Students who are in college should list the home address of their parent(s)/legal guardian(s).
Students must confirm that they are citizens of the United States or legal residents to be eligible for scholarship money from DiscvoerScholars.org.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must meet one of the following three conditions to sill be considered eligible to apply:
- A permanent U.S. resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551);
- A conditional permanent resident (I-551C); or
- The holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any of the following designations: "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Parolee" (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), "Victim of human trafficking," T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
If you meet any of the above conditions, then please select "Permanent U.S. Resident" as your response to this question.
We appreciate your willingness to let us use your name and picture on our website.
DiscoverScholars.org is committed to the confidentiality of the information that you provide in your application. Under no circumstances will we give out your information to third parties.
Answer "Yes" to this question if you (1) have engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and (2) were released under a condition other than dishonorable. Also answer “Yes” if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Answer "No" to this question if you (1) have never engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, (2) are currently an ROTC student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy, or (3) are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training.
Note: This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.3, Questions 54 and 55. If you answered "Yes" to either of those questions, then you also should answer "Yes" to the Military Service question on the DiscoverScholars.org application.
You may leave your parent's name, relationship, address, and phone number blank if no parent or legal guardian can claim you as a dependent on their tax forms. (You should still fill out your parents' education).
More specifically, you may leave the parent(s)/guardian(s) column blank if any of the following are true:
- You were born before January 1, 1985;
- You are married, or separated but not divorced;
- You have children who receive more than half of their support from you;
- You have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you;
- Both of your parents are deceased;
- You are (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court.
Note: This section loosely corresponds to "Section 2 - Student Dependency Status" of the 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. If you answered "Yes" to Pg.3, Questions 48, 50, 51, 52, or 53, then you may leave the parental section of the DiscoverScholars.org application blank.
You should answer these questions regardless of whether your legal guardian is not one of your parents, or whether you left your parents' name and address blank.
You may leave this section blank if your parent/guardian address is the same as your contact information above.
If home-schooled, then please enter "home-schooled."
If home-schooled, then you may leave this section blank.
Enter the number of years that you were homeschooled, from kindergarten through your final year of high school.
Please calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale using the DiscoverScholars.org GPA Calculator. Do not provide the GPA from your high school transcript.
To use the calculator, simply enter in the number of credits during high school for which you obtained each grade.
For example, suppose you had the following grades during high school: 5 As, 6 Bs (1 of which came in a two (2) credit course), 3 Cs, and 1 D.
You would then enter 5 next to the A in the grade calculator, 7 (5 1-crdit courses plus 1 2-credit course) B-credits, 3 C-credits, 1 D-credit, and 0 F-credits. Clicking compute will yield a 3.0 GPA. Enter this number into the "Overall GPA" box in the DiscoverScholars.org application.
Note that DiscoverScholars.org does not make a distinction between "regular" courses and "honors" or "AP" courses when calculating a student's GPA. We also do not distinguish between differing levels of a grade (e.g. B- vs. B+).
High School Junior and Senior Year GPA
Please calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale using the DiscoverScholars.org GPA Calculator.
Use the same procedure for figuring your GPA as you do for your Overall High School GPA, only calculate your GPA using those courses taken during your junior and senior year (ignore freshman and sophomore grades.)
If your school does not calculate a rank in class, then you may leave the rank field empty, filling in only your
You may leave the SAT score section blank if you have not taken the exam. Otherwise, please provide DiscoverScholars.org with your highest score on each section of the test. In addition, you must mail DiscoverScholars.org a copy of your official score report.
You may leave the ACT score section blank if you have not taken the exam. Otherwise, please provide DiscoverScholars.org with your highest score on each section of the test. In addition, you must mail DiscoverScholars.org a copy of your official score report.
Please use the following guide when selecting your enrollment status:
| Full-Time | At least 12 credit hours in a term or 24 clock hours per week |
| 3/4-Time | At least 9 credit hours in a term or 18 clock hours per week |
| Half-Time | At least 6 credit hours in a term or 12 clock hours per week |
| Less Than Half-Time | Fewer than 6 credit hours in a term or fewer than 12 clock hours per week |
If you have yet to declare a major, please indicate your intended major.
Please classify your major into one of the cateogries. If you are unsure of which category contains your major, you may search for your major here.
