How to Apply for Scholarships (Tips That Actually Work)

University is expensive, but plenty of scholarships go to students who simply apply well. Here's how to find them and give yourself the best chance.

Where to find scholarships

• Your school. Many schools have their own awards and know about local ones.
• Universities. UWI, UTech and other universities list scholarships and bursaries on their websites.
• Companies and banks. Many Jamaican companies offer scholarships, often announced in the newspapers around exam results time.
• Churches, service clubs and community groups. These are often less competitive because fewer people apply.
• Government programmes. Check the Ministry of Education and the Students' Loan Bureau for grants.
• International scholarships. Chevening, Commonwealth and Fulbright fund study abroad, mainly at master's level.

Start early

Most scholarships have strict deadlines, often months before the school year starts. Make a list with each scholarship, its deadline and what it needs.

Read the requirements carefully

Many applications are rejected for simple reasons: missing documents, wrong format or late submission. Check:

• Who can apply (grades, subjects, parish, income)
• Documents needed, like transcripts, references and ID
• The essay question and word limit
• The deadline and how to submit

Write a strong personal essay

The essay is where you stand out.

• Answer the question they asked, not a general story.
• Be specific. Instead of "I want to help my community", explain what you've done and what you plan to do.
• Show your goals and how the scholarship will help you reach them.
• Be honest. Real stories are more convincing than big words.
• Get someone to read it for spelling and clarity.

Get good references

Ask teachers, coaches or community leaders who know you well. Give them plenty of notice, plus a short note about your achievements and goals.

Prepare for interviews

Practise answering questions like:

• Why do you want to study this?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How will you give back?

Dress neatly and arrive early.

Apply for many

Don't stop at one. Apply for several big and small scholarships. Small awards add up, and they're often less competitive.

Watch out for scams

Real scholarships don't ask you to pay a fee to apply or to receive the award.