re worth investing in.
- You may not win every scholarship you apply for, but the most important thing is to not give up and keep applying.
Scholarships may be competitive, but they’re also completely achievable. In fact, there are thousands of dollars every year that go unclaimed just because students didn’t apply. Regardless of the type you are applying for, scholarships are a great way to help pay for college. But with so many students all going for the same goal, the question becomes: what common qualities do scholarship winners have?
Below, you’ll find 10 qualities that scholarship winners have that help them stand out from the competition. Scholarship committees look for these and pay attention to them during the application process.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a form of financial aid that you can use to pay for college related expenses that you do not have to pay back (however there may be obligations you must meet to get the scholarship). There is an estimated $100 billion in scholarship money awarded every year. Whether you excel in sports, academics, the arts, or something completely unique, there is a scholarship that can help you pursue your college education with less financial stress.
Qualities that make you a good candidate for a scholarship
So, what exactly do scholarship committees look for when choosing recipients? While every scholarship has its own criteria, many of the qualities they look for tend to overlap. These 10 traits are most commonly recognized.
1. Scholarship winners do their homework.
Recipients of scholarships take the time to research the sponsor—especially scholarships for specific majors or ones created in memory of someone. It is a good idea to learn who the sponsor is and why the scholarship exists. Putting in this small effort to research can help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the opportunity.
2. Scholarship winners communicate their strengths—and weaknesses.
Scholarship winners know how to express who they are. One of the best ways to communicate strengths and weaknesses is through good written and oral communication skills, especially when applying for an academic scholarship. Show the committee why you deserve the scholarship you are applying to.
And don’t shy away from your weaknesses. Scholarship committees appreciate when you share the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve grown from them. This actually demonstrates resilience and the dedication to improve.
3. Scholarship winners demonstrate leadership and communication skills.
Scholarship committees look for people who can communicate effectively and who showcase their leadership potential. Leaders are not only confident in their abilities, but they also know how to work as part of a team. They are able to express their ideas confidently, listen to others, and solve problems.
To effectively show your successful leadership qualities, you will need to have examples of the activities and accomplishments you were a part of. This is what the scholarship committees will use to determine your communication, leadership, and team-working skills.
4. Scholarship winners show passion.
You could have the best grades in the world, but grades alone won’t always win you a scholarship. Scholarship winners should demonstrate passion for what they are applying for. If the scholarship committee can’t see your excitement and interest, it is going to be harder for them to invest in your education. To properly express your passion for the scholarship, you’ll want to put it in your essay and then again in the scholarship interview itself.
5. Scholarship winners are driven.
Applicants who are focused on their short and long-term goals are more likely to win a scholarship. Why? Because organizations tend to sponsor students who are driven to succeed. A well-written application and essay that is concise, focused, and straight to the point is the best way to show that you are committed to your academic goals and career path. To prepare yourself and save time, write these goals down and explain how you plan to achieve them so you have your answers ready whenever you apply for scholarships.
6. Scholarship winners stay organized.
The more scholarships you apply to, the more likely it is for deadlines, essays, and requirements to blur together. The best way to stay on top of this is to keep everything organized so that you can avoid stress and are prepared to turn in a strong application. One technique could be keeping a spreadsheet with each scholarship’s deadline, required documents, and essay prompts. You could also keep a running document with strengths, achievements, and other common scholarship information requirements that can easily be pulled into each application. Trust us, a little organization goes a long way.
7. Scholarship winners stay involved.
To stand out to the scholarship committee, you’ll want to make sure you are involved in other things at school or in your community. This could be clubs, sports, volunteer experiences, or part-time work. Remember, it’s not the quantity that matters here, but the quality. Scholarship committees want to see that you are committed to the things that matter most to you.
8. Scholarship winners have a strong personal statement.
Many scholarship applications will require a personal statement and it needs to be exactly that: personal. While it might be tempting to copy and paste the same essay to each scholarship application, scholarship committees can easily spot when an essay feels too generic. While you can use the same ideas and stories, just ensure you revise the essay so it connects to the specific scholarship you are applying for. A strong personal statement will feel genuine and unique to you.
9. Scholarship winners show authenticity.
Be true to yourself! Scholarship committees aren’t looking for cookie-cutter answers. What makes you unique? What experiences have shaped you? Why are you different from other applicants? Be honest and true to the experiences you have had and your genuine personality will help you stand out.
10. Scholarship winners persevere.
You may not win every scholarship you apply for, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. What matters is that you keep going. Stay positive, stay consistent, and focus on your goal: making college more affordable. Every application gives you a chance to learn, grow, and get you one step closer to the scholarship meant for you.
Are you a good candidate for a scholarship?
If you’ve taken the time to research the sponsor, know your strengths and weaknesses, show leadership, express passion, and stay focused on your goals, you’re already on the right track! There are so many scholarship awards available for high school and college students, so don’t be discouraged if you apply for some and don’t get them. Scholarship committees like to see the persistence and willingness of candidates who apply for multiple scholarships while pursuing higher education. Keep trying and stay persistent!
Now that you know the qualities you need to win scholarships, it’s time to actually find them! Use College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool to find countless scholarships you are eligible for.
