5 Common Errors in Scholarship Application Essays

 Posted on February 13,2025 in Uncategorized

Between scholarships and student loans, hundreds of thousands of people every year fund the education they’ve always dreamed of. Unfortunately, however, many people miss the chance to get scholarship money by messing up their scholarship essays in ways that are totally avoidable. 

The good news is that if you know what mistakes to watch out for, you can avoid them and improve your chances of getting the money you need. Read about these mistakes to avoid in your scholarship application and then contact the OVC Scholarship Network to learn about opportunities we have for you. 

Writing a Boring or Generic Essay

Scholarship judges read hundreds of essays. If yours sounds like every other one, it won’t stand out. Saying things like "I’ve always worked hard in school" or "I want to make the world a better place" isn’t enough. You need to tell a real story that shows who you are. Instead of saying, "I’m passionate about helping others," tell a story about the time you actually helped someone and how it changed you.

Missing the Prompt

This one is particularly painful because it’s common, but it’s so easy to fix. Scholarship prompts exist for a reason, and if you ignore them, your applications will be rejected outright. If the prompt asks, "What’s a challenge you’ve overcome?" and you write an essay about why you admire your grandfather, the judges won’t even finish reading your essay. Always double check that you’re answering the question throughout the essay.

Making It About Someone Else

This mistake can be easy to make because a lot of students think writing about a teacher, coach, or family member who inspired them is a great idea. And it can be — if the essay prompt asks for that information, and if you remember that the essay is about you, not them. If you spend the whole essay praising someone you admire, no matter how authentic that praise may be, you’ll leave out the most important part. The judges want to know about your experiences, dreams, and struggles. Keep the focus on you.

Bad Grammar, Spelling, and Typos

Whether because they are rushing through their applications or simply don’t have the skills required to carefully edit their work, applicants often surprise scholarship judges by how many of them turn in essays full of mistakes. Judges don’t expect applicants to be professional writers and editors, but if your essay is full of sloppy errors, it looks bad. Here’s a quick checklist you should use for every essay:

• Run spell check

• Read it out loud. If a sentence sounds strange when you say it, it likely reads strange as well.

• Have someone else you trust read it. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you missed.

Trying Too Hard to Sound Smart

You don’t need to use fancy words to impress the judges. They care more about your story than your vocabulary. If you’re filling your essay with million-dollar words that you wouldn’t use in your everyday conversation, it’s going to feel fake. Write more or less the way you talk, and keep it natural.

Contact the OVC Scholarship Network Today

Your scholarship essay is your chance to stand out and show the judges why you are the best person for the award. Avoid these common mistakes, take your time, and put in some real effort, and it will pay off.

Need more help with scholarships? Contact OVC Scholarship Network for guidance on how to find and apply for the best opportunities we have to offer.