5 Ways to Win More Scholarships

Ready to turn your scholarship search into money for college? With the right strategies, you can discover more opportunities, create stronger applications, and boost your chances of earning scholarships. Alex Juergens, scholarships and grants specialist at EducationQuest, shares five ways to strengthen your applications and make your search more successful.

1. When should I start applying for scholarships?

Today! The earlier you start, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn. Alex recommends beginning your search the summer before your senior year of high school, with fall through late spring being an important time to apply actively. But don’t stop searching once you graduate! Scholarships are also available to current college students, including opportunities specific to certain majors and programs. Some even allow you to reapply, giving you another chance to earn funding as you gain experience.

2. Where can I find scholarships?

Scholarships are available in more places than you might think. Your high school counselor is a great starting point because they often know about local opportunities that aren’t widely advertised. EducationQuest’s free ScholarshipQuest search tool can also help you find scholarships based on your background, interests, and activities. Alex encourages students to explore several sources, including:

School Counselors: Ask about local and school-specific scholarships.
ScholarshipQuest: Create a profile to find personalized opportunities.
Clubs and Activities: Explore scholarships related to sports, music, volunteering, and other interests.
Employers: Ask whether your workplace offers scholarship programs.
Family and Community Connections: Reach out to teachers, coaches, mentors, and family members for recommendations.

3. How do I choose which scholarships to apply for?

It’s tempting to focus on scholarships that offer the largest awards, but bigger isn’t always better. Alex recommends reviewing eligibility requirements before spending time on an application. Consider your academic background, extracurricular activities, interests, and future goals when narrowing your search. Smaller, local scholarships may have fewer applicants and could offer a better chance of receiving an award. Focus your efforts on opportunities where you meet the requirements and can demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate.

4. How do I make my scholarship application stand out?

Scholarship providers want a sense of who you are, not just how many activities you’ve participated in. According to Alex, showing long-term commitment to one or two meaningful activities can be more valuable than listing several activities you participated in briefly. The same idea applies to scholarship essays. Follow the prompt carefully, share specific examples, and explain what you’ve learned from your experiences. You can reuse portions of previous essays, but always customize your responses to match each scholarship’s requirements. Most importantly, let your personality, passions, and experiences shine through. Use EducationQuest’s free Activities Resume tool to have all the information you need for applications ready to go!

5. How can I stay organized and keep applying?

Between college applications, the FAFSA, and scholarship deadlines, there’s a lot to manage. Alex suggests finding an organization system that works for you, whether that’s a spreadsheet, planner, or digital calendar. Track scholarship names, deadlines, required materials, and application links so you know what’s coming next. Setting reminders can also help you avoid missing important dates. There’s no magic number of scholarships you should apply for, so consider how much time you can dedicate to each application. And if you don’t receive an award right away, don’t give up! Use the experience to improve future applications and continue exploring opportunities throughout college.

What’s the best advice for winning scholarships?

Above all, Alex encourages students to be authentic throughout the application process. Scholarship providers want to understand your story, your goals, and what makes you unique. You don’t need to participate in certain activities or write what you think a committee wants to hear. Focus on sharing your genuine experiences and showing why your education matters to you.

Ready to start your search? Explore EducationQuest’s free ScholarshipQuest tool to discover opportunities and take the next step toward paying for college!

November 3, 2026 · Season 3 · Episode 7