Identify grants and fellowships that are specific to your area of interest and study. Most fellowships and grants are geared toward narrow fields of study and research. Make sure your studies, experience, and interests line up with the award's guidelines.
Prepare your personal statement and project/academic course proposal. Jot down experiences you have had that have shaped your character and your interests. Keep the tone of your statement and proposal conversational, but just a little on the formal side. Make sure to proofread it, and ask an adviser at your school to read it and offer an opinion.
Obtain strong reference letters from faculty members who know you well. Spend time getting to know your professors and the head of your department. These are the people who can write solid reference letters to accompany your personal statement and proposal. Ask to meet with each reference writer well before your fellowship or grant application is due.
Bring a copy of your resume, personal statement, specifics of the award(s) you're applying to, and stamped envelopes for each letter to be mailed in with the addresses on them, and know when your deadlines for each grant are. Give your reference writers at least two to four weeks' lead time to write your letters. Each letter should be written specifically for each award. Be sure to send thank you letters and updates to each person who writes a recommendation for you. (See Reference 3.)
Prepare for the interview. If you are called for an interview, make sure you know all of your application materials inside and out. You will then be better prepared to expand on any topic in your application packet the interviewer(s) want to know about. Run through a mock interview with a friend, someone from your college's fellowship office or a professor.