The world’s #1 Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid

7.2. Transcripts

Transcripts are a core component of most scholarship applications because they provide a verifiable record of your academic performance. Here’s how to manage them effectively:

(a)  Request Official or Unofficial Transcripts from Your School

• What’s the Difference? 

  • Official Transcripts: These are sealed, signed, or electronically certified documents sent directly from your school to the scholarship provider (or given to you in a sealed envelope to forward). They’re typically required for competitive or large scholarships.

  • Unofficial Transcripts: These are printouts or PDFs from your school’s student portal, often acceptable for smaller or less formal scholarships. Always check the application guidelines to see which type is needed.

• How to Request Them: 

  • High School Students: Visit your guidance counselor’s office or the registrar. Some schools use online platforms like Parchment or Naviance—create an account if needed. Request early, as processing can take 3-10 business days.

  • College Students: Log into your university’s student portal (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas) or contact the registrar’s office. Many schools charge a small fee ($5-15) per official transcript, so budget for this.

  • Timing: Allow at least two weeks for official transcripts, especially during busy periods like semester ends. Unofficial ones are usually instant if available online.

• Delivery Options: 

  • Direct to Scholarship: Some schools send transcripts electronically or by mail to the scholarship address—provide the exact mailing details or email from the application.

  • To You: If you’re submitting everything together, request a sealed copy and resist the urge to peek—breaking the seal can void its “official” status.

• Pro Tip: Keep a digital or physical copy of your unofficial transcript handy for reference. It’s useful for filling out forms or double-checking your GPA.

   

(b)  Ensure Your GPA Meets the Scholarship’s Minimum Requirement

• Why It Matters: Many scholarships set a GPA floor (e.g., 3.0 or higher) to filter applicants. Falling short, even by a tenth of a point, can disqualify you unless the rules allow exceptions (e.g., “or equivalent achievement”).

• How to Check: 

  • Locate Your GPA: Look at your most recent transcript—schools typically list both cumulative GPA (overall) and term GPA (per semester). Use the cumulative unless the scholarship specifies otherwise.

  • Weighted vs. Unweighted: Some high schools provide both (weighted includes honors/AP boosts; unweighted doesn’t). Scholarships usually want unweighted unless they say “weighted GPA” explicitly—call or email to clarify if unsure.

  • Calculate If Needed: If your transcript is old and you’ve completed a term since, manually calculate your GPA with new grades. Use an online GPA calculator or this formula: (Sum of grade points ÷ Total credits). Grade points are typically A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, etc.

• What If You’re Close?: If your GPA is borderline (e.g., 2.95 for a 3.0 requirement), check if the scholarship rounds up or considers “upward trends” (improving grades over time). Highlight this in your essay if allowed.

• Special Cases: 

  • Homeschooled Students: Provide a transcript prepared by your parent/educator, signed and notarized if possible. Include a course list and grading scale.

  • International Students: You may need a credential evaluation (e.g., via WES) to convert your grades to a U.S. GPA scale—start this months ahead, as it’s slow.

• Pro Tip: If your GPA barely misses the mark but you excel elsewhere (e.g., leadership, test scores), contact the scholarship office. Some have wiggle room for compelling cases.

   

(c) Additional Tips

• Verify Accuracy: Before submitting, scan your transcript for errors (wrong grades, missing courses). Dispute mistakes with your school ASAP—corrections take time.

• Multiple Scholarships: Order extra official transcripts if applying to several awards—it’s cheaper than requesting one at a time.

• Digital Submissions: If uploading online, ensure the file is legible (scan at 300 DPI) and meets size/format rules (e.g., PDF under 5MB).

Handling transcripts right keeps your application on track and showcases your academic credibility. Don’t let delays or oversights trip you up!