Scholarship Review

This section is used by the It’s A Family Affair Scholarship Board to ensure that every eligible scholarship application is reviewed fairly, consistently, and confidentially.

Before Reviewing an Application

Each Scholarship Board member should:

  • Confirm that they have reviewed the criteria for the scholarship.
  • Determine whether they have an actual or potential conflict of interest involving the applicant.
  • Complete a Conflict-of-Interest/Recusal Form when necessary.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of all applicant information.
  • Use only the approved scholarship criteria when evaluating applicants.

Step 1 — Eligibility Review

Before an application is scored, confirm that the applicant meets the published eligibility requirements for the scholarship.

Use the Scholarship Eligibility Checklist to document this review.

An application that does not meet the required eligibility criteria should not move forward to scoring unless authorized under the organization's established scholarship procedures.

Step 2 — Application Review

Review all required materials submitted by the applicant. Depending on the particular scholarship, materials may include:

  • Completed scholarship application
  • Essay or written responses
  • Academic information
  • Community service or volunteer information
  • Leadership activities
  • Information demonstrating resilience or personal impact
  • Other documents specifically required for that scholarship

Step 3 — Individual Scoring

Each reviewer should independently evaluate the application using the approved Scholarship Scoring Rubric and Individual Reviewer Score Sheet.

Scores should reflect the information contained in the applicant's submitted materials and the established criteria for that scholarship.

Personal relationships, favoritism, assumptions, or criteria that were not part of the approved scholarship requirements must not influence scoring.

Step 4 — Submit Review

After completing the review:

  • Check that all sections of the score sheet are complete.
  • Record the applicant's final score.
  • Add comments when clarification is helpful.
  • Sign or identify the reviewer as required.
  • Submit the completed review materials according to the Scholarship Board's established process.

Step 5 — Final Selection Process

Individual scores are part of the review process but do not constitute a scholarship award.

After individual reviews are completed, eligible applicants will move to the Scholarship Board's final selection process. Final decisions must be documented and approved according to the established scholarship selection and authorization procedures of It’s A Family Affair.

Confidentiality Reminder

All applications, essays, scores, reviewer comments, and applicant information are confidential.

Scholarship Board members should not discuss applicant information or selection deliberations with unauthorized individuals.

No Scholarship Board member may individually promise or guarantee a scholarship award to an applicant.