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Didn’t Win the Scholarship? Don’t Get Mad, Get Better!
If you don’t win a certain scholarship, take action, and use these winning tips.
For those of you who got a jump on college scholarships and began applying early in the school year, you may have already heard back and know whether or not you were selected as a winner.
WOOHOO to the WINNERS! You are ahead of the game, but don’t lose momentum now. There are TONS of scholarships still out there with deadlines in the next few months, especially local scholarships.
Keep up the good work!
If you have gotten “Thank you for applying, but you were not selected…” form letters or announcement deadlines have passed letting you know that you did not win, there is work to be done.
First, if you are using the same essay for several scholarship applications, take another look at that essay.
Proofread it again, have someone else (different from who read it before) read it, and make sure you are targeting the essay towards the company or organization offering the award money.
Answer the following questions about your essay:
- Did I stay within the required word count?
- Did I focus my essay on the question asked and not skip any part of it?
- Did I personalize my essay and insert the name of the scholarship provider correctly?
- Did I start with a hook to draw in the reader?
- Did my essay tell a story, allowing the judges to get to know me on a deeper level?
- Did I have a teacher or other trusted adult give me their honest opinion and suggestions?
Be sure to read: How to Write An Amazing College Scholarship Essay
Re-evaluating your essay and taking the time to re-write some of it just may be what your essay needs to turn the heads of the judges for the next scholarship applications that you submit. Sometimes, however, you just may not be the kind of student they are looking for. Don’t give up!
Keep searching, applying, and believing!
You CAN do this!

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Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regard to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets, and more have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. She teaches them how to apply S.M.A.R.T. with outstanding results.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites, and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.