Congratulations on winning a scholarship on Bold.org! Here's everything you need to know about announcement day, accepting your award, and receiving your scholarship funds.
What Happens on Announcement Day
When a scholarship deadline passes and the scholarship provider selects winners, Bold.org notifies you in several ways:
Email notification — sent to the email address linked to your Bold.org account. Check your spam or junk folders if you don't see it in your inbox.
Dashboard banner — a congratulations banner appears on your Bold.org dashboard after you log in.
My Applications & Awards — your award appears in the My Applications & Awards section under the Scholarships tab. Any scholarships you've won will be listed under "My Awards" at the top of the page.
Scholarship page — your name is added to the winners list on the scholarship page.
You can check your application status anytime in My Applications & Awards.
How to Accept Your Award
After you're selected as a winner, you'll need to complete a few steps to claim your scholarship. Here's how:
Log in to your Bold.org account
Go to My Applications & Awards
Find your award under "My Awards" and click on it to view the details
Complete the required steps shown on your award page, which typically include:
Choose how you'd like to receive your scholarship (see disbursement options below)
Provide your school and student information — such as your school name and student ID
Upload any required documents — such as an acceptance letter or transcript
Review and accept the grant terms
Send a thank-you message to the donor — the person or organization that funded your scholarship
Complete each step as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving your funds.
How You Receive Your Scholarship Funds
Bold.org handles the full disbursement process — collecting funds from donors, verifying compliance, and sending your scholarship to you. Here are the ways you may receive your award:
Tuition Payment
Bold.org sends the scholarship funds directly to your school's financial aid office. This is the most common disbursement method. You'll need to provide:
Your school name
Your student ID number
Your school's financial aid contact information
Direct Payment
For eligible educational expenses, funds may be sent directly to you. If this option is available for your award, you'll be guided through the process of linking your bank account during the claim steps.
The Awards Team coordinates all disbursements and will reach out if additional information is needed.
Disbursement Timeline
After you complete all claim steps, the Awards Team reviews your submission and begins processing.
Processing time varies depending on the disbursement method and your school's financial aid office. Tuition payments require coordination with your institution, which may take additional time.
You'll receive updates at the email address linked to your Bold.org account as your disbursement progresses.
If your award has been in processing for an extended period and you haven't received an update, reach out to the Awards Team at awards@bold.org.
Tips for a Smooth Awards Process
Check your email regularly — including spam and junk folders. Award notifications and disbursement updates go to the email on your Bold.org account.
Complete your claim steps promptly — delays in providing information can delay your disbursement.
Keep your profile up to date — make sure your school, student ID, and contact information are current.
Respond to the Awards Team quickly — if they reach out for additional information, responding promptly keeps things moving.
Send your thank-you message — donors appreciate hearing from the students they've supported, and it's a required step in the claim process.
Need Help?
If you have questions about your award or disbursement, contact the Awards Team directly at awards@bold.org. Include:
The email on your Bold.org account
The name of the scholarship
A description of your question or issue