what to include on a scholarship resume

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5 Scholarship Resume Examples for the Win in 2024

Scholarship Resume

• College Scholarship
• Academic Scholarship
• High School Scholarship
• Scholarship Applications
• Write Your Scholarship Resume

As a scholarship student, you’d be the rising star on the academic scene, showcasing your talents beyond the classroom. Your dedication to learning and passion for your field is what makes you stand out. 

Whether it’s conducting groundbreaking research or actively contributing to campus life, you excel at balancing academics and extracurriculars. However, navigating the maze of scholarship applications can be as challenging as acing your toughest exams.

Crafting a resume that captures your achievements is a skill of its own, but fear not—we’ve got your back on that front. Our range of scholarship resume examples covers all sorts of job skills and fields, showing you how to make your talents shine and get you on that shortlist.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Including volunteer projects and attending a summit to learn and connect with healthcare experts are thoughtful ways to propel your application to the top.

College Scholarship Resume

• So, what’s the best way to stand out from the crowd? A simple and clear resume template with great use of white spaces to improve readability would add that extra edge to help your application sail through.

Academic Scholarship Resume

• In this case, deploy your career objective to show how your aspirations align with the university’s overall goal of making a substantial contribution to the quality of education for all.

High School Scholarship Resume

• A garden research project for the school would be a welcome path to pursue as it shows your involvement in activities that benefit others.

Scholarship Applications Resume

• For instance, Ryan, in this example, underscores the roles of a cleaner and a housekeeper, which align with a career in hospitality management. Such an approach would give you an advantage over applicants without such experiences.

Related resume examples

• College student
• High school student
• Grad school

Tailor Your Scholarship Resume to Fit the School or College

There are lots of different parts to a scholarship application, and your resume is where you can showcase the palette of skills that set you apart. If your focus is on research, highlight the methodologies, tools, and analytical skills you’ve honed. 

In technical fields, like STEM, showcase specific software, methodologies, or programming languages you’ve mastered.

You can leave most soft skills out for now, as they’re better demonstrated in the experience section than listed here. Since you’re probably applying to multiple schools, remember to tailor each application to the school and its focus. 

Need a few ideas?

15 popular scholarship skills

• Research Methodologies
• Academic Writing
• Microsoft Office
• Public Speaking
• Project Management 
• Subject-Based Skills
• Technical Writing
• Google Sheets
• Critical Thinking

Your scholarship work experience bullet points

From leading research projects to contributing groundbreaking findings, your resume should be filled to the brim with your most stand-out achievements. Whether it’s academic work, volunteer and extracurricular work, or a part-time job, it’s all relevant! 

For extra effect, use metrics to quantify your success. You could mention the number of satisfied clients or customers, publications you’ve authored, or classroom projects you’ve successfully completed.

No matter your role, emphasize how your efforts elevated the projects you’ve participated in. Make your accomplishments shine through, like guiding a team or improving efficiency. 

• If you’ve worked as a tutor, show your impact with metrics on student performance improvement.
• If you’ve worked in hospitality or other part-time areas, use metrics that demonstrate your success in improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. 
• If you’ve taken part in school committee roles, quantify the impact of your projects, such as sharing the number of attendees or participants. 
• If you have written professionally, demonstrate your experience by sharing the number of pieces you’ve written and published, as well as their focus.

See what we mean?

• Secured repeat business from 81% of clients due to outstanding performance
• Conducted 17 one-on-one online tutoring sessions per week, achieving an average student performance improvement rate of 23%
• Collaborated with a team of 8 peers, including photographers, writers, and editors, to plan and execute the school yearbook project
• Collaborated with the housekeeping team to create and maintain a Google Calendar schedule, reducing scheduling conflicts by 31% and ensuring optimal coverage during peak periods

9 active verbs to start your scholarship work experience bullet points

• Revitalized
• Implemented
• Facilitated 
• Collaborated

3 Tips for Writing a Scholarship Resume With Limited Experience

• Showcase high GPA, relevant coursework, and any academic awards or honors. This not only reflects your dedication to academic excellence but also demonstrates your commitment to your chosen field of study.
• Tailor your resume to the scholarship by including hobbies and interests that align with your academic goals. If you’re applying for a science or arts scholarship, mention relevant extracurricular activities or personal projects. This provides a holistic view of your interests and showcases how they contribute to your overall academic profile.
• Even if you haven’t had formal work experience , showcase leadership skills through involvement in school committees, clubs, or community projects. Highlight roles where you took the initiative, organized events, or contributed to the success of group efforts. 

3 Tips for Writing a Scholarship Resume With Plenty of Experience

• Analyze the scholarship criteria and emphasize skills and experiences that directly match. Whether it’s language proficiency, technical skills, or leadership abilities, tailor your resume to showcase the qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the scholarship.
• Chronological formats are always the best, emphasizing academic projects, coursework, and relevant extracurricular activities. Use a clean and professional design that facilitates easy reading, allowing scholarship committees to quickly grasp the depth of your academic prowess.
• Showcase your commitment to staying current by highlighting recent certifications, participation in relevant conferences, or contributions to academic projects. This reflects your dedication to staying current in your chosen field of study.

It’s often a good idea. If you choose to include one, make it specific to the school you’re applying to, highlighting your academic goals, achievements, and how the scholarship aligns with your future academic endeavors.

Definitely! If there are certifications directly related to your field of study or research, mention them to showcase your dedication to staying current in your academic discipline.

Analyze the scholarship description and emphasize skills that directly match its focus. Whether it’s proficiency in SPSS and Matlab or an in-depth knowledge of classic literature, tailor your resume to reflect the qualities sought by the scholarship committee.

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How to Write a Scholarship Resume

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

If you are applying for scholarships, you may encounter the request for a scholarship resume. Whether you are applying for a private scholarship or a college-specific merit scholarship , you should include all materials — including a scholarship resume — that are recommended by the application or scholarship committee. 

Don’t miss: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

In this guide, we will talk about the following:

• What is a scholarship resume?

Why do scholarships ask for a resume?

Scholarship resume templates, how to write your scholarship resume.

• What not to include in a scholarship resume?

First, what is a scholarship resume?

A resume is a summary of your achievements and accomplishments. For students applying for scholarships, this would include information about your academic history, as well as your extracurricular activities and involvements. All of this information should be summarized in a thoughtful one-page document. 

The tricky thing about writing a resume is that you will need to keep it concise and focused on the most important pieces of information. After all, many scholarship committee members may be scanning your resume in a minute or less! The good news is that we are here to help you write an awesome resume to use in your scholarship or admissions applications.

Related: How to write an essay about yourself

You might be wondering: “why do scholarship committees want to see my resume?” This is a fair question, and in my experience as an admissions officer and scholarship committee member, the resume is helpful because it helps explain your activities and accomplishments in more detail. A resume also helps organize everything in a more logical, clear way (assuming that the student has a logical, organized resume).

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A strong scholarship resume starts with solid organization. This is where a scholarship resume template can be incredibly useful. If you are looking for a scholarship resume template, Google Docs is a great place to start. We also love Google Docs, because it allows your resume to be a “living” document that you can continue to update!

Once you choose your template, you will be able to fill out the details. The template is essentially a framework to help showcase who you are and what experience you have.

Once you have chosen a template, you can begin to write your scholarship resume. When writing your scholarship resume, there are a few critical areas that you need to cover:

Personal information

This includes your name, location, and contact information (usually email and phone number).

Educational History

What schools have you attended? Where are the schools located? This also includes your academic history including GPA, class rank, notable AP or honors classes, and test scores.

Extracurricular Activities

Include specific organizations, dates when you were involved in the organization, leadership positions, and a brief description of the impact you made.

Involvement outside of school

Involvement outside of school can include your work and volunteering history. Again, be specific about organizations/companies, dates, positions, and a brief description of the work or impact.

Honors and awards

Generally, we recommend that students should only include honors and awards that were received in high school.

Tip: If you are unsure of what to include in your scholarship resume, try talking to your friends and family for advice. They may help you remember accomplishments that you wouldn’t have otherwise thought to include.

What not to include in a scholarship resume

The biggest mistake that I see students making on their resumes is including information that is outdated. If you are a high school senior, you should absolutely not be including any experiences or information from middle school or earlier.

Remember, the scholarship committee is using your resume to predict the future as they imagine the type of impact that you will make in the world as a college student and alum. The most recent information will give them more relevant information to see who you will become.

Also see: How to write a winning scholarship essay

Bottom line for students

A resume is a very useful way to communicate your experiences and achievements in both the admissions and scholarship application processes. As a bonus, you will save yourself work down the line when applying for jobs and internships as you’ll have a resume that’s ready (and as we mentioned, Google Docs makes it extremely easy to update your resume as you add new experiences).

Also see: How to write a scholarship cover letter

Additional resources

As you are applying for scholarships, do not forget about local opportunities . Your high school counselor or community organizations can help connect you to scholarship opportunities with less applicants, and thus, a higher chance of winning. You can also check out our lists of scholarships by state , scholarships by demographics , and scholarships by major .

And as always, don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for institutional and federal aid, including the Pell Grant and Stafford Loans . Good luck on your scholarship search, and make sure to check out our free scholarship search tool for vetted, custom-matched scholarships that are continually updated.

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Frequently asked questions about writing a scholarship resume

What’s the best format for a scholarship resume, how long should a scholarship resume be.

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Scholarship Resume Guide with 5 Examples for 2024

As a student, you already know how important scholarships are to help finance your education. But did you know that a well-written scholarship resume can be the key to unlocking those coveted funds? A scholarship resume is a document that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. It serves as a way for scholarship committees to get to know you beyond your grades and test scores.

In today’s competitive academic landscape, a standout scholarship resume could be the thing that sets you apart from hundreds of other applicants. Without it, you could be missing out on potential scholarships and opportunities to further your education.

Purpose of the Guide

The purpose of this guide is to help you create a scholarship resume that will grab the attention of scholarship committees and increase your chances of receiving funding. We’ll provide you with tips and examples that will help you craft a winning resume that showcases your accomplishments and unique qualities.

Furthermore, we understand that writing a scholarship resume can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve created this guide to simplify the process and make it easier for you to put your best foot forward. Whether you’re a high school student planning for college or a current college student looking for additional funding, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

Understanding Scholarship Resume

A. definition.

A scholarship resume is a document that shows an overview of your academic, professional, and personal achievements to increase your chances of winning a scholarship.

B. Components

A scholarship resume comprises various components that summarize your experiences in Education, Work, Leadership, Volunteering, Awards, and Extracurricular activities.

1. Contact Information

This component includes your name, phone number, email address, physical address, and any other relevant contact details.

2. Academic Background

This section outlines your educational history, including your high school and any college attended, GPA, and academic honors, and transcripts.

3. Work Experience

Here at the job skills that you have acquired in your past, such as internships, part-time or full-time work experience, the industries you have worked, the type of skills, and the tools that you have acquired.

4. Leadership Experience

Listing down leadership activity that you have done to showcase your ability to work and lead a group of people.

5. Volunteering Experience

This section shows the different activities you have participated in during your time spent volunteering for a charitable organization to show your commitment to your belief.

6. Awards and Honors

This details all of the awards and honors that you have received such as scholarship grants, academic awards, or any awards that you have won.

7. Extracurricular Activities

Here you can showcase your hobbies and interests that show the admissions panel that you are more than just a student, but a well-rounded person. Demonstrating creativity, problem-solving and socialization.

A scholarship resume is vital in obtaining funding to continue education. By providing proof of achievement, work experience, volunteer work, leadership roles, academic honors, and personal interests. Creating a comprehensive scholarship resume shows your qualifications, potential, and dedication to your goals.

Creating an Impressive Scholarship Resume

Scholarship resumes are not the same as regular resumes. A scholarship resume is specifically designed to showcase your academic and extracurricular achievements in a way that will make you stand out from other applicants.

To tailor your resume for scholarship applications, provide detailed examples of your accomplishments, leadership experience, and community involvement. Be sure to include any relevant coursework or research projects to demonstrate your academic achievements.

Highlight your achievements and accomplishments by using action verbs and quantitative data. Use strong, descriptive language to show how your experiences have prepared you for the scholarship you are applying for.

When formatting your scholarship resume, keep in mind that it should be concise and easy to read. One page is usually recommended, but make sure to include all relevant information. Avoid using fancy fonts and colors that may distract from the content of the resume.

The elements of a winning scholarship resume include authenticity, clear and concise statements, persuasive language, and precision. Be genuine in your writing and focus on your strengths while highlighting how you can contribute to the scholarship program or organization.

Your scholarship resume should showcase your unique qualifications and experiences and demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the scholarship. Aim for precision and clarity, to make sure you highlight all the important details.

Designing your Scholarship Resume

When it comes to your scholarship resume, creating a visually appealing design can make all the difference. Here are some factors to consider:

A. Visual Appearance

Font size and style : Stick to a professional and easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Use font size 10-12 for the body text and slightly larger for headings.

Margins and Spacing : Keep margins at 1 inch and use consistent spacing throughout the document.

Colors : Minimal use of colors is recommended. Stick to a simple color scheme of black, white and a maximum of one other color.

Layout : There are three main types of resume layouts to choose from:

a.  Chronological : This format lists your work and educational experiences in reverse-chronological order, starting from your most recent experience. b.  Combination : This format combines both your skills and work experiences together. It’s a great choice if you don’t have a lot of work experience. c.  Functional : This format focuses more on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work experience.

