how do you end scholarship essay

• Applying For Scholarships

How to End a Scholarship Essay

David Dec 3, 2018

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You are so close to the end. Your hard work of studying, finding scholarships and applying to them is almost completely behind you. At this point, you may have written most of your scholarship essay.

(If you’re still struggling to start, head over here first ) when you realize, you don’t know how to end a scholarship essay. Well, no fears! We are here with some great tips for writing an awesome conclusion that will help you win the scholarship of your dreams.

How To Write the Conclusion

Your conclusion needs to give the judges the last impression of who you are. It should leave them remembering you.

Your conclusion should do these three things:

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• Wrap up your story by summing up your main points
• Clarify your thesis in a new and fresh way
• Answer the question: Why is all this important?

This is where you need to answer, why does all this matter to you? What are your hopes for the future? Where do you see yourself in a few years? This is the place to share them. Find a way to connect to your original story that you started your essay with.

A conclusion is a good place for you to explain how the scholarship will help you reach your goals. Share how you plan to use the life lesson from your essay in your future plans, to meet goals or dreams.

Remember, up until now your essay was about your past. The conclusion is your chance to bring the judge back to your present and talk about the future.

For example, if you started your essay by sharing a specific experience… You can conclude the essay by explaining how that experience will impact you in the future.

Scholarship committees have thousands of students to choose from. They want to make sure that the students they choose will get the most out of winning the scholarships.

Ideas On How to End a Scholarship Essay

• End the conclusion with dialogue- this could be words of admiration from a character in the story such as a mentor, parents, or teacher.
• Action- Leave the essay open-ended so that the reader thinks about you. For example, “I put on my jacket and stepped outside confidently.”
• End the conclusion with a description: “The sun began to peak out from the clouds, sending rays of orange and red throughout the sky, warming my face and brightening up the world.”

Finally, don’t forget to revise your paper as well as have family or a teacher also revise it . Revision is necessary to a successful paper. Make sure that you have not left any questions unanswered in your essay. If so, your conclusion is a good place to answer those questions.

Conclusion Example:

Well, I can’t promise that I’m going to find a cure for cancer or the AIDS virus, but, I know one thing is true. The way my eyes would brighten up when we sang that song is the same way they brighten up when I think about my future. While I may not find the cure for fatal illnesses, I know that my passion for the field will defeat any hurdle that stands in my way and that I am going to do everything to be the best doctor that I can be.

• Scholarship Essay

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How to End Your Scholarship Essay

S tarting your scholarship essay with a strong introduction is vital.  The strong impact doesn’t stop with the start of your essay, however. You can have a powerful beginning, persuasive content, but completely lose the reader if your conclusion doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Because of this, the end of your scholarship essay is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.

You want the donor to know you deserve their scholarship more than anyone else submitting an essay. Think of your conclusion as the bow that packages the entire essay to sell yourself as the best candidate.

First, let’s talk about what you should avoid in the closing paragraph.

1. don’t end your essay with “in conclusion.”.

University Language Services explains that this is redundant. By the time your reader reaches the end of the essay, it’s obvious that you’re concluding your thoughts.  Instead, use the last part of your scholarship essay to make the final sale. Use the beginning of the conclusion to talk about why you should be chosen for the scholarship.

2. Don’t use your conclusion to just summarize your essay.

Of course, you want to tie all your thoughts together with the pretty bow that I mentioned earlier.  Make it spectacular, though.  Bring all those thoughts together, and finish with your argument of why you deserve the scholarship. University Language Services notes that you should answer the question of “So what?” in your conclusion. Keep that cue in mind when making it count in the end.

3. Don’t dwell on the important details of your essay.

According to PocketSense , you’ve already talked about the key topics of your essay before you even get to your conclusion.  You don’t have to waste valuable word count by repeating yourself.  However, you can absolutely highlight the important parts that. Doing so will help the reader understand how those highlights make you an excellent candidate for the scholarship.

Now that we’ve talked about what not to do when writing the end of your scholarship essay, let’s touch on what you should do.

1. talk about the future..

In addition to highlighting the important parts of your past accomplishments in your essay, PocketSense recommends talking about your future plans and goals.  The conclusion of your scholarship essay is a great time to let the reader know what your future goals are, and how the scholarship will help you achieve that. This will help tie your past and present together, and show the scholarship judges the value in those thoughts.

2. Tie conclusion back to your introduction.

If you gave a powerful personal story in your introduction, the conclusion is a great time to bring the reader back to that.  For example, if you opened your scholarship essay talking about a specific personal story, the conclusion is a great time to tie back to that story and give it a great ending.  Essaypro.com explains that this helps gives the reader a more solid connection to you and the story.  If your reader has this connection, you’re much more likely to set yourself apart from the other candidates.

3. Use reflection to show personal growth.

Essaypro.com recommends using one of your weaknesses to show your reader how you used a challenge as a stepping stone.  Doing so shows personal growth, which is especially appealing for scholarship judges when they are finalizing their decisions on applicants.  Most people shy away from discussing their weaknesses and focus only on their strengths.  If you’re doing what most people do, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to show even more strengths to your reader!

4. Say thank you to the committee.

The scholarship committee is doing you a great service by potentially awarding you a sum of money towards your education.  The conclusion of your scholarship essay is an appropriate time to thank them for considering your application.

5. Edit and revise.

Now that you’ve written your scholarship essay and concluded all your thoughts with the pretty bow on the package, one of the most important parts of the ending is to edit and revise.  Be sure to have a parent or teacher (or both!) proofread your entire essay, and offer any advice on edits that need to be made.

You can have a stellar intro, body, and conclusion. You can have a powerful voice through the entire essay, with some great examples of your personal achievements and plans for the future. However, if you fail to have a grammatically sound scholarship essay, you will lose your reader and reduce your influence.  All that hard work and valuable thoughts can be diminished.

Take the time to put that final bow on the package, and get ready to hand it off to the scholarship essay committee!

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• Knowledge Base
• College essay

How to End a College Admissions Essay | 4 Winning Strategies

Published on October 16, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on May 31, 2023.

The ending of your college essay should leave your reader with a sense of closure and a strong final impression.

Table of contents

Endings to avoid, option 1: return to the beginning, option 2: look forward, option 3: reveal your main point, option 4: end on an action, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A bad conclusion can bring your whole essay down, so make sure to avoid these common mistakes.

Summarizing

Unlike an academic essay, an admissions essay shouldn’t restate your points. Avoid ending with a summary; there’s no need to repeat what you’ve already written.

Phrases like “in conclusion,” “overall,” or “to sum it up” signal that you have nothing to add to what you’ve already written, so an admissions officer may stop reading.

Stating the obvious

Instead of stating the obvious, let your work speak for itself and allow readers to draw their own conclusions. If your essay details various times that you worked tirelessly to go above and beyond, don’t finish it by stating “I’m hardworking.” Admissions officers are smart enough to figure that out on their own.

You should also avoid talking about how you hope to be accepted. Admissions officers know you want to be accepted—that’s why you applied! It’s okay to connect what you discuss in the essay to your potential future career or college experience, but don’t beg for admission. Stay focused on your essay’s core topic.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Many successful essays follow a “sandwich,” or full-circle, structure , meaning that they start with some image or idea, veer away from it in the middle, and then return to it at the end.

This structure is clean, self-contained, and satisfying for readers, so it’s a great choice if it works with the topic you’ve chosen.

In the “sandwich” essay outlined below, a student discusses his passion for musical theater. Instead of simply stating that interest, his essay starts with a funny anecdote about a minor fire that erupted on set. At the end, it returns to this anecdote, creating a sense of closure.

• Intro: I may be the world’s worst firefighter.
• Flashback to working on the school musical
• Demonstrate my passion for theatre
• Detail the story of the theater set catching fire
• Show how I made the most of the situation
• Conclusion: I proved my value as a director, an actor, and a writer that week一even if I was a terrible firefighter.

Many successful essays end by looking forward to the future. These endings are generally hopeful and positive—always great qualities in an admissions essay—and often connect the student to the college or their academic goals.

Although these endings can be highly effective, it can be challenging to keep them from sounding cliché. Keep your ending specific to you, and don’t default to generalities, which can make your essay seem bland and unoriginal.

Below are a good and a bad example of how you could write a “looking forward” ending for the musical theater “firefighter” essay.

Sometimes, holding back your main point can be a good strategy. If your essay recounts several experiences, you could save your main message for the conclusion, only explaining what ties all the stories together at the very end.

When done well, this ending leaves the reader thinking about the main point you want them to take from your essay. It’s also a memorable structure that can stand out.

However, if you choose this approach, it can be challenging to keep the essay interesting enough that the reader pays attention throughout.

In the essay outlined below, a student gives us snapshots of her experience of gymnastics at different stages in her life. In the conclusion, she ties the stories together and shares the insight that they taught her about different aspects of her character and values.

• Passionate, excited
• Sister born that day—began to consider people beyond myself
• Realizing that no matter how much I love gymnastics, there are more important things
• I’d been working especially hard to qualify for that level
• It came after many setbacks and failures
• I had to give up time with friends, first homecoming dance of high school, and other activities, and I considered quitting
• Conclusion: I’m still all of those selves: the passionate 7-year-old, the caring 11-year-old, and the determined 15-year-old. Gymnastics has been a constant throughout my life, but beyond the balance beam, it has also shown me how to change and grow.

Ending on an action can be a strong way to wrap up your essay. That might mean including a literal action, dialogue, or continuation of the story.

These endings leave the reader wanting more rather than wishing the essay had ended sooner. They’re interesting and can help you avoid boring your reader.

Here’s an example of how this ending could work for the gymnastics essay.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

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• Writing Tips

​How to Write a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

• 6-minute read
• 22nd August 2022

Writing a scholarship essay can seem like a daunting task. For many students , higher education isn’t possible without financial aid, and scholarships are especially valuable because the money awarded doesn’t have to be paid back.

Even though the stakes are high, there are a few manageable steps you can take to ensure you write a great essay to submit with your scholarship applications. We have a few top tips to help you get started, along with writing examples to demonstrate some key points. Check out our guide below to learn more.

A scholarship essay is a great opportunity to present yourself and your accomplishments in an impactful way. It is, therefore, essential to be aware of each scholarship deadline so you can allow sufficient time for the writing process, which typically includes the following:

·   Read the essay prompt and brainstorm ideas.

·   Create an outline covering the key points you want to address.

·   Write a draft and seek feedback from trusted teachers, family, or friends.

·   Make any necessary revisions and proofread before submitting your final draft.

Scholarship review committees will be able to tell if you rushed through your essay, so give yourself the best chance of winning an award by staying organized and on schedule!

Who and What?

Researching the scholarship provider and diligently reviewing the essay prompts can help you write an essay that makes you stand out as a top candidate.

1. Who are you writing to?

Learn more about the organization offering the scholarship and why the scholarship fund was created.

For instance, a scholarship may honor its organization’s founder, and the founder’s qualities (e.g., integrity, good citizenship, and leadership) might be the same values guiding the scholarship program as a way to continue the founder’s legacy.

If you identify with any of the same qualities, you can incorporate those keywords into your essay to demonstrate your shared values. Remember to remain authentic, though!

2. What are you writing about?

You must read the essay prompt carefully to identify precisely what you need to accomplish with your essay.

Some prompts ask about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them or your achievements and the challenges you overcame to reach them.

You’ll write about common topics across multiple scholarship applications – some may even be similar to your college admission essay – so you can repurpose your essays as long as you’re diligent about tailoring each one to its prompt.

Your application will likely require other items such as transcripts and test scores, but the essay is your chance to offer something entirely unique. Write about key experiences that highlight who you are and what you’ve accomplished, or you could mention something you’re passionate about.

Remember to follow any specific instructions regarding length and formatting, and be sure to answer all questions listed in the prompt. It can hurt your chances if you’re unable to show the committee that you’re detail-oriented and can follow directions.

Structuring Your Essay

Your essay should follow a standard format that includes a clear beginning, middle, and end. Typically, you should:

·   Establish your main idea in the introduction.

·   Include a separate body paragraph for each key point that supports your main idea.

·   Draw it all together and revisit your main idea in the conclusion.

Scholarship committees read thousands of essays each year. And often, there are hundreds of applicants for an award that can only go to a select few candidates. Writing a powerful introduction and conclusion gives you a chance to make a lasting impression.

1. Introduction

Write an introduction that hooks the reader and encourages them to stay engaged till the end of your essay. Don’t be afraid to add personal, tangible details and an anecdote .

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For example, if you’re writing about your career goals, demonstrate why you’ve chosen that career:

It was the biggest game of the season, and the stands were packed despite the bitter cold. My heart was beating louder than all of the cheers, and I was filled with the anticipation that one more run into the end zone would give us the championship. Everything went silent during that run when the tackle shattered both my leg and my dreams.

My world has always revolved around being an athlete – until one day it couldn’t. I spent many frustrating months rehabilitating, but I got through it because of my dedicated physical therapist, who helped me recover both physically and mentally after a devastating loss. And it was that profound experience that led me to pursue a career in the exercise sciences.

2. Conclusion

The conclusion is the last thing your reader will see, so it’s another opportunity for you to make your essay memorable.

Rather than summarizing with a general statement such as “this is why you should award me a scholarship,” perhaps explain what the financial assistance will help you achieve:

My parents never had the opportunity to go to college, and neither did their parents. I watched them work hard every day just to make ends meet, and I often questioned whether I could achieve anything more. Nevertheless, I spent four years working as hard as I saw my parents work, and I beat the odds by getting accepted to college. A scholarship could be invaluable for me, as it would allow me to attend and be successful without having to worry about finances.

Persuasive Writing

While you don’t want your scholarship essay to be overly informal, you’re certainly allowed to add some creativity and personal details to help persuade your readers.

One of the best ways to do so is by writing with the modes of persuasion ; that is, ethos, pathos, and logos.

Demonstrate your credibility. Use your real-life experiences and interesting details to establish, for example, how you’ve contributed to your community:

I saw how much bullying was impacting so many students at my school, so I founded my high school’s first anti-bullying club and organized campaigns to bring attention to the harm that people can cause one another.

Evoke an emotional response. The “show, don’t tell ” writing technique, which involves using descriptive words when discussing actions and emotions, can be especially useful here:

During one of our first awareness assemblies, the theater was completely silent as I read aloud anonymous stories from students about the scars bullying had left on their lives. Tears were stinging in my eyes as I described the struggles my classmates were facing, but I persevered to give a voice to those who didn’t have one.

Convey your point with reason and facts. Use statistics to demonstrate what you’ve accomplished:

In the first year alone, our club improved students’ feelings of safety and acceptance at our school by 53%.

Proofreading and Editing

Don’t forget the importance of proofreading your essay, as spelling and grammar mistakes can leave a bad impression on your reader. Our expert editors can help ensure your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. Give yourself a better chance at impressing scholarship committees by submitting a free trial document today!

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., writing a winning college scholarship essay.

If you need more money to pay for college, chances are you will be applying for several college scholarships . A great scholarship essay helps the scholarship provider understand the real person behind the application and can be the key to winning the award (assuming you meet the other scholarship criteria).

Scholarship Essays vs. College Essays

Scholarship essays are very similar to your college application essays in terms of strategy. Many scholarship hopefuls will share the same grades, test scores, and ambitions: the essay is your chance to shine (and grow that dream college fund!).

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

When you’re drafting your scholarship essay, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. Start the essay writing process early.

Leave yourself plenty of time to produce a well thought-out entry. Take the time to brainstorm your ideas, create an outline, and edit your entry as you would for any essay writing assignment for your English class.

Read More: How to Craft an Unforgettable College Essay

2. Understand the scholarship provider’s overall mission and purpose.

Each scholarship provider is looking for students who meet certain criteria. Consider writing about an experience or interest that highlights your strong ties to the organization’s mission. Genuine passion and enthusiasm for your topic will show through in your essay writing.

3. Follow the scholarship essay instructions.

Make sure to follow all of the necessary steps and review them before submitting your scholarship essay. Trust us, some of the brightest students have missed out on the chance to earn scholarships dollars all because they neglected to follow instructions. You don’t want to fall into that category!

4. Steer clear from essay topics that focus on negativity or pessimism.

Scholarship committees would rather see how you overcame hardships and succeeded despite the obstacles in your path (or what you learned from the times you failed).

Read More: 200 Colleges That Pay You Back

5. Don’t be afraid to get personal.

Share something about who you are. This is your chance to elaborate on elsewhere on your application you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so. Telling your story makes an essay genuine and ultimately more memorable to the scholarship committee.

6. Seek out writing advice and feedback.

Asking teachers, counselors, family members, or trustworthy friends for feedback on your essay will result in a better final product.

7. Yes, spelling and grammar matter.

Scholarship committees do notice grammar mistakes . Eveny tiny errors can distract a reader from your overall message. Before you submit your application make sure you take the time to proofread your essay from beginning to end.

8. Don’t give up!

When you’re tired, take a break, but don’t throw in the towel! Our online essay writing tutors are here for you anytime you get discouraged. We can help with everything from brainstorming and outlining to revising the final draft.

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The Ultimate Guide To Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay

Stand out from the rest.

With the cost of higher education skyrocketing in the last few decades, it’s no surprise that many students seek out scholarships to help cover tuition. As a result, it’s a very competitive endeavor, which is why students need to find ways to stand out. We’ve put together this resource to help write a scholarship essay that will get the application committee’s attention.

How To Find Scholarships

Many students know that they want to apply for scholarships but don’t know where to find them. Honestly, this can be the most difficult and intimidating part of the process for students! Here are some suggestions for where to start. 

Ask a Guidance Counselor

One of the best resources for high school students is their guidance counselor. They are prepared to help students make academic and career plans and should be aware of scholarship opportunities to align with your needs and goals. 

Talk to the College or University

Already have a college or university picked out? Reach out to the school’s financial aid department. In addition to the many scholarships you can find online, they may offer information about funding offered directly through the school. 

Submit a FAFSA Application

Even if a student isn’t planning to accept student loans, they should definitely consider completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not only will the resulting report inform them of any financial assistance for which they qualify, but many scholarship committees require applicants to submit a FAFSA. 

Search Scholarship Websites

There are many scholarship websites where students can find awards and applications. Sites such as Scholarships.com and Scholarship 360 allow you to use filters to narrow down your search results based on your needs and interests. 

We’ve also put together the following guides:

• How To Get a Full-Ride Scholarship
• Best Merit-Based Scholarships  
• Excellent Scholarships for High School Seniors
• Great Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Best Scholarship Opportunities for Future Teachers

Do an Internet Search

Head to a search engine, social media platform, or sites like Reddit to look for scholarships. You can even create posts inviting other users to share suggestions.

Ask an Employer

Some workplaces offer tuition benefits or other financial assistance for higher education. If a student is employed, it’s an option to reach out to someone in the HR department to see if they offer any programs or scholarships. 

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Scholarship Essay

Do: know the rules.

The most important thing anyone can do before writing a scholarship essay is this: Read all of the rules and guidelines and then reread them! Students can even ask someone else to read them too, to make sure they fully understand what they need to do. Failing to follow the rules is one of the main reasons why students are unsuccessful in getting scholarships. 

Do: Set Aside Plenty of Time

Start working on scholarship essays right away. Do not wait until a week (or day!) before the deadline. This gives students time to write several drafts of the essay if needed. Also, you never know when a technology-related issue might strike, so having a little extra time can save you from disaster. 

Do: Research the Scholarship Provider

Dig deep when applying for a scholarship. Find out who is funding the award and spend some time researching the provider. Do they have a vision or mission statement? Do they support any specific causes or types of students? Is there any way that applicants can make themselves more attractive candidates for the specific audience? Students should use this information to their advantage! 

Do: Brainstorm

Students should take some time to think about what they’ve learned about the scholarship essay guidelines and the provider. Then, brainstorm about what they want to say and share and why. Here are some questions to ask as they pertain to education and career goals:

• Who are you? Think of yourself but also your background.
• What makes you who you are?
• What have you done?
• What do you want to do?
• How are you going to get there?
• Why do you need a scholarship?
• How will it make a difference?
• Are you a first-generation college student?
• Do you have any unique qualities or needs?
• What makes you proud?
• What lessons have you learned?

These are heavy questions, but finding the answers to at least some of them will help provide the substance needed to write a truly effective scholarship essay. 

Do: Find Ways To Stand Out

Many, many students are applying for scholarships. They have to find a way to stand out from the rest. Students should think of the things they learned when they researched the scholarship provider. Are there any ways they can appeal to that audience? If so, focus on those areas. 

Do: Be Honest

Do not lie on a scholarship application. Let’s say that again: Do not lie on a scholarship application. Students should remind themselves that they are worthy on their own. If an applicant is discovered to be dishonest, it can really hurt them in the long run. 

Do: Stay on Topic

When reading the guidelines for the scholarship and doing brainstorming, be sure to keep the topic of the essay in mind. Everything students share and communicate should be related to the topic. 

Do: Be Professional

Students should use their very best skills when writing a scholarship essay. They should not use slang, casual language, unconventional fonts, emojis, or texting abbreviations. 

Do: Proofread and Edit Multiple Times

It’s a good idea to prepare to write this essay at least three times. First, there’s a rough draft that should be carefully proofread. Students can ask a teacher or other professional to also look at their paper. Then students should repeat this process once or twice more until they’re happy with the results. They shouldn’t just write it and submit it all at once! 

Don’t: Brag

While students want to highlight their strengths and accomplishments, they should not brag. They also don’t want to put down other candidates or people to make themselves look good. Tell a story without embellishments. 

Don’t: Reuse a Scholarship Essay

Students put a lot of effort into writing scholarship essays, but please don’t reuse them! 

Scholarship Essay Sample Outline

Ready to get started? Having a solid outline provides a road map for the journey. Here are some suggestions for making it easier to write a scholarship essay! 

Introduction

Students should explain who they are and try to make it engaging. Hook readers by sharing a few details that will be elaborated on in the body of the essay. 

Educational and Career Goals

Students should share what they want to study and hope to gain by getting an education, as well as how it will prepare them for their future career. They should be passionate! 

Who Are You?

Student should briefly explain their background, which can include details about family, personal values, and how they got to where they are today. 

Why Are You a Good Candidate for the Scholarship?

This is where students need to really think about what they learned about the scholarship provider. What are they looking for in a candidate? Students should do their best to not only shine as a good student and leader, but also find solid ways to connect with the scholarship provider’s mission. After including some teasers or breadcrumbs in the introduction to hook the reader, this is a good place to share the rest of the story. 

To wrap up a scholarship essay, students should reiterate their commitment to their education and career. Restate how the story shared demonstrates a readiness for college and how winning the scholarship can help the applicant follow their dreams. Best of luck!

Do you have tips on how to write a scholarship essay? Share them below! Plus, check out  The Ultimate Guide to College Scholarships!

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How to Close a Scholarship Essay

How to Write a Scholarship Letter

You’re almost there! You’ve worked hard during high school. You’ve researched universities and narrowed down your favorite programs. Now you’ve written your scholarship essay—or most of it. All that remains is the hardest part: the conclusion. You know that the conclusion can make or break any essay, and this isn’t an essay that you want broken. To give yourself the best possible shot at a scholarship, make sure that the conclusion of your essay is the best part of it.

Make it Personal

Make your essay personal. This does not mean to over-share or to include inappropriate information. However, being personal does mean that your essay displays your voice as a writer and is not simply a resume of your accomplishments, according to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the University of Arizona. You’ll want to be personal throughout the scholarship essay, but it’s especially important when you’re closing, so the reader has a good understanding of who you are. You can be personal in many different ways, so decide which way works best for the essay you’ve written: humor, anecdotes, and thoughtfulness all go a long way to make readers feel like they know you.

Summarize Your Previous Accomplishments

Yes, you’ve already talked about how high your grades are. Yes, you’ve already stressed how involved in your community you are, and yes, you feel like you’re bragging. However, like every essay, a scholarship essay needs a concluding paragraph that summarizes what you’ve already discussed. Don’t dwell on details since you have accomplished this within the essay—but do highlight the most important parts.

Discuss what You Hope to Achieve in the Future

You don’t have to limit yourself to writing what you’ve already done in the conclusion of a scholarship essay. It’s also your chance to talk about what you plan to do in the future. The conclusion is a great place to look ahead as well as to look back states the Writing Center at the University of Michigan at Flint. If you’re applying for a scholarship then you have dreams for the future; don’t keep them in your diary—share them.

