How to write an essay on “Why do you deserve the Bursary or Scholarship?”
When applying for a bursary or scholarship award, you may be required to write an essay on the topic “Explain why you deserve this bursary or scholarship?”
Finding the right answer to this can be tricky as you want your essay to stand out without sounding too needy. It is important to make yourself a front runner while showcasing aspects that prove you are humble and appreciative.
Below are some essay writing tips that will help you next time you are faced with this question.
To start, it is important to note that your essay must be unique to your experiences. Whilst you want to be original, there are some vital guidelines you must follow to ensure you are what the funder is looking for.
1) Be sure to explain how the award will contribute to your long-term and career goals. You are asking the funder to invest their money into your future and therefore must reassure them that their money is going towards a good cause. Be sure to elaborate on how your education will play a vital role in your career and what your overall goals are for post-graduation.
2) Focus on the purpose of the bursary or scholarship, by keeping in mind what the award is for and where it comes from. Be sure to respond in a way that will make an impact on the review committee.
3) Promote yourself! Take this as an opportunity, if not the ONLY opportunity, to tell the committee about your achievements. By elaborating on your past successes, you will instil further confidence in your future successes.
ALSO READ: how to write a Career Goals essay for your bursary application
4) Write a thesis statement, just as you would with a formal school essay. Be sure to refer back to the thesis throughout the essay and fit it into your conclusion. If you perhaps struggle to come up with a thesis at the beginning, try writing the full essay first, give it a read-through and see what stands out the most. From here, you will be able to write an intro with a cohesive thesis.
5) Elaborate on obstacles you faced in life and explain how you overcame them. This is a great opportunity to show the committee that you are an excellent problem solver and have strong perseverance. Mention difficulties from your past but elaborate more on how you were able to conquer them.
6) Avoid any generalisations and generic statements such as, “I deserve this because I am such a hard worker.” This is not enough to persuade them as they have probably heard that many times before. Every applicant is hard working, or has good grades- what makes you stand out? That should be the topic of the essay!
7) Back up your statements with examples. Instead of saying “I am a hard worker”, rather say, “I worked 2 part-time jobs whilst in high school to support my family and I maintained an A aggregate.” By saying that it is not a generalisation but more so an elaboration on your hard work. It is an achievement that is unique to your life and your background.
ALSO READ: our tips on writing a motivational letter for your bursary application
8) Be sure to use positive language and phrases such as “well prepared”, “qualified”, “specialised training”, etc. This will show your achievements in a positive light and make you stand out. If you have to elaborate on a negative situation, be sure to still use positive language to show how you overcame/ got through it.
9) Avoid unnecessary causal words such as “like”, “really”, and “very.” It is easier to find a substitute for those words such as “for instance”, “extremely”, and any other adjective. It will make you sound more professional and give your essay body.
10) Take a break before you edit your final draft. As soon as you have written your essay, do not jump straight into editing mode. Wait a day or two before reviewing as it will allow you to look at it through fresh eyes and pick up on any inconsistencies or grammatical errors.
Essay word lengths and how to utilise them:
- 100 word length: An essay with a 100-word limit will need you to jump into the thesis quickly. You will have to limit your introduction, use concise language, and elaborate on your biggest achievement(s) and goal(s). You should write enough sentences which will allow you to split your essay into two small paragraphs.
- 250 to 275 word length: This essay will usually consist of about 4 to 5 paragraphs with the introduction having a short lead-in and quickly arriving at the thesis. The body of your essay should support the declaration you made in the first paragraph (i.e. the reason you deserve the award.) The conclusion should then summarise the essay as a whole and could include a statement of appreciation.
- 500 word length: With an essay with this word limit, you have time and space to tell your full story. Be sure to use a few introductory sentences that will lead to your thesis and thus set a tone for your essay. Make sure that with the length, you don’t get too carried away and that the body paragraph flows in a manner that is logical and chronological at its best. Your conclusion should once again elaborate on your thesis and leave the committee with something to remember about you!
ALSO READ: how to get a reference letter/ testimonial for your bursary application
Examples of different length essays:
Example of a 100 word length essay:
Example of a 250 to 275 word length essay:
Example of a 500 word length essay:
See which bursaries are open for application here
Read our other tips and articles here:
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
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This post was last updated in September 2022.
SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.