Your guide to

getting scholarships
prepared by your friends at lantern

If you want help with paying for your education, scholarships are one of

the most popular ways for funding. Knowing what scholarships are, how to

find them, and tips on applying will help your chances of receiving them.

Allow this to be the guiding light you’ve been looking for.

 Your guide to getting scholarships

Understanding the types of scholarships

There are thousands of scholarships available to students, like you! They are given out based on
different criteria, so look for which you qualify for.

Merit-based scholarships: Need-based scholarships:

These scholarships are based on performance, These scholarships are determined by financial
often in academic, athletic, and artistic settings. need. Eligibility is based on your Estimated Family
The scholarships can range, sometimes covering Contribution (EFC), year in school, enrollment status,
the entire cost of tuition and books. and the cost of the school you will be attending.

Considering your scholarship options

Once you know what types of scholarships to look for, you need to know where to look. Scholarships
are given by many different types of organizations.

Private scholarships:

Private scholarships are funded by companies, service groups, foundations, organizations, or individuals. Here
are some tips on finding private scholarships:

Look at a variety of scholarships. Browse lots 
 Think local. Look to your own community for
of different scholarships to find ones that could scholarships. There will be fewer students
be a good fit for you.
applying, so you have a better chance of winning.

Set aside time. Designate a few hours each week Develop a new hobby. Scholarships are available
to search for new scholarships. A couple hours based on hobbies, skills, or interests. Choose a
each week can change your future forever. hobby that you can write about.

Institutional scholarships:

These scholarships are awarded by the college you attend. Merit scholarships are most common for
undergraduate students and are awarded based on a student's performance in high school. The scholarship
and financial aid page of institution websites describe their merit aid and scholarships in detail.

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 Your guide to getting scholarships

Writing scholarship essays

Understand the essay question. Make sure you
are answering the prompt completely.

Know the essay length. This will help you budget

your time. Most scholarship essays are around
500 words in length.

Start with the structure. Determine how many

paragraphs are appropriate for the prompt.

Emphasize your future plans. Use specifics and

focus on what you can and intend to do. We know
you can accomplish a lot. Let them know, too.

Give it a title when you finish. Pull key pieces of

information from your essay and come up with a
creative, short title that engages the reader. Don’t
title it, “Scholarship Essay.” It’s the first thing they
see, so get their attention from the start.

Proofread your essay. Read your essay, then read

it again. Reading your essay out loud can help you
revise language and grammar mistakes.

Scholarship tips to help you succeed

Pay attention to deadlines. Most scholarships Find scholarships by topic. Often, if you find
have a January or February deadline. May 1st is multiple scholarships that focus on a specific
typically the deadline date for colleges and topic, you can use the same essay with editing
universities.
and adjusting. Don’t copy it word for word.

Reuse your college essay. If part of your college Know your timeline. When determining how
essay has a meaning that also fulfills the many scholarships to apply for, consider that
scholarship essay, you can include it. writing a 500-word essay may take you
anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to complete.

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 Your guide to getting scholarships

Let’s think back to the last deadline you had to meet. Did you wait until the last minute, or
did you plan far in advance? Don’t worry, whether you’re a planner or a procrastinator, we
have timelines to help you prepare for your scholarship applications.

Progress tracker for the planner

This progress tracker is to help you stay organized. Keep in mind, this timeline is for every scholarship
you apply for, not for collective scholarships, so repeat the process below for each scholarship.

Beginning of your search:

Research scholarships by finding local

organizations, searching the internet, and
seeing if your employer offers scholarships.

After your thorough search, you can narrow

the list down to scholarships that you have
the best chance at winning.

2 months before the deadline:

Review application requirements and

deadlines.

Prepare for two basic essays, one

describing yourself and another that
outlines your future career goals. Find
someone who is willing to edit when 

you’re done.

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 Your guide to getting scholarships

Progress tracker for the planner

(Continued)

1 month before the deadline:

Have your resume, transcript, and other

information (test scores, income
information, etc.) ready to go.

Reach out and ask for letters of

recommendation from the appropriate
contacts, such as a professor, teacher,
supervisor, clergy member, or anyone who
knows you well.

Write your essay, and follow all directions

on the application.

Congrats, you’re almost done!

2 weeks before the deadline: Deadline

Ask one or two people you trust to review Check for confirmation emails or
your essay in detail, and make the changes confirm with the scholarship
needed. committee if you did not receive an
email.

1 week before the deadline: Follow up with your contacts who

wrote your letters of
recommendation and thank them.
Complete the application to the best of
your ability.
Give yourself a pat on the back.
Submitting your application is the
Upload your essay.
first step toward getting a
scholarship.
Submit your application. reathe.
B

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 Your guide to getting scholarships

Progress tracker for the procrastinator

Keep in mind, this timeline is for each scholarship you apply for, not for collective scholarships, so
repeat the process below for every scholarship. If you waited until the last minute, don’t worry, every
step listed is everything you have time to do.

If you start 1 week before the deadline:

Review application requirements and have

your resume, transcript, and other
information (test scores, income
information, etc.) ready to go.

Reach out to appropriate contacts,

apologize for the time crunch, and politely
ask for letters of recommendation.

Write your essay, ask someone to review it,

and make the needed changes.

Fill out the application to the best of your

ability. Review and press submit.

Check for confirmation emails or confirm

with the scholarship committee if you did
not receive an email.

Follow up with your contacts who wrote

your letters of recommendation and thank
them.

Give yourself a pat on the back. Submitting

your application is the first step toward
getting a scholarship.

5

Progress tracker for the procrastinator
(Continued)
If you start 1-3 days before the deadline:
Review application requirements and have
your resume, transcript, and other
information (test scores, income
information, etc.) ready to go.
Write your essay, and proofread it multiple
times. If you have time, ask a friend to look
it over and make the needed changes.
Fill out the application to the best of your
ability. Review and press submit.
Check for confirmation emails or confirm
with the scholarship committee if you did
not receive an email.
Give yourself a pat on the back. Submitting
your application is the first step toward
getting a scholarship.
Your guide to getting scholarships
If you start 3 hours before the
deadline, at the bare minimum, these
are the things you need to do:
Write your essay, and proofread it
three times. Read it outloud to look
for any mistakes.
Fill out the application to the best of
your ability and upload all necessary
items (resume, test scores, etc.).
Review and press submit.
Check for confirmation emails or
confirm with the scholarship
committee if you did not receive an
email.
Give yourself a pat on the back.
Submitting your application is the
first step toward getting a
scholarship.