For a full overview, see How Scholarships Work on Bold.org.
What is "My Matches"?
The "My Matches" section under the Scholarships tab is where you'll find a curated list of scholarships that are most relevant to you. These aren't random — they're specifically selected based on your Bold.org profile.
How are my matches chosen?
Scholarships are matched based on the information in your Bold.org profile, including:
Education level (high school, college, graduate)
School or institution
Intended or current major
Demographics and background
Location
Graduation year
Career goals or personal interests
Essays you've written
The system uses this information to connect you with scholarships where you're most likely to be eligible and stand out as a strong candidate.
How do I get better matches?
The best way to improve your matches is to make your profile as complete and up to date as possible. The more details you provide, the better the system can match you with relevant scholarships.
Specifically:
Fill in all profile sections (education, demographics, interests, career goals)
Keep your education information current (especially school, major, and graduation year)
Write and update your profile essays
Update your profile if your circumstances change
Why am I not seeing many matches?
If your My Matches seem limited, it's usually because your profile is incomplete. Review your profile and fill in any missing sections — particularly education level, major, and graduation year. These fields have a big impact on matching.
Can I still apply to scholarships that aren't in My Matches?
Absolutely. My Matches is a curated starting point, but you can always browse and apply to any scholarship on Bold.org that you're eligible for. Use the search and filter options to explore the full library of available scholarships.