EXCITING NEWS! The 2026 versions of the How to Win College Scholarships ebooks are now available!
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Parents, please join my private Facebook group, Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents, found here.
You are starting to hear it over and over: apply SMART for scholarships, but what does this actually mean?
My SMART scholarship strategies are not the same as the SMART goals commonly used in the business world.
I actually came up with my SMART scholarship strategies before I even knew about the other acronym.
THEIRS
Specific
Measureable
Attainable
Realistic
Tangible
MINE
Share Personal Details
Market Yourself
Answer the Essay Question (Fully!)
Review Guidelines
Trusted Eyes
To understand more about my SMART scholarship strategies, watch this short video:
Open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors! APPLY NOW HERE
For maximum success with college scholarships, students need to apply S.M.A.R.T.
There is a HUGE reason why all three of my boys won so many college scholarships and my husband and I were able to completely avoid any parent loans.
Applying SMART is what gets the attention of scholarship judges and committees, but don’t just take it from me.
These parents learned what it means to help their kids apply SMART and are reaping the scholarship rewards:
“You’re absolutely amazing. My daughter did very well after she learned your SMART techniques.” – D.S.
“I found you about a year ago and used your SMART techniques for my daughter last year. She won enough money to cover all but $2,000 of her freshman-year expenses!” – K.S.
“Just wanted to give a little encouragement! My daughter just won her first National Scholarship. She has earned a total of $39,000 at this point. She is a 2nd year student. Keep applying SMART!” – P.M.
“DEBT-FREE DEGREES!!! Monica’s ebooks are priceless. If your students apply SMART, their persistence will pay off. The tips found in the ebooks helped our family substantially. Thank you, Monica Matthews, for sharing your wisdom and guidance.” – P.S.
“SMART is the secret!” – S.K.
Can you handle a few more?
“Monica Matthews has helped a lot of people with her SMART process. How my son applies for scholarships really does matter. There are so many that apply for scholarships that have really amazing stats. Students have to find a way in their essays to make their story resonate with the judges, so they stand out. I work with my kids. It’s a team effort. I find the scholarships and get them organized. I look over their essays and make suggestions, etc. I definitely recommend getting organized…My advice is to apply SMART.“ – T.L.
“Your [SMART] strategies are pure GOLD. Thanks, Monica!” – D.R.
“I am thankful for the roadmap that Monica has provided in her ebooks. They gave step by step instructions on how to find scholarships and stand out from the competition. This kept us focused and organized throughout the process. Thank you, Monica!” – R.J.
It truly is not IF students apply for scholarships, but HOW they apply that makes a difference to the judges.
My SMART scholarship strategies have helped thousands of students win scholarships and reduce student debt.
Don’t let another scholarship deadline pass without truly knowing what it means to apply SMART, and make sure you or your students are not applying SMARTish.
What is SMARTish? This mom says it best:
“Is your student not winning? Are you feeling like maybe you should just give up on scholarships? Perhaps the student is applying SMARTish.
Let me explain. My daughter had applied to a bunch of scholarships before we found this [Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents] group and she started learning how to apply with Monica’s SMART methods. She won around $33K total in outside scholarships her high school senior and college freshman years.
As she looked back at the non-winning applications, we noticed patterns. Before understanding the SMART methods, her essays often lacked hooks or were generic (though well written). As she understood the SMART methods, sometimes she would start off with an amazing hook and be “showing” rather than telling in the essay. And then as it progressed, she might revert back to telling (or listing things out). Or she would answer almost everything they asked for in the essay prompts but miss one little thing.
She was applying SMARTish.
Other times one of my kids would be rushed and fail in their presentation of the scholarship packet.
SMARTish.
Even students who know how to apply all of Monica’s SMART techniques are going to make mistakes. Just over Christmas break she wrote a stellar essay and had me look it over before submission. It was great except she forgot to answer the question of why she should win. I reminded her and she couldn’t believe she had missed it.
SMARTish!
The key is to not get frustrated or blame the system or whatever else. Apply Monica’s SMART scholarship applying strategies and techniques to each and every application. Review them often. We all want our students to win the scholarship money. Make sure they aren’t just barely missing out by only applying SMARTish.” – J.S.
All of my SMART scholarship strategies are found right here >>
PIN IT!
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.
Please add me to email list
Hi, Laura. You have been on my scholarship email contact list since August 8, 2023. Are you getting the emails? They come from info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them.
please add me to your mail list
I just added your email and sent my 10 best scholarship tips. The emails come from info@how2winscholarships.com. 🙂
Can you please add me to the list
Hi, Mary. You have actually been on my scholarship email contact list since February 16, 2024, but none of the emails are being opened on your end. They may be going to your spam folder by mistake. I just resent the last three. Please let me know when you see them. The emails come from info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them.:)
Can you please add me to the list.
Good morning, Pamela! I just added you and sent my welcome email with my 10 best scholarship tips. Watch for the emails. They come from me with the email info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. If you are a parent, please join my Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents private Facebook group found HERE. 🙂
Hello!
Last year my son started collage so I decided to get some scholarship for him. And start applying, asking him to write as much as possible eases and nothing. After 5-6 months I just gave up. So Please add my email to your list. I will be excited if I am able to have any help with scholarship. Thank you!
Hi, Vlado. I will add your email address to my scholarship email contact list now. Please make sure it is your son and not you who is doing the actual applying for scholarships. You can help him by researching scholarships, creating lists, proofreading essays, etc. 🙂
I would love information!
Hi, Dyana! You can find my ebooks and all of my scholarship information right here. Are you a parent or a student?
Hello. I would like more information.
Hi, Cheree! I just added your email to my scholarship email contact list and sent my welcome email with 10 of my best scholarship tips. Watch for the emails. They come from me with the email info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. Are you a parent or a student?
Please add me to your list
Hi, Anna. I just added you and sent a welcome email with my 10 best scholarship tips. Keep an eye out for the emails. They come from me (Monica Matthews) with the email info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. 🙂
Please add me to your list
Hi, Grace! I just added you and sent my welcome email with 10 of my best scholarship tips. Watch for the emails. They come from me with the email info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. Are you a parent or a student?
Please add me to your list
Hi, Maraema! I just added you and sent my welcome email containing my 10 best scholarship tips. Watch for the emails. They come from me (Monica Matthews) with the email info@how2winscholarships.com. Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. Are you a parent or a student?
Hello – I want to be added to the email list
Hi, Ali. I just added your email address to my scholarship email contact list. Watch for the emails. They come from info@how2winscholarships.com. 🙂
Please add me
Hi, Jacquelyn! Your email was added on April 12. Are you getting emails from info@how2winscholarships.com?
please add me to your list
Hi, Courtney. Your email was added on March 21. Are you getting emails from info@how2winscholarships.com? Check your spam folder if you don’t see them. 🙂
Please add me to your list
I just added your email address to my scholarship email contact list, Elisa. Watch for emails from info@how2winscholarships.com. 🙂
I would love to be added to your email list! I’m purchasing your books in the am.
Good morning, Jana! I will add your email address to my scholarship email contact list now. Watch for the emails. They come from info@how2winscholarships.com. 🙂