For many families, affording a college education for their child seems out of the question. With a continuing increase in tuition every year, a high unemployment rate, and high cost of living, affording an education in California appears beyond the means of many families. However, graduating students can turn to alternative forms of financial aid, including college scholarships. With many students applying for the same California scholarships, it can be difficult to set themselves apart from the other applicants. Generally, individuals who are assigned the duty to look over applications and resumes only take 20 seconds to initially review the information. Students must learn to use this short time constraint to make themselves stand out by focusing on some of the following elements.

Academic Success

Scholarship committees want to know that they are providing funds for someone who takes academics seriously. A student can highlight academic success by listing academic successes in a prominent location in the application. If a student has lower marks in some classes, but excels in a particular area, the application should highlight this success.

Extracurricular Activity

Panels are interested in providing funds for students who have proven themselves to be well-rounded individuals. Any leadership roles can also be listed on the application. A concentration in one or two activities that can be emphasized on the application is preferable to simple attendance in several clubs.

Personalization

Each scholarship application should be unique and tailored to the goal of the committee. Adding personal lines highlighting strengths that correspond with the particular program can help a student's application stand out among other generic forms. A student can best personalize the application by completing an essay. If the student has faced any obstacles or has matured after a setback, the essay provides the ideal opportunity to discuss this information.

Personal Interview

Some programs allow students an opportunity to meet the committee for a personal interview. The student should begin this process by dressing in a formal manner and bringing a personal resume to the interview with additional highlights that were not located on the initial application. A confident and professional demeanor can also help impress the panel. This is a vital time for a student to sell the positives to the panel by emphasizing strengths, future goals and interests. These interests should align with the opportunities presented by the California scholarship. The student should also bring proof of California residency.

Career Advantages

Having a college degree can open doors to many career fields, and lifelong earnings typically increase substantially after obtaining a college degree. A student can pursue a career as a doctor, lawyer, businessman, teacher, financial advisor, or many other professions that match academic and social interests and passions in life.