Use this field to enter in a second major, if you are double majoring. You may leave this question blank if you do not have a second major.
You may leave this question blank if you do not have any minors.
Please calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale using the DiscoverScholars.org GPA Calculator. Do not provide the GPA from your high school transcript.
To use the calculator, simply enter in the number of credits during college for which you obtained each grade.
For example, suppose you had the following grades during college: 5 As, 6 Bs (1 of which came in a two (2) credit course), 3 Cs, and 1 D.
You would then enter 5 next to the A in the grade calculator, 7 (5 1-crdit courses plus 1 2-credit course) B-credits, 3 C-credits, 1 D-credit, and 0 F-credits. Clicking compute will yield a 3.0 GPA. Enter this number into the "Overall GPA" box in the DiscoverScholars.org application.
Note that DiscoverScholars.org does not make a distinction between "regular" courses and "honors" or "AP" courses when calculating a student's GPA. We also do not distinguish between differing levels of a grade (e.g. B- vs. B+).
College GPA for Last 60 Credit Hours
Please calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale using the DiscoverScholars.org GPA Calculator.
Use the same procedure for figuring your GPA as you do for your Overall College GPA, only calculate your GPA using those courses that compromise your last 60 credit hours.
If you have taken fewer than 60 credit hours, then re-enter your Overall GPA in this field.
Please calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale using the DiscoverScholars.org GPA Calculator.
Use the same procedure for figuring your GPA as you do for your Overall College GPA, only calculate your GPA using only those courses that you have taken within your field of study.
Extracurricular Further Information
Use this space to describe any activities that you believe require additional detail or clarification.
Use this space to clarify any information about your awards that does not fit in the above fields.
Upload a résumé with the following information for each job you listed in the employment history section: (1) Employer name and address, (2) dates of employment, (3) job title, (4) summary of responsibilities, and (5) a reference with his or her contact information.
Note: Name your file as follows: FirstName-LastName-Resume.doc; do NOT use spaces in your file name. Only .doc or .rtf file extensions may be uploaded.
Your personal statement should be approximately one page in length (no more than 300 words), and should succinctly address the following topics: (1) Your academic and/or professional plans, including your reasons for studying at your chosen undergraduate institution, (2) the influence that your personal interests have had on your academic and/or career objectives, (3) the reasons why you wish to study a particular field, and (4) any relevent work or other experiences that have contributed to your academic and/or career goals.
Note: Name your file as follows: FirstName-LastName-PersonalStatement.doc; do NOT use spaces in your file name. Only .doc or .rtf file extensions may be uploaded.
Your essay response should be approximately two pages in length (no more than 600 words), and should succinctly address the following question:
Describe in detail a difficult challenge that you have had to overcome. Include why it was challenging, and how you addressed it. If you succeeded in overcoming the obstacle, explain how you did so, or if you did not succeed, explain what lessons you learned and what you might do differently next time.
Note: Name your file as follows: FirstName-LastName-Essay1.doc; do NOT use spaces in your file name. Only .doc or .rtf file extensions may be uploaded.
Your essay response should be approximately two pages in length (no more than 600 words), and should succinctly address the following question:
Discuss a person you personally admire. Explain what characteristics contribute to your feelings, as well as why those characteristics are admirable. The person you choose may be anyone you have met or not met, including historical figures or a person you know personally.
Note: Name your file as follows: FirstName-LastName-Essay2.doc; do NOT use spaces in your file name. Only .doc or .rtf file extensions may be uploaded.
Providing DiscoverScholars.org with your picture is requested, but not required. When a donor makes a contribution that we award to you, we will send your picture to the donor.
Please use the official tuition costs for the coming school year provided by your learning institution.
Please use the official estimate provided by your learning institution of your anticipated education-related expenses for the coming school year, including room and board, books, etc.
As with the Parent/Guardian Information section on page 1 of this application, you may leave the parent column blank if no parent or legal guardian can claim you as a dependent on their tax forms.
More specifically, you may leave the parent(s)/guardian(s) column blank if any of the following are true:
- You were born before January 1, 1986;
- You are married, or separated but not divorced;
- You have children who receive more than half of their support from you;
- You have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you;
- Both of your parents are deceased;
- You are (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court.
