使用现在完成时强调从过去到现在一直持续的状态，'striving for better'是动名词短语作介词宾语。
Although my family's financial situation is not ideal, I have never given up on striving for better. I consistently look up to outstanding students as role models, working hard to bridge the gap between ourselves. Over the past three years of university life, I have made significant progress, achieving substantial improvements in both academic performance and overall quality. Accordingly, I am applying for the National Endeavor Scholarship. I would like to express my special gratitude to the leadership for their support, to my professors for their in-depth guidance in professional knowledge, and to my classmates for their assistance in both work and daily life. In the days ahead, I will motivate and drive myself with stricter standards to achieve even better results.
The above represents my personal situation. I respectfully request the review and evaluation of the leadership.
Applicant: xxx
xx/xx/20xx
尽管家庭条件有限，但我从未停止努力。我始终以优秀同学为榜样，致力于缩小与他们在学业和综合素质上的差距。在大学的三年里，我取得了显著的进步，无论是学习成绩还是个人能力都实现了质的飞跃。因此，我郑重申请国家励志奖学金。在此，我要特别感谢学校领导的悉心培养、专业老师在学术上的深度指导，以及同学们在工作和生活中给予我的无私支持。未来，我将以更高的标准严格要求自己，不断鞭策自己，争取取得更优异的成绩。
以上为我的基本情况，恳请各位领导审阅！
申请人：xxx
20xx年xx月xx日