About the Playbook

Insights from 1,000 + leading scholarships

1

Introduction to Modern Scholarship Management

A comprehensive overview of how scholarship management has evolved from paper applications to digital processes, highlighting the importance of integrated systems and the pitfalls of using disconnected tools. "Ideas are easy, but execution is everything."

2

Strategic Planning & Timeline Developmen

Guidelines for creating detailed program schedules with application periods, evaluation phases, selection announcements, and fund disbursements, including how to set key milestones to track progress and ensure the program stays on schedule.

3

Technology & Platform Selection

An exploration of purpose-built scholarship management software vs. makeshift solutions, with analysis of security considerations, efficiency gains, and user experience benefits for all stakeholders. Increase efficiency by an average 84%, allowing scholarship providers to focus on high-impact activities rather than administrative tasks.

4

Applicant Experience Optimization

Strategies for creating engaging, user-friendly application processes that increase participation rates and submission quality while reducing support needs. The section covers how to provide the engaging and modern experience scholarship applicants desire.

5

Application Collection & Data Management

Best practices for designing effective application forms, managing sensitive personal information securely, and organizing applicant data for efficient processing. This addresses how scholarship applications contain highly sensitive personal information that requires proper security measures to protect both applicants and organizations.

6

Review Process & Workflow Design

Frameworks for creating fair, efficient review systems that reduce reviewer workload while maintaining quality evaluations, including methods to redacting PII data, implement mathematical scoresheets, and manage conflicts of interest. These workflows help create scholarship program integrity and confidence through accurate, transparent, consistent, and data-driven decision making.

7

Selection Criteria & Bias Mitigation

Techniques for establishing clear selection criteria and implementing processes that minimize unconscious bias in scholarship awards. Without structured review processes, scholarship selections can be influenced by unconscious biases that affect fairness.

8

Communication Strategies

Guidelines for effective communication with applicants throughout the entire process, from initial outreach to notifications and ongoing engagement with recipients. The section emphasizes maintaining consistent communication channels for consistency and data aggregation/reporting.

9

Program Analytics & Impact Measurement

Methods for tracking program success, measuring outcomes, and using data to continually improve scholarship initiatives for greater impact. This section focuses on how to use reporting features to demonstrate program value to stakeholders.

10

Scaling & Long-term Sustainability

Strategies for growing scholarship programs while maintaining quality, including resource allocation, process automation, and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term viability and effectiveness.