B. Tips for a professional look

• Review formatting rules : Double check for consistency in font, spacing, margins, and layout.
• Use bullet points : It’s an effective way to organize information and it makes your resume visually appealing.
• Avoid slang and abbreviations : Stick to professional language throughout your resume.
• Headers and Footers : Include your name and page numbers on each page to make it easy to follow and reference.

By considering these visual design elements and following the provided tips, your scholarship resume will have a professional and polished appearance, effectively showcasing your skills, experiences, and achievements to potential scholarship providers.

Scholarship Resume Examples

Scholarship resumes are essential documents that showcase a student’s academic achievements, community service, and extracurricular activities. In this section, we’ve provided five different scholarship resume templates to help students get started on creating their own.

A. Sample Resume Template for Beginners

For those just starting in high school or college, it can be challenging to create a scholarship resume without any prior experience. This sample template includes sections such as education, skills, and extracurricular activities to help beginners get started.

123 Main Street, City, State | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]

High School Diploma | City High School, City, State | Year

• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Computer Proficiency
• Problem-Solving

Extracurricular Activities

• Member, School Debate Club
• Volunteer, Local Animal Shelter
• Participant, Science Fair

B. Sample Resume Template for High School Students

High school students looking to apply for scholarships often require a more detailed resume. This sample template includes sections for GPA, standardized test scores, and leadership experience to help high school students stand out in their scholarship applications.

• Overall GPA: X.XX
• Weighted GPA: X.XX

Standardized Test Scores

Leadership Experience

• President, Student Council
• Captain, Varsity Soccer Team
• Volunteer Coordinator, Community Service Club

C. Sample Resume Template for College Students

College students have more experience to draw from, making their scholarship resumes more comprehensive. This sample template includes sections for research experience, coursework, and professional experience to help college students showcase their diverse skills and accomplishments.

Bachelor of Science in [Major] | University Name, City, State | Year

Research Experience

• Research Assistant, Department of [Department Name], University Name
• Published Research Paper: Title of Paper
• [Course 1]: Course Description
• [Course 2]: Course Description
• [Course 3]: Course Description

Professional Experience

• Intern, Company Name
• Part-time Job, Company Name

D. Sample Resume for Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships often have specific criteria for selection, such as a high GPA or academic achievements. This sample resume is tailored for academic scholarships and includes sections for honors and awards, research experience, and relevant coursework.

Bachelor of Arts in [Major] | University Name, City, State | Year

Honors and Awards

• [Scholarship Name], [Year]
• Dean’s List, [Year]
• [Academic Award], [Year]

Relevant Coursework

E. Sample Resume Template for Creative Scholarships

For students applying for creative scholarships, such as those in the arts or writing fields, a more creative approach is often required. This sample template includes sections for relevant experience and creative accomplishments, as well as a 500-word essay to showcase their writing skills.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in [Major] | University Name, City, State | Year

Relevant Experience

• Art Exhibition: [Exhibition Name]
• Creative Writing Contest: [Contest Name]
• Internship: [Company Name]

Creative Accomplishments

• Published Short Story: Title of Story
• Artwork Showcase: [Gallery/Exhibition Name]

Writing Sample

Please refer to the attached 500-word essay: [Essay Title]

By using these scholarship resume templates, students can create a professional, impressive resume that highlights their accomplishments and sets them apart from other applicants.

Writing Effective Academic Details

When it comes to applying for scholarships, showcasing your academic achievements is key. Here are some tips on how to effectively communicate your academic details:

A. Major/Field of Study: Your major or field of study is an important academic detail to include in your scholarship resume. This information helps scholarship committees understand your academic interests and how they align with the scholarship’s requirements.

B. GPA/Class Rank: Another important academic detail to include is your GPA/class rank. This information shows how well you have performed academically and provides insight into your potential for success in college.

C. Coursework and Completed Projects: Including a list of relevant coursework and completed projects is a great way to showcase your academic strengths and interests. This section can also provide insight into your skills and abilities.

D. Academic Achievements:

Certifications: If you have obtained any certifications related to your major or field of study, be sure to include them in your scholarship resume. These certifications show that you have taken the initiative to learn and grow in your field.

Academic Honors: Academic honors, such as being on the Dean’s List or receiving academic scholarships, demonstrate your academic excellence and dedication to your studies.

Academic Awards: Including any awards you have received for academic achievement – such as winning a competition or being recognized by a professional organization – can help set you apart from other applicants.

Grants and Scholarships: Finally, if you have received any grants or scholarships related to your major or field of study, be sure to list them in your scholarship resume. This demonstrates that you have already taken steps to pursue your academic career.

When writing about your academic details, be sure to use precise language and clear formatting, such as bullet points or tables, to make the information easy to read and understand. Effective communication of your academic achievements can greatly increase your chances of securing a scholarship.

Writing Professional Work Experience

As a scholarship applicant, it’s crucial to showcase your work experience in a compelling and persuasive way. Here are three key sections to include when writing about your professional experience.

A. Employment History

Your employment history is the foundation of your professional work experience section. Make sure to include your past positions, job titles, and the dates you held those roles. Be sure to focus on jobs that are relevant to the scholarship you’re applying for, but don’t discount any work experience that may show transferable skills.

If you’ve had a long career, you may want to consider leaving out older employment history, so you can create more space for your recent experiences. Some scholarship applications may have specific guidelines, so be sure to check and follow them.

B. Relevant Work Experience

When applying for a scholarship, it’s important to highlight the work experience that is most relevant to the scholarship requirements. For example, if you’re applying for a scholarship for environmental studies, you’ll want to focus on your experiences in that area.

If you have work experience that isn’t directly related to the scholarship but it shows transferable skills, make sure to include it. This could be anything from customer service experience to leadership roles.

C. Responsibilities and Accomplishments

The responsibilities you’ve had in your previous roles are important, but it’s also important to highlight your accomplishments. This could be anything from exceeding sales goals to leading a team to victory.

When writing about your responsibilities, be specific about what you did in each role. For example, instead of saying “managed inventory,” you could say “reduced inventory costs by 20% through proactive management techniques.”

Including quantifiable accomplishments adds weight to your work experience and shows that you can achieve results.

When writing your professional work experience section, focus on demonstrating how your past experiences make you an ideal candidate for the scholarship you’re applying for. Be specific, concise, and show how you went above and beyond in your roles.

Showcasing Leadership Experience

When it comes to showcasing leadership experience on your scholarship resume, it’s important to consider the various avenues through which you gained that experience. Here are some common types of leadership experiences that you can highlight:

Student Government Association  – If you have held a position in your school’s student government association, this is a great way to showcase your leadership skills. Be sure to include any specific accomplishments or projects you worked on during your time in this group.

Non-Profit Organizations  – Serving as a leader for a non-profit organization can demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in your community. This could involve working with a local charity, organizing events, or holding a leadership position within the organization.

Volunteer Groups  – Participating in volunteer work can also show your dedication to serving others and making a positive impact on the world. Whether it’s through a local church group or national organization, listing your volunteer experience can highlight your leadership and teamwork skills.

Sports  – Being a captain or leader on a sports team can also demonstrate your ability to lead and work with others towards a common goal. Highlight any specific achievements or challenges you faced while in this role.

By showcasing your leadership experience in a variety of areas, you can demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability as a leader. Be sure to provide specific examples and accomplishments to more effectively showcase your skills.

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5 Scholarship Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your scholarship resume must clearly highlight your academic achievements. Include awards, honors, and GPAs to showcase your scholastic aptitude. Additionally, extracurricular activities and leadership roles demonstrate your well-rounded character. Ensure to detail these experiences, as they are crucial in distinguishing you from other applicants.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Resume Guide

Find out best practices for your scholarship resume in our guide, which will show you:, looking for related entry-level academic resumes check out our 32 examples:, what is a scholarship resume, how to write a professional header for your scholarship resume, aligning vision and scholarship requirements in the objective resume section, what do scholarship committees expect to see in your experience section: both academic and professional, 45+ skills to add to your scholarship resume.

How much of your education should you include in your resume?"?

Certificates to show your investment in the niche

Don’t forget about your awards and honors, key takeaways.

Even in her wildest fantasies, Abby never dreamed she could study on a fully-funded scholarship at Yale.

Yet, a real later, she's halfway into completing her master's in economics, receiving funding of +$50 000 per year.

An integral role in Abby's strategy for success was played by her scholarship resume .

In the highly competitive application process, only the best candidates win scholarships.

So how do you go about making a good first impression on the scholarship committee, responsible for your future?

Step into the shoes of a lawyer.

You'd use all of your professional, personal, and academic choices to argue your case. And prove that you're the best - no, not just the best - but the only candidate worthy of this scholarship.

Your resume is your statement of truth, highlighting all key evidence of

• who you are
• how you present yourself
• the horizons you can reach if you secure the tuition.

What is more, scholarship resumes allow you to narrate your visions and goals for the future.

At the same time, the professional story you tell should meet the scholarship requirements and expectations.

• What scholarship committees expect to see on your resume upon assessment?

Where to start writing your scholarship resume?

• How to balance your experience and knowledge with vision in various resume sections?
• Best go-to guide in substituting lack of professional experience on your scholarship resume.
• How to include expected graduation dates to highlight your ambitions for the future?
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Scholarship resumes outline why your experience cross-aligns with the funding profile.

Scholarship resumes have the following characteristics; they are

• short - between one and two pages long documents
• concise - listing only relevant experience
• specific - targeted towards the program you're applying for

Most often, applicants list their experience in reverse chronological order , starting with the most recent/ senior ones.

Discover the top 5 scholarship resume sections.

• Header - listing all relevant contact details
• Education - including all university degrees or high school diplomas (relevant only for bachelor scholarships)
• Experience - both professional, academic, and personal
• Awards - to showcase your merit
• Personal Skills - soft skills and achievements, defining your character

You may not have realized it, but scholarship resumes are living (breathing) documents reflecting your growth.

That's why there's no "one size fits all approach" to how you'd go about defining your experience.

This very often puzzles most students due to their lack of real-world, professional experience .

Your resume can be more functional based , substituting professional experience with:

• hard skills: obtained during courses, certifications, and training
• soft skills: developed during various extracurricular opportunities (volunteer, student organizations, clubs, etc.)
• portfolio of work: including college or high school and personal projects

While on the topic, let’s look at:

Academic commissions' framework to analyzing your resume:

• How your experience meets scholarship criteria?
• Would winning this scholarship make sense in your career progression?
• What is your objective or dream for the future? Also, would this specific funding help you achieve your vision?
• If you win the scholarship, what impact would you make on the scientific/ academic communities or the world?
• What sets you apart from all the other applicants?

Leaving nothing to chance, when writing your scholarship resume with the 20/40/40 principal.

The principal could help you better frame your time by spending:

• 20% on editing and formatting your resume
• 40% to draft and write
• 40% on research and assessment

That final 40 % actually plays a crucial role in your success. You should focus your efforts to find resources detailing:

• Who the scholarship is meant for?
• What sort of profile is wanted (e.g. research, leadership, community initiative)?
• Analyzing past years' scholarship students' success.

Thus, you'd better be able to make the case of how your experience would match the scholarship profile.

Take the time to create one very detailed resume for personal use that lists all your previous roles and achievements.

This long-formed resume backed up in your cloud would help you easily shorten and customize your experience when applying for scholarships and future roles.

Raise your hand if this has happened to you before.

You've set out to write your resume with all the hope, inspiration, and ambition you can muster. But suddenly you hit a full stop with your header .

• Which contact detail should you include?
• What about your 1K+ Instagram profile - with photos from your nights out and family vacations?
• And what is it with that horrible headline - you haven't yet entered the job market, yet it's asking you to define a title or role.

Take a few steps back and think about the functions of the resume header.

The assessment committee most often uses it to get your contact details and preview your previous projects/work (or LinkedIn presence).

So, make sure you include a link to your:

• relevant telephone number
• professional email address
• address: city, state/ country
• LinkedIn/ GitHub/ or personal blog link.

Demystifying the resume headline is what we'll get into next.

If you have some really noteworthy role or achievement, that aligns with the scholarship requirements, you could use the header to highlight this.

Alternatively, your header could be used to showcase your vision for the future. Answering what you would like to achieve in the big picture of things.

Not sure what we mean by this?

Check out the section of this guide to get a better understanding.

2 Scholarship Resume Header Examples

There are three main elements that could be improved in the above example.

The header could be less vague. Doesn’t it sound a bit desperate? Our advice is to substitute the demand (or what you want) with what you can actually achieve.

It’s not a good idea to use your university email account, as, after graduation, most accounts get “retired”. And you may want to reference back to your applications in a couple of years.

Finally, Instagram may not be the best place to showcase the portfolio of work of a Computer Science graduate.

This header works as it:

• Includes all the relevant contact details
• Showcases a portfolio of work
• Highlights knowledge (programming languages and current degree) with goals

While curating your scholarship resume, do you feel too busy fighting alligators to drain the swamp? Put simply, while noting major experience points or skills, do you tend to forget about your objective ?

The big WHY. Purpose. Intent. Drive.

Use this section to show the assessment committee why you're the best choice and deserve to win the scholarship.

A strong objective is between three and five sentences and is a declaration of

• your long-term goals
• the position you seek to acquire in the future
• how you'd achieve change with the help of the scholarship.

And to enhance the quality of your vision, it's best to build on your achievement, strengths, and skill set.

Don't just use empty words (e.g "ambitious", "passionate", "caring"), but qualify each.

Thus, you'd be aligning your bigger purposes (and interests) so they stay relevant to the scholarship you're applying for.

2 Scholarship Resume Objective Examples

This objective just lists scholarship requirements. It doesn’t even remotely answer why this student deserves the funding.

