Who doesn't like free money?

Alhamdulillah, Thanks to God that I have been fortunate enough to have received several scholarships for further studies at university. In this blog post, I want to help you by giving ten tips on how to apply.

1. Look for them throughout the year. How to find them:

• http://www.schoolconnect.co.nz (this is for free)
• http://apps.generosity.org.nz/givME (you have to pay for this one or alternatively ask your careers advisor if the school has an account)
• Or google: scholarships nz
• Or go to a university website and see if they have any on offer

2. Make sure you are eligible for the scholarship. If you are Maori, Pasifika or entitled to student allowance, then there are many scholarships out there so take advantage!
3. Have a word document explaining about yourself, your goals and achievements as well as any extra curriculum activities or leadership roles you had throughout secondary school life. The more, the better. Have someone check for any grammar or spelling mistakes (don’t be afraid to ask your English teacher).
4. Give back to the community. Have you volunteered? Contributed anything good to society? Sincere involvement looks good for anyone who applies because they want to give money to good citizens.
5. Do your best at school. Many scholarships are academic based and sometimes getting Merit endorsement is the baseline. Sometimes you get a scholarship straight away from the university you attend by just having a NCEA Merit or Excellence endorsement. So always strive for Merit or Excellence!
6. Ask at least two teachers or vice principals to be your referees by asking them to back you up and write good things about you in a formal letter. Have them sign it.
7. Check the deadline. Could you have your application sorted out before it is due?
8. When you are applying for scholarships be original and moving with what you want to achieve. If your possible achievement will give back to the community, then even better as scholarship committees are looking for people who will contribute back to society.
9. If you have to do an interview, remember interview etiquettes such as shaking hands and eye contact. Smile, be confident, down to earth and honest because they know when you are lying.
10. Apply for as many as you can but don’t fret if you didn’t get it because there are still many out there, you just have to keep on searching!

Good luck!