Applications from Specific Perspectives

Navigating the scholarship process can feel overwhelming, especially when the system doesn’t always recognize the diverse strengths, challenges, and lived experiences of students from equity-deserving groups. This section brings together insights from authors with varied backgrounds, identities, and experiences to provide tailored advice that helps students approach scholarship applications in ways that reflect their realities and strengths.

Understanding how to advocate for yourself—how to highlight your experiences, achievements, and potential—is a crucial skill, not just for scholarships, but for your entire academic and professional journey. Yet, many students, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities, have not been given the tools to confidently articulate their worth in these competitive spaces. We believe that every student, regardless of their background, deserves access to higher education and the opportunities that come with it.

Even if you don’t personally identify with the communities highlighted in this section, these chapters offer valuable strategies that can help you refine your applications and maximize your chances of success. A great place to start is the interactive tool below, which explores the power of language—how it has been misused in the past and how we can use it more effectively to foster inclusion and accessibility.

By learning to present yourself effectively and recognizing the value of your unique experiences, you can take control of your academic future. Everyone deserves the chance to pursue post-secondary education if they choose to, and we hope this resource helps empower you to take that next step with confidence.