The only “character points” are the passions, but these aren’t mapped within any experience or achievements.

This objective section is excellent as

• Its first sentence meets eligibility criteria while showing an aim for the vision.
• Academic excellence is defined by awards.
• Class President title showcases student communication skills and popularity.
• Charity work to show not only community service, but an understanding of why better healthcare is needed by all.

Think outside the box when writing your resume experience section. Make sure to include relevant professional, academic, and extracurricular activities.

The scholarship resume experience section allows you to use your tangible achievements (and results) to hint at what:

• skills or values you could bring about.

While curating this section, consider choosing your best (and most relevan t) professional roles. List those reverse chronologically, starting with the most recent roles. You can sort these by seniority and relevance to the scholarship.

The resume experience section could include internships, part-time experience, or lecturing/ teaching opportunities.

In some cases, you may not have much professional experience. Academic committees don't expect you to maintain a 4.0 GPA while managing a team of 12+ junior software engineers.

Showing that you have a healthy study-life-work balance can always be an asset.

So, instead, focus on your academic career.

You can include research, projects, editorial/ contributor, and teaching/tutoring experience.

High school students, applying for a bachelor's scholarship, here's what you can do. Leverage all extracurricular associations (or clubs), sports, and activities you've participated in.

Remember to select all that are relevant to the scholarship. This would highlight your academic contribution and the footprint you've left in the community.

Last, but not least, comes one of the most important areas of your experience.

Community involvement or volunteer positions show a sense of altruism and seeing beyond your own needs.

If the hours you've volunteered are impressive, you can also include those. Don't forget to note what you've achieved in that time frame.

Scholarship resume experience examples

• • Did 800 hours of volunteering/year
• • Helped senior veterinarians with operations
• • Collected animals that were malnutrition and had bad living conditions
• • Applied some B.Sc. Veterinary degree knowledge in the workplace

The experience section above goes so far as to list what the student did, without second thoughts to skills obtained.

What is more, you have to be specific in all areas of your experience section, and that includes the role title.

Here’s how this can be improved.

• • Completed 800+ hours of volunteering per year to embody my lifelong passion for helping animals in need
• • Helped 5 senior veterinarians during 100+ operations by sanitizing areas, preparing all surgery instruments in advance, and taking care of hospitalized animals before and after the medical procedures
• • Answered 120+ signals from the community about animals, whose living conditions were bad, and coordinated deportation of these animals with the local police force
• • Applied knowledge from B.Sc. Veterinary degree in the field to enhance patient care quality by 45%

Reading up the above experience section would show committees the students’:

• Passion and interests
• Technical capabilities in the field
• Communication skills
• Ability to put theoretical knowledge into practice

And as a bonus, those hours of community service are pretty impressive.

A cheat sheet on writing your scholarship resume experience section

While each experience may have helped you grow - both personally and professionally - it's important to remember that your resume offers limited space .

On the way to presenting your best qualities, skills, and achievements, keep in mind the following:

• Always portray the actual work you did

Don't end the bullet point with just the action or the indecisive verb, but include what you achieved.

Substitute: "I was responsible for 5 people"

With: "I oversaw the work 5 interns did in research for client briefs, creating a solid basis for implementing 16+ communication strategies"

• It's in the details

The more precise you can be about your experience, the more helpful you'd be to committees to better understand what you actually did.

Substitute: "Did research in a lab"

With: "Conducted lab research and 20+ experiments to discover how diets, healthy in nutrition, versus lacking nutrition could impact the human organism in a 30-day-timeframe"

• Relevance is key

Think about how strong your experience is in the frame of the scholarship.

Sometimes spending every day, after school, in the debate society could be a better item to add to your resume than working four-hour shifts at McDonald's.

• Live for the moment

Remember how in elementary school you received that teacher's choice award for your painting of a field?

Well, if you're applying for a bachelor's scholarship, this accreditation of your excellence may not be your strongest asset.

Leave the past be in the past and focus on your most recent, noteworthy achievements.

At the core of most scholarship eligibility requirements, you'd find three main elements.

• Academic excellence
• Community involvement

If we're to further break down these three segments, you'd find two types of skills at their cores. Ones that you may have gained through your academic, professional, or personal experience/ growth.

Hard or technical skills are the first type.

These are directly correlated to the field or niche you're specializing in (or looking to specialize in).

It's a good idea to include in your resume the technology, instruments, or tools you've learned to use as a result of your training.

Below, you'd find a list of some of the most popular technical skills for your scholarship resume.

23 technical skills you may want to add:

• Adobe Products
• Prototyping
• Engineering
• Hardware Maintenance
• Mathematics
• Machine Learning
• Medical Software
• Phlebotomy / Administering Injections
• Safe Use and Disposal of Chemicals
• Reporting/ Writing Articles

How to describe academic, professional, and personal soft skills

Your resume is expected to balance technologies with personal skills.

As cliché as it may sound, having "ambition", "purpose", and "communication" pop up from your resume at a first glance is a good thing.

Those buzzwords hint that you are aware of the requirements of the scholarship.

Want to take your soft skills section to the next level?

Dedicate a strengths or achievements section in your resume for three specific skills. And highlight those with your achievements.

This would help you build further the case of why you're the perfect applicant for the scholarship.

Here’s how:

Now that you’ve some inspiration from the resume strengths section, let’s find out some of the most popular soft skills you can include on your scholarship resume.

Don't forget about these 20+ soft skills:

• Communication
• Purpose-driven
• Independence
• Inquisitiveness
• Fundraising
• Volunteering
• People Care
• Community Involvement
• Patient Care
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Meet Deadlines
• Problem-Solving
• Decision-Making
• Professionalism
• Work Ethics

How much of your education should you include in your resume?"?

Scholarship committee members actually consider your academic excellence when making their choice.

Make sure that the education section of your resume is recent, relevant, and meets expectations. That means…

• …if you're a high school graduate, who has recently been accepted to a university

You could include information about the university you've chosen to attend, with expected starting and graduation dates . Within the education description, remember to note that you are to attend this university if you can secure a scholarship.

The next item on your scholarship resume should be your high school diploma with your GPA . The description section could be used to highlight your interests or extracurricular activities.

• …if you're a bachelor's/ master's/ doctoral student or graduate, applying for funding

Include all higher education diplomas you have (listed in reverse chronological order) with your GPA and extra details to define your niche.

If you've secured scholarships in the past, you could also list those in the description area. Just make sure that they're relevant to the scholarship you're applying for (e.g. leadership or nationally recognized scholarships, like Rhodes).

Don't list your high school education as it's from another era.

Certification would definitely win you a few brownie points during the assessment stage.

They hint that you're serious about the area you'd like to specialize in and that you're willing to go the extra mile.

By investing some of your own personal resources, you showcase that you're serious about the niche and that it's not just a hobby.

Did you know that in most cases, relevant certification could give you that extra competitive edge?

Being recognized as an accredited professional adds more weight to your resume. Transforming your bid from that "guy or gal who does science experiments in their free time, in the school lab," to a certified professional.

And there are so many opportunities out there to get relevant certification for your industry - just check Coursera's endless list of courses.

There are also free opportunities out there that could help you stand apart from other candidates.

Below, we've prepared 21 of the most popular certificates that could serve as a good starting point to show your career interests.

Top 21 certificates to highlight your niche:

• University of Michigan: Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
• CompTIA Certification
• Entry-Level Cisco Certified Technician
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• Google IT Support Professional Certificate
• App DoJo: iOS App Development
• IBM Full Stack Cloud Developer Professional Certificate
• HubSpot Content Marketing
• Google Digital Garage: Digital Marketing
• Google Analytics for Beginners
• Hootsuite Platform Certification
• Facebook Blueprint Certification
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• University of Washington: Machine Learning Specialization Certification
• Columbia University: Fundamentals of Virology
• Yale University: Financial Markets
• Adobe Certified Expert (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
• Avid Courses
• Unity 3D Certifications
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate
• Microsoft Office Certification

If you haven't had yet the opportunity to mention your awards or honors, well now is the time.

As previously mentioned, your GPA is one-third of how your application will be assessed.

And nothing speaks better to committees than an Honor's Society, Dean's List , or Cum Laude to reinforce your academic merit.

Your award can also be to distinguish your humanitarian or local community work.

Just remember to keep it relevant to the scholarship you're applying for and to provide context under why you received the award.

Instead of: "Volunteer of 2021"

Write: "2021 Soup Kitchen Volunteer Recognition: Serving 665+ meals in the past year to people in need"

• Your scholarship resume formatting should highlight why you're the most deserving candidate to win this scholarship.
• Use your headline and objective sections to talk about your achievements, strengths, and goals (or vision) for the future.
• Make sure to include professional, academic, and community involvement in your experience section. The last two are especially important if you don't have a lot of full-time roles.
• Don't forget to list your relevant higher education with your GPA, and expected graduation dates. The better your academic track record is, the more likely you'll win the scholarship.
• Curate your awards, honors, and certificates to highlight your academic merit and interest within the field.

Looking to build your own Scholarship resume?

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Last updated on - October 22, 2023

How to Write a Scholarship Resume

As you apply for scholarships, you'll find that each organization has different application requirements. Some may only want their application form and nothing else, while others might suggest or even require extra materials like a resume (sometimes called an activity resume). Requirements differ depending on the organization. If you can submit additional documents, include a scholarship resume. It gives the scholarship committee more information about you and why you're the best person to receive the scholarship.

Table of Contents

What’s a Scholarship Resume and Why Do You Need It?

A scholarship resume is like your highlight reel. It shows everything you've done in high school, including volunteer work, paid work, and leadership and community engagement.

It's a way to show scholarship committees how actively you contribute to making a difference in your community. A great resume can make a difference in whether or not you receive the scholarship.

When to Start Building Your Scholarship Resume?

Start building your scholarship resume early! Begin in 9th Grade and each year, add new activities, honors, and awards you receive. This resume, similar to the one you may use for your college applications, should include activities and awards from 9th to 12th grades.

For scholarship applications, you'll only need to include significant achievements and relevant activities on your resume. However, it helps to keep a running list of all achievements and after-school activities in a draft resume or Excel spreadsheet for reference. Many high school seniors may forget awards and activities from 9th Grade.

Record your achievements and activities in one document as they occur, making it easier to choose the most relevant ones for your scholarship resume.

What to Include in Your Scholarship Resume

Creating a scholarship resume is all about showcasing your accomplishments, experiences, and extracurricular activities in a clear and organized manner. For example, if you are a club leader or did something extraordinary, put it on your resume. Highlight how you made a positive difference and any awards you received.

While there isn't a perfect layout for a scholarship resume, using a template is recommended for a professional appearance. Regardless of the template you choose, ensure your information is clear and concise, and strive to keep your resume to just one page if possible.

Here's a breakdown of what to include:

1. Contact Information Start with your full name, address, email address, and phone number. Make sure your contact information is current and professional.

2. Education Provide details about your high school, including its name, location, and expected graduation date. Mention your GPA and list any honors or advanced courses you've taken.

3. Extracurricular Activities Highlight your involvement in clubs, organizations, and activities outside of your regular schoolwork from Grades 9-12. Include leadership roles if applicable. Scholarship committees are often impressed by students who have taken on leadership positions, as it demonstrates their ability to take initiative, inspire others, and make a positive impact. Demonstrating strong leadership abilities can set you apart from other applicants.

4. Community Involvement Describe any volunteer work you've done in your community. Mention the organization, your role, and the impact of your contributions. Remember to include the dates you were involved.

5. Work Experience Outline your roles and responsibilities if you've held part-time jobs or internships. Mention where you worked, your position, and the dates of employment. Include the number of hours you worked per week.

6. Awards and Honors This is an area where you could really stand out from other students. List any academic or extracurricular awards, scholarships, or recognition you've received. This could include being on the Honor Roll, earning a specific club award, or receiving a community recognition. Listing an award, for example, can serve to reinforce your credibility when it comes to your academic abilities, extracurricular involvements, leadership qualities, or other strengths that the scholarship committee may be seeking.

7. References Indicate that you can provide references upon request. Having teachers, mentors, or supervisors who can vouch for your character and accomplishments is a good idea.

8. Hours worked or Volunteered Per Week Finally, include the hours you committed to extracurricular activities, community involvement, and part-time jobs or internships. This information helps scholarship committees understand the level of your dedication and time management skills. You should include these details to showcase your commitment and ability to balance multiple responsibilities effectively. It also demonstrates your work ethic.

Remember, when crafting your scholarship resume, it's important to tailor it to the specific scholarship or college application you're working on. Focus on the aspects of your background and experiences that align with the scholarship's criteria and requirements. Make your resume clear, concise, and well-organized to make a strong impression on the scholarship committees.

Sample Scholarship Resume

Tracey Smith 123 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 12345 tracey.smith@gmail-com 718-123-4567

Brooklyn College Academy, Brooklyn, NY Expected Graduation Date: May 2025

• Cumulative GPA: 3.75
• National Honor Society
• Honors Roll (Grade 9 – Present)
• AP English Language and Composition (2022, 5)
• AP Calculus AB (2023, 5)

Activities and Involvement

Student Council Vice-President | 2023 – Present (Hours per week: 4)

• Collaborates with the President to create action plan for the year.
• Promotes school spirit and student engagement, including facilitating a monthly student-led assembly and coordinating homecoming events.

Key Club Member | 2021 – Present (Hours per week: 2)

• Actively participates in a range of community service projects, including fundraising and annual food and coat drives to benefit St. Ann's local shelter.
• Participates in volunteer activities, including building a house with Habitat for Humanity (40 hours).  

