Behind the Decisions: A Look at Scholarship Committees
To improve their chances of getting a scholarship, prospective students should know about how a scholarship review committee functions. Without this information, you may miss out on the chance to tailor applications or fail to highlight aspects committee members value. We’re sharing this committee’s purpose and role, so you can understand how they choose applicants.
Inside the Minds of the Scholarship Review Committee
A scholarship committee comprises selected individuals who preside over the publication, solicitation, and management of scholarship awards. It will draft submission rules, guarantee procedural fairness, and evaluate submissions. Committees evaluate applicants for eligibility and worthiness and assess achievements, academic records, letters of recommendation, and personal essays to serve prizes to the most deserving students.
Awarding organizations may be universities, religious groups, professional associations, private companies, or charitable foundations. Scholarship committee members will often be selected as representatives of their respective sectors, industries, or charitable silos. A committee is expected to act independently of organizational leadership.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main purpose | Evaluate scholarship applications and select recipients |
| Key Responsibilities | Assess applications, score candidates, discuss selections |
| Members | Faculty, administrators, alumni, community representatives |
| Size | Typically five to 10 members |
| Criteria considered | Educational merit, financial need, extracurricular activities |
| Decision process | Scoring rubric, group discussion, consensus, or voting |
Every time a student applies for a scholarship fund, one of these scholarship committees holds their fate in their hands. We spoke with David H. Nguyen, founder of Next Level Prep, a service offering online software courses and online academic coaching. We tapped David’s wisdom to find out more about the inner workings of the scholarship committee.
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of Scholarship Committee Members?
Learning about the duties and responsibilities of scholarship committee members offers insights into the dedication and expertise required in choosing deserving college scholarship recipients. From setting the criteria, evaluating applications, and awarding scholarships, committee members have a lot of responsibilities.
1. Set Clear Objectives and Eligibility Criteria
Scholarship committees establish clear objectives and eligibility criteria to create an equitable selection process that can make a significant difference for a student. The scholarship fund should have a well-defined mission, goals, and priorities that serve every party’s best interests and guide decision-making.
Committee members can assist in creating transparent objectives, ultimately leading to a fair and effective scholarship fund program.
2. Review Scholarship Applications
One of the primary responsibilities of scholarship committee members is reviewing scholarship applications from students pursuing various educational goals. When reviewing applications, the members:
- Create a guide or checklist to make sure everyone understands the scholarship criteria.
- Assess student applications based on school achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
- Use clear objectives when reviewing scholarship applications to maintain fairness.
3. Conduct Interviews and Assessments
It’s also the responsibility of scholarship committee members to interview and assess candidates, shaping the next generation of students based on the awarding organization’s priorities.
Members follow a set of clear and equitable guidelines, including standardized questions covering topics like school achievements and goals. To maintain professionalism and ethical standards, scholarship committee members receive proper training.
4. Award Scholarships and Guide Recipients
A scholarship committee makes equitable award decisions and provides ongoing support to concerned students, including guidance on additional funding opportunities. The committee members can consider relevant factors like the monetary needs, academic merit, and leadership potential of a student when making award decisions, potentially changing lives in the process.
A committee can also offer mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to help scholarship recipients succeed in their future educational journey.
5. Promote Fairness and Guarantee Compliance With Regulations and Policies
Scholarship committee members support a fund’s mission of providing students with equitable access to educational opportunities. Members need to:
- Develop relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines approved by regulatory bodies.
- Practice fairness and compliance with regulations while reviewing applications and making a scholarship award.
- Utilize members’ expertise to adapt to changing regulations and maintain compliance with guidelines in distributing funds.
6. Build Networks and Partnerships
Even after reviewing applications, a scholarship committee continues to build networks to enhance their ability to support a student, encourage educational pursuits, and positively impact lives. The members must:
- Foster relationships with donors, sponsors, educational institutions, and community organizations to gather funds and resources.
- Leverage partnerships to promote scholarship programs and fundraising efforts.
- Utilize media connections to increase awareness and community interest.
