Brainstorm initial ideas that you have when reading the question on the scholarship application. Write down any immediate responses you have to the question. Do not leave anything out at this stage; the point at this stage of writing is to release all the ideas onto paper so you can look at them and make choices of what would be the best way to answer the question.
Look back over your brainstorming notes and highlight or circle any that bring out who you are as a person. Particular focus on aspects of yourself that would make your answer even better. For example, if you are trying to get a scholarship based on your basketball skills, you should concentrate on the athletic side of yourself in your answer.
Read some sample answers if they are available for the scholarship. Many times, past winners of the scholarship will have their winning answers posted on the funder's Website. Try to figure out what the main goal of your answer should be. Are you trying to persuade? Tell a story? What have other winners done? Fitting yourself to what the scholarship committee wants is all part of earning the money you need.
Write a first draft of your answer to the scholarship question. Look back over your notes as you do this. Remember the goal is always to highlight who you are as a person and why you are the best candidate for the scholarship.
Edit the first draft of your answer and have others edit it as well. it is extremely important that you allow others to view your writing. A parent, friend or teacher would most likely be more than happy to help you, so don't be afraid of what they will say. You would rather have them critique you and win the scholarship than the alternative.
Rewrite or edit your answer based on your own changes as well as the suggestions of others. Read through the answer aloud to catch any last typos that may have slipped through.
Confirm that your answer for the scholarship question is in the correct format. Look for guidelines in the scholarship application form or on their website. Do not be afraid to email or call the scholarship committee if you have questions regarding the format of your answer. The answer you send in for the scholarship should be clean, polished and perfected.