20 Scholarship Interview Questions & Answers!

Scholarship Interviews – Your Questions Answered!

How do I prepare for a scholarship interview?

When preparing for a scholarship interview, the first thing you should do is research the institution you are applying too. This means you should be able to tell the interviewer the exact clubs, organizations, and activities the institution provides that you plan on participating in, and you should be aware of any notable news relating to the institution such as investments and expansions. You should also be aware of notable Alumni. This can really help you stand out and it showcases that your future vision is to complete your scholarship with this particular school above all other scholarship providers.

How to answer “why do you deserve this scholarship?”

This question is almost certainly going to come up during your interview, so it is critical you prepare a strong answer for it. Your answer should provide reassurance that you have the desire and dedication to complete the scholarship, and that you have ambitious, but achievable plans for your career. A great way to demonstrate this is to talk about how the scholarship will benefit you and help you achieve those plans. By doing so, you will be showcasing that you fully understand what’s involved in the scholarship, and you’ll leave little doubt that you will be a success for the institution and fully embrace the opportunity of the scholarship. Another great tip when answering “why you do you deserve this scholarship”, is to back up your willingness to learn and your dedication, a very simple way to do this is to mention any self-help books you have been reading! 

What should you not say in a scholarship interview?

During a scholarship interview you should never state things like “one of my weaknesses is my organizational skills” or “you are unsure of your future plans”. The interviewer will want to know that you are capable to successfully completing your scholarship and that you have achievable and ambitious plans for your career. It is imperative that you keep the conversation positive at all times, and that you always frame yourself in a positive light. Therefore, you should avoid saying you “like to socialize and go out drinking with friends”. This will make the interviewer infer that you’d rather be out partying then taking your scholarship seriously.

“Do you have any questions for us” Scholarship interview question

Before your interview is concluded, the interviewer will always ask you if you have any questions, and if they don’t, make sure you ask at least one question before the interview concludes! A very good question to ask is “In your experience, what makes a successful student at this school?”, this not only illustrates your interest, but when they answer, if any of the qualities they list do not match up to what you told them about yourself earlier on, it gives you an opportunity to continue the interview and tell the interviewer how you match up to those qualities too that a successful student has.

How to answer “How will this scholarship help you?”

This is a great question that will really allow you to showcase your passion and commitment for the scholarship. In your answer you should show that you have really researched into the scholarship, and your future, by showing how each part of the scholarship will be useful and required to enable your future career. Remember, the interviewer wants to ensure that the scholarship will not go to waste, and therefore, you need to demonstrate how the scholarship will lead to your success, and in turn, this will reflect well on the scholarship provider.