Private scholarships offer an amazing variety of awards, each with unique eligibility requirements. These scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars to thousands and can sometimes be renewed for several years. Because scholarships organizations aim to further the interests of their contributors, each organization chooses the eligibility qualifications. You must match the scholarship and the student applicant. These are the most common factors considered in selecting scholarship recipients.

Academic Achievement: This category examines grades, level of course work, test scores, and exceptional skills in specific fields. Academic grades may be a large or small part of the final decision. Students with lower grades should not rule out scholarship options where grades are may be a smaller part of the final decision.

Career Interests: Students who plan to major in specific career fields may be awarded scholarships by academic departments, private foundations or employers.

Financial Need: Financial need can often be a determining factor in many scholarships. Variation exists in defining financial need so students may be classified as needy for one award, but not another. Some scholarships clearly define the term "financial need." Others allow the applicant or school to make that determination.

School, Community, and Leadership Activities: A review of participation in community organizations and employment history are considered. Here, the extent to which you are committed and involved in these activities is most important. How you make a difference when you choose to be involved is a reflection of leadership.

Special Populations: This category may include racial or ethnic groups, religious affiliations, the physically challenged, children of alumni and others.

Special Skills or Talents: Music, drama, art and athletics are major areas for which these awards are granted. Usually there are added procedures for these merit scholarships, either submitting a portfolio, an audition, meeting with coaches, etc.

In addition to the criteria listed for selection, the application is also evaluated on other subjective factors. The application itself, its neatness and completeness, makes a definite impression on the reader. The ability to follow the application's directions (as to format or content) should not be underestimated. Well-written personal statements or letters of recommendation very often sway the judges. When there are many qualified applicants, judges look at small differences to select recipients.