Discuss How the Scholarship Will Help You Achieve Your Goals

Scholarships take a lot of work to establish and evaluate. Scholarship committees want to know that the money they give makes a difference to the students who receive them. In addition to telling them what you want to do in the future, tell them how their scholarship will help you do it.

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Living in Canada, Andrew Aarons has been writing professionally since 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Ottawa, where he served as a writer and editor for the university newspaper. Aarons is also a certified computer-support technician.

What’s the right scholarship essay format and structure?

Many scholarships require you to submit at least one essay–and maybe you’ve already got that covered . But now you’re wondering: how should your essay be formatted? Should it be double-spaced or single-spaced? Should you include a title? Should you include the prompt? What does a typical scholarship essay format look like?

Although you don’t have to worry about essay formatting at Going Merry ( we’ll structure and submit your application for you , with our pre-filled forms!), maybe you’re also applying to some other scholarships too. So we’re here to help you understand how to format your scholarship essay.

Where do I start? 

Does a scholarship essay need a title , how should a scholarship essay be formatted what font should i use , how should a scholarship essay be structured can i get a template or outline, scholarship essay format at a glance, should scholarship essays be double-spaced , start writing.

You’ll need to dive into a personal experience or tell your story of an accomplishment, a hobby, an interest to the scholarship provider, showing them your experience with a structured and descriptive essay. Create an outline of your essay (this can be old school, with pen and paper!), write it out, and then ensure you’re formatting it professionally and properly.  (Need more scholarship essay tips? Try these.)

This depends on the essay submission format.

If there is a text box entry, you can just copy and paste the body of your essay, without a title. This is the case, for example, when applying for scholarships through Going Merry .

If you’re attaching an essay as a Word or PDF document, you can optionally include a title, but this is usually unnecessary unless there are special scholarship essay format instructions to do so. (One popular reason you might need to do this is if the prompt is to write about any topic of your choice, or to choose your own prompt. In this case, to give the reader more context before you begin your essay, a title may be helpful.)

If you are required to create a title, we recommend doing one of two things:

• Think of a title early on. Write down that title, write your essay, and then circle back to the title to tweak it as needed. -OR-
• Write your essay and then come up with a title . Your creativity might be fresher once you’ve answered the prompt and included the meat and potatoes of the scholarship essay, which might help you come up with a suitable title at the end.

Also, don’t stress! While a clever title can improve your essay, it’s hardly a make-or-break. A very descriptive title that summarizes the prompt would work fine, as long as your essay is strong. 

Relatedly, you don’t need to include the essay question or prompt at the top of your essay. The scholarship committee will know what the topic or prompt is!

(Want inspiration from winners? Check out these winning scholarship essays .)

If you’re writing your essay in a document to upload to your Going Merry profile , or to submit to a scholarship application on a provider’s website , and the scholarship provider doesn’t have explicit guidelines, it’s best to just follow a standard professional style and format. That means using 1-inch page margins, 12-point font size double-spaced (or 1.5 spaced), and a “standard” font like Times New Roman in classic (default) black. Don’t get creative with fonts or colors here. You want the content of your essay to be what stands out, rather than your unorthodox formatting.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how to best structure a good scholarship essay. In fact, you can see how wide-ranging these winning essays are. In fact, how to best answer and structure your essay depends partially on the essay and partially on your personal writing style. 

However, one pretty common way of structuring your scholarship essay is how Going Merry winner John Flowers Jr did it . Here’s the template/outline:

• Introduction (1-2 paragraphs) : Draw the audience in with an attention-grabbing opening sentence related to the prompt. Introduce your main points that you’ll be sharing later in your essay.
• Example of an opening sentence from a Going Merry scholarship winner: “My parents were never given a shot at having an education beyond high school.” This tells us about the student’s parents and how it might have influenced the student’s decision to apply to college, setting the tone for the essay.
• Introductory paragraph: “My parents were never given a shot at having an education beyond high school. They were never given a shot to show their full potential and make a difference in the world. They had to start life at an early age. I want to succeed in college for them and for me. I want them to be proud of me for doing a task that they weren’t able to do.” – This expresses John’s understanding of what his parents had to do, and that they did not get a chance to attend college. John also expresses his determination, and his drive to attend college to do something for his parents.
• Body (1-3 paragraphs) – Expand on your main points. Back up your information with evidence, examples, and facts. This is where you’re encouraged to share details of how you got to where you are today, what inspired your hobbies, interests, or drive to attend college, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your academic and/or personal goals. Remember to use specifics rather than make general statements!
• Conclusion (1 paragraph): Explain how winning this scholarship would help support your goals (and maybe also have wider community impact) 
• An excerpt from John’s conclusion: “Winning this scholarship will make a difference to me because it will allow me to cover college financial issues that may hold me back from reaching my career. Being less stressed about worrying about college fees will allow me to focus more of my attention in class to earn the credits, and not worry about how I’m going to pay for the class.” – John explains how valuable this scholarship is for him, not just monetarily, but also how it will help him achieve his goals.

• Read the scholarship essay format guidelines carefully, to check if the scholarship includes instructions
• If you’re submitting your scholarship essay outside of the Going Merry platform, set up your document with a 1-inch margin
• Aim for a 12-point font
• The best font to use is Times New Roman. Other good options include Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, and Verdana
• Always get a second opinion on the scholarship essay format for grammar, punctuation, spelling, structure, etc.
• Online form
• Going Merry scholarship platform (apply to thousands of scholarships and upload your scholarship essay)

You’re probably used to double-spacing your high school papers and essays. Since adding line spacing can make essays more readable, using 1.5-spacing or double-spacing is a good idea if you’re attaching an essay as a Word doc or PDF. But again, unless the scholarship provider has specified this information, it’s not mandatory.

More important is to not leave your essay as one block of text. Instead, we recommend separating paragraphs when you’re starting a new thought or idea.

For scholarship essays on Going Merry, you won’t have to worry about formatting because we will do this for you whenever you submit applications through our platform.

We know you’re going to rock your essay with these scholarship essay format guidelines, so get to it! It’s best to start writing your essay as early as possible to give yourself time to review the essay, ask someone (like a parent, guidance counselor, or friend) to proofread your essay, and then make sure to submit it on time. (On Going Merry , we’ll send you deadline reminders on your favorited scholarships and draft applications, so you won’t miss them!)

When you’re ready to apply for scholarships, sign up for Going Merry ! You’ll create a free student profile, enter your information once, and then we’ll match you with thousands of scholarships that you can apply to with just the click of a button. Don’t worry about entering your information twice – we’ll pre-fill this for you!

If you need additional resources to accompany this scholarship essay format guide, check out these related blog posts for more writing tips:

• How to answer “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”
• How to Write the Best Personal Statement
• 10 Tips for Writing An Essay About Yourself
• How to Write a Career Goals Essay
• 6 Tips for Writing Scholarship Essays About Academic Goals
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How to Write a Scholarship Essay

What’s covered:, why do scholarships require essays.

• Types of scholarship essays

How to write a good scholarship essay

What about scholarships that don’t require an essay.

For many, scholarships are a critical part of paying for your college education. That’s why you want to make sure your scholarship applications receive nearly as much of your care and attention as your college applications do. Essays are a huge component of this.

Many scholarships are competitive, drawing highly qualified applicants with excellent grades and test scores. Essays are a way of differentiating students, learning more about their interests, and determining to whom the organization should give the award.

Scholarships are also born out of organizational missions, and the committee wants to see how your values align with theirs. Essays help illuminate these values. 

Types of scholarship essays 

You’ll encounter several different types of scholarship essays during your search. These are some of the most common varieties you will find.

Career and education goals

Some scholarships target people with particular career ambitions and anticipated majors. This essay prompt is common for those types of awards, as well as more general ones. To approach your essay, you should be authentic, describing your true motivations and why this professional path appeals to you. Let your passion for the industry, sector, or discipline shine through.

Life experiences/qualities/group affinity

When a scholarship targets people of particular demographics, make sure you highlight your affinity with this group in your essay. Describe how these characteristics have contributed to and in some cases shaped your journey — and will continue to do so in your future.

