The best way to leverage your chances to win is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. This really is the wrong approach to take because the judging is subjective. To increase your odds of winning, you need to mount a scholarship campaign. Parents can be great allies in this process, for one, as organizers. It can be a logistical task to organize and keep track of deadlines.
Parents can also be great sounding boards.
My parents knew me better than anyone else and could jog my memory about myself. Parents can also serve as motivators, encouraging children to do this and talking about how this is an investment that can pay off. They can even help as proofreaders. This process is entirely manageable by the student on his or her own. But if parents want to help, it can become a great family project.