Scholarship Requirements You Need to Know

Eligibility requirements of scholarships and grants vary, as there are multiple types of awards offered by many different organizations. There are national and state awards, local scholarships, athletic offerings, and merit awards—each with its own set of eligibility and application guidelines. It is important to understand the different scholarship categories to determine which awards you may be eligible for, as well as which applications require what when awarding scholarships to students.

Types of Scholarships

When investigating scholarships, you should be aware of the different types available. There are terms that have specific meanings when referring to scholarships. Knowing these terms helps you understand the requirements of the scholarship from the start.

There are a few different types of scholarships and grants:

• Need-Based: These scholarships and grants can be funded by the federal government, states, colleges, and other organizations. To determine need, the scholarship or grant provider will rely on the student's financial information. For college and government awards, this information is typically your Expected Family Contribution (the amount you are responsible to put toward your education as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA), and the total cost to attend college. In order to be considered for most need-based scholarships, you may be required to first complete the FAFSA so that your need can be assessed by the federal and state governments and even your college.
• Merit-Based: Merit scholarships are based on your academic or athletic successes, artistic ability, or any other special interest accomplishments, such as music or writing. Merit scholarships may also have a financial need component. Many merit scholarships are offered by individual colleges and you should check the requirements for this type of award at each college you are applying to.
• Other Scholarships: Other scholarships are awards offered by a number of different companies and organizations; they may be need- or merit-based. There may be additional requirements such as a parent group affiliation (like a union or business group), community service, college major, career choice or some other characteristic, such as being from a particular place or belonging to a particular ethnic group. You generally must apply for these scholarships, and compete against other applicants for the award. You may need to provide a portfolio of your accomplishments in order to be eligible. The Scholarship Finder at WiseChoice will inform you exactly what you need and when to apply for the scholarships you are eligible for.

Now that you understand the basic requirements for need-based, merit-based, and other scholarships, we will look more in-depth at the typical requirements of a scholarship application.

Scholarship Application Requirements

Every scholarship has its own application requirements based on who is offering the award. Some of the typical application requirements are:

• An essay
• Written exam, or completing a project demonstrating your potential
• SAT/ACT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Being a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
• GPA
• Class rank
• FAFSA or financial information

It is extremely important to read the instructions before applying for a scholarship. This allows you to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria, and will guide you in meeting the application requirements. Leaving out any part of the application requirements could automatically disqualify you from being awarded the scholarship award.

Finally, for any scholarship you receive—whether a National Merit Scholarship or a nursing scholarship for women—and no matter what the amount, always read the fine print in the requirements about how to keep the scholarship. Many awards have specific conditions that must be met to keep the award, such as a minimum GPA or being enrolled in college full-time. It is equally important to note that not every scholarship is renewable each year, so be sure to budget for future college expenses.