#173 The Top 3 Scholarship Essays That Win Money with Leia LeMaster Horton

Flourish Coaching

May 6, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Leia discuss:

Strategies for crafting effective scholarship essays
How early planning influences scholarship success
Understanding the types of scholarships available
Maintaining consistency and organization throughout the scholarship process

Key Takeaways:

Focusing on three core essays—the personal statement, community impact, and scholarship impact—addresses six of the ten most common prompts, saving time and enhancing application quality.
Starting the personal statement by December of junior year gives a competitive edge for early scholarships and time to refine it for both scholarships and college applications.
Consistent community involvement, like volunteering or leading initiatives, boosts chances of winning scholarships, especially local ones that value impact over academics.
Students who establish a weekly scholarship routine, applying consistently and tracking deadlines while tailoring core essays, are more likely to win multiple awards without feeling overwhelmed.

“If they start December of junior year, they have a year and a half to really learn how to do it well, consistently, once a week….So if they learn at home and contribute toward college, they’ll keep earning scholarships. What I’ve seen: if mom and dad pay for everything, the students just stop.” – Leia LeMaster Horton

About Leia LeMaster Horton:

Leia LeMaster Horton, founder of Horton Test Prep and an experienced educational consultant, specializes in SAT, ACT, and CLT test prep. With a passion for helping students achieve their dream scores and secure financial aid, she has guided hundreds in improving their test results. A classical educator with over 20 years of experience, Leia focuses on key strategies, shortcuts, and formulas for success. Her commitment goes beyond test scores, helping students earn scholarships and excel academically.

Episode References:

Lisa’s Career Advising Course: https://flourishcoachingco.com/course
Leia’s Free E-book Download: https://flourishcoachingco.com/scholarship-ebook
Scholarship Course:
- President Coolidge Scholarship https://coolidgescholars.org
- Distinguished Young Women Scholarship https://www.distinguishedyw.org/scholarships

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video