Resumes and CVs for scholarships are different from those for jobs. There are many students who make this mistake here.
A job CV asks, “Is this person capable of doing the job? ”
When evaluating a scholarship CV, the question is, “Is this person worth investing in? ”
A scholarship committee uses your CV to assess your academic strength, leadership potential, consistency, and growth. Before reading your essay, they often read your CV. Your CV will already be disadvantageous if it is weak, cluttered, or confusing.
You will learn how to create a scholarship-focused resume or CV that stands out. The course will teach you how to structure your application for different levels of study while aligning your experience with what scholarship panels are looking for. Also included are practical templates and checklists that you can use over and over again.
Now is the time to build this properly.
Do Resumes and CVs differ when it comes to applying for scholarships?
In order to write anything, we need to clarify a few terms.
- Resume: A concise, achievement-driven resume is usually one to two pages long
- CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed, 2–4 pages (sometimes more for PhDs/research).
For scholarships:
- Most master’s degree programs and undergraduate scholarships accept CVs or resumes
- PhD and research-intensive scholarships prefer detailed academic CVs
It is important that you read the scholarship instructions carefully. If they request a CV, do not submit a casual resume.
The key features of a CV for scholarship committees
Scholarship reviewers scan your CV very quickly. For them, signals are more important than perfection.
Among the signals are:
- Academic performance consistency and progression
- Leadership and initiative
- Beyond the classroom: impact
- Your commitment to your field
- It indicates maturity and responsibility
- Matching the scholarship’s mission
The following are some of the things they are not impressed with:
- Fancy designs
- Long paragraphs
- Irrelevant work experience
- Inflated titles with no substance
Clarity beats creativity.
Step 1: Decide on the right length and format
Level-appropriate length of study
- Scholarships for high school students / undergraduates: 1–2 pages
- Scholarships for master’s degrees: 1 to 2 pages
- Scholarships for PhDs / research: 2–4 pages
Reviewers may not read your CV if it is too long.
Here are the most important formatting guidelines
- Choose a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
- Font size: 10.5–12
- Clear section headings
- Consistent spacing
- PDF format unless stated otherwise
Avoid:
- Graphics
- Photos (unless explicitly required)
- Colours and icons
- Tables that break formatting
Step 2: Prepare a well-organized scholarship CV
Follow a logical sequence when creating a scholarship CV. It is recommended to follow the following structure.
Sections of a CV most likely to appear on a scholarship application
- Personal information
- Education
- Awards and achievements in academics
- Research, projects, or coursework (if relevant)
- Extracurricular activities and leadership
- Work or volunteer experience
- Skills
- Certifications and training
- Publications (if any)
- Referees (if requested)
The entire section may not be necessary for you. Describe what strengthens your profile.
Step 3: Prioritize your education section (this is the most important part)
Scholarship applications prioritize education over work experience.
Among them are:
- Institution name
- Degree or qualification
- Field of study
- Dates (start–end or expected graduation)
- CGPA or class of degree (if strong)
- Relevant coursework (optional)
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Economics
University of XYZ
2019 – 2023
CGPA: 4.45 / 5.00
If your grades improved over time, that’s a positive signal.
For high school students:
Include WAEC/NECO/IGCSE details only if requested or relevant.
Step 4: Emphasize academic achievements and awards
The purpose of this section is to distinguish between strong and average candidates.
Include:
- Scholarships previously won
- Academic awards
- Dean’s list recognition
- Competition wins
- Research grants (if any)
Example:
- Awarded Dean’s List for the Faculty of Social Sciences in the years 2021 and 2022
- An award for the best final year project from the Department of Economics
Be careful not to exaggerate. The only thing you should list is what you can explain if asked.
Step 5: Prepare your research, coursework, or project from a strategic perspective
This section is particularly important if you fall into the following categories:
- Master’s scholarships
- PhD scholarships
- STEM, research, or academic-focused programs
Include:
- Final year projects
- Group or individual research
- Major coursework projects
- Theses or dissertations
Example:
Final Year Research Project
“Assessing the Impact of Microfinance on Small Businesses”
- Conducted survey-based research with 120 respondents
- Analysed data using SPSS
- Findings presented to departmental panel
This shows depth, not just titles.