7. Evaluate Program Effectiveness
Scholarship committee members must evaluate their program’s effectiveness and develop the best practices. To identify key elements that make a significant difference for students and the fund, members must:
- Assess what’s working in various aspects, including the application review process and how a scholarship gets awarded.
- Collect feedback from recipients, stakeholders, and donors to identify areas for improvement.
- Stay actively involved in refining the program to meet objectives and make a meaningful impact on the lives of recipients.
What Do Scholarship Committees Look For?
Knowing what scholarship committees look for in a potential scholarship recipient can help a student strategize better. It allows applicants to focus on key elements that resonate with evaluators.
1. Rule Followers
Rule-following is an overlooked criterion that committees use to evaluate candidates. Non-compliance frequently results in immediate disqualification of a student.
Scholarship committee members may prioritize candidates who adhere to application guidelines. For example, a student who follows instructions precisely, including essay prompts and documentation requirements, demonstrates attention to detail and respect for the process.
2. Solid Writing Skills
Students may be required to submit a well-written scholarship cover letter. This is your opportunity to highlight your noteworthy achievements, outline your educational and professional goals, and explain how this scholarship will help you reach these goals.
David notes that there is no secret to standing out. The key, he says, is “just great essays”. Your essay is the best way to command attention and distinguish yourself from the crowd. Here are tips on writing a standout college essays:
- Find your voice
- Be yourself
- Follow the directions
- Avoid redundancy
- Write multiple drafts
- Proofread thoroughly
3. Scholarship-Related Characteristics and Relevant Experience
A scholarship committee will also seek candidates with specific traits and experiences that align with the values and goals of an organization:
- Universal qualities: Passion, confidence, dedication, strong academics, and growth potential.
- Personalized criteria: May include community service or proven leadership.
- Alignment with organization: Traits often reflect the sponsoring entity’s mission and values.
- Diverse priorities: Nonprofits may focus on compassion, while corporations might prefer ambition.
- Research importance: Align your research skills and experiences, especially if an organization has preferred characteristics in relation to research.
David suggests, “Send letters of recommendation from a teacher and a mentor outside of school. The mentor can be a manager where you volunteer, a boss at a part-time job, or an athletic coach. You might include a portfolio of art, projects, or awards.”
4. Passion for the Future
When reviewing scholarship applications, a scholarship committee often values a student who has a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the future.
Members may invest in a student who shows clear direction about their future plans after college, including potential career paths and further training. This reflects that you’re a student who can effectively utilize the allocated funds.
5. Strong Sense of Self-Awareness
A scholarship committee also values a student’s self-awareness as it indicates your readiness for the challenges of independent college life. Presenting oneself as flawless often backfires, as a scholarship committee recognizes that everyone has areas for improvement.
You’ll need to acknowledge your weaknesses while also showing that you’re taking the right steps to overcome them to demonstrate growth potential. This proactive attitude in a student is appealing to scholarship committees.
Related Questions
How Do You Address a Scholarship Committee?
When your scholarship application calls for a cover letter or another form of direct correspondence with the committee, you can use the traditional salutation, “To Whom It May Concern”. You may also address the correspondence to “Members of the Scholarship Committee”.
Are There Scholarships for Students Who Aren’t Athletes or Academic Superstars?
When you don’t fall into either of these broad categories, David advises that there are plenty of other opportunities worthy of consideration. “Merit can be earned in the form of art and innovation projects, or service projects,” he explains. “Don’t limit yourself to scholarships that are based solely on GPA or test scores”.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting a Big Scholarship Prize?
The more applications you fill out, the better you’ll get at it. Create a compelling application with the necessary documents, including a well-written essay that tells your personal story effectively and addresses the specific criteria of the scholarship.
Conclusion
Learning about the inner workings of scholarship committees can give you insights into how to improve your chances of securing financial aid for education. We encourage prospective candidates to familiarize themselves with how committees handle the scholarship process, as this knowledge can empower you to present your strongest application and improve the odds of being selected.
For more on scholarships and how to apply, check out our Guide to Scholarships for College.
Or learn more with a look at our Guide to the College Admissions Process.
Or get tips on studying, student life, and much more with a look at our Student Resources.
