Start the process sooner rather than later. Getting a head start on scholarships early will help relieve stress later on.

Include letters of recommendation and gather letters of recommendation early. Many scholarships require letters of recommendation. It is a good idea to ask for these well in advance before you even start applying for scholarships so that you have them on hand and are not scrambling at the last minute.

Don't count out opportunities. There are large scholarships and there are small scholarships, but every penny is worth it. Those $200 and $500 scholarships add up quick!

Make a scholarship schedule and stick with it. A good trick to getting scholarships done is to have a schedule and goal in mind. Something such as "I will apply for one scholarship every Monday," is a good way to get them done.

Beware of scams. Do not pay for any application that requires a fee to apply!

Get personal. In order for you to stand out amongst all of the scholarship applicants, it pays to get personal. Share some genuine information about yourself!

Make sure that you satisfy all of the requirements. It is a real bummer when students complete the application and submit it, but forget to include the required letters of recommendation or transcripts. Go over those requirements and make sure that you are checking them all off.

Have a staff member or a trusted adult proofread your application and essay. Although this may feel intimidating, it is a good idea to get another set of eyes on what you are submitting to help catch any grammar or spelling errors.