Scholarship Application Secrets: How I Won ₦5M for My Education (Real Story)
My name is Adeola, and I come from a small village in Ogun State. Growing up, my parents struggled to pay my school fees, and there were times I had to stay home because we couldn’t afford basic textbooks. But today, I’m a first-class graduate of Computer Science at the University of Lagos—all thanks to scholarships worth over ₦5 million that covered my tuition, accommodation, and even a monthly stipend.
How did I do it? In this article, I’ll reveal the exact strategies I used to win multiple scholarships—so you can do the same.
1. How I Discovered the Right Scholarships
Most students apply randomly and hope for the best. I took a smarter approach:
A. Targeting Scholarships for Poor Students
Since I had no money, I focused on need-based scholarships that required proof of financial hardship. These included:
✔ Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship – For brilliant but indigent students
✔ NNPC/Shell Scholarship – For students in STEM fields
✔ State Government Bursary Awards – For students from low-income families
B. Using Scholarship Search Engines
Instead of waiting for announcements, I actively searched on:
Scholarships.ng
AfterSchoolAfrica.com
MySchoolGist.com
I set up Google Alerts for keywords like “scholarship for poor students in Nigeria 2024.”
C. Networking with Past Winners
I joined Facebook groups and WhatsApp forums where scholarship winners shared tips. This helped me learn:
✅ Which scholarships were easiest to win
✅ Common mistakes to avoid
✅ How to write a standout essay
2. My Step-by-Step Application Strategy
Step 1: Meeting the Basic Requirements
Before applying, I made sure I had:
📌 5+ credits in WAEC/NECO (including Maths & English)
📌 A strong JAMB score (I scored 298)
📌 Proof of financial need (I got a sworn affidavit from court)
Step 2: Writing a Killer Scholarship Essay
Most scholarships ask: “Why do you deserve this award?”
My secret formula:
Start with a personal story – I described how my mother sold garri to pay my JAMB fee.
Highlight academic excellence – I mentioned my best subjects (Maths, Physics).
Show future goals – I explained how studying Computer Science would help me build tech solutions for Nigeria.
Keep it concise – 500-700 words max.
Step 3: Securing Strong Recommendation Letters
I didn’t just ask my teachers—I helped them write it by providing:
✔ My academic records
✔ Extracurricular achievements
✔ Why I needed the scholarship
This made their job easier, and my letters stood out.
Step 4: Submitting Early (Before Deadline)
I noticed that early applicants had a higher success rate. So, I submitted my forms at least 2 weeks before the deadline.
3. Mistakes That Could Have Cost Me the Scholarship
I almost lost one scholarship because of these errors:
❌ Typos in my application (I fixed this by using Grammarly)
❌ Missing documents (I now use a checklist)
❌ Applying for scholarships I didn’t qualify for (wasted time)
Lesson learned: Always double-check eligibility before applying.
4. How I Won Multiple Scholarships (₦5M Total)
Jim Ovia Scholarship (₦300,000/year) – Covered my tuition
NNPC/Shell Scholarship (₦150,000/session) – Paid for books & accommodation
Lagos State Bursary (₦50,000/year) – Extra stipend
By combining these, I graduated debt-free—with savings left over!
5. My #1 Secret: Applying to EVERYTHING
Most students apply for only 1-2 scholarships and give up. I applied for over 20—and won 3.
My rule: If I met 70% of the requirements, I applied.
6. How You Can Do the Same
✅ Start searching NOW – Don’t wait till you’re broke.
✅ Write a generic essay template – Customize it for each application.
✅ Follow up – Some scholarships require interviews.
Final Advice: Never Give Up!
I was rejected 7 times before my first win. If I could do it, so can you.
Need help? Drop your questions below—I’ll reply!
🚀 Want my FREE scholarship essay template? Download Here