Community Involvement

Tutor at Brooklyn Public Library | August 2022 – Present (Hours per week: 2)

• Offers academic support and homework help to elementary and middle school students.
• Notable improvement in students' grades and study habits.

Work Experience

Cashier at BoxLunch | June 2023 – Present (Hours per week: 10)

• Completes sales transactions and responds to customers' queries with a positive approach.
• Handles cash responsibly and provides top-notch customer service.

Awards & Honors

Volunteer of the Year - 2022 (earned the most community service hours at my high school in 2022) Mayor's Leadership Award - 2022 (one of only five students to receive this award in 2022)

    Available upon request.

To summarize, your scholarship resume is more than just a piece of paper; it's a testament to your hard work. Remember, this is your opportunity to paint a vivid picture of your academic prowess, your dedication to extracurricular activities, and your commitment to positively impacting your community.

Starting early and staying organized, tailoring your resume to specific opportunities, and highlighting your leadership and achievements will set you on the path to scholarship success. Remember to showcase your commitment through hours worked or volunteered per week, and always proofread for perfection.

Best of luck on your scholarship journey!

Related posts:

• The Eugene McDermott Scholarship: One of the Best in Texas
• When Should you Start Applying for Scholarships?
• Micro-Scholarships: How to Find & Win Them
• Scholarships for Community Service

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How to Write a Scholarship Resume

Quick Navigation:

What is a scholarship resume?

Why is a scholarship resume important, who should use a scholarship resume, how to write a scholarship resume, tips for creating a scholarship resume.

Creating your resume before entering the workforce is becoming more popular than ever due to the amount of competition for academic admissions, scholarships and internships. It’s never too early to begin documenting your life’s accomplishments. Learn the steps for creating a scholarship resume that will showcase what makes you the ideal candidate for whatever goal you’re working toward.

A scholarship resume is a formatted document outlining your life experiences and accomplishments to date. These experiences can be ones you’ve had in your personal life, academically or professionally. A scholarship resume generally does not include on-the-job experience.

As a student, taking the initiative to create a scholarship resume can make it easier to fill out applications due to having all the information you need. It also allows you to assess what you’ve accomplished so far and use that knowledge to set goals for yourself either for personal fulfillment or to gain more of a competitive advantage for scholarships or jobs. 

It can be helpful to have a scholarship resume ready when asking someone to write a letter of recommendation for you. Since it outlines everything important that you’ve accomplished so far, it can provide your reference with a reminder of the key areas they have the most experience working with you as well as give them writing prompts for the recommendation. 

Anyone with limited to no real-world work experience can benefit from writing a scholarship resume when it comes to receiving scholarship awards, entry-level jobs or higher education admissions. Creating this type of resume can also give you a head start on developing resume-writing skills, which will be useful throughout your adult life. 

Here are the steps you can follow to create a scholarship resume: 

1. First, create separate resume sections

Employers and scholarship committees usually receive numerous resumes, sometimes even too many for them to read each one thoroughly. It’s important to understand that your resume might be skimmed through for less than ten seconds. With that in mind, you can design your resume to make the best use of the glance your document will receive. 

Examples of sections of an eye-catching resume: 

• Contact information
• Career goal or objective
• Academics/Education
• Honors, accomplishments and awards
• Work experience

Under each section heading, list your experiences, accomplishments or awards in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent and working backward. 

2. Second, write your objective

This is a brief statement of what you hope to achieve in the short term and the long term. These can include academic goals, an overview of your academic record, relevant extracurricular activities and your far-reaching career goals, if you have decided on them. 

The key to a successful, eye-catching objective is to show, rather than tell, the committee about your academic greatness. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. For example, rather than saying you’re an ‘A-student’ you can add more impact by detailing that you have ‘a 4.0 cumulative GPA.’ If you’ve been on the dean’s list for the most recent four semesters, specify that instead of simply mentioning your strong academic record.

3. Third, list your education

This section, by its nature, will outline the best of your academic history. Beginning with the most recent experience, you can include the best highlights of your education thus far.

Examples of items to list in your education section: 

• Your degree (or diploma, if you’re applying for a freshman scholarship)
• Your major and minor (if applicable)
• Your year of graduation or anticipated graduation, if your degree is in progress
• Your GPA (if it’s above 3.5)
• The name of your school

Follow these details with a brief overview of your key academic achievements, favorite courses and/or extracurricular activities to make your resume stand out.

4. Next, list your honors and awards

If you’ve been recognized for your outstanding work, this section is the place to share it. 

Examples of things to list in your honors and awards section: 

• Awards (academic or non-academic)
• Published work
• Honor Roll or Dean’s List inclusions
• Scholarships
• Team awards

Beginning with the most recent, list each recognition’s details such as the date you received it, the name of the award, how you ranked (first place, runner-up, top three) and any prizes you received for the accomplishment. If it’s a sports team or other team award, include the name of your team, your position and the division in which you played. 

5. Finally, detail your work experience

While your work experience may be limited, it’s still important to list your experiences because it can indicate that you’ve acquired some useful skills such as time management and interpersonal skills. In this section, you can list your internships as well as any long-term projects you’ve worked on as well as volunteer experiences and part-time jobs. 

Begin with the most recent experience and work backward, including the company and its location, your position and the start and end dates of the job/project/internship. Create a short bullet list of your responsibilities with three to four bullets for each experience. 

In each entry, list the name of your position, the company, the location and dates worked. Underneath every job, add up to four bullet points that describe your responsibilities. This is the place to use action keywords such as ‘developed’ or ‘created’ to add more strength to your everyday tasks. Try to integrate a skill you learned with each of the responsibilities you performed. For example, ‘Strengthened communication skills by performing customer service tasks such as taking food orders, checking for order accuracy, handling monetary transactions and greeting every customer with a smile.’

Here are a few additional tips for creating a resume that stands out among the rest:

• Save your document as a .pdf to lock the formatting. If you present a Word document, there’s a chance the formatting will look different on the recipient’s screen than it did on yours.
• Do some research on the benefactor or organization from which you’re striving to get a scholarship. When you know what the organization values most, you can subtly reference them in your resume objective to show that you’re a prime candidate for the scholarship.
• List your references on a separate document. The list should include each reference’s name, occupation, relationship to you, how long you’ve known them and a way to contact them. Always ask someone before adding them as a reference and let them know when you do so they’re not caught off-guard when they receive inquiring correspondence.
• Use no more than two fonts in your resume. The headings can be in a serif font, as long as it’s clear and legible, and the body font should be simple and sans-serif. Your body font should be 11-12 point with headings one point larger. 
• Make sure your contact information is in the top header or very near the top of the page to ensure it’s visibility at a glance.

Creating an effective scholarship resume can be rather simple when you keep these tips in mind.

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• How to write a scholarship resume?

Are you getting frustrated to write a perfect resume for a scholarship application?

We don’t recommend that making the best resume is the only way to bag the best scholarships.

Well, you could write a book, build a company, win a prize. But, writing a winning resume for scholarships is undoubtedly the easiest way to describe why you are a good candidate for a scholarship.

And your recruiters only want to know whether you are as skilled and whether you know it.

In this blog, we will walk you through:

• Why do you need a scholarship resume?
• How to write the education section of a student resume for scholarships?
• How to write the work experience in aresume for scholarships?
• Additional tips for scholarship resume 2023?

Why Do You Need a Scholarship Resume?

A resume for scholarships is very different from what we often consider it to be. A student resume for scholarships is not the same resume that you use for a corporate job.

Not only should it be relevant and elaborate, but it also must be tailored according to the scholarship description.

Your scholarship resume plays the first role in getting the targeted scholarship.

Your scholarship resume can serve as a reference for you to fill out your college applications and your scholarship entrance forms.

With your scholarship resume in hand, you can be assured that you will not leave out any vital information that could help you get your target scholarship or gain admittance to the college of your choice.

Also read: How to write a brilliant college student resume?

How to Write a Scholarship Resume?

Let's look at the following college scholarship resume examples as we guide you through writing the most important sections that are relevant to the scholarship you are targeting.

Before writing the perfect scholarship resume template, the first important step is research.

The send step is listing all your academic achievements and other notable information in a Master Resume.

Your master resume could comprise of information ranging from the assignment you nailed, to the volleyball match you championed.

Once you have your Master Resume, start filtering out the irrelevant information. The actual relevance can be assessed from the targeted scholarship.

Not all of your previous accomplishments will have a bearing on your educational future. Consider contests won, higher grades achieved, jobs held, and community activities participated in.

Concentrate on those accomplishments that demonstrate your potential as a student and showcase your characteristic strengths.

After you have sifted through your past and found the achievements best representing you, it is time to make your final scholarship resume.

Also read: How to write a resume with no experience?

Starting a Scholarship Resume

From the given scholarship resume template, you can start your resume by dividing it into 4 sections with the following main headings:

• Academic Experience
• Extracurricular Activities
• Work Experience

Awards and Honors

Almost all the necessary information to put on a scholarship resume falls into these four categories.

To fit your scholarship resume best, you may rephrase the headings according to the experiences they highlight. Also, leave enough spaces between sections to maintain a visually pleasing resume.

Scholarship Resume Contact Details

The name and contact should be the first thing a recruiter sees. For the same reason, this must be on top of the resume. This is called the header section. This includes:

To add a professional touch to your scholarship resume, make sure:

• The Nname is the largest text (>16 points)
• Phone number is reachable at all times
• Email address has your name in it and is professional (no [email protected] please)
• Location includes the city, state & country as required (skip your street address)

Scholarship Resume Title

The scholarship resume title must include the target domain and your current professional expertise.

The title is the next targeted step on your resume header . It demonstrates the level of your expertise.

It could be anything from an " Economics Scholar " to a " Financial Analyst " or a " Software Developer " to a " Finance Graduate .”

You may also include your licenses or certifications on the student resume for the scholarships, such as " FAA Licensed Commercial Pilot .”

Make sure that it is the first thing right after your name.

Scholarship Resume Objective & Skills

The scholarship resume objective should showcase how you exemplify the values underlining the scholarship and how your accomplishments are along the lines of previous scholars.

The objective is a short summary of your skills and expertise to rationalize your claim for getting that scholarship.

Your scholarship resume objective could be a tad bigger than a normal job resume. This is because the objective also acts as a snapshot of your statement of purpose.

It's okay if your purpose cannot be limited to just 2 - 3 lines. However, do not take the liberty to keep writing your scholarship resume objective till one or two pages.

It should still be short , relevant , and convincing .

We have exemplified a few scholarships resume objectives and corresponding skills to put on a scholarship resume.

Skills for Scholarship Resume

Your scholarship resume objective is commonly followed by the skills for scholarship resume section to add a professional touch.

Every academic institution is eager to accept candidates who, apart from having flawless grades, display qualities like Curiosity, Self-motivation, Leadership & Enthusiasm.

These are a few solid skills to put on a scholarship resume. However, instead of merely mentioning that you possess these skills, showcase just how exactly you personify these skills. Mention where all you demonstrated your leadership and community-centric approach.

Let's look at one of the scholarship resume objectives from one of the college scholarship resume examples:

Development Research Analyst & Consultant

Meticulous & detail-oriented Development Research Analyst armed with an extraordinary acumen for research encompassing both primary and secondary methodologies. Possesses a track record of consistently securing a top rank throughout the academic career. Adept at leading teams and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to analyze key parameters for consolidating information into actionable reports and presentations. Proficient in investigating significant social issues with keen insight and a unique perspective, and conducting socio-economic impact assessment (SIA) for development and research projects.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY

Also read: How to write a compelling analyst resume in 2023?

Mechatronics Engineer

Result-oriented Mechatronics Engineer highly skilled in conducting research development predominantly in the Automotive Research domain. Possesses a rich experience of ~3 years in chassis & vehicle integration, research fund management & cost & business reporting. Additionally, I have undertaken a wide variety of technical projects in other domains to hone my research ability further and demonstrated the ability to lead a technical team effectively by providing direction, leadership, and motivation and hence ensuring that the team members perform to the best of their skills and deliver consistently.

KEY SKILLS :

SOFTWARE SKILLS :

Also read: What are the guidelines you must follow to draft a great engineering resume?

Law Graduate

Proactive Law Graduate with a strong work ethic and experience in handling major internship projects for a wide variety of client organizations. Offers strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills and an ability to work effectively with internal and external multidisciplinary teams. Highly skilled at interacting with clients and identifying their needs to create strategies that help them achieve their goals effectively. Adept in conducting legal research, drafting & vetting legal documents & meeting time-sensitive case objectives. Possesses hands-on experience of working on a wide variety of projects ranging from legal research, review & analysis to Due Diligence covering multiple domains such as finance, fair agreement terms, etc. Keen to apply the acquired gamut of skills to a challenging role in the management consulting domain

AREAS OF EXPERTISE :

Clinical Psychology Professional

Result-oriented Clinical Psychology graduate skilled at Patient Observation, Case History Examination, Patient Counseling, taking notes, etc. Have successfully pursued B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology from the University of New York & currently pursuing M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Have amassed vast experience in the domain of Clinical Psychology by working & interning in multiple organizations & assisting experienced Clinical Psychologists in OPD as well as IPD cases. Gained hands-on experience of examining detailed case histories of patients (including children) suffering from various conditions, including alcohol abuse, bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. Proven leader who has demonstrated excellence in all domains, including professional engagements, academics, leadership roles, and extra-curricular activities. Deeply interested in the field of Clinical Psychology looking for challenging opportunities in this space.

