Cathy A.
Cathy A.

Scholarship Essay Format - Samples & Writing Tips

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Published on: Mar 10, 2019

Last updated on: Dec 28, 2022

scholarship essay format

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Applying for a college takes a lot of effort. All applicants are required to complete a variety of documents, must pass exams, etc.

However, what is even more difficult is to apply for a scholarship and win it. If you are applying for a scholarship, you have to write a scholarship essay, and having the format right is even more critical.

Writing a perfect scholarship essay is a real challenge. Often students get distracted by the content requirements of the essay and neglect the format details.

The correct scholarship essay formatting can help them set apart from the crowd and increase their chances of winning the scholarship.

To get the format right, we are here to help you understand how to write a college scholarship essay format.

What is a Scholarship Essay Format?

A scholarship essay format is a set of rules and guidelines that you need to follow to organize your essay nicely.

Formatting plays an important role in scholarship essays and other types of essays and academic papers.

If you get the formatting right, it will show the committee members that you can understand and follow the required instructions.

A scholarship essay, written and formatted correctly, can help you stand out. It will give the committee a sense of who you are, your career goals, and what makes you deserve financial aid.

Formatting for scholarship essays is different from college essays. Keep in mind that the scholarship essay is about you and not about someone else. So, it is important to approach scholarship essays differently to present your views in an organized manner.

Importance of Scholarship Essay Format

Scholarship committee members have a lot of essays to review. Setting a standard format for all the students helps them save time in going through all the essays.

Students usually do not pay attention to the format of the scholarship essay. No doubt, the content of an essay is very important, like having a strong thesis statement, detailed body paragraphs, and a strong essay conclusion. But getting the format correct is equally important.

You need to make sure that your scholarship essay is formatted according to the required guidelines. The following sections will help you understand the proper scholarship essay formatting step by step. You will also find a scholarship essay format pdf to understand the concept even better.


How to Write a Scholarship Essay Format?

Most scholarship applications have the same guidelines for the scholarship application essay format. However, if you are working on an application that does not specify the format for your essay, the following format is good to follow.

Here are the guidelines that you need to follow for formatting your scholarship essay.

  • All text should be double spaced.
  • Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana font is appropriate to use.
  • If not specified, font size between 10 and 12 points should be used.
  • One inch margin on all sides of the paper.
  • Insert a blank line in each body paragraph or indent every paragraph.
  • Include your last name and page number on the left side of the paper.
  • Titles are optional.

Don’t forget to follow the instructed word count by the scholarship committee. Scholarship committee members don’t read essays longer than ¾ to a page in length.

It is important to get closer to the required word limit, such as if you are asked to write a 300-word scholarship essay, it is appropriate to end your essay with 295- 305 words.

You can also create an outline for your scholarship essay before writing to ensure you properly format your essay.


Scholarship Essay Structure

There is no one way to structure a scholarship essay. But the most commonly used structure is the 5 paragraph format. However, the structure of the scholarship essay partially depends on the topic and your writing style.

Here is how you can structure a scholarship essay.

  1. Introduction

    It is the first paragraph of the essay to draw the reader’s attention. It should be related to the scholarship essay prompt. Introduce the key points that you will be discussing in the body section of your essay.

  2. Body Paragraphs

    It is a three-paragraph section in which you expand on the ideas you have introduced in the intro. Provide facts, evidence, and examples in support of your claims.

  3. Conclusion

    It is the last paragraph in which you need to explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Scholarship Essay Format Samples

Following the above guidelines can set you on the right track. Still, having a basic scholarship essay format sample at hand is important for success.

Look at the following examples to make the whole scholarship essay formatting process even more smooth.

Scholarship Essay Format Template

There is no one formula to structure a good scholarship essay. However, you can see different guidelines for writing and formatting winning essays.

The best way to structure your essay depends on the essay and your writing style.

However, there are some general scholarship essay format guidelines that you can follow for your scholarship essay.

Here, you can also find a scholarship essay template to guide you in writing a great scholarship essay.

Scholarship Essay Format Example

To write a perfect scholarship essay, make sure you use professional language and formal format throughout.

Below you can find an interesting scholarship paper format example to help you learn the perfect formatting of a scholarship essay.

Scholarship Essay Format Tips

When there is no specific guidance, it is common to struggle with certain formatting choices. Here are some expert tips for you to help you navigate the correct formatting of a scholarship essay.

  • Read the scholarship essay prompt of your role models carefully to check what instructions it includes.
  • If not specified, use font sizes 10pt and 12pt.
  • If there is any page requirement, such as when you are asked to write a one-page essay, you should not use double spacing unless requested. For that, there is a one-page scholarship essay format that you need to follow.
  • To start a new paragraph, either indent a new line or add an extra blank, but you shouldn’t do both.
  • You are probably used to double-spacing your high school essays. Double-spacing your essay can make it more readable. So it is a good approach to apply 1.5 or double spacing to your scholarship essay as well.
  • In scholarship essays, there is no need to include the essay question at the top. Scholarship committee members know what the essay question or prompt is.
  • Always double-check your scholarship essay for spelling or grammar mistakes, as this can easily decrease your chances of success. Then, read your essay aloud or ask your family member or friend to revise it for you.

Refer to the above formatting guide every time you write a scholarship essay. And always start writing your essay as early as possible to have enough time to review your essay.

Hopefully, you will write a perfect scholarship essay with the help of the above scholarship essay guidelines and tips.

Get Expert Help for Your Scholarship Essay

Scholarships are a great opportunity for students to receive money for studies and forget their financial issues. However, thousands of students apply to these scholarships, and only a few students get aid.

However, you can hire a professional essay writing service to maximize your chances!  

It is very crucial to convince the college committee members that you deserve the scholarship. A perfect solution is to go for the best college admission essay writing service

Our expert college admission essay writer will make sure you submit a high-quality scholarship essay written and formatted according to the required guidelines.   

Contact our essay writer online now and experience what the best scholarship essay help is!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a short essay for a scholarship?

Scholarship essays are usually limited to 500 words or fewer. It makes it easier for committees to examine hundreds (often thousands!) of entries and ensures that students stay on topic. 

How do you write a 500 word scholarship essay?

Here are four steps to write a 500-Word essay. 

  • Create a Thesis. 
  • Write the Introduction 
  • Write the Body Paragraphs 
  • Wrap It Up with a Conclusion 
Cathy A.

WRITTEN BY

Cathy A. (Literature, Marketing)

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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