Question 1

Does Renaissance accept printed/mailed applications?

Accepted Answer

No. As of September 2019, our application is solely available through our online application. If you absolutely cannot submit an online application, please reach out to info@rscholars.org ask about other options.

Question 2

What are the application components?

Accepted Answer

Please see The Renaissance Scholars Program page for application components.

Question 3

How do I know if my recommenders have completed their letters?

Accepted Answer

See a visual guide here.

After logging into Reviewr, look under “Submission Summary.” Next to your name, it will say “Pending” if you are missing one or both recommendations. If it says “Ready,” your recommendations are both submitted and your app is complete.
 
We recommend sending your requests as soon as possible. It is polite to give recommenders at least two weeks before the deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure your recommenders submit their letters by the February 1st/May 1st deadline, or your application will be considered incomplete.

Question 4

Who should I ask to write my letter of recommendation?

Accepted Answer

There are two letters of recommendation required for our application. We recommend sending your requests as soon as possible. It is polite to give recommenders at least two weeks. You can (and should!) request recommendations before you submit your application.  
 
The first letter should come from an educational source. This is someone who can speak to your academic abilities and readiness for college coursework. You can ask a teacher, professor, counselor, principal.  
 
The second letter can be from any source that is not a family member or friend. You want to ask someone who can write positive sentiments and can speak to your character and abilities to succeed. This letter can be from another teacher, counselor, coach, work supervisor, or mentor.  
 
If you are having trouble thinking of someone to ask, reach out to your guidance counselor and they can help you brainstorm potential recommenders.

Question 5

Where can I find a copy of my transcripts?

Accepted Answer

Transcripts do not need to be official and should be free to acquire. You can request an electronic (PDF) copy if your school provides this option. Most colleges and high schools also allow you to access transcripts online and download PDFs from your student portal. If your school doesn’t provide an electronic copy, paper transcripts should be scanned and saved onto your computer, then uploaded to your online application. If you do not have access to a printer, you can take a clear photo of your transcript and upload that.   
 
If you have questions please reach out to info@rscholars.org.

Question 6

Do I have to submit my high school transcript if I am a college student?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We request all applicants submit their high school transcript, as it helps us to see a larger picture of your academic history. This is especially helpful for newer college students, who might only have one term of grades on their college transcript. We understand that many excellent college students may have had some academic challenges during high school. While it is nice to see a strong high school transcript, we are most interested in seeing that you have improved and challenged yourself in college.     
 
If you are unable to obtain your high school transcript, please contact info@rscholars.org for more information.

Question 7

Where can I find a copy of my FAFSA Submission Summary that lists my SAI?

Accepted Answer

Students can find a copy of their FAFSA Submission Summary (previously called Student Aid Report or SAR) by logging in to FAFSA.gov.

After submitting the FAFSA, students should be able to access a confirmation email or submission summary screen. Students may not be able to view the submission screen until all contributors (usually the student's parents) have completed their portion of the FAFSA. For the purposes of our application, students should submit a screenshot of a confirmation screen or email which includes their name, submission date, Pell eligibility, and SAI number.

See an example of what we accept here. See FAFSA.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Question 8

What should I do if I am worried about filing the FAFSA or ORSAA due to citizenship status privacy concerns?

Accepted Answer

If you are not filing a FAFSA (or other financial aid application) this year due to concern about revealing personal citizenship information for yourself or a parent, please reach out to RSP at info@rscholars.org to learn about how to fill out the application correctly.

Question 9

I do not qualify for the FAFSA, what documents should I submit for the financial section?

Accepted Answer

If you are not eligible to file the FAFSA (due to citizenship status or another reason), we will use the federal reduced price lunch criteria (185% the federal poverty guideline) to determine your financial need eligibility. You can view those numbers by family size here.

If you filed an ORSAA or Alternative Application, upload a copy which lists your SAI. See an example here. 
If you are not eligible to file an ORSAA or Alternative Application, upload a copy of your family’s most recent tax paperwork (tax form 1040 or similar).  
If you are not eligible to file an ORSAA or Alternative Application and your family did not file taxes, please upload a Word document estimating your household income and explaining your financial circumstances.  
International students: Please submit your I-20 form or other financial documentation that was submitted to your U.S. college.

Question 10

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with my essays or other sections of the application?

Accepted Answer

No, all writing submitted in your application must be your own work. It cannot be written by another individual or created/revised using artificial intelligence (for example, ChatGPT). Any applicant who is found to be using work that is not their own will be disqualified.

Question 11

How can I tell if the correct document has been uploaded to my application?

Accepted Answer

If you are editing your application, look for the blue button next to the question. If the text says “Upload,” then you have not uploaded a document. If the button says “Remove,” then you have uploaded a document successfully. Next to the button, you can see the name you gave your file. If you do not see your document name, it did not upload. The file might be too large or an invalid file type.

Question 12

What happens after I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

After you have input all required information and uploaded all the required documents, you will submit your application. However, your application is not considered complete until both of your recommenders have submitted their letters. Find out more about tracking letters of recommendation here.
 
 It is your responsibility to ensure your recommenders submit their letters by the February 1st/May 1st deadline, or your application will be considered incomplete.   
 
Our scholarship selection committee members read and score the applications to determine which students will become finalists. Depending on total application scores, some finalists will be interviewed by the committee, while some may be selected as Renaissance Scholars without an interview. All applicants are informed of the final decision via email.

Frequently Asked Questions