The scholarship resume objective is followed by:

Scholarship Resume: Education Section

List your Educational Qualification at the top of your scholarship resume.

Most scholarships ask for a certain GPA. For the same, you may include your weighted or unweighted GPA.

Add your advanced placement or honors classes along with any majors or minors. Include your expected date of degree completion.

Use action words to convey your qualifications and experience.

• Your minors
• Graduation date
• Name of institution

The information mentioned above is a must-have for a scholarship resume. But to make your resume stand out from other resumes, write the following information.

• Extracurricular activities
• Favorite field of study
• Key academic achievements

Include only your high school educational information when applying for an undergraduate scholarship.

When applying for a graduate scholarship, you can skip writing about your high school unless you've got some outstanding accomplishments or it is a very prestigious school.

When applying for a postgraduate or a Ph.D. scholarship, mention both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in your scholarship resumes.

Academic & Extracurricular Achievements

Follow your academic experience with academic or extracurricular activities

This section should also be targeted, and the activities should specifically be for the domain you are targeting.

For example, if the scholarship emphasizes computer programming, do not list your volunteer hours for community service. Instead, fill it up with a dated list of all the programming competitions you have won and your created applications.

The following template from a resume for scholarship sample should help you write the main pointers under the Achievements section.

• Award/Recognition | Institutional Affiliation | Location | Dates

The following snippet from a resume for scholarship application sample should help you understand how to write your academic and non-academic awards.

In the above example, we've highlighted a few places in yellow where there's scope to add performance figures. Follow a similar approach to identify more such places in your scholarship resume for high school students where you can include numbers.

Maintain the following thumb rules while writing your awards on your scholarship resume:

• Each activity begins on a new line with a bullet
• Highlight with bold your responsibilities and achievements
• Focus on duties related to the scholarship requirements
• Try to provide figures wherever you can

Within this section, you should include other scholarships that you have already won. But how to list scholarships on your resume?

Including a previous scholarship is easy within the "Academic & Co-curricular Achievements" section. Let's look at the following example.

Also read: How to make the most of your education on resume?

Work Experience & Internships

Your work experience is included in the third section. Even if you just had a summer job at the local supermarket, you should mention it.

Scholarship directors do not expect every applicant to do amazing internships abroad, but they do expect you to have spent your time doing something productive.

Work experience shows how you managed both your studies and your job.

If your work experience is directly relevant to the scholarship you are pursuing, you may reorder your sections too to showcase your expertise in the domain. Let's consider the following snippet from a scholarship resume template.

The technical expertise section is significant for the resume of a Mechatronics Engineer as it showcases that in addition to only educational qualification, the candidate has the right experience in the domain.

This increases your chances for a scholarship.

For a scholarship resume for high school students, the work experiences section or the internship section should ideally be placed below the "Educational Qualification" or "Academic Achievements" section.

However, here a few exceptions:

For the scholarship resumes of a "Law Graduate,” it is essential for the candidate to represent his or her practical expertise in the field rather than theoretical knowledge .

Prioritizing the "Internships" section over the work experiences section does the same.

The same priority is maintained if you are writing a resume for scholarship application for a medical school.

Let's look at the following high school scholarship resume template in the medical domain.

Also read : How to list your internship experiences and highlight your contributions?

List your awards and honors in the last section.

Include academic honors or honorary memberships.

To list your awards and honors on your scholarship resume, you may use the following academic award template:

Let us follow with a few examples:

• 1st prize | Inter-house economics quiz competition, LSDD | California, US | Jan '14
• 2nd position | Laissez Faire: "Psyconomic" analysis | California, US | Sep '11

Also read: How to write a resume for computer science students?

Finalizing Your Scholarship Resume

Once you have included all the necessary skills and relevant details, your scholarship resume should be passed through a final step of quality check.

Format Your Resume

Once you have created a general list of your personal and academic accomplishments, it is time to get them organized.

First, list your achievements in descending order, from current to earliest.

Always begin your scholarship resume with your most current accomplishments as they are typically the most relevant to your college applications and scholarship entrance forms.

Organize Your Resume

You may organize your resume in different ways. But once you've chosen the reverse chronological order, you must format it in the following way:

• Resume header - Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Scholarship Resume Objective : 2 - 3 to summarize your achievements and skills
• Education - List your high school and college courses along with GPA >3.0
• Work Experience/Internships - List jobs in a reverse chronological format including part-time & full-time employment
• Honors and Awards - List all honors, awards, and accolades you have received
• Courses Attended - Record seminars, conferences, or training courses attended (e.g., Red Cross Training)
• Training & Certifications
• Memberships : List your affiliations, memberships, and associations you belong to including leadership roles pursued in the same. Include school-sponsored clubs and/or honor societies.
• Community Involvement: List volunteer work or community activities
• Hobbies and Interests : List enrichment programs, travel programs, hobbies, and interests that compliment your educational qualification or target profile.
• Athletic Achievements & Performing Arts
• Languages : List your language skills along with the proficiency level of each.

An ideal resume contains distinct sections, so it is easier for you to highlight all the essential points.

Proofreading your scholarship resume

Write your scholarship resume. Let it sit for a day. Then proofread it.

Remove fluff and out-of-context points. Ensure that you follow the right guidelines before submitting your resume.

You should ask a domain-specific professional or career counselor to proofread your scholarship resume for typos or grammatical errors.

Write your resume using standard fonts like Calibri or Open Sans .

Using different fonts often makes your resume appear unprofessional, while many stylish fonts do not comply with all systems.

Ensure that all your accomplishments are true and avoid the temptation to exaggerate or make them up.

Limit your resume to 1 page unless suggested otherwise.

Also read: What are the dos and don'ts of a great resume?

Scholarship Resume 2023 Tips

A neat and detail-oriented resume could increase your chances for a scholarship.

Scholarship resumes benefit most by outlining personal accomplishments . It is the most important document to refer to while completing the necessary forms or essays during the scholarship process.

The resume should first introduce you to a scholarship committee by highlighting your background relevant to the target job description.

The content of scholarship resumes should be specialized.

Considering that the readers in the committee want evidence for a high level of aptitude and performance, your resume should convince them that you are the most capable candidate.

So how does a scholarship resume offer the aura of expertise? Through details .

Your scholarship resume should be high detail-oriented by applying acronyms (and expanding them) used within the field like IPM, TRIP, ASTM, ARM, NCGE, etc., correctly writing the practical outcomes . The use of active verbs within the scholarship resumes should be highly targeted. Use words or phrases like:

• Co-authored
• Played a key role in
• Coordinated
• Investigated
• Liaised with

These imply important roles involving authorship , collaboration , learning , leadership , and management .

The goal of the scholarship resume is to demonstrate advanced skills and a high level of achievement complemented by the most relevant evidence.

Your lack of experience should be covered in the scholarship resume using the following tips:

Highlight the most positive and relevant factors about you.

• Keep your scholarship resume relevant and targeted
• Limit your scholarship resume to 1 page
• Ensure readability by using a neat font
• Use a font size between 10 - 12 pts. for the body
• Keep your headings larger (14 - 16 pts.)
• Make your margins at least 1 inch
• Be specific and accurate without being too lengthy
• Always be truthful without exaggeration
• Your resume should be free of spelling or grammatical errors
• Avoid passive or weak phrases
• Begin sentences with action words
• Omit all personal pronouns like "I" and "we."
• Be consistent with tenses, dates, punctuation, and spacing
• Use bullets for your contribution and achievements points
• Remove irrelevant personal information like religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, and age
• Review and proofread your resume professionally

Resumes for college scholarships must include information around:

• Minors (if relevant)
• Institution Name

Also read: What are the top 3 resume formats in 2023?

Resume Template for Scholarships

Check out the given example of resume for scholarships created using our Online Resume Builder :

• Rendered assistance in conducting multiple Emotional Quotient and Intelligence Quotient tests
• Counselled ~20 children under the tutelage of Dr. Izak
• Conceptualized and executed digital marketing initiatives under Ms. Beyonce Ronaldo
• Conducted SWOT analysis for multiple projects on public transport
• Tutoring ~40 students of 4th grade in maths to prepare them for final examinations
• Choreographed a dance sequence for their Annual Function
• Delivered menstrual awareness dialogues to ~500 women as part of spreading awareness while distributing clean and reusable sanitary napkins
• Organized the 'Showcase' event & managed the event by coordinating with multiple schools while delivering presentations in accordance with school policies
• Scholar Badge Holder | The National School | Jan '11 - Jan '18
• Qualified for Regional Round | International Financial Olympiad | Jun '17 - Jun '18
• State Rank 35 | International Olympiad of English Language | Jun '15 – Jun '16
• Scored 72/80 | International German Exam - Fit in Deutsch 2 | Jul '16
• Scored 55/60 | International German Exam | Fit in Deutsch 1 | Jan '14
• Advanced Math Applications | Kumon Mathematics Programme | Jun '15

Also read: What are the essential soft skills that you need to advance in your career?

Key Takeaways

Make it a habit to update your resume for scholarships.

Preparing your scholarship resume is as easy as making a list. It only requires a little time and self-examination to produce a scholarship resume by including your personal academic accomplishments.

Once you have finished compiling your master resume, remove all irrelevant information from it.

• Then include the most updated contact information .
• Write a targeted scholarship resume profile on the header.
• Include relevant section headers and prioritize the "Education" section.
• Prioritize Work Experiences/Internships in case your scholarship asks for it.
• "Academic Achievements" should be highlighted in your scholarship resume.
• Inspect scholarship resume samples to understand how to tailor your resume.
• Include more information around projects and extra-curricular.

Although your resume for scholarships should be ready to fit any scholarship or college admission applications, you must constantly tweak the necessary information to tailor it according to the description in the scholarship.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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• Scholarships

How to Write a Badass Scholarship Resume (W/ Example)

David Sep 12, 2019

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You shouldn’t turn away from a scholarship that requires you to submit a scholarship resume. Writing a resume can feel intimidating, but with the right guidance you should have no problem nailing it.

With some practice, you may even consider adding your resume to scholarships that don’t require it, just to give you an extra boost.

Why Write a Scholarship Resume?

Adding a resume to your scholarship application is a great way to distinguish yourself from the competition.

The fastest path to earning scholarships

Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships.

Sure, a transcript with straight A’s looks good. But a resume that can show off a well-rounded student with interests and volunteer experiences looks great. This is what the scholarship committee looks for in applicants.

Writing a resume may require you to put in some extra work, but that extra effort could make the difference in you winning the scholarship. You give what you get, right?

In general, scholarship applications can be limiting; they do not allow you to express every side of yourself. It could work to your benefit to have a resume which shows your accomplishments and experiences that may have been left out in the rest of your application.

How to Format Your Resume

Resumes should include the following sections:

• Contact information- Include your name, phone number, email, and address.
• Awards /Honors
• Work experience
• Volunteer experience
• Extracurricular activities
• Skills such as languages and computers

Your resume should also look professional. There is no reason to add any special designs to you resume (unless you are an arts student). These students may choose a more creative looking resume.

What Your Resume Should Exclude 

If you don’t have any work experience, don’t include that section. Instead focus on volunteer experience, awards, and interests and hobbies. Anything that adds value to your application.

This is true even if your resume is shorter.

How to Write an Amazing Scholarship Resume

Great scholarship resumes use appropriate language. Use action words in your resume to describe the roles you have held. The words “planned,” “tutored,” and “managed,” are great examples of the type of words you may choose to use.

Keep your resume clear, organized, and structured. Use bullet points to organize your resume and a legible font. Avoid using the “I” pronoun.

In each section work chronologically backwards, starting with the present and then the past.

Make sure that you proofread your work several times. The last thing you want to do is submit a document with grammar mistakes.

You will eventually need to have a resume on hand when you apply to internships and jobs . Writing a scholarship resume allows you to get a head start on this. It will save you time in the future.

Scholarship Resume Example

Jamie Allen   Philadelphia, PA  Phone: (829)029-8329 Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION  Crossroads High School Grades 9-12 Graduated: June, 2019 GPA: 3.9 ACT: 26

HONOR AND AWARDS  

• Member of the National Honor Society 2017-2019 
• Winner of the National Speech and Debate Tournament 2018 

WORK EXPERIENCE 

Nanny / 2016-2018

• Provided childcare services to a family with three children 
• Assisted children with their homework and extracurricular activities 

Applebee’s Waitress / 2016-2018 

• Waited tables 
• Worked in fast paced environment
• Awarded waitress of the month in May 2018 

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE 

AllStars Homeless Shelter / 2017-Present 

• Assist in weekly dinner gathering on Wednesday evenings 
• Organized an outdoor carnival for 30 children and collected donations from community organizations 
• Connect weekly with local restaurants for food donations 

Big Brothers Big Sisters / 2016-2018

• Developed a supportive relationship with “little sister” 
• Planned engaging activities twice a week

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

• Model United Nations / 2017-2019 
• Member of school yearbook club / 2016-2019 
• Varsity track / 2016-2019
• Spanish fluency 
• CPR Certified 
• Proficient with Windows, Linux, Microsoft Office 
• Scholarship Essay
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David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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Scholarship Resume Examples & Writing Guide

How to write a scholarship resume .

When applying for private, merit-based, or need-based scholarships, you may be asked to submit a resume along with other materials. A good resume can present your academic achievements and extracurricular activities in a good light, thus helping you get scholarship funding. 

Getting started with a scholarship resume can be tough, but we have you covered. In this post, you will find expert tips and guidance for composing winning scholarship resumes. Keep reading to find out: 

• Resume writing tips to help you impress scholarship committee members
• College scholarship resume template and samples
• How to list scholarships on a resume for job application. 

