For a full overview, see How Scholarships Work on Bold.org.
How are scholarship winners selected?
Each scholarship on Bold.org has its own selection criteria and process, determined by the scholarship provider (the donor who created the scholarship). Winners are chosen based on the requirements listed on the scholarship page, which may include:
Academic performance (GPA, test scores)
Education level and field of study
Background and demographics
The quality and authenticity of your essay
Other criteria specific to the scholarship
Bold.org does not select winners directly — the scholarship providers review applications and make their selections.
How will I know if I won a scholarship?
If you're selected as a winner, you'll be notified in several ways:
1. Email notification Winners are contacted via the email address linked to their Bold.org account. Make sure to check your inbox regularly, and don't forget to check your spam or junk folders in case the email ends up there.
2. Dashboard notification A green banner will appear on your Bold.org dashboard confirming that you've been selected. This is one of the quickest ways to see your status after logging in.
3. "Your Awards" section Navigate to the Scholarships tab on your dashboard and click "Your Awards." Any scholarships you've won will be listed there.
4. Winner announcements on the scholarship page Each scholarship page includes a list of winners once selections are finalized. Scroll to the bottom of the scholarship's page to see if your name appears.
What happens after I'm selected as a winner?
After you're selected, the Awards Team will reach out to you to coordinate your scholarship disbursement. They'll contact you at the email linked to your Bold.org account.
If you have questions about your award or disbursement, you can reach the Awards Team directly at awards@bold.org.
What's the difference between a Finalist and a Winner?
Finalist means you've made it to the final round of consideration — the scholarship provider is still reviewing top candidates.
Winner means you've been officially selected to receive the scholarship.
If you see your status as "Finalist," hang tight — a final decision is being made.
I wasn't selected. Can I apply again?
While you can't reapply to the same scholarship after the deadline has passed, there are always new scholarships being added to Bold.org. Keep your profile complete and up to date, and continue applying to new opportunities.