One of the most common criteria for selecting scholarship recipients is their academic record. The most common measurements of a student's academic record are grade point averages and standardized test scores. Many scholarships are limited to students who have a minimum grade point average or score on a standardized test, such as the SAT or ACT.
Many scholarships require that a student demonstrate financial need by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or by providing financial information, such as student or parent tax returns. If a student or their parent makes too much money, they may be declared ineligible for some scholarships.
Many scholarships are awarded on the basis of a student's character. A sense of a student's character is communicated to scholarship committees by different avenues, including letters of reference, documentation of involvement in community or extracurricular activities, and personal or phone interviews.
Other criteria may limit the number of students who are eligible to receive scholarships. Some scholarships are intended for students of a particular race or ethnicity, a particular gender, or a particular sexual orientation. Scholarships also may be limited to students who are majoring in a specific area of study, or to students in a certain year, such as scholarships limited to freshmen. Other scholarships are limited to undergraduate students, master's students, or Ph.D. candidates. Scholarships also may be reserved for residents of a certain nation, state, county, city or geographical region.