Need a strong scholarship resume but have no time to write it yourself?  Try our resume writing service. We will connect you with an experienced writer who will tailor your resume to the targeted scholarship. The writer will highlight the exact qualifications the program asks for to help you get financial aid for your further education. Order your resume today with a special student discount!

Why do you need a scholarship resume? 

You might be asking yourself "Why do the admissions committee members ask to include a resume in your scholarship application?" The answer is simple. The scholarship committee needs your resume to evaluate your academic performance, extracurricular activities and engagements as a college student. 

A good scholarship resume presents this information in a structured, logical way. It also emphasizes your academic experience and achievements, as well as your fit with the program's values. A powerful resume can increase your chances of being selected for a scholarship! 

A scholarship resume differs from a resume that you use for a job application. It emphasizes academic success, achievements, and community service, and the highlights of your academic career over hands-on skills and work experience. 

Below, we'll see some examples of the best scholarship resume examples and explain how to write it. 

Scholarship resume examples 

To get inspired to write your resume, see effective scholarship resume examples below. 

High school students scholarship resume example 

Why is this a good resume? 

• This scholarship resume template is one page long (as recommended for this type of resume) and has a neat visual structure and white space between the sections. So, it instantly makes a good impression. 
• The scholarship resume objective at the top, summarizing the candidate's experience as a violinist, volunteer experience, passion for music, and research interests. Thus, the candidate positions themselves as a good fit for a musical scholarship. 
• It features academic awards and honors, thus making the impression that the candidate is ambitious and driven. It also expands on academic and professional experience, both of which are connected with music. 
• The candidate uses color in this scholarship resume template. It makes the document instantly pop and highlights the key sections. 

College student scholarship resume example 

Image:  https://www.resumenerd.com/blog/scholarship-resume-example

Why is it a good resume? 

• This scholarship resume sample starts with a Professional Summary section. This section features academic achievements (Dean's List), extracurricular activities in journalism, and the candidate's plans for further professional development. Such a summary will surely impress the scholarship committee members. 
• The resume lists internship experience in journalism with a detailed list of responsibilities. The candidate also included an extensive list of awards and honors that prove their outstanding skills. Plus, the resume has extracurricular activities showing that this candidate has a well-versed personality, which can set him apart from other scholarship applications. 
• The document has a logical structure, the correct order of sections, and fits into one page. Thus, the committee members can efficiently locate any information they need. 

The above scholarship resume samples showcase academic achievements, a passion for the chosen fields, and relevant experience. Plus, they are concise and focus on the most relevant information. Below, you will find actionable tips for writing a resume like these. 

Tips to write an effective scholarship resume 

To win scholarship funds for your college education, prepare a well-organized resume that will showcase your best strengths. Based on the above resume templates, here's how you can approach writing your own resume. 

Use the right resume structure 

As we've mentioned above, the content of the resume for a college scholarship is different from that of a resume for a job. To write a scholarship resume, you need to focus on academic activities, projects, and your fit with the organization's values. 

Here are the sections that you should include: 

• Name and contact details . All resumes start with your contact details. Add your phone number, a professional email address, and your location. Double-check to make sure the information is accurate. 
• Scholarship resume objective or summary. This section is 3-5 sentences long. In it, you pitch your biggest achievements and experience highlights to the committee, inspiring them to pay closer attention to your resume. 
• Academic experience.  This section lists your school name and degree, academic awards and honors, relevant coursework, and any other activities you were involved in while in high school/college. 
• Professional experience.  If you have had relevant internship experience, volunteering projects, or employment, add them to this section. Your college scholarship application will benefit from it. 
• Honors and awards.  If you have plenty of awards to brag with, consider adding a separate section for them. Add the name of the award, the awarding body, and the year you received it. 
• Key skills.  This section isn't a must. But it often helps to add 5-10 skills you consider the most important for your future education and career. 
• Extracurriculars. Use this section to show off your personality. Highlight your experience in community service, and activities in the arts or athletics.

Note that the final resume structure and content depend on the guidelines for the scholarship application. Study them carefully before writing the document and follow the suggested structure. Otherwise, your application might be rejected. 

Add a compelling scholarship resume objective

You can find the scholarship resume objective in most resume templates. This section helps you quickly introduce yourself, show your key selling points, and explain why you are a good candidate for a scholarship. 

Here's how to write the effective objective/summary section: 

• Make it convincing. Focus on the most important highlights from your college study or academic career. Add only relevant relevant education, achievements, areas of expertise, or activities. 
• Keep it to 3-5 sentences. The purpose of this section is to summarize the key facts about you for the committee. To write a great scholarship resume, keep it short and don't overload the readers with unnecessary details. 
• Show what you plan to do next. In the last sentence, share what you plan to do after receiving the scholarship, i.e. in what areas you will continue your research and how you would like to contribute to your field. 

Example: 

Driven individual seeking a scholarship to pursue an MA degree in Business Management. Maintained a GPA of 3.9. Committed to leveraging the scholarship opportunity to expand my understanding of global business trends, and leverage skills in business analysis, financial management, and developing innovative solutions to new challenges, and build a successful career as a leader in the technology industry. 

Showcase your academic experience

The Academic Experience or Education section summarizes your educational background and achievements. It should show that you qualify for the scholarship and prove that you are an ideal candidate for the scholarship. Here's what to highlight in this section: 

Your degree. If you are a high school graduate, add information about it. Yet, if you are writing a college or postgraduate student resume, remove the information about your high school and only list your degree. 

Here's what exactly you should include: 

• the name of your academic institution 
• your major and degree
• graduation date (if you are still a student, add expected graduation date)
• your GPA, if high 
• achievements, academic interests, and extracurriculars. 

Your academic achievements. To win college scholarships, you need to show superior academic results. The best way to do this is through accomplishments. Here are the examples of achievements that can enhance your scholarship resume: 

• Dean's list
• Graduating summa cum laude
• Winning a student award, etc. 

Coursework and thesis (if relevant).  You may add relevant coursework or the topic of your thesis to a resume if it helps make your resume more convincing. 

Not sure what exactly to include on your scholarship resume?  Consider an experienced or certified professional resume writer. An experienced writer will craft a punchy scholarship resume objective, organize the document properly, and tailor it for your targeted scholarship program. Try our services today with your special 20% welcome discount!  

List relevant work history

Professional history is a significant section of your scholarship resume. Try to make it detailed enough so that the committee members can evaluate your strengths, work ethic, and potential. If you were an intern or a trainee, describe your experience in detail anyway, focusing on the specific results you've accomplished. 

Add the job title, company name, and dates of employment. Use a common job title that communicates exactly what you did. Do not write just Trainee or Intern. A Digital Marketing Intern is a much better option. List your jobs in reverse chronological order. Thus, your most recent employment will appear at the top of the list. 

Write in bullets. List your responsibilities and achievements using bullets, not paragraphs. Paragraphs on a scholarship resume are out of date, moreover, they are more difficult to read. 

If you don't have paid experience, worry not. For scholarship application, it is more important to showcase a strong academic background, your plans for the future, and how you share the values of the scholarship organization. You can impress the scholarship selection committee even without paid jobs on your resume. 

Use figures and percentages: they show that you hold accountability for your contribution to the organization you work for. Be concise when describing your daily duties. You needn't write a laundry list of responsibilities you had. Focus on the key highlights and write in short sentences. Ideally, you should include 4-6 bullets per role. 

Add extracurricular activities

List activities, projects, and organizations you were involved in in your college years. Such activities will show that you're a well-rounded personality who has many interests outside of the classroom. Here are some examples of activities to mention on your scholarship resume: 

• Membership in the student council and contributing to student organizations in college, especially if you had leadership positions
• Participating in college sports
• Involvement in debate club, photography club, or any other interest-based club
• Contributing to research projects and assisting professors with experiments
• Participating in music ensembles, college theater, or organizing art exhibitions. 

Highlight relevant skills 

The Skills section is not a must-have for a winning scholarship resume. Yet, if you can boast plenty of valuable skills in your field of study, mention them on your resume. The scholarship resume template above features skills, too. 

Here is how to highlight skills on a student resume: 

• Avoid obvious skills. Everyone can tell they have organizational skills, communication skills, and time management abilities. Yet, you should include such skills if they are crucial for your target career and you can share specific examples of how these skills helped you ace college studies and personal projects. In all other situations, focus on more specific, technical skills. 
• Include 5-10 skills. Keep your skills list concise. Focus on the most relevant skills that can set you apart from the competition. 
• Don't lie! This applies not only to skills, but to other resume sections as well. Don't stretch the truth to impress the scholarship selection committees and get scholarship funds. With a background check, it is easy to reveal the truth. Your reputation will be damaged, which can reflect on your ability to get scholarships and on your academic career. 

Format the document professionally 

After finishing work on your scholarship resume content, it's time to format and organize it visually. Do not neglect the formatting whatsoever. A neat, visually appealing formatting can contribute to the first impression about you. 

Here's how to format scholarship resumes best: 

• Use the chronological format. List your jobs, projects, and degrees starting with the most recent one. 
• Make section headings visible. Use a bigger font for subheadings and add white space between headings to make your scholarship resume easy to read. 
• Boldface your job titles, institution names, and other important info. Thus, the committee reviewing your resume will instantly spot the most important details. 
• Check for consistency. Use the same font type and size in the document. Check that indents, margins, formatting style, and punctuation are the same throughout your scholarship resume. 

With these actionable tips, you will manage to write a scholarship resume that highlights your academic achievements and your fit for the program. 

How to list scholarships on a resume? 

Scholarships awarded by your school or other institutions can showcase your excellent academic performance and add value to your resume. There are two ways to list scholarships on your resume: 

• In your Education section

If you got a scholarship from your college or university, list it in the Education section next to the institution's name and your degree. 

• In the Honors/Awards section 

If you received a scholarship from a reputable organization or government, it makes sense to list it separately with other achievements. The same works if you received multiple scholarships from different organizations. 

Example of listing the scholarship on your resume

John Gordon Mulford Scholarship 2022

University of Sydney Business School 

FAQ: Writing a scholarship resume 

Should i submit a scholarship resume if i don't meet 100% of the requirements .

To obtain funding for your college studies, it is best to apply for as many scholarships as possible. If you don't have the all qualifications they prefer in candidates, you can still apply and highlight your strengths in a resume. 

However, check the eligibility criteria first. These are the must-have qualifications, and if you don't meet them, your scholarship application will be rejected. An example of eligibility criteria is having a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. 

Do I need to send a cover letter with my college scholarship resume? 

It depends on the scholarship program. Usually, a scholarship application package includes a cover letter or any other type of letter - for example, a personal statement or an essay. Find out the list of documents you need to send and the guidelines for writing them. 

Make sure that you send the exact type of letter that the scholarship committee requires. If you need any help drafting a letter for a freshman scholarship, our experts will gladly assist. 

Can I use the same resume to apply for all scholarships? 

Scholarship application requirements vary in different organizations. Thus, it is recommended to adapt your resume for each individual scholarship. By adjusting the resume content, structure, and the story you tell, you'll have a higher chance to be selected by scholarship directors. 

What if my resume is two pages long? 

Your scholarship resume should take one page. It is a commonly accepted standard, so if you send a longer document, the committee can overlook it. Plus, the committee might see it as a lack of attention to detail or the inability to prioritize information. 

Yet, everything depends on the scholarship organization. If they allow sending a two-page resume, you can go for it. 

Our experienced writers can create a powerful resume suitable for each position. However, you may also request a specific resume depending on the job you are applying for, thus it will be tailored individually for your profession:

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FREE TRAINING: How I Secured 6-Figures in Scholarships & Graduated Debt-Free

The Scholarship System

Paying for college begins here

How to Write an Amazing Scholarship Resume

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Updated on February 7th, 2024

Many people are unfamiliar with the concept of a scholarship resume. In fact, as a parent of a high school or college student, you may be wondering why they need a resume at all. Scholarship committees generally don’t request a resume, so it seems like extra work that isn’t necessary. But, it is essential, especially if your student wants to stand out from the crowd. Here’s what you need to know about writing a scholarship resume.

If you or your child want more information about how to land scholarships now that their scholarship resume is ready, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar ! It’s a great way to learn about the process and get valuable tips and tricks such as the ones covered in this article so that they can increase their odds of success.

• 1.1 Scholarship Resume
• 1.2 Internship Resume
• 1.3 Employment Resume
• 2.1 Work, Volunteering, and Involvements
• 2.2 Education
• 2.3 When to Drop Items from Your Scholarship Resume
• 2.4 Choosing a Resume Style
• 3 Scholarship Resume Power Words
• 4 Scholarship Resume Tips

Why Your Child Needs a Resume

Your child is going to need a resume in the future for all sorts of opportunities, so creating one now gives them a step up in life. Plus, it helps them make a strong impression for a variety of things they’ll be applying to as they get ready for college or continue their studies.

Scholarship Resume

Since most applications don’t require a scholarship resume, adding one is a great way for students to get an edge.

Often, scholarship applications are somewhat limiting. They only let your student show a quick snapshot of key skills, academic interests and what they have to offer.

However, many scholarships allow you to submit “additional materials,” and a resume is a great addition. Your child can highlight various involvements, previous employment, or volunteer experiences that might not be discussed in a generic application or their essay. This means they can pass valuable information on to the committee, making them a more appealing candidate.

Submitting a scholarship resume could make the difference, helping your student secure the funds they need to go to college debt-free.

