Reusable Materials 37: Questions About Reusable Applications

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Janie applied for scholarships using a master application in her Google drive. She loved the ability to access her master application everywhere she accessed the Internet. It helped that all of the scholarship applications were also online on the Internet. She continually updated her master application as she found new questions on applications. She also added new home run or value statements as she expanded her service, leadership, academics, and creative talents. She saved lots of time applying because of her master application and earned $123,000 in scholarships.

Q: Why create so many answers when applications use pop-ups?

A: Good question! We agree that you will encounter more pop-up answers than in the past. We also perceive the trend will increase as web technology evolves. Typically, pop-ups simplify processing applications for the scholarship committees. They allow committees to sort and use more information than a simple text field.

You will find pop-ups in the questions involving

• Dates: birthday, school dates, employment dates, and other dates
• Institutions are increasingly used in a pop-up for high schools and colleges, even elementary schools
• Majors and minors in school
• States and countries also appear in pop-ups

Q: Am I giving personal information to someone who will sell it?

A: Legitimate scholarship applications will protect your information with all their security.

• Most online applications will use solid encryption software to protect your information
• Information given directly to schools are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Schools may not divulge or share the information.
• Unfortunately, many scholarship scams will embed a privacy release in the terms of use. You may give away some of your protections if you do not read the releases carefully.
• We still recommend clicking “No Thanks” every time you see it on an application or they will sell your information
• Consult with your high school or college financial aid counselor, or previous scholarship winners, if you have doubts

Saturday we share a warning about changes we see coming in financial aid for college

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