Connection with the institution/organization

Your connection with the institution or organization offering the scholarship often plays a large role in determining winners — so much so that they may ask you to describe why that organization is important to you in your essay. It’s important to do your homework, considering why various aspects of the institution appeal to you and why you want a scholarship from them.

Past writing sample

You may not need to write a new essay at all. The organization could ask you to submit a past writing sample instead. If this is the case, choose a piece that shows your real personality and aligns with the message and mission of the organization offering the scholarship.

1. Understand your audience.

Scholarship committees want to see essays from students who share their organization’s values. Before you apply, you need to do some research to understand what those values are. Consider how your interests and experiences align with what the organization is looking for, and make them clear throughout your essay.

2. Show your personality.

You should also use your voice in your essay. Give the scholarship committee insight into who you are as a person — what drives you, what motivates you, and what interests you. This will allow them to understand you on a deeper level and see your words as genuine.

3. Use anecdotes and examples.

As with your college essays, you’ll bring your experiences to life by using plenty of anecdotes and examples. These will help ground your essay and make it more compelling for your audience.

You may encounter scholarships that don’t require essays. While the applications may be less time-consuming, for the most part, you will need to ensure that your GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars are strong because they will usually play a large role in assessing applicants.

While we’re on the subject of no-essay scholarships, we encourage you to enter CollegeVine’s weekly $500+ scholarship drawings . To get started, you just need to create a free account. Increase your chances of winning by referring friends, peer-reviewing essays, and more.

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How do you start and end a scholarship essay?

Table of Contents

Understanding the purpose of a scholarship essay

Scholarship essays serve a specific purpose in the application process by providing students with an opportunity to showcase their unique qualities and aspirations. These essays are meant to highlight a student’s academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and dedication to their chosen field of study. Through carefully crafted words, students are tasked with persuading the scholarship committee that they are the ideal candidate for the award.

When writing a scholarship essay, it is important to remember that it is not a mere recounting of accomplishments but rather a platform to present oneself holistically. The essay should begin with a captivating hook that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. This can be achieved by sharing a personal anecdote or posing a thought-provoking question. From there, it is essential to introduce one’s background and qualifications, emphasizing how they align with the values and goals of the scholarship. The essay should then delve into showcasing one’s academic achievements and extracurricular involvement, demonstrating the student’s well-rounded nature and commitment to excellence. By highlighting their passion and dedication to their chosen field of study, students can further impress the committee and make a compelling case for why they deserve the scholarship. Additionally, incorporating personal anecdotes or experiences can add depth and authenticity to the essay, making it memorable and relatable. Ultimately, the essay should emphasize the potential impact the scholarship will have on the student’s educational journey, leaving a lasting impression on the committee.

Identifying key elements to include in the opening paragraph

When crafting the opening paragraph of your scholarship essay, it is important to include key elements that will captivate the reader’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your essay. Begin by clearly stating the purpose of your essay, indicating why you are applying for the scholarship and what it means to you. This will help establish a connection with the reader and convey your genuine interest in the opportunity. Additionally, it is crucial to introduce yourself briefly, including your name, educational background, and aspirations. This will provide a foundation for the reader to understand who you are and what drives you academically. Lastly, consider incorporating a compelling anecdote or personal experience that relates to your chosen field of study. This will not only add depth to your essay but also demonstrate your passion and commitment to your academic pursuits. Remember, the opening paragraph sets the tone for the entire essay, so make it engaging and impactful.

Crafting a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention

A compelling hook is essential for capturing the reader’s attention and drawing them into your scholarship essay. It serves as the opening statement that instantly grabs their interest and entices them to continue reading. The key to crafting a captivating hook lies in finding a unique angle or perspective to present your story. Whether it’s a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, or a powerful quote, your hook should create an immediate connection between the reader and your essay. By incorporating keywords related to the purpose of your scholarship essay, such as “opportunity,” “achievement,” or “financial assistance,” you can further emphasize the significance of the scholarship and highlight why it is essential for you.

Once you have caught the reader’s attention with your hook, it is important to provide a smooth transition into introducing your background and qualifications effectively. This transition should seamlessly lead the reader from the hook to the next section of your essay. By maintaining a consistent tone throughout your writing, you can ensure that the reader remains engaged and focuses on your story. The language you use should reflect a sense of authenticity and genuineness, allowing the reader to connect with your experiences and motivations. Remember, the purpose of your hook is not only to grab the reader’s attention but also to set the tone for the rest of your essay, making it an integral part of the overall narrative.

Introducing your background and qualifications effectively

When introducing your background and qualifications in a scholarship essay, it is important to present yourself in a concise yet compelling manner. Start by providing a brief overview of your educational journey, highlighting any notable achievements or milestones along the way. For example, if you have maintained a consistently high GPA throughout high school or college, be sure to mention it. In addition, emphasize any relevant coursework or academic projects that have helped shape your knowledge and skill set in your chosen field. This will help showcase your dedication and passion for your area of study.

Furthermore, don’t forget to mention any extracurricular activities or leadership roles you have taken on. Whether it’s participating in student government, volunteering in your community, or being actively involved in clubs or organizations related to your interests, these experiences can demonstrate your ability to balance responsibilities and showcase your initiative. Highlighting these engagements will help paint a comprehensive picture of who you are as an individual beyond just your academic accomplishments. By effectively introducing your background and qualifications, you lay the foundation for the reader to understand your unique qualities and potential as a scholarship recipient.

Highlighting your academic achievements and extracurricular involvement

When it comes to writing a scholarship essay, it is crucial to highlight your academic achievements and extracurricular involvement. This section provides an opportunity for you to showcase your dedication and commitment to your education while demonstrating your well-roundedness as a student.

In highlighting your academic achievements, be sure to mention any honors, awards, or high grades you have received. This could include being on the honor roll, receiving scholarships or grants, or excelling in specific subjects. By emphasizing these accomplishments, you not only demonstrate your academic prowess but also convey your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.

In addition to academic achievements, it is important to highlight your involvement in extracurricular activities. This could include participating in clubs, sports teams, community service, or any other activities that showcase your interests and passions outside of the classroom. By demonstrating your involvement in extracurriculars, you convey your ability to balance your academic responsibilities with your personal pursuits, showing scholarship committees that you are a well-rounded individual who is actively engaged in their community.

Demonstrating your passion and commitment to your chosen field of study

When it comes to demonstrating your passion and commitment to your chosen field of study, it is important to showcase your genuine interest and dedication. This can be achieved by highlighting specific experiences or projects that have shaped your understanding and fueled your passion for the subject. For example, if you aspire to become a biomedical researcher, discussing any research internships or volunteering you have undertaken can be a powerful way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge.

Additionally, showcasing your involvement in relevant academic or extracurricular activities can further emphasize your commitment to your chosen field. This could include highlighting any leadership roles in clubs or organizations, participation in conferences or competitions, or the completion of projects that showcase your skills and knowledge. By integrating these experiences into your essay, you can effectively convey your passion and determination to excel in your field, leaving a lasting impression on the readers.

Incorporating personal anecdotes or experiences to add depth to your essay

Personal anecdotes and experiences can be powerful tools when it comes to adding depth to your scholarship essay. By sharing a specific moment or story from your life, you can provide the reader with a glimpse into who you are and what motivates you. These anecdotes can be related to your academic journey, your extracurricular involvement, or any challenges you have overcome. For instance, describing how you organized a fundraising event for your local community and the impact it had on the lives of the people involved can demonstrate your leadership skills, empathy, and determination to make a difference. Sharing personal experiences not only adds a personal touch to your essay but also helps to create a connection between you and the reader.

Incorporating personal anecdotes also allows you to showcase your growth and development over time. By reflecting on past experiences, you can highlight the lessons you have learned and demonstrate how they have shaped you as a person. For example, sharing how you struggled with a difficult subject in school and the steps you took to overcome it can illustrate your resilience and commitment to self-improvement. Additionally, personal anecdotes can help you stand out among other applicants by providing unique insights into your personality and character. Remember to choose anecdotes that are relevant to the scholarship’s goals and align with the qualities and values the selection committee is looking for.

