by Christina DeVries, Director of Development
Updated and edited (1/23/2024) by Ryan Featherstone, Public Relations Coordiantor
Students United scholarships are now open for the 2024-2025 academic year! Applying for scholarships can be a difficult process, and we hope this blog will help reduce some barriers for interested applicants by providing some tips and tricks for applying for Students United scholarships.
This year, we’ve also included Word documents next to the application portals. These documents have full application details so that you can download and draft your application before submitting it to the online portal. You’ll also find information below about the reviewers who score applications and some tips about submitting a winning application. If you need to send in a paper application, please make sure it is postmarked by April 1, 2024. We accept scholarship applications from February 1 to April 1, and award notices will be given in late May.
Tips & Tricks
Essays:
Start early. Our applications close on April 1st at midnight, but we take applications starting February 1st. The more time you can think, review, and edit, the better your essay is likely to be.
Be sure you answer all parts of the question asked.
Each University has writing centers that can help with these essays. Seek them out. Another option is to have another person (friend, roommate, professor, TA) read your essay and give you feedback or suggest edits.
Strong applications use stories to illustrate who you are and what you are telling us about yourself. If you can show and not just tell us, it gives reviewers a stronger idea of who you are. Real-life examples to back up what you are telling us help reviewers see a full picture of you.
Letters or Recommendation:
While we will accept letters of recommendation that were solicited for general scholarship applications, we do prefer specific letters that were requested for Students United scholarships. We do not accept recommendation letters that are for different applications or fellowships or addressed to other specific scholarships.
If you have questions, please reach out to our Community Outreach & Fundraising Coordinator, Kaileigh Weber. We don’t edit essays or provide feedback, but we will answer other questions and provide clarification.
Transcripts:
Our applications do not require payment for your transcript. An unofficial, up-to-date transcript is sufficient. Your university’s registrar website should have full transcript details. Please ask if you have questions about what types of transcripts qualify.
More Information
Scholarships are reviewed by members of the Students United Scholarship and Alumni Advisory Board.
Our online application must be submitted all at once. Use the provided Word applications to craft, edit, and review your application.
Scholarship reviewers are looking for the full picture of who you are. We do not expect or need perfection; we are looking to get to know you. Our reviewers go through an implicit bias training, and we hide the names and schools from all applications.
Each application requires different materials: resumes, transcripts, or essays; be sure you have secured the right documents for each application.
The Pegues Scholarship is a matching scholarship that matches scholarships for the upcoming academic year up to $1,000. If you are applying for the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship, we would also recommend you apply for the Pegues.
The Carothers Scholarship is awarded by each university. There is no formal application process through Students United. For more information about each university process, reach out to our Community Outreach & Fundraising Coordinator, Kaileigh Weber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for more than one scholarship? . . .
A: Yes, of course! We often award multiple scholarships to students.
Q: Can I apply for both the Penny Scholarship and the Penny Fellowship? . . .
A: Yes, you can apply for both. Each application has different parameters, so please ask if you have questions.
Q: I am a graduate student, can I apply? . . .
A: You can only apply for the Penny Program or the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship.
Q: I received a scholarship last year; can I still apply? . . .
A: Yes, except for the Hull Educational Foundation scholarship. If you received the Hull last year, you cannot apply for the Hull the following year. The Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship is renewable, but you must follow their guidelines once you’ve received an award.
Q: How do I apply for the Robert L. Carothers Distinguished Writers Award? . . .
A: The Carothers Award is determined and recommended by each university.
Q: I’m an international student. Can I still apply? . . .
A: Yes, international students are eligible to apply for the Penny Fellowship and Scholarship, the Jared P. Stene Leadership Scholarship, and the Friends Scholarship.
Learn more and apply for our scholarships: