Almost every high school student in America is looking for the ultimate tips for winning a college scholarship, but we all know that it’s no easy feat. Make sure you do not many any of these common errors to help keep your application from being ignored by scholarship judges.

Top 5 Common Slip-Ups

1. Forgeting spelchekk

Spelling errors can be a deciding factor in your application. Even the smallest of mistakes can send your app to the trash. An extra few minutes performing spell check can help rid your essay of any possible errors. Remember though, spellcheck wont catch everything. You should reread it a few times and have a parent read over it too.

2. Not meeting requirements

If the minimum GPA is 3.25 and you have 3.24 or lower, do not even bother applying. Don’t waste your time because your application is heading straight for the garbage once received.

3. Sending in the application after the deadine

Always be aware of deadlines dates, and be certain that they are met. Sending in an application late is unacceptable — but still some students (for some reason) feel that being a few days late is no big deal. It is.

4. Using your horrid handwriting

Even if your handwriting is not horrid, you should type your application. Scholarship judges are trying to evaluate how professional and mature you are. Typing demonstrates a degree of professionalism, while using hard to read chicken scratch shows a lack of effort. When typing, make sure you use fonts and type sizes that are easy to read. Being sloppy can easily translate into the judge feeling that it’s not worth their time to read it.

5. Forgetfulness

Have you forgotten to put all paperwork in the envelope? This is a common mistake that happens regularly. Submitting an incomplete application translates into you saying “au revoir scholarship!”. Double check that you’ve included everything before sealing the envelope.

Photo by TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³.