• It’s a numbers game

• Even among talented students, who wins involves a bit of luck, not just skill

• To win more scholarships, apply to more scholarships, but only if you qualify

• You can’t win if you don’t apply

• One in four students never applies for financial aid

• It gets easier after your first 6 applications

• Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application

• Don’t miss deadlines

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• Prioritize your applications by deadline and the expected value of the scholarship

• Use a calendar and checklist to get organized

• Create an accomplishments resume – Your Brag Sheet!

• Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals

• Read and follow the instructions

• Make your application stand out from the crowd

• Ask to be nominated

• Practice on a copy of the application form

• If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam

• Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to

        apply for a scholarship

• Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship

• Do not give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers

• Beware of the unclaimed aid myth