Top Reasons People Don’t Win Scholarships

 Posted on January 30,2026 in Uncategorized

Thousands of dollars in scholarship money go unclaimed every year. Yes, you read that right. Many students either do not apply at all or make simple mistakes that cost them the award. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what they are.

If you have been applying to scholarships without winning, or if you have been thinking about applying but feel overwhelmed, OVC Scholarship Network wants to help. Check out these common mistakes and then take a look at our scholarships – we have a huge variety of real scholarships for Fall 2026 applicants available to students all over the United States. 

What Are the Most Common Scholarship Application Mistakes?

Most students who do not win scholarships make one or more of these mistakes. 

Not Following Directions

This is the number one reason scholarship applications get rejected. If the prompt asks for 500 words, do not write 800. If they want a PDF, do not send a Word document. If they ask three questions, answer all three questions.

Scholarship committees often receive hundreds of applications. They use the directions as an easy way to narrow down the pile. Applications that do not follow the rules go straight to the rejection pile, no matter how good your grades are.

Missing Deadlines

Scholarship deadlines are firm. There are no extensions because you forgot or because you were busy with school. If the deadline is March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM, and you submit at 12:01 AM on March 16, your application will not be considered.

Create a calendar with all your scholarship deadlines. Set reminders on your phone for one week before, three days before, and one day before each deadline. Give yourself plenty of time so you are not rushing at the last minute.

Sending Generic Essays

One of the biggest mistakes is writing one essay and sending it to every scholarship. Committees can tell when you did this. Your essay needs to answer the specific question being asked and show why you are a good fit for that particular scholarship.

If a scholarship is for students interested in engineering, talk about your passion for engineering. If a scholarship is for community service, highlight your volunteer work. Make each application personal and specific.

Not Applying to Enough Scholarships

Some students apply to two or three scholarships, do not win, and then give up. Winning scholarships is a numbers game. The more you apply to, the better your chances of winning at least one.

Treat scholarship applications like a part-time job. Set aside a few hours each week to search for scholarships and complete applications. Even small scholarships of $500 or $1,000 add up quickly, especially when you apply for financial aid with FAFSA.

How Can You Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out?

Thousands of students have good grades and test scores. To win scholarships, you need to make your application memorable. 

Tell Your Story

Scholarship committees want to know who you are beyond your GPA. What challenges have you overcome? What makes you unique? What are you passionate about? Share real stories from your life that show your character, determination, and goals.

Do not try to sound like someone else or write what you think they want to hear. Be honest and authentic. The best essays sound like you talking to someone about something you really care about.

Proofread Everything

Spelling and grammar mistakes make you look careless. Read your essay out loud to catch errors your eyes might miss. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to review your application before you submit it. Use spell check, but do not rely on it alone because it will not catch every mistake.

Get Strong Recommendation Letters

Ask teachers, coaches, or supervisors who know you well and can write specific examples of your achievements. Give them plenty of notice, at least three to four weeks before the deadline. Provide them with information about the scholarship and why you are applying so they can write a stronger letter.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Instead of saying "I am a hard worker," give an example of a time you worked hard to achieve something. Instead of saying "I care about my community," describe a specific project where you made a difference. Concrete examples are much more powerful than general statements.

Are You Only Applying to Big Scholarships?

Many students only apply to the huge national scholarships worth $10,000 or more. These scholarships are extremely competitive because everyone applies to them. You might have better luck with smaller local scholarships where there are fewer applicants.

Check with your school counselor about local scholarships. Look for scholarships from community organizations, local businesses, and regional foundations. A $500 scholarship might not sound like much, but if you win five of them, that is $2,500 toward your college costs.

Start Your Scholarship Search with OVC Scholarship Network

Now that you know the common mistakes students make, you can avoid them and increase your chances of winning. The key is to start early, stay organized, and apply to as many scholarships as possible.

OVC Scholarship Network makes it easy to find scholarships that match your interests, background, and goals. Browse through available scholarships, read the requirements carefully, and start applying today. The money is out there waiting for students like you who are willing to put in the effort. Visit OVC Scholarship Network now to review scholarships and submit your applications.