Internship Resume

Having a resume ready can also serve your child as they pursue their college education. Many internships require a resume to apply. Having a scholarship resume ready means they can easily adjust the document to meet these requirements, making the idea of landing an internship less intimidating and certainly less time-consuming.

Employment Resume

Most employers want to see a resume too. So, if your student intends to work while they are in school or simply wants to be prepared for graduation, creating a scholarship resume now gives them the framework they need to get one ready for work applications when the time comes.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• When Your Child Should Start Applying for Scholarships
• Make Scholarship Essays Stand Out by Avoiding These 4 Clichés
• 5 Things You Need to Know About the Scholarship Process

Sections to Include on a Scholarship Resume

Typically, high schoolers or college students don’t have years of work experience, so it can feel as though they don’t have a lot to say. However, there are many items that can be added to a scholarship resume that aren’t employment-related (though these entries help as well).

Work, Volunteering, and Involvements

If your child has work or community service experience, that’s great for this resume! It can show the scholarship committee members that they’ve already begun to experience the “adult” world and give your child a method for displaying the skills they learned along the way.

Students with little or no work experience can also add a section discussing their involvements. These are generally activities related to student organizations or clubs, like student council, drama, or sports. Experience in these areas gave your student a chance to gain skills and earn achievements, making this section an excellent opportunity to speak to them. It also demonstrates their commitment, especially if they stuck with a particular organization throughout high school.

Discussing education and academic background on a resume is considered a must, regardless of whether it is a scholarship resume or intended for another purpose. High school students and recent high school graduates should include information about their high school. They can also add details about their college if they already know where they will be going and their chosen major.

College freshmen may want to include details about their college and high school, while sophomores and above should stick to just their college.

When to Drop Items from Your Scholarship Resume

Not everything you add to your resume is “evergreen.” That means, over time, your child needs to remove certain entries to keep their scholarship resume relevant.

For example, high school students and college freshmen can list information about their high school. But, this item should be removed once they finish their freshman year.

Similarly, if they gain relevant experience in their field through internships or employment, they might want to ditch the information about the summer job they held as a sophomore in high school if it doesn’t provide value on their scholarship resume.

The intention is to keep things clean, concise, and clutter-free, and to focus on the relevant details that are specifically pertinent to the scholarship to which they are applying.

Choosing a Resume Style

Typically, there are two main resume styles to choose from: professional and creative. A professional resume sticks to the standard accepted format, while creative resumes offer more flexibility.

For most students, a professional scholarship resume is often best. Since their education is likely one of their biggest selling points, it makes sense to order their resume sections as follows:

• Awards/Achievements
• Involvements
• Employment Experience
• Volunteering/Community Service

If your child doesn’t have anything for one of those sections, feel free to omit it. Then, as they gain experience, they can add it back in accordingly.

Generally, creative resumes should only be used if your child is pursuing a career in a creative field, like graphic design. Options in this area can include creating a scholarship resume using formatting similar to an infographic or even doing one entirely on video.

However, even for creative positions, these resumes are a risk, as not everyone appreciates these formats. In fact, a recent survey showed that 70 percent of employers prefer a professional resume above all else, regardless of the job type. So, when in doubt, stick with the traditional approach.

Scholarship Resume Power Words

When writing a resume, your child needs to make every word count, and using power words on a scholarship resume is a great way to start.

Power words are especially impactful, so they help get the committee’s attention. Plus, they speak to what your student has done in a meaningful way, providing more value to the reader.

To get you started, here is a list of some great power words your student may be able to use, depending on their academic experience:

• Accomplished
• Collaborated

Power words speak to actions more than capabilities, so have your child keep that in mind as they write their scholarship resume and cover letter.

Scholarship Resume Tips

Writing a scholarship resume doesn’t have to be hard. Ultimately, the goal is to be concise but thorough, giving the scholarship selection committee members all of the information they need using a straightforward style.

1. First and foremost, they need to make sure their contact information is clearly listed at the top.

Make sure they include their:

• Phone number
• Email address
• City and state where they live

2. In most cases, your child will want to avoid “I” statements, as these aren’t typically used for resumes. Instead, they should think in bullet points to help keep things simple.

3. It is also imperative to choose an easy-to-read font (what good is creating a scholarship resume if everyone has trouble reading it!). If they aren’t sure which to pick, you can’t go wrong with Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Just make sure the size falls in the 10 to 12-point range.

These documents don’t have to be filled to the brim with information to make a significant impact on scholarship committees, so have them focus on items that provide value so that they can increase their odds of being selected.

Scholarship resumes are just one of the many topics we cover in detail in our Scholarship Course .

If you or your child want more information about how to land scholarships now that their college scholarship resume is ready, sign up for our  free college scholarship webinar ! t’s a great way to learn about the process and get valuable tips and tricks, such as the ones covered in this article, to increase their odds of success.

• Pinterest 1756

January 9, 2018 at 4:06 am

I really liked this post! I read your blog fairly and most of the time you are coming out with some great stuff. I shared this with my friends and my followers as it’s really great stuff to share! Keep up the good work 🙂

March 5, 2018 at 11:36 am

I am glad you mentioned including your name, number, email, and where you live in your resume. I have been preparing for writing my resume for John Hopkins. Thanks for the tips on writing a resume for college.

May 16, 2018 at 3:02 am

wow! after reading your blog I learned so many things which are very important to use while making an excellent resume. thanks, for the great blog.

May 25, 2018 at 5:24 am

Wow thank you very much I really appreciate the information share. Hope to be back soon.

March 6, 2019 at 2:46 am

Here I learned so many different and unique things. Thanks for sharing this quality article.

April 3, 2019 at 5:20 pm

I really appreciate the information that you have provided, but I have a few points for clarification. When discussing their high school, which details should the student include? Should the student also include any institutions in which they were dual enrolled? Thanks!

May 28, 2019 at 5:08 am

People are often not familiar with this whole Scholarship Resume thing. thanks for this wonderful information

November 7, 2019 at 6:50 am

this is an informative post and it is very beneficial and knowledgeable. Therefore, I would like to thank you for the endeavors that you have made in writing this article. All the content is absolutely well-researched. Thanks

November 26, 2019 at 9:01 am

Amazing blog and quality information

December 31, 2019 at 12:06 pm

Been searching for information on internet for a long time but I was not getting the right information, you have written a very good post,

April 14, 2020 at 1:03 pm

Amazing Blog! Informative post and it is very beneficial and knowledgeable.

June 27, 2020 at 10:03 am

Great Article, Quality Information

November 1, 2020 at 4:59 am

I really appreciate for your advice on how to sequence the assay

March 22, 2021 at 3:04 pm

March 30, 2021 at 3:21 am

Hey, thank you for the guide.

Like you said, there are some things that have to be taken down from a CV like the non-vital activities while in High school.

Mostly, the Admissions committees and faculty members want to see that your skills, experiences, and qualifications make you a great fit for their program and university.

June 16, 2022 at 10:53 am

Very good article shared, thanks for this.

June 5, 2023 at 12:31 am

Learned a lot, Thanks for the article .. Was looking for some solid tips Tips to share among my friend’s applying for MS in USA and hoping to get an Scholarship

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Scholarship resume example

You’re ready to take the next step in your educational career, and your application has been accepted. The final step is landing that scholarship!

The problem?

Scholarships can be very competitive, and you need to impress the committee if you want to be considered. This means submitting an impressive and stand-out resume.

For inspiration and tips on how to write the best possible resume, check out our guide below, complete with a scholarship resume example.

Resume templates 

Scholarship Resume Example

From the Scholarship resume example  above, you can see the type of content your resume will need to include, and the general layout you will need to stick to.

The rest of this guide will show you how to apply this format to your own unique situation, and create a resume that will attract the best employers in your field.

Scholarship resume layout and format

The format and layout of your resume can make or break its success.

Sure, it’s great to pack your resume with lots of impressive skills and knowledge, but if the page is not structured clearly, hiring managers will struggle to find the important stuff!

Above all, your resume should be easy-to-read and professional looking.

Follow these formatting tips to get noticed.

Tips for resume formatting

• Length: Recruiters often see hundreds of resumes per day – so keep yours under 2 pages in length, if you want to ensure it gets read in full.
• Font and text : Simplicity and a pleasant reading experience are crucial if you want to highlight your most valuable skills to recruiters. Use a clear font (avoid fancy ones) and break up the text in your resume with bullet points to ensure information can be easily consumed.
• Design & structure: Hiring managers should be able to skim through your resume easily and pinpoint the information they want quickly. To help them do this, organize the page into clear sections with bold headings and dividing borders. The design should be clutter-free and professional-looking, with a calm color scheme.
• Photos and images: You don’t have to add a photo to your resume in the States, but some regions and industries like to see them.

Quick tip: Formatting a resume to look professional can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want to create an attractive resume quickly, try our quick-and-easy Resume Builder and use one of their eye-catching resume templates.

Resume layout

Add the following sections when you write your resume .

• Name and contact details – Add to the very top of your resume to introduce yourself and make it super-easy for recruiters to get in touch.
• Resume summary – Reel hiring managers in with an “elevator pitch” style paragraph which sums up your suitability for the job.
• Skills section – A short and sharp list of your most important skills, that can be quickly skim-read.
• Work experience – List your previous jobs (from newest to oldest) detailing the skills learnt and applied in each.
• Education – List your qualifications and professional training.
• Additional info – If it helps your application, you can add an extra section for things like hobbies and interests.

Now, here’s what to include in each of these sections in your resume.

Resume Contact Details

Add your name and contact details to the very top of your resume, making it easy for recruiters to get in touch

• Name and profession title
• Cell phone number – or another number you can answer quickly
• Location – Add your local area such as San Diego or New York – not your full address as that will take up too much space.
• Email address – Use your name or close variation – no nicknames from high school.

You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one – you do not need to include personal details like date of birth or marital status.

Scholarship Resume Summary

Now it’s time to get into the real content of your resume, starting with the summary.

Your resume summary is a short paragraph at the top of the document, and its jobs is to catch the eye of hiring managers by summarizing all your skills and knowledge that are most important to the roles you are applying for.

Top tips for creating an effective resume summary:

• Keep it brief: Your summary is intended to be a high-level introduction to hook readers’ attention, so keep it brief (4-7 lines) – save the details for later in your resume.
• Tailor it: Optimize your summary to match the requirements of your target jobs, by mirroring the key words from the job description as closely as possible.
• Avoid cliches: You may be a “ team player who always give 110%” but generic phrases don’t tell employers much about you in reality – stick to factual information.

Example resume summary for Scholarship

Student of Psychology at Alabama State University, awarded Dean’s List for 3 consecutive years, with 2 study abroad experiences and a semester-long research internship. Significant volunteer experience at the Children’s Hospital Family Support Center and Youth Mentor Program. Seeking funds to continue graduate education at Alabama State University, to continue research into psychological disorders in children.

What to include in your Scholarship resume summary?

• Summary of your experience: What type of organizations have you worked at? What types of roles have you done and what have you contributed to previous employers?
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to the Scholarship, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your resume.
• Important qualifications: Mention any qualifications that are important to your profession in the summary briefly, to show you are qualified for the Scholarship.

Quick tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written summaries across all industries, and add one to your resume with one click in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder . All written by our recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Sitting just underneath your resume summary, your core skills section gives recruiters 4-10 of your most in-demand skills in just a glance.

As Scholarships may get hundreds of applications, this is a great way to stand out and quickly grab hiring managers’ attention.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and highlight attributes that are hyper-relevant to the jobs you are aiming for.

Best skills for your Scholarship resume

• Awards and honors – Showcase these here, such as making the Dean’s List or honor role, being President or VP or a society or student board, or winning an event or tournament.
• Volunteer experience – Include your voluntary/charitable experience, as it’s important to show the reader your extracurricular activities.
• Internships – Highlight previous internships and how they relate to your field of study.
• Certifications – If you’ve gained certifications in specific skills that are pertinent to your field of study, include those here.
• Publications in a student journal – Highlight any publications you hold that are related to your field of study, with a link if possible.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy Resume Builder contains thousands of in-demand skills for every profession that can be added to your resume in seconds – saving you time and greatly improving your chances of landing job interviews.

Resume work experience section

Once you’ve got recruiters interested with your impactful summary, your work experience is where the real detail will lie.

Lay out your previous jobs from current to oldest, detailing what you contributed and achieved in each one.

If you’re highly experienced you can cut this section down to your most recent few years of work, but if you are junior you can bulk this up with voluntary work and college placements.

Structuring your job descriptions

Without a good structure, your job description can look messy and overwhelming to anyone reading them.

Make it easy for recruiters to read your work experience by structuring your roles like this.

Job outline

Kick off each role with a high-level overview to summarize the focus of the job, what the organization/department does, and how you fit into the bigger picture.

Key responsibilities

Then delve into the detail of your job by listing out easy-to-read bullet points which show how you apply your skills in the workplace.

Tailor these bullet points to focus on the skills and knowledge that are required in the jobs you are applying for.

Key achievements

Finish each role by highlighting some impressive achievements you made whilst in the role.

Anything that benefited the employer can be included from making financial savings, to winning new customers.

Quantify your achievements with facts and figures if you can, e.g. “reduced call wait time by 10%”

Example job for Scholarship resume

Worked for a US leading research institute during a semester-long research internship. Supported Dr Joe Bloggs to continue his established mental health research study assessing the effects of a variety of clinical interventions on mental health conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Used appropriate researching tools and techniques to search for, identify, and qualify prospective research subjects
• Recruited study participants, maintained accurate records of data, and safeguarded the confidentiality of subjects
• Conducted quantitative and qualitative research including designing study materials and conducting 1-on-1 and group interviews
• Completed detailed data analysis and reported on the findings

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education resume section

Towards the bottom of your resume, add your education section.