Step 6: Demonstrate leadership and extracurricular activities (This Matters a Lot)
Scholarship committees care deeply about leadership, but not just titles.
Good leadership entries show:
- Initiative
- Responsibility
- Impact
Structure each entry like this:
- Role
- Organisation
- Dates
- What you did
- Outcome or impact
Example:
President, Economics Students Association
2022 – 2023
- Coordinated academic workshops for over 150 students
- Led a peer mentoring program that improved first-year pass rates
Avoid vague entries like:
“Active member of student association”
Step 7: Describe your work and volunteer experience (Only If Relevant)
Work experience is valuable if it:
- Relates to your field
- Shows responsibility
- Demonstrates transferable skills
Include:
- Job title
- Organisation
- Dates
- Key responsibilities and outcomes
Example:
Research Assistant (Part-time)
ABC Policy Institute
2022
- Participated in the collection and analysis of data for a study on education policy
- Contributed to the literature review and drafting of the report
Volunteer work should be treated professionally.
Step 8: Identify the skills that matter for scholarship applications
Your skills section should support your academic and career goals.
Good skill categories:
- Research skills
- Technical skills
- Language skills
- Analytical tools
- Software proficiency
Example:
Skills
- Data analysis (SPSS, Excel)
- Academic writing and referencing
- Public speaking and presentations
- Basic Python for data analysis
Avoid generic soft skills without context like:
“Hardworking, team player, fast learner”
Step 9: Certifications and training (if applicable)
Include:
- Online courses
- Professional training
- Workshops
- Short programs
Only list relevant ones.
Example:
- Introduction to Research Methods, Coursera
- Project Management Fundamentals, Google
Step 10: Publications and conferences (if applicable)
Most postgraduate applicants fill out this section, which is optional.
Include:
- Journal articles
- Conference papers
- Posters
- Preprints
Example:
- “Youth Employment and Policy Reform,” XYZ Journal, 2023
If you don’t have publications, don’t force this section.
Step 11: Referees (Follow the instructions carefully)
Some scholarships want referees listed, others don’t.
If requested, include:
- Name
- Position
- Institution
- Email address
Do not list referees without informing them first.
The most common mistakes to avoid when writing a scholarship CV
Many good students are rejected because of these mistakes:
- Using a job CV without adaptation
- Listing irrelevant work experience
- Writing long paragraphs instead of bullet points
- Inflating titles or responsibilities
- Poor formatting and spelling errors
- Leaving gaps unexplained
- Including false or unverifiable claims
Your CV should be honest and easy to verify.
Template 1: CV Structure for Scholarships (Editable)
Use this as a base template.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name
Email | Phone | Country
EDUCATION
Degree, Field
Institution
Dates
CGPA / Class (if strong)
RECENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
PROJECTS / RESEARCH
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP
EXPERIENCE IN WORK / VOLUNTEERING
SKILLS
TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS
(If any) PUBLICATIONS
Referees (if required)
Template 2: Scholarship CV Checklist
Before submitting, please use this.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIP CVS
- My CV length is appropriate for my study level
- There is clarity and accuracy in the education section
- Specific and verifiable achievements
- Not just titles, but leadership roles demonstrate impact
- My goals require relevant skills
- The formatting is clean and professional
- No spelling or grammar errors
- The CV aligns with the essays and application I submitted
- With a proper file name, saved as a PDF
Your CV is strong if you check most of these boxes.
Tips for Tailoring Your CV for Scholarships
Don’t send the same CV everywhere.
Adjust as follows:
- Section order
- Leadership vs. research emphasis
- Highlighted skills
- Highlights of achievements
As an example:
- Leadership-focused scholarships → leadership first
- Research scholarships → research first
- Development scholarships → community impact first
A small change can make a big difference.
A Real-Life Example: What a Difference a Strong CV Entry Can Make
Weak:
Volunteer
- Contributed to the community
- Program participation
Strong:
Tutor at the Community Learning Center as a volunteer
- Tutored six secondary school students in mathematics on a weekly basis
- Improved pass rates by supporting exam preparation
Specificity always wins.
In conclusion, CVs are strategic documents
CVs for scholarships do not contain a history of everything you have accomplished. The following is a strategic summary of what makes you a good investment.
Your CV strengthens the other parts of your application due to its clarity, honesty, and alignment.