For a full overview, see How Scholarships Work on Bold.org.
Can I make my essay private?
Yes. If you've showcased an essay on your profile and would prefer to keep it private:
Go to "My Applications"
Find the essay marked "Showcased"
Click "Showcased" to toggle it off
Going forward, when you submit new applications, you'll be prompted to choose whether to showcase your essay (make it public on your profile) or keep it private.
What does "Showcased" mean?
When an essay is showcased, it appears publicly on your Bold.org profile. This means other scholarship providers can see it, which can help you stand out for future opportunities.
If you'd rather keep your essay private, simply toggle off the "Showcased" setting.
Can I reuse the same essay for multiple applications?
Yes — you can reuse an essay for different scholarship applications as long as it's a good fit for the question being asked. Many scholarships have similar themes, like leadership, overcoming challenges, or future goals.
However, keep these tips in mind:
Read the question carefully. Even if it seems similar to a previous prompt, some questions ask for a specific angle or detail.
Customize when needed. Adjusting your essay slightly to better match the specific scholarship's mission or criteria can go a long way.
Avoid generic answers. Reviewers can tell when an essay wasn't written with their specific question in mind.
Will scholarship providers see my essays from other applications?
Only if you've showcased an essay. Showcased essays appear on your public profile and can be viewed by scholarship providers browsing the platform.
Essays that are not showcased remain private and are only visible to the provider of the scholarship you applied to.
Any other tips for writing scholarship essays?
Be authentic — write from your own experience and perspective
Answer the prompt directly — make sure your essay addresses what's being asked
Proofread carefully — clear, polished writing makes a strong impression
Show, don't just tell — use specific examples to illustrate your points