Stop Losing Scholarships: Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes

Getting a scholarship can be a game changer—tuition covered, stress reduced, and a confidence boost that lasts. But every year, thousands of students blow their shot at free money because of avoidable mistakes. If you are applying for scholarships, don’t just focus only on what to do—also know what not to do. Here are ten common mistakes that can quietly sink your application.

10 Scholarship Mistakes That Are Costing You Free Money

1. Ignoring the Eligibility Criteria

Every scholarship comes with rules—age limits, GPA minimums, specific fields of study, or geographic restrictions. Some students apply blindly, hoping to get lucky. That’s a waste of time.

Avoid it:
Read the requirements carefully. If you don’t meet the core criteria, move on and focus your energy on scholarships where you actually have a shot.

2. Missing the Application Deadline

This sounds obvious, but it’s one of the top reasons applications get tossed. Deadlines are strict, and scholarship committees rarely make exceptions.

Avoid it:
Set reminders. Use a calendar or deadline tracker. Aim to submit a few days early, not at the last minute—tech issues and time zones can ruin a last-second push.

3. Submitting Generic or Lazy Essays

Scholarship judges can spot copy-paste essays easily. If your essay is submitted to the scholarship board without proper editing and formatting, it will be too bland to stand out.

Avoid it:
Write essays that are specific, personal, and tailored to each scholarship’s goals. Show passion. Back up your claims with real experiences and results.

4. Overlooking Required Documents

A missing transcript, recommendation letter, or ID photo can instantly void an otherwise “strong application”.

Avoid it:
Create a checklist for each application. Triple-check that every required document is uploaded, properly labeled, and legible.

View: Get a Winning Statement of Purpose for Your Scholarship Application

5. Failing to Highlight Achievements Clearly

This isn’t the time to be modest. Many students fail to clearly communicate their impact—whether it’s academic, leadership, or community-based.

Avoid it:
Be specific. Use numbers where possible (e.g “Raised ₦200,000 for a school library project”) and clearly show the result of your efforts in your CV and your essays.

6. Not Following Instructions

Word count exceeded? Wrong file format? Left a section blank? These small errors make you look careless—and that’s not who they want to fund.

Avoid it:
Follow every instruction to the letter. Treat the application like an exam: read every detail and don’t assume anything.

7. Ignoring the Follow-Up

Even after hitting “submit,” many applicants miss a key final step: following up. Whether it’s a thank-you email, a response to a request, or an interview, your professionalism matters.

Avoid it:
If you’re shortlisted or selected, respond promptly and respectfully. Send a thank-you note—show you value the opportunity.

8. Relying on Only One Scholarship Source

Some students pin all their hopes on one “dream” scholarship. If it doesn’t work out, they’re left with nothing.

Avoid it:
Apply to multiple scholarships—big and small, national and local. Smaller awards are often less competitive and can add up fast.

9. Submitting Poorly Written Applications

Spelling errors, unclear sentences, and bad grammar can tank your credibility—even if you’re a strong candidate.

Avoid it:
Proofread everything. Use tools like Grammarly or ask a friend, teacher, or mentor to review your work before you submit.

10. Faking or Exaggerating Information

Some applicants stretch the truth on achievements or activities. If you get caught, you lose credibility—and any chance at future opportunities.

Avoid it:
Be honest. Focus on presenting your real strengths in the best light possible. Authenticity beats exaggeration every time.

Conclusion

Winning a scholarship takes more than grades. It takes precision, effort, and strategy. Avoid these ten scholarship mistakes, and you will instantly rise above a big chunk of the competition. Every detail counts—so treat your application like it’s the most important project you’ll ever submit. Because it just might be.