Checklist for Success

Link to MinorityNurse.com

Carolyn J. Harris, R.N., MSN, J.D., assistant dean of Student Affairs, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing at Howard University, offers some tips for writing a scholarship application:

Make a photocopy of the application.
Read the directions on the application.
Note the date the application is due to gauge how much time you have to complete it.
Read the entire application before writing anything.
Respond to the questions on the working copy of the application.

If an essay is required, keep within the word limit and follow these steps:

Outline the essay.
Write a draft.
Have another person proofread the draft.
Make grammatical and syntax corrections.
Copy the edited essay onto the application form.
Do not minimize or omit work or volunteer experience if such experience is requested.

Harris explains, “A nursing student who was filling out an application for a nursing scholarship told me she didn’t have any relevant work experience. However, I knew that she had been working 32 hours per week as a waitress for the past two years. Her position required her to be a team member, to have good people skills and good communication skills. She had also developed good time management skills. This experience is highly relevant to professional nursing. Many skills can be applied across disciplines or work situations.”

Put the application aside for a day or so, provided there is time.
Read the responses again and then enter all responses on the actual document. Type your responses.
Check the application for completeness.
Include application fee if required, unless a waiver of fees has been granted.
Include letters of recommendation, transcripts or other documents if they have been requested.
Adhere to the due date or the postmark date (there is a difference!).
Mail to the proper address with the correct amount of postage.

These tips do not guarantee that a student will be selected for an award. However, following these guidelines should put you in good standing with the review committee.

Administrators say that most applicants for nursing scholarships are not making major mistakes—but that just makes the competition a bit more intense. With a little planning, proofreading and promptness, however, you just might move your application to the top of the stack.

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