Emphasizing the impact the scholarship will have on your educational journey

The impact of a scholarship on your educational journey cannot be overstated. Securing financial support through a scholarship can alleviate the burden of student loans and create opportunities for academic growth and exploration. With the financial stress minimized, you can focus more on your studies and extracurricular activities, allowing you to make the most of your college experience. Furthermore, the availability of scholarship funds can open doors to new resources, such as research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs. These experiences can greatly enhance your skills and knowledge in your chosen field of study, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

In addition to financial benefits, receiving a scholarship can also provide a sense of validation and recognition for your hard work and achievements. It serves as a reminder that your dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed. This recognition can boost your confidence and motivate you to continue excelling academically and pursuing your goals. Moreover, being selected for a scholarship often comes with a network of like-minded individuals and potential mentors who can offer guidance and support throughout your educational journey. This support system can offer valuable opportunities for growth, collaboration, and mentorship, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among scholarship recipients.

Summarizing your main points and leaving a lasting impression in the conclusion

In the final section of your scholarship essay, it is crucial to summarize the main points you have made throughout your writing and leave a lasting impression on the reader. This summary serves as a reinforcement of your key ideas and helps tie together the various aspects of your essay. By restating your main arguments or achievements, you ensure that your message is clear and memorable. Additionally, the conclusion is the last opportunity to leave a strong impression on the reader, so make sure to end on a powerful note that resonates with your audience. Remember, your goal is to make the scholarship committee believe in your potential and understand the significance of investing in your education.

When summarizing your main points, it is essential to highlight the key themes or arguments you have presented in your essay. Whether it is your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, or personal anecdotes, choose the most impactful elements and restate them concisely. This recap allows the reader to quickly recall the highlights of your essay and reinforces the case you have built for yourself as a deserving candidate for the scholarship. Additionally, take this opportunity to leave a lasting impression by emphasizing the potential impact the scholarship will have on your educational journey and future aspirations. By making a compelling case for how this support will contribute to your goals, you can leave the reader inspired and eager to support your endeavors.

Reviewing and revising your essay for clarity, grammar, and coherence.

When it comes to writing a scholarship essay, one of the most crucial steps in the process is reviewing and revising your essay for clarity, grammar, and coherence. This step ensures that your essay is well-written and effectively communicates your ideas to the reader. Begin by carefully reading through your essay multiple times, paying close attention to sentence structure, grammar errors, and word choice. Look for any areas where your writing may lack clarity or coherence, and make the necessary revisions to improve the flow and readability. Additionally, check for any spelling or punctuation errors that may have been overlooked during the initial drafting process. Taking the time to thoroughly review and revise your essay will significantly enhance its overall quality and increase your chances of standing out among other scholarship applicants.

While reviewing your essay, it’s essential to focus on the logical progression of your ideas. Ensure that each paragraph and sentence connect smoothly to the next, creating a coherent and cohesive essay. Look for any inconsistencies or jumps in logic that may confuse the reader or detract from the overall impact of your essay. Additionally, pay attention to the use of transitional words and phrases to guide the reader seamlessly through your thought process. By carefully reviewing and revising your essay, you can ensure that it is a well-structured and coherent piece of writing that effectively conveys your message.

We also recommend reading the following:

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Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

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Taking your college essay to the next level

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Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

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Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

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How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

As an admissions officer, I reviewed thousands of essays for students seeking admission and scholarships. The essay is one of the most important parts of the scholarship application process–a strong essay can go a long way. However, with so much competition, it is important for your scholarship essay to stand out. That’s why it’s important for you to start a scholarship essay off right!

There are some very simple things that you can do to ensure that your essay is engaging from the very first sentence. In fact, beginning your essay with an exciting opening is one of the most important things you can do, because it will immediately distinguish your essay from the others. 

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can nail the very first sentence and start your essay off right!

Engage the reader with the first sentence

No matter what type of essay you are writing, you will want to ensure that the very first line grabs the attention of the reader. One of the biggest mistakes that students make when starting their essay is simply restating the prompt. This is bland and boring. 

Now, you might be wondering, “how do I engage the reader with the very first line of my essay?”. The good news is that there are several ways that you can do this that are very simple to do. 

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Begin with dialogue

First, you could begin your essay with conversation. This can be an interesting and unexpected way to start your scholarship essay. Maybe someone asked you an unexpected question? Perhaps you were having an interesting conversation with a friend or family member? Either way, dialogue can be a powerful tool to start your essay.

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Put the reader in your shoes.

Alternatively, you can choose to start your essay by placing the reader right in your shoes and show them something from your life. Appeal to the senses and show the reader what you see, hear, smell, or taste. These specific details will help your essay come to life and make it even more memorable. 

Also recommended: What’s the best scholarship essay format?

Scholarship essay introduction example

Next,  we’ll look at a specific example of how you can open up your essay. Let’s say you are applying for the Questbridge scholarship program . One of the essays that you will be asked is:

We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most influenced you. How are they shaping your future aspirations?

You might be tempted to rephrase the question and start your essay with something like:

“I have grown up in a rural context and this has formed my aspirations and allowed me to accomplish academic success…”

This is generic and will not engage your reader at all. 

Instead, what if you started off your essay with something like this:

“I look outside my bedroom window and see Henry, my favorite chicken, pecking at something in the dirt.” 

Makes a big difference, right? As a reader, you are probably wondering: why does this person have chickens outside their bedroom window? Why did they name this particular chicken Henry?

See also: Here are our top writing & essay scholarships for students!

Keep the ending of your essay in mind as you write the opening

While crafting your opening, be open to ideas about how to close your essay. There is no need to stress about the ending now, but being mindful of effective ways to end an essay is always a good idea. Say you are opening your scholarship essay with Henry the chicken. Is there a way for Henry to make an impactful appearance at the end of the essay to close things out in a way that perfectly wraps everything up? The key is for the essay ending to be meaningful and memorable for the reader. 

Don’t miss: Our free scholarship search tool

If you can’t think of a “wow” scholarship essay beginning, keep writing!

Sometimes, we know what we want to say, point by point, but we are not ready to be creative when it comes to opening an essay. In that case, keep writing! There is always the option of going back and crafting an engaging opening after your essay is written. Simply write your main idea where the first paragraph would be to guide you as you write. After, go back when your creative juices are flowing, and craft the amazing opening (and closing) that your scholarship essay deserves!

Final thoughts

As shown, there are many questions that we as readers will have after reading an engaging essay opening such as the one just shared; We want to learn more about the student who is writing this essay. After all, as a writer trying to stand out in a pile of essays, that is our main goal. 

We hope that you have a better understanding of how to start a scholarship essay so you can maximize your chances of winning scholarships!

Additional resources

Scholarships360 is the go-to for all things college admissions and scholarships! Wondering how to write a 250 word essay and how to write a 500 word essay ? Curious how to write an essay about yourself ? Wow, do we have the resources to help! Additionally, check out our free scholarship search tool to help you finance your college education. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! 

Key Takeaways

• The first sentence of the essay is what makes the reader want to continue reading 
• Engage the reader by appealing to the senses
• Create a sense of wonder in your essay, making the reader want to learn more about you
• Keep the ending of the essay in mind as you craft the beginning

Frequently asked questions about how to start a scholarship essay

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How to Start a Scholarship Essay

Last Updated: May 26, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 90,804 times.

College scholarships can be incredibly competitive and most of them have an essay component. While you may dread writing these essays, they're nothing to fear—the scholarship committee just wants to know a little more about you. With a strong introduction that hooks your reader, you're halfway there! But how do you start a scholarship essay? Here, you'll find some great ideas for how to start, along with some general writing strategies that you can carry through to the rest of your essay.

Sample Introduction and Template

Include the 3 key elements of an introduction.

• A great intro sentence could be something like, "I never thought I'd have to raise my siblings," or, "On April 7, 1997, my life completely changed."
• Your overview sentences could go on to say, "My parents struggled to look after us, so I become the only constant in my brothers' lives. I had to grow up fast, but I also learned a lot about myself in the process."
• Your thesis statement might look like this, "I realized that I have a lot to offer and I'm starting a career in social work. This scholarship will give me the financial support that I need to start my educational journey."

Open with an element of surprise.

• For example, you might write: "If you looked at my parents' mantle, overflowing with trophies and medals, you'd probably conclude that I was an athlete. But what you wouldn't know is that I was born with only one leg."

Compare yourself to the scholarship's namesake.

• For example, you might write: "Mary Lewis dedicated her life to improving her community with public vegetable gardens. Last year, I worked with fellow disabled students to create a sustainable vegetable garden at our school that was accessible to others with disabilities."

