TOP TEN TIPS FOR WRITING A SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

#10. Plan ahead. Make an outline listing the items requested in your essay for the scholarships. Then fill in the blanks!

#9. Introduce yourself to the reviewers. How did you get interested in flying? What have you already done to pursue your interest (such as passing the written, started flying lessons, etc.)

#8. Show your passion for aviation. Be original. Use examples. What are your dreams? But don’t include too much “fluff”.

#7. What are your goals in aviation? A career? Charitable flying? The Military? Flying for business? Flying for fun? (Don’t worry if your goals change in the future. Right now you’re just getting introduced to flying.)

#6. What other things have you done in your life, including accomplishments, awards, volunteer work, clubs, organizations you belong to, mentoring? It doesn’t all have to be aviation related.

#5. Do you have a financial need for the scholarship? How have you financed your training so far? How will you continue to finance it? What difference would winning the scholarship make? Give specific examples, such as enabling you to complete your training sooner, or to build time after getting your license. Provide your gross income if it is requested.

#4. Why should the scholarship reviewers choose you? Why do you need the scholarship? What sets you apart? Here’s a chance to really show your unique personality and abilities.

#3. What will you do to help the aviation community, including others who want to learn to fly? How will the aviation community benefit from you being awarded the scholarship?

#2. Use correct grammar and punctuation. Is your spelling correct? (Don’t rely on Spell Check!). Does the essay flow from paragraph to paragraph, topic to topic? Are your points clear to the reader?

#1. Review your essay over and over. Do you answer all the questions? Have you used all the above tips? Have someone else look at your essay (and whole application) to get his or her perspective and comments.