You’ve applied for a few scholarships but fear that you may forget an important requirement. I want to help alleviate your concerns by drawing your attention to important documents every scholarship application requires.
It’s a very stressful task every time that you have to submit an application for a scholarship as it is not an ordinary type of assignment to do. You must gather all the necessary documents and prepare for the interview. It is important for you to be aware of the important documents that should be submitted with your scholarship application.
Most of the time, you should be prepared with the documents below.
- All your certificates from your previous academic levels (School exams at the end of your exams and first-level degrees)
- letters of recommendation (From the workplace and school)
- Language certificates (e.g; TOEFL, IELTS).
- Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
- Motivation Letter
- A letter explaining why you are seeking this particular scholarship. It highlights your academic achievements, accomplishments, and experience as a scholar and citizen.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation can be hard to come by, but they’re usually required by scholarship applications. Some scholarship programs ask for two or three letters from teachers or counsellors who can speak to your abilities and accomplishments in the classroom.
If you have trouble coming up with these letters on your own, ask your teachers or guidance counsellors if they would be willing to write one for you. If not, consider asking friends or relatives who know you well and can speak to your strengths as an applicant.
Transcripts
Most scholarship applications require copies of official academic transcripts from all schools attended since high school graduation or its equivalent. Some programs also ask for grade point averages (GPA) for each school attended; others require GPAs for specific courses taken during high school or college careers (i.e., GPA in chemistry courses at University X). Make sure that all transcripts are sent directly from each institution to the appropriate agency requesting them.
Proof of income.
Scholarships for people with low incomes are available but aren’t as common as other scholarships. If you require income proof, bring pay stubs from your last few jobs or tax forms showing how much money you made during the year. If you don’t make much money, it won’t disqualify you from winning a scholarship; it just means more applicants will compete for that.
Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
Your resume is the most important document for your scholarship application. If you do not have a CV, submit one anyway. Most scholarships require that you include information about your education and work history. If you do not have any formal employment experience, use your resume to highlight any volunteer work or internships that you have completed during school.
Cover Letter
The cover letter should briefly state why you are applying for the scholarship and how you plan on using the money if selected as a winner. It’s also a good idea to mention any awards or honors that you have received in the past and why they qualify you for this particular award. Make sure your cover letter doesn’t exceed one page.
References
References can be anyone who can attest to your character and work ethic by providing positive feedback on your behalf. This includes teachers, employers, supervisors or former colleagues who will vouch for you in writing when asked by a potential employer/scholarship committee member. One reference letter is usually sufficient when applying for jobs or scholarships but more letters.
Language certificates (eg, TOEFL, IELTS).
If you’re applying for a scholarship from an American university, then you’ll need to prove your English language skills. The most common way to do this is with a language certificate, such as TOEFL or IELTS. These tests assess your ability to read, write and speak English at a high level. Suppose your first language isn’t English and you don’t have any previous experience of studying in an English-speaking country. In that case, you may also need to provide evidence of proficiency in another foreign language.
A Scholarship Essay
The essay is the most important part of your scholarship application. It’s your opportunity to tell the judges something about yourself that they might not know or haven’t heard before. The best way to learn how to write a winning scholarship essay is to read as many winning essays as possible and then try writing one yourself.
Proof of Citizenship or Eligibility (if required)
Some organizations require proof that a student is legally allowed to accept money from them, such as a passport or birth certificate. If this applies to you, make sure it gets sent in with plenty of time before the deadline so that they have enough time to process it and make sure everything checks out before awarding money.
Medical Certificates
Some scholarships require medical certificates to verify your disability status or other medical conditions. A medical certificate is a letter from your doctor explaining any disabilities or conditions you have, medications you take, special dietary needs, and so on. You may also be asked to provide proof of vision and hearing acuity (i.e., an eye test report).
You may need to submit additional documentation depending on the type of disability or condition you have. Some scholarships may require that you include additional documentation from third-party sources such as employers who hired you despite your disability, counsellors who helped with rehabilitation efforts, or social workers who made recommendations regarding education and training opportunities available to people with disabilities.
Conclusion
If you’re a college student applying for scholarships, it’s important to remember that you will be required to submit certain documents as part of the application process.
For example, some scholarships require a transcript, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or academic advisor, and an essay explaining the applicant’s passion for their chosen career path.
When you apply for the scholarship, it’s good to set aside time to gather these documents ahead of time, so you don’t miss any deadlines for when they need to be submitted.