Application checklist
Check off the common materials as you gather them. Your progress is stored in this browser only.
How to use this checklist
Most scholarship applications ask for a similar core of documents. Gathering them once — and keeping them current — saves a great deal of time when deadlines approach.
Transcripts are usually requested directly from your school, and they can take time to process, so request them early. Recommendation letters deserve the most lead time of all: teachers and mentors need weeks of notice, not days. The personal statement is your chance to tell your own story — see our deadline calendar.
In the U.S., the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the gateway to many need-based awards; international or other applicants may instead provide a financial statement or equivalent documentation. A portfolio is usually optional and only matters for arts, design, or other creative fields.
When you have your materials together, head back to the search tool or the deadline calendar to plan your next steps.