Raise a question.

• For example, you might write: "For the past 4 years, I've volunteered with my local hospice. Why would a healthy, athletic young woman want to volunteer with people who are dying? Because I, too, have faced death. I know what it's like to be told you only have a few days to live."

Set the scene dramatically.

• For example, suppose you're writing an essay about rescuing an injured dog and how that made you decide to become a veterinarian. You might write: "I could smell him before I saw him. Small and frail, he limped toward me. His fur was matted and he trembled. His large eyes were full of fear. He pleaded with me for help."

Include quotes with caution.

• For example, you might write: "Nevertheless, she persisted." I never really understood the meaning of that rallying cry until, at 14 years old, I stood in front of the principal of my school to speak on behalf of myself and other disabled students."

Use buzzwords from the essay prompt.

Include a roadmap of your essay.

• For example, you might write: "My compassion for and special connection to animals spurred me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine." Then, in your essay, you would provide an instance that demonstrated your compassion and another that demonstrated that special connection.
• Your roadmap doesn't necessarily have to be a "spoiler." For example, if the prompt is to "discuss a book or experience that made you want to be a writer," you might write: "While I'd always loved reading, I never considered writing stories myself until my 7th grade English teacher gave me a book for an extra-credit report." In your essay, you would then go on to discuss the report and name the book. [11] X Research source

Close your introduction with your thesis statement.

• For example, if the prompt is to describe what sparked your interest in veterinary medicine, your thesis might be: "My experience rehabilitating stray dogs sparked my interest in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine."

Write in your own voice.

• Focus on standing out, not writing like everyone else. Although you can look at samples of other winning scholarship essays to get ideas, make sure the words in your essay are your own.
• Your own perspective is key. For example, if you're a person of color, don't try to "whitewash" your essay. Scholarship committees like diversity, so if you try to cover up your identity, you're only hurting yourself.

Make your sentences active and concise.

• For example, you might write: "I strive to demonstrate my passion for the environment every day. In my sophomore year, I started the recycling program at my school. As president of the environmental club, I teach fellow students what they can do to help save the world we live in."

Expert Q&A

• Make your introduction short and sweet. The general rule is that the introduction should be about 10% of the total word count of your essay—this usually isn't many words! [16] X Research source Most scholarship essay introductions only have 3-4 sentences. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Have friends or family read your essay—they can give you tips on how to make it stronger. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Typos can ruin an otherwise beautiful essay! Make sure you proofread carefully. [17] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/scholarship-essay-introduction/
• ↑ https://www.owens.edu/writing/scholarship/
• ↑ https://www.nitrocollege.com/blog/how-to-start-a-scholarship-essay
• ↑ https://www.thecollegemonk.com/blog/scholarship-essay-introduction
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/ways-to-make-your-scholarship-essay-stand-out
• ↑ https://www.internationalstudent.com/essay_writing/scholarship_essaysample/
• ↑ https://online.maryville.edu/blog/how-to-write-a-scholarship-essay/
• ↑ https://libanswers.library.cqu.edu.au/faq/169732
• ↑ https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-blogs/2013/05/8trickstowritingstandoutscholarshipessays

About This Article

To start a scholarship essay, open with an interesting story, experience, or anecdote to draw your reader in. Then, connect your opening to the broader topic or question you'll be addressing throughout your essay. If you need some inspiration for a good introduction, read the essays written by the previous winners of the scholarship you're applying for. Just make sure you use your own voice and experiences to write your essay so it comes across as authentic. To learn how to conduct research for your scholarship essay before you write it, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Home » University Of North Carolina Greensboro » Should You Say Thank You At The End Of A Scholarship Essay?

Should You Say Thank You At The End Of A Scholarship Essay?

Table of Contents

Thank your reader for their time At the end of a scholarship essay, it’s a good idea to leave a gracious impression upon your reader . Make sure that your reader knows that you appreciate the time they spent reading your essay, and the opportunity being presented to you.

Should you say thank you in scholarship essay?

As a recipient of a KVCC Foundation Scholarship, it is important to take the time to thank the scholarship donor for their support . Receiving a thank-you letter allows donors to realize the impact their scholarship gift has in helping a deserving student realize his/her potential.

How do you end a scholarship thank you letter?

Third paragraph: Close by thanking the person again and make a commitment to do well with the donor’s investment . Thank you again for your generosity and support. I promise you I will work very hard and eventually give back to others, both as teacher and possibly a scholarship to future students like myself.

How do you say thank you for receiving a scholarship?

Dear (Name of Scholarship Donor), I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the (name of the scholarship). Thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to (explain how receiving this scholarship has impacted your college experience).

Why do you deserve this scholarship conclusion?

Explain how your education will play a role in your career and overall goals after graduation . Focus on the purpose of the scholarship. While writing your essay, keep in mind what the scholarship is for and where it comes from. Tailor your response to the scholarship so it resonates with the review committee.

How do you end a scholarship essay?

How to End a Scholarship Essay in Five Steps

• Recall your introduction. You can view your conclusion as a companion to your introduction.
• Build on past points, don’t repeat them.
• Discuss your plans for the future.
• Thank your reader for their time.
• Remember to proofread!

How do you end a thank you letter?

The following options will cover a variety of circumstances and are good ways to close a thank-you letter:

• Best regards.
• Gratefully.
• Gratefully yours.
• Kind thanks.
• Many thanks.
• Sincerely yours.

How do I ask for more money for a scholarship?

To request more scholarship money, email the school’s admissions office . Personalize your message so the admissions office doesn’t think it’s receiving a form letter, and give the impression that the school is your top choice. “You want to convey the message that, ‘I would really love to attend your school.

How do you write an acceptance letter for a scholarship?

How To Write A Scholarship Acceptance Letter

• Address The Letter To The Scholarship Benefactor.
• Mention The Name Of The Scholarship You Received.
• State Why The Scholarship Is Important To You.
• Your Letter Should Convey Gratitude.
• Be Sincere In Your Letter.
• Proofread Your Letter.
• Submit The Acceptance Letter In A Formal Manner.

How do you respond to a thank you to a professor?

I truly appreciate you and your time you spent helping me in many occasions. Thank you very much for the course. I enjoyed every minute of your lecture as well as your marvelous sense of humor. And please give my best regards to your laptop — I sincerely hope it has fully recovered!

How do you write a scholarship essay?

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

• Start the essay writing process early.
• Understand the scholarship provider’s overall mission and purpose.
• Follow the scholarship essay instructions.
• Steer clear from essay topics that focus on negativity or pessimism.
• Don’t be afraid to get personal.
• Seek out writing advice and feedback.

How do you say thank you for your contribution?

Dear [Donor’s name], Thank you for your great generosity! We, at [charitable organization], greatly appreciate your donation, and your sacrifice. Your support helps to further our mission through [general projects], including [specific project or recipient].

What would receiving a scholarship mean to you?

Scholarships give students needed funds to pay for educational expenses, but they often end up being about more than money. For students like Julie Martinez, Andrew Terry, Grace Kinnicutt, and Ryan Hickenbottom, donor-funded scholarships offer encouragement, purpose, and drive .

How long should a scholarship essay be?

around 500 words Your essay should be around 500 words or less . want it to be too long where you may lose the interest of the reviewer assigned to reading your essay.

What to say when a scholarship asks you why do you deserve it?

Tips to Consider

• Link your passions to the scholarship.
• Show your grit.
• Share what you plan to do with the scholarship award.
• Treat it like a résumé, in paragraph form.
• Treat it like a personal statement.
• Treat it like a career and/or academic goals essay.

How do you write a 500 word scholarship essay?

Here’s a format you can follow instead.

• Hook introduction.
• Context for the hook.
• Examples that showcase your strengths.
• A conclusion that makes it clear you’ve responded to the essay prompt.
• Example 500 Word Essay #2.
• #2 Start your essay with a strong hook statement.
• #3 Use descriptive language.
• #4 Stick to the word count.

What is a good closing sentence?

– Restate the topic sentence using synonyms . – Restate the topic sentence using a different kind of sentence. – Wrap up your paragraph. – Consider using transition words to signify the end of your paragraph.

How do you conclude a essay?