Here you should list your professional qualifications and academic record, such as high school diplomas or college degrees.

If you have lots of work experience, you can keep this section brief (because recruiters will be more interested in your career. If you have little/no experience then you should bulk this section up with plenty of detail.

Additional info for your resume

If you have anything else to add which is relevant to the jobs you are applying for, the additional info section is the place to add it.

Perhaps you have a hobby which involves relevant skills, or maybe you have some awards or publications worth mentioning.

Writing your Scholarship resume

Writing a Scholarship application resume can be challenging but following the steps above will ensure that you land plenty of interviews.

If you want to speed up the process and use an attractive professional template, try out our quick-and-easy Resume Builder .

Good luck with your job search!

Adding Scholarship on Resume: How to Put It

As a student, you will need to create a resume that stands out from others to land your first job. Writing a resume is not an easy thing to do.

If you have received scholarships and want to know if you should list scholarships on your resume, we have the answer right here. Learn how to add these and where to list them. We explain how to describe scholarship on your resume and improve your chances of being hired.

The question that many students have is how to add scholarships to their resumes. You can add these to a list under an appropriate section to grab the attention of a hiring manager.

Since most graduates have limited work experience, adding these awards can be beneficial. They can show a potential employer that you are dependable you are and will show that you have excelled academically.

Should I Include Scholarships on Resume?

Should you put scholarships on your resume? As a new grad, you will most likely have limited work experience, but you may have many achievements that can show that you would be a good choice for a job position. In this case, listing any honors or awards that have been received can help you stand out and attract attention.

Do you put scholarships on your resume? Especially if they relate to the job you are trying to land.

Winning academic awards and scholarships is something that can be placed on a CV until you obtain enough job experience to replace that section. It will allow you to explain your educational background to hiring managers and will demonstrate how you would be a good fit for a job.

It is also recommended to include personal references. This will allow employers to get more information about your academic achievements. How many references should be on a resume ? There should be at least three.

As a new grad, you may want to ask professors for references or even address the scholarship committee and see if they will write a letter on your behalf. At EduReviewer.com, we have an article that addresses references and provides some tips on adding them.

How Do I Add Scholarships?

When creating a new CV for a job right out of college, you will want to know where to place your accomplishments, awards, and various achievements.

Add a section titled Awards and Achievements right after your education section. Can you put scholarships on your resume? It is one of the best things to do if there is limited work experience.

This can show employers that you have completed an application process, interview, and have been awarded the scholarship.

At the same time, employers will learn about the soft skills possessed. These can be beneficial to a position and include creativity, communication, and time management. When adding this information to any CV it should be done in bullet points, including:

• Name of award;
• The organization that presented the award;
• Amount received;
• Reasons for receiving.

Keep in mind that any volunteer position can be included in work experience. If you want to know how to put student teaching on a resume , we have an article on edureviewer.com that tells where to list this experience.

If you are still wondering if should you include scholarships on your resume, our experts show you how to effectively list these so that your CV will stand out from others. Your academic achievements can indicate that you are a dedicated person who strives to achieve goals. They can also show that you have learned certain skills that will be appealing to employers.

When adding your achievements, it should go right under your education section. Make sure to list only your highest level of education.

Should high school be on a resume? If you have graduated college, do not include high school experience. The only time this should be added is if high school was the highest level completed. We have articles that address when and how to list high school on your CVs .

Does homeschooling hurt your resume? If you have been homeschooled for any reason, you can rest assured that this will not hurt your chances of getting a job. Employers look at those that have been homeschooled as having better skill sets. Check out our article on skills learned from homeschooling at EduReviewer.com .

Many students that received their education at home have gone on to receive prestigious academic awards, so this is surely something that will not impact your CV negatively.

Now that you know what educational experience to list on your CVs, you want to focus on adding awards and achievements. Here is an example of how to add your scholarships to a CV so that your achievements do not go unnoticed.

• 2019 | Academic Scholarship | Westfield College – $20,000 annual award for academic excellence
• 2020 Regional Sports Scholarship – $500 for leadership and athleticism
• 2020 Mells Sustainability Scholarship | Michigan State College – $10,000 for ambitious environmental writing

Are you asking, “Should I put scholarships on my resume?” If you are still unsure, check out these FAQs. As a college graduate, you can use your achievements in place of work experience and have a better chance of being hired.

Do recruiters care about scholarships?

Yes. Recruiters will take notice of any awards or achievements that have been received. Many hiring managers want to see achievements instead of a long list of responsibilities. Academic awards show that certain skills have been obtained that can be useful in a position.

Is it good to list scholarships on a resume?

The fact that you have been awarded a scholarship can show an employer that you have skills and knowledge that others may not possess. The more strengths that are demonstrated, the better chances there are of getting a job.

Even with little work experience, having won academic awards is something that many employers consider when hiring for entry-level positions. If you do not have time to do all this, you can check these resume services and hire a resume helper.

Education Writer

One of our team members is Alina Burakova. She has vast experience in reviewing career and education-related websites. Being a little shy, Alina dislikes writing about herself too much, so here is her short bio. In 2010, she graduated from ...

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How to Find and Apply for Scholarships

College board scholarship search, what are scholarships .

Scholarships are a type of financial aid commonly referred to as “free money” or “gift aid.” Scholarships usually require an application and are often awarded to students based on a combination of factors including merit. Merit scholarships tend to have specific requirements and are awarded to applicants based on certain skills and accomplishments and may not be based on financial need. Scholarships may be renewable, meaning you can receive scholarships for more than one year. A new application may be required along with maintaining certain eligibility requirements, such as GPA or a certain major.

Why do I need scholarships?

Scholarships are a great type of financial aid because they do not have to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can help cover the remaining bill and indirect costs, while also minimizing the amount you need to borrow in loans while in college.

What are some common scholarship application requirements?

Many scholarships require similar application materials, which commonly include:

• The application, which can be paper or an online form. 
• Essays, often personal statements, that provide insight into your activities inside and outside the classroom. 
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, community members, or other mentors. 
• Honors or awards you have received, academic or otherwise. 
• Information about your high school or college, which may include your transcript, GPA, Student Aid Report, or financial aid offer.
• A résumé that includes any employment, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences.

Specialized scholarships may require additional information and may have a priority deadline. For example, scholarships supporting the arts may require portfolios or writing samples. Be sure to read each application thoroughly for requirements so you don’t miss any.

What should I do before college to increase my chances?

Since many scholarships are merit based, maintaining good grades and increasing your involvement in school and community activities are important. Some scholarships have GPA requirements, so keeping your grades up will help open more opportunities. Additionally, many applicants with varied extracurriculars and volunteer or job experiences may stand out. The more scholarships you’re eligible for and apply for, the better the odds you have of receiving one.

What are the best ways to find and receive a scholarship?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances while applying. One of the most important things to remember is that the scholarship committee wants to get to know you through the applications—you want to show why your college education is worth investing in. 

There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances, including: 

• Start early and search year-round: No matter what stage in the college process you’re at, you should start looking for scholarships now. There are even scholarships that high school students can receive before senior year. Scholarship deadlines vary, so setting some time aside every few weeks to search and apply will open up more opportunities of securing a scholarship. 
• Use the right search engine: Finding scholarships to apply for can be difficult, but with the right search engine you can narrow your search and find scholarships you’re eligible for. BigFuture’s scholarship search is a great resource to use.
• Find a balance: You should apply for several scholarships—the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving one. However, it’s important to use your time wisely. You should only apply for those you’re eligible for, based on the requirements. 
• Research local scholarships: Local scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, meaning you may be more likely to get them. Your high school counselor or college financial aid department might have insight about where to find and apply for local scholarships. Be sure to talk to others in your community, and check with local businesses and organizations like banks and churches. 

How do I know a scholarship is legit? 

While plenty of legitimate scholarships are available, some fake scholarships are set up to scam students out of money or personal information. Using reliable search engines, like BigFuture, can help avoid this. Scholarships should always be free to apply. Some may ask for your bank account information after choosing you as a recipient, but they should not ask for this information as an application requirement. If you’re unsure, contact the organization or company providing the scholarship to ensure they are legit. 

Finding and applying to scholarships sounds like a lot of work—how can I make this process easier?

Because scholarships don’t need to be repaid, they can be an important part of making college affordable. However, we know that it might not always be feasible to spend a lot of time applying. There are a few things you can do to simplify the process and save time where possible. 

• Start early: Prioritize getting two or three letters of recommendation, and write your essay/personal statement before you start searching to help save time.
• Time management: Plan to spend a day or two a month searching and submitting applications with your prepared materials to avoid last-minute applications, missed deadlines, and stress.
• Stay organized: Collecting and organizing your application materials and tracking due dates will help you stay on track and avoid missing out on opportunities. 
• Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for can save you time.

With these tips and resources, you’ll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your college costs. Check out your chance to earn $500 and $40,000 scholarships in monthly drawings offered by BigFuture to students who complete the steps to plan for college .

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How to List Awards, Scholarships, and Honors on Your Resume

• Post author By Rachel Pelta

Gold stars, blue ribbons, and trophies are all awards we might receive when we’re growing up. And though we may outgrow the gold stars, as adults, we still receive recognition for the excellent work we do on the job or at school.

Mentioning your “gold stars” on your resume may seem like overkill or that you’re bragging. However, including awards, scholarships, and other outstanding achievements on your resume can help your application rise to the top of the hiring manager’s “must interview” pile.

Why You Should Add Awards and Scholarships to Your Resume

No matter the field or job market, your resume helps make the case why the hiring manager should pick you over the other applicants. If it comes down to you and one other candidate, having awards and scholarships on your resume can give you the edge you need to land the job offer .

Beyond being impressive, awards and scholarships help demonstrate that you have the skills and qualifications to do the job. Instead of claiming you can do X or Y, awards and scholarships prove that someone else agrees you can do X or Y so well that they gave you an award for it!

Which Ones to Include

As proud as you should be of all of your accomplishments, you shouldn’t include every single one on your resume. Not only does it take up a lot of space, but it’s also unlikely your perfect attendance award from third grade will help you get the job!

Only include the awards or scholarships that are relevant to the role and prove that you have the skills for the job . The exceptions are if you’re a recent graduate and have general scholarships you want to highlight or the award is well-known and prestigious (like an Oscar).

Likewise, the awards you include on your resume when you’re right out of high school or college are very different from the awards you might add when you’re mid-career. Getting a four-year paid scholarship to college is impressive but may not be relevant 20 years later when you’re applying for a C-suite position.

Below are some examples of the different types of awards and scholarships you may want to consider adding to your resume.

School Awards

• Department award
• Honor society membership
• Scholarships

Company Awards

• Top performer
• Leadership award
• Mentorship award

Industry Awards

• Well-known and respected awards for your industry
• Inclusion on a round-up list (30 Under 30, for example)
• Association awards

Other Awards

• Athletic awards
• Community service or volunteer awards
• Military awards or commendations
• Well-known awards (Eagle Scout)

How to List Awards or Scholarships on Your Resume

To get the most out of your awards and scholarships, include on your resume the relevant information that gives context and meaning to your achievements . 

List the name of the award or scholarship exactly as it appears elsewhere (online, official documentation, etc.).

Year Awarded

In addition to the year, note how often the award is given (monthly, quarterly, or even yearly, if you know).

Who Awarded It

List the name of the awarding body, particularly if it’s not obvious from the award name. That said, depending on the entity that gives the award, you may want to leave the specific name out and use something more general. Saying “state political party” is more neutral than saying which political party gave you the award.

Why the Award is Given

This information is optional, but if it’s not apparent from the award name (Volunteer of the Year), describe what the award is for or what it recognizes.

The Competition

How many people were you up against for this award? Was this nationwide or your department? If you can quantify how large the pool was, include that information so the reader understands how competitive the award is.

Why You Won

Though this is an optional section, including why you won can help quantify your achievement. For example, if you won for Best Advertorial, explain what you did or why your campaign won. 

Where to List Awards or Scholarships on Your Resume

You can include your awards or scholarships in several sections of your resume. However, consistency is key. Highlight your awards on only one section of your resume instead of sprinkling them throughout . 

Here’s what formatted award information looks like for each resume section.

Experience Section

List the award as a bullet point under a job title:

• Top Sales Associate 2017, 2018, 2019 : One of five sales associates nationally (total of 200 associates) to rank in top 10% of sales

Education Section

An award or scholarship is a bullet point under the degree information:

• Dean’s List : Fall 2018 – Spring 2021 (all 8 semesters)
• Outstanding Senior, 2018 : Awarded to one graduating senior for excellent grades and commitment to the school community
• President’s Scholarship : Full tuition scholarship awarded for academic excellence

Awards Section

Depending on your situation, a dedicated awards section may make more sense. Format this section similar to the work history section, though you may not need as many bullet points. For example:

Volunteer of the Year for [Name of Organization]: 2020

• Awarded to one volunteer out of 3,000 statewide for consistent and dedicated commitment to the organization
• Volunteered for over [X hours] per month
• [Information about the specifics of the work]

Summary Section

It may make sense to include the award information in the summary of qualifications statement . This ensures it’s at the top of your resume and is likely one of the first things a recruiter sees when they review your resume :

Dedicated and award-winning customer service professional and three-time winner of the Most 5-Star Customer Reviews Award.

Take Pride In Your Achievements

Think of adding relevant awards and scholarships to your resume this way: you’re providing third-party proof that you have the skills and abilities to get the job done!

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