To win more scholarship program awards, you need to do only a few things. Take a look here for one great strategy to improve your chances. If you spend the time and follow the advice below, you can improve your scholarship essays and get more awards.

First, a couple of general pointers to keep you going in the right direction. Find as many scholarship programs as you can to apply to. Look in your local area, check with high school counselors, community colleges, and large universities should have an office and even a small library devoted to financial aid. Local businesses and volunteer organizations often have scholarships to award as well.

Some popular places to apply include Wal-mart, Tylenol, McDonald's and other large businesses. Your state and the federal government also have large programs you can try. Of course, tons of students already know about these. Look a little deeper to find other places to apply. You can use online scholarship search engines, but don't pay for scholarships. Beyond buying a book with a list of scholarships, you shouldn't have to spend money to find programs to apply to.

Next, after you have a list of several to apply to, use this strategy to improve your scholarship application essays:

1. Read the applications to see what the essay should include. Look for length, topic, or format. And understand, some may not have many guidelines, but may just leave it to you with a simple idea. Maybe the topic will be "tell us shy you should receive this scholarship," for example.

2. Read sample essays to get a feel for what a good essay looks like. You can find these on the web and in books.

3. Write a trial essay, just to practice. Don't fret over it, don't worry, just write one to see what it feels like. Compare it to the samples you have, make a few revisions if necessary. Use good grammar, and write it yourself. Don't use essays from a book; original is better and uniquely yours.

4. Show it to other people to get their opinions. If you have teachers, counselors, even college professors who can proof read it, you should get some great pointers on how to improve it.

5. Rewrite your essay making the changes that work best. You want an essay that represents you and reads well. Your essay presents your best characteristics and qualifications to the people giving out the scholarship.

6. Have your proofreaders look at it again. Make any minor changes necessary, and send in your application.

Also, keep a copy of every essay you write.

You want to keep a copy so that you can use pieces of them for other applications. The more you have, the easier essays become. You'll get to the point that you can produce an essay in no time, with good grammar, great experiences to talk about, and the right length for the application.

Two more pointers you need to know. Great essays can only help you if you apply. Millions and millions of scholarships never get awarded. Why? Because students don't apply. Nearly every little club and organization has a scholarship program. Thousands apply to McDonald's, Pepsi and Wal-Mart, but those little clubs and foundations may never award their money to anyone. Apply to as many as you can.

And the last one, never pay to apply for a scholarship. If a group requires you to send in $40 to apply for a scholarship, it may be a scam. You'll have to pay to apply for school, yes. But scholarship programs give out money that you don't give back. The exception: some programs may require a very small fee of a couple dollars for processing, but it's rare. Why would someone require you to pay to get free money? Avoid the questionable ones.