Your essay’s conclusion should contain:

• A rephrased version of your overall thesis.
• A brief review of the key points you made in the main body.
• An indication of why your argument matters.

Do you put your name on a scholarship essay?

Use one- or one and-a-half-inch margins. Include your name, scholarship title and essay title on top of page . Sign your essay at the bottom.

Is thank you a proper closing?

You might sign a message to your mom with “Love,” but would (hopefully) choose a more formal closing when writing to your HR person. Forget “Best” or “Sincerely,” This Email Closing Gets the Most Replies.

Is with gratitude a good closing?

This closing is especially appropriate when you communicate with a person who holds a higher rank in your organization. Although it doesn’t explicitly offer gratitude, it’s still a gracious way to end an email.

By Travis Thornton

Travis Thornton is an education expert who has dedicated his life to helping students achieve their academic goals. He has worked as a teacher, tutor, and administrator in both public and private schools, and he currently serves as the dean of admissions at a prestigious university.

Travis believes that every student has the potential to succeed, and he tirelessly works to help them reach their full potential. He is a passionate advocate for education, and he believes that every student should have access to a quality education.

Travis is also a father of three young children, and he loves spending time with his family. He enjoys playing sports and watching movies together.

You might also like:

What is a liberal university, what percent of unc is black, how safe is uncc.

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College and graduate school scholarships for black women.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

If you've dreamed of attending college and are trying to figure out how to pay for your education, consider scholarships to help make your vision a reality . There’s no limit to the number of scholarships that you can apply for, and under most circumstances, this is money for college and graduate school that you won’t need to pay back.

While some people might operate under the assumption that you need to have a perfect grade point average (GPA) or be a star athlete to qualify for college and graduate school scholarships, there is a vast range of scholarships available for all kinds of applicants, all with different eligibility requirements.

In this article, we'll share a variety of scholarships available for Black women that have eligibility requirements that range from financial need to particular career aspirations. Keep reading to learn more.

Are there college and graduate school scholarships specifically for Black women?

There's a gamut of college and graduate school scholarships available to Black women, from school-provided scholarships to those offered by corporations, nonprofits, and other organizations. You can discover many of these opportunities through an online search, your guidance counselor, or even via word of mouth.

If you’re interested in applying for scholarships, you can get ahead of the process by researching scholarships and their eligibility requirements in advance and keeping track of the myriad of deadlines. Beyond applying to individual scholarships, you should consider filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ), which some scholarships utilize to award student's funds.

Is it worth applying for scholarships specific to Black women?

According to a 2022 report by the nonprofit Education Trust (PDF) , a year after completing their bachelor’s degree, Black women have an average of $38,800 in student loans, more than any other group analyzed in the report.

If we zoom out to all the federal student loans owed to the U.S. government, the same paper reports that women generally owe two-thirds of the student debt pie (PDF) .

While these statistics don’t reflect every Black woman’s story and won’t necessarily be yours, they do show how scholarships and grants for Black women may be helpful when it comes to paying for college and graduate school. Scholarships have the potential to reduce your higher education expenses and may help limit your student debt burden as you pursue higher education.

Scholarships for Black women pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees

There are a range of scholarships available to Black women. Here’s a small sampling of options to consider applying for, but many more are available.

Scholarships for Black women pursuing STEM and medicine degrees

Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology

The Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology, a nonprofit formed in 1983 by Black professionals in STEM across the country, gives away nearly $30,000 annually through their endowment fund to students.  

Take note, students who apply must be enrolled or have the intention to enroll in one of the approved 20 schools listed on the organization’s website. These schools range from Howard University to Spelman College.

• Amount: $3,000 per year (up to four years)
• GPA Requirement: 3.0
• ·Deadline: June 15, 2024 (application opens April 15, 2024)

Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship

The Dashanna K. McNeil Foundation, which honors nurse Dashanna K. McNeil, awards three recipients various cash prizes annually as they pursue an associate, bachelor’s, or master's in nursing or a related field. All applicants must complete an essay question based on their education level.

• Amount: Past recipients have received awards ranging from $400 to $2,000
• GPA requirement: Not listed
• Deadline: 2024 deadline is yet to be announced

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity

Graduate Fellows for STEM Diversity is an organization that assists scientists and engineers in pursuing a graduate-level education by providing fellowships and mentoring opportunities. According to the organization’s website, nearly 33% of their fellows are from underrepresented groups, and 61% of their fellows are female.

• Amount: $20,000
• GPA Requirement: Not listed
• Deadline: January 2025

Ford Motor Company Fund & NACME Scholarships 2024

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company, offers scholarships for minority students pursuing STEM-related careers in support of electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing industries.

• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: July 8, 2024

Master of Business Administration (MBA) scholarships for Black women

The Consortium

The Consortium is a group of business schools with a shared mission to improve the representation of minority students in business schools, including Black women. Students can apply using The Consortium's application to a range of business schools, and through this process, The Consortium award hundreds of merit-based full-tuition fellowships.

Some requirements include having a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, believing in The Consortium's mission of improving the representation of minorities in management, and being a U.S. citizen or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.

• Amount: Full tuition to 70% of applicants
• Deadline: 2025 deadline is yet to be announced

Selected Professions Fellowship

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) promotes the education of women and girls. Its Selected Professions Fellowship offers awards specifically to women of color who are pursuing an MBA, law degree, or medical degree.

• Deadline: November 30, 2024

Scholarships for Black women pursuing law degrees

The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship provides awards to undergraduate and law school students with financial need who plan on attending an accredited three-year law school full-time and have a solid academic record. The Legal Defense Fund sponsors the award, which promotes racial justice for Black Americans. Students must also demonstrate financial need. The award honors Herbert Lehman, a former governor and U.S. senator from New York who played a role in the civil rights movement.

• Amount: $3,000 a year (for four years)
• GPA Requirement: None
• Deadline: April 1, 2024

The Earl Warren Scholarship

The Legal Defense Fund also sponsors the Earl Warren Sponsorship. This award is in memoriam of the Honorable Earl Warren, the 14th United States Chief Justice, who helped end school segregation in the U.S. The scholarship welcomes rising law students who share a commitment to racial justice and have potential for training as civil rights and public interest attorneys.

• Amount: $45,000 ($15,000 per year for three years)
• Deadline: May 1, 2024

Scholarships for Black women pursuing careers in social work

The Laurel House Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship

The Laurel House is an organization that helps promote access to mental health care for people of color. Its Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship provides scholarships to students pursuing a graduate degree in social work. Students must be Connecticut residents, Black or Latino, and enrolled in a Master of Social Work program in Connecticut or New York. The candidate must also demonstrate they need financial aid and secure a letter of recommendation.

• Amount: $10,000 (first place), $1,000 (second place), $500 (third place)
• GPA requirement: None
• Deadline: May 15, 2024

Scholarships for Black women returning to college

Young Black Women Scholars Program

The Young Black Women Scholars Program provides priority consideration to women, including Black women, who are interested in completing their college degree. This can include women who've left college and are returning to complete their degree or those who are attending college for the first time.

• Amount: Varies
• GPA Requirement: 2.5
• Deadline: May 14, 2024

Additional scholarships for Black women 

If you're a Black woman who isn't necessarily studying STEM, law, or business, there are still organizations that want to aid in your higher education journey. Here's a list of other scholarships to consider applying for should you meet the eligibility requirements:

• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship
• Judith McManus Price Scholarship
• Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
• Scholarship Institute's Annual Women's Leadership Scholarship

Final thoughts

Since filling out a scholarship application doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily receive the scholarship funds, you may want to consider applying for several scholarships each year. There are other routes to seek help to pay for college or graduate school, too.

If you’re currently employed, find out if your company has any tuition assistance programs. If you need financial help beyond scholarship funds, consider sitting down with your school’s financial aid office to seek expert guidance on how to navigate paying for college or graduate school.

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The $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is an easy scholarship with no essay required! Only one entry allowed per person. The winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced in Niche's email newsletter and on the Scholarship Winners page.

About Niche scholarships

We believe cost shouldn’t keep anyone from pursuing a higher education, so we connect students with thousands of scholarships — many of which don’t require an essay — to help them afford college. In 2023 alone, we offered over $285,000 in Niche scholarships. Read more about Niche scholarships here or visit our FAQs .