Scholarship CV Example
Crafted for students applying for academic scholarships and bursaries. Presents your outstanding academic record, extracurricular achievements, and alignment with the scholarship provider's values and mission.
Recommended template: ExecutivePro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Tailor your CV to the specific scholarship criteria, directly addressing the values and qualities they seek.
- Highlight academic awards, prizes, and exceptional grades that distinguish you from other applicants.
- Include community service, volunteering, and leadership activities that demonstrate your character.
- Show how the scholarship will enable you to achieve your academic and career goals with specificity.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Scholarship CV
A scholarship CV must demonstrate that you are an exceptional candidate who aligns closely with the scholarship provider's values and objectives. Selection panels look beyond grades — they want evidence of leadership, community impact, and a clear sense of purpose. Your CV should present a compelling narrative of academic excellence combined with meaningful contributions to your community, showing that the scholarship investment will enable you to achieve goals that benefit both you and others.
CV Structure
Lead with your education and academic achievements, followed by leadership and community involvement, then any relevant work experience and skills. Include a dedicated section for awards and recognitions. If the scholarship has specific criteria — such as community service or financial need — ensure these are addressed prominently. Keep the CV to one or two pages with a clear, well-organised layout.
CV Format
Use a clean, professional template that conveys seriousness and maturity. Scholarship selection panels review many applications, so clarity and readability are essential. Avoid graphics, colours, or unconventional formats. Use consistent heading styles and bullet points throughout. Submit as a PDF unless the application form specifies otherwise.
CV Profile Examples
Academic Scholarship Applicant
High-achieving BSc Mathematics student at the University of Edinburgh with a first-class average across all four semesters and the recipient of the departmental Academic Excellence Award. Active participant in the university mathematics society, organising weekly problem-solving workshops attended by 40 students. Committed to pursuing a career in actuarial science and seeking scholarship support to focus fully on advanced study and professional qualification preparation.
Community-Focused Scholarship Applicant
Dedicated student leader with a 2:1 in Social Policy from the University of Birmingham, combining strong academic performance with extensive community engagement. Founded a student-led mentoring programme for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting 25 mentees over two years. Recipient of the Vice Chancellor's Award for Community Impact and seeking a scholarship to fund master's study in Public Health and Social Justice.
International Scholarship Applicant
Ambitious undergraduate in International Relations at the University of St Andrews with a strong academic record and cross-cultural experience from a year abroad at Sciences Po Paris. Fluent in English, French, and conversational Mandarin. Served as president of the international students' association, organising cultural events for 300 members. Applying for a prestigious scholarship to pursue postgraduate study in diplomacy and conflict resolution.
State your degree, institution, and academic standing. Mention your key extracurricular contribution and the specific scholarship you are applying for. Express your academic and career goals in one sentence. Keep the profile focused on why you are a strong candidate for this particular scholarship.
Key Skills for Your Scholarship CV
Academic Achievement
Consistently achieving outstanding grades and academic recognition through rigorous study and intellectual commitment.
Community Involvement
Actively contributing to communities through volunteering, outreach, and social impact initiatives that address genuine needs.
Leadership
Leading teams, organisations, and projects with clear vision, effective communication, and the ability to inspire others.
Volunteer Work
Dedicating time and skills to causes that benefit others, demonstrating selflessness and a commitment to social responsibility.
Public Speaking
Delivering confident presentations and speeches to academic, professional, and community audiences.
Goal Setting
Setting clear, ambitious academic and personal goals and developing structured plans to achieve them.
Self-Discipline
Managing time, workload, and commitments effectively to maintain high academic performance alongside extracurricular activities.
Cultural Awareness
Engaging respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in academic and community settings.
Fundraising
Securing financial support for projects and initiatives through grant applications, sponsorship approaches, and community fundraising.
Work Experience Examples
Focus on leadership roles, volunteer work, and community initiatives rather than paid employment (unless it is directly relevant). For each entry, describe your role, responsibilities, and measurable impact. Scholarship panels are particularly interested in initiative — programmes you founded, events you organised, or communities you served. Quantify your impact wherever possible.
Founder & Coordinator
BrightPath Student Mentoring Programme
Founded and coordinated a university-based mentoring programme matching student volunteers with Year 10 and Year 11 pupils from underrepresented backgrounds across three secondary schools in Birmingham.
Responsibilities
- Recruited, trained, and managed a team of 15 student volunteer mentors, providing guidance on safeguarding, communication, and mentoring techniques.
- Designed a structured mentoring curriculum covering study skills, career aspiration workshops, and university preparation sessions.
- Liaised with school leadership teams to arrange access, schedule sessions, and report on programme outcomes each term.
- Secured £3,500 in funding from the university's community engagement office and a local charitable trust to cover programme materials and transport costs.
- Collected and analysed participant feedback to evaluate programme impact and refine delivery for subsequent cohorts.
Achievements
- Supported 25 mentees over two academic years, with 88% reporting increased confidence in their ability to apply to university.
- Programme was recognised with the Vice Chancellor's Award for Community Impact and adopted as a formally supported student society.
Mathematics Workshop Facilitator
University of Edinburgh Mathematics Society
Organised and facilitated weekly problem-solving workshops for undergraduate mathematics students, creating a collaborative learning environment outside formal lectures.
Responsibilities
- Prepared problem sets covering topics from real analysis, linear algebra, and combinatorics at varying difficulty levels.
- Facilitated group discussions and guided students through challenging problems without providing direct solutions.
- Promoted workshops through social media and departmental notice boards, growing attendance from 12 to 40 students over one academic year.
- Collected feedback from participants and adjusted content difficulty and format based on their suggestions.
Achievements
- Grew weekly workshop attendance by 230% over one academic year through effective promotion and consistently high-quality sessions.
- Received the Mathematics Society Outstanding Contribution Award for commitment to peer learning and academic community building.
Education & Qualifications
Include your degree with classification or average grade, institution, and key modules. List academic prizes, honours, and any Dean's List or departmental awards. If your dissertation or research project is relevant to the scholarship's focus, include it with methodology and findings. Mention study-abroad experience or additional qualifications that broaden your academic profile.
First-Class Honours Degree
Highest UK undergraduate degree classification, demonstrating exceptional academic performance across all modules.
Vice Chancellor's Award
University-level recognition of outstanding contribution to community engagement, leadership, or academic achievement.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
National youth achievement programme recognising sustained commitment to volunteering, physical activity, skills development, and expedition.
Language Qualifications
Formal certifications in additional languages demonstrating cultural competence and international preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tailor my CV for a specific scholarship?
Should I include financial information on a scholarship CV?
How important are extracurricular activities for scholarship applications?
What achievements should I highlight on a scholarship CV?
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