Note: This section loosely corresponds to "Section 2 - Student Dependency Status" of the 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. If you answered "Yes" to Pg.3, Questions 48, 49, 53, 54, or 55, then you may leave the parental section of the DiscoverScholars.org application blank.
"Total income" is defined as the applicant's (or parents') adjusted gross income for the most recent tax year.
This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.6, Question 36 (for the applicant) and Pg.5, Question 86 (for the applicant's parents).
"Total income" is defined as the applicant's (or parents') adjusted gross income for the most recent tax year.
This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.6, Question 36 (for the applicant) and Pg.5, Question 86 (for the applicant's parents).
"After-tax income" is defined as the applicant's (or parents') adjusted gross income for the most recent tax year, less any taxes paid during that tax year.
This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.6, Question 36 and Pg.7, Question 37 (for the applicant) and Pg.5, Questions 86 and 87 (for the applicant's parents).
"After-tax income" for the applicant is calculated by subtracting Q37 from Q36, and for the applicant's parents by subtracting Q87 from Q86.
This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.7, Questions 41, 42, and 43 (for the applicant) and Pg.5, Questions 91, 92, and 93 (for the applicant's parents).
"Current value of assets" for the applicant is calculated by adding together Q41, Q42, and Q43, and for the applicant's parents by summing Q91, Q92, and Q93.
In your total assets, please include:
- As of today, your (and your parents') total current balance in cash, savings, and checking accounts;
- As of today, the net worth of your (your parents') investments, including real estate (not your (their) home); and
- As of today, the net worth of your (your parents') current business and/or investment farms.
- Note: Do not include the value of a family farm that you (your spouse and/or your parents) live on and operate. Do not include the value of a small business that you (your spouse and/or your parents) own and control and that has 100 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees.
More information on what to count as investments:
- Investments include real estate (do not include the family home), trust funds, UGMA and UTMA accounts, money market funds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, stocks, stock options, bonds, other securities, Coverdell savings accounts, 529 college savings plans, the refund value of 529 prepaid tuition plans, installment and land sale contracts (including mortgages held), commodities, etc.
- Investment value means the current balance or market value of these investments as of today. Investment debt means only those debts that are related to the investments.
- Do not include the value of life insurance, retirement plans (pension funds, annuities, noneducation IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.)
- Business and/or investment farm value includes the market value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, inventory, etc. Business and/or investment farm debt means only those debts for which the business or investment farm was used as collateral.
People / College Students in Household
This question corresponds to 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Pg.6, Questions 96 and 97 (for the applicant) and Pg.5, Questions 75 and 76 (for the applicant's parents).
If you are still a dependent of your parents:
- Include in your parents’ household: (1) your parents and yourself, even if you don’t live with your parents, (2) your parents’ other children if (a) your parents will provide more than half of their support in the coming from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, or (b) the children could answer "No" to every question in Section 2 of the 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet, and (3) include other people only if they live with your parents, your parents provide more than half of their support, and your parents will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
- With regards to how many people in your parents' household will be college students in 2009-2010: Always count yourself. Do not include your parents. Include others only if they will attend college at least half-time in 2009-2010 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate.
- Enter "0" for both the number of people and number of college students in the applicant's household.
If you are no longer a dependent of your parents:
- Include in your household: (1) yourself (and your spouse, if you are married), (2) your children, if you will provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, and (3) other people if they now live with you, you provide more than half of their support, and you will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
- With regards to how many people in your household will be college students in 2009-2010: Always count yourself. Include others only if they will attend college at least half-time in 2009-2010 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate.
- Enter "0" for both the number of people and number of college students in your parents' household.
Please provide how much unrestricted grant money you were awarded by your undergraduate learning institution for the coming or current academic year.
Please provide how much funding you were awarded by your undergraduate learning institution in the form of loans that you must pay back for the coming or current academic year.
Please provide how much funding you were awarded by the government in the form of unrestricted grants for the coming or current academic year.
Please provide how much funding you were awarded by the government in the form of loans that you must pay back for the coming or current academic year.
Please provide how much funding you were awarded by other scholarship-granting organizations in the form of unrestricted grants for the coming or current academic year.
Please provide how much funding you were awarded by other scholarship-granting organizations in the form of loans that you must pay back for the coming or current academic year.