Scholarships: Questions and Answers

GENERAL FAQS

Scholarship Universe

What is Scholarship Universe?

Scholarship Universe (SU) is our scholarship-matching tool for admitted Kent State University students. It is a one stop shop for all your scholarship needs. Scholarship Universe is our way of helping you make college affordable and can help you find a variety of different scholarships in one place based on the following information: major, academic standing/achievements, financial need, activities, interests and more!

How do I log in to Scholarship Universe?

Kent State University students can log in to Scholarship Universe with their FlashLine credentials by clicking on the Student Login button on the website.

Do I have to be a student at Kent State University to use Scholarship Universe?

Yes, you will need to be admitted to the Kent State University and have established your FlashLine credentials (email and password) in order to log in to Scholarship Universe. Individuals including parents or prospective students who have not been admitted yet to Kent State can also access our ScholarshipUniverse public page.

What types of scholarships are available on Scholarship Universe?

There are several types of scholarships available! You can find scholarships based on your major, minor, college, department, regional campus, academic merits, financial need, hobbies, interests, affiliations, and more. Scholarships can come from two different sources. School Scholarships are internal and are offered by various departments across campus. External Scholarships are available by sources outside of Kent State University. These can be offered from local, state, or national organizations. Every scholarship posted in Scholarship Universe comes from a reliable source.

How do I start using Scholarship Universe to find scholarships?

You first need to complete your student profile by answering several matching questions. These questions are designed to match you with scholarships for which you are eligible. It is recommended that you answer all profile questions before reviewing your scholarship matches.

How often should I visit Scholarship Universe?

It is recommended that you log in to Scholarship Universe at least once a week to stay up to date on any new scholarships that are posted and apply before their deadline. During the peak scholarship application season typically, mid fall semester (October) through mid-spring semester (March), it is recommended to log in more frequently.

Can I search for a specific scholarship?

Yes! You can click on the Scholarships tab and then select the Sort/Filter option on the top right corner. You can sort by internal School Scholarships, search by name. When using the filter function, a filter box will pop up, from there you can type the specific scholarships you are looking for or filter by organization etc.

How many profile questions do I have to answer?

It depends! The more profile questions you answer, the more streamlined the process is, the more targeted the applications are, and the more scholarships you might be matched to now and in the future. If you have new profile questions to answer, you will see a green bar on your Dashboard. You can also view the questions you have already answered and update them by clicking on the Questions tab.

What are my chances of actually getting a scholarship?

Every year, millions of scholarship dollars are awarded to Kent State University students. While receiving a scholarship is not guaranteed, you can increase your chances by applying to as many scholarships as you can.

Can I be awarded more than one scholarship? Is there a maximum amount I can receive? How much are these scholarships typically for?

Yes! Millions of scholarship dollars are awarded to thousands of Kent State University students every year. Award amounts can vary and can typically be combined with other merit scholarships and financial aid awards. However, a student may not receive aid that exceeds their cost of attendance.

How do I edit my profile questions?

It's easy to make changes to your profile questions in 3 easy steps. First, click on the Questions tab from the menu on the left. Second, filter for the question or a keyword. Third, click on the pencil icon to edit your response. 

How do I request a Letter of Recommendation for a scholarship?

If a scholarship application requires that you request a Letter of Recommendation, you can do this directly through Scholarship Universe. Please be sure to ask your recommender before completing your application. Let them know to expect an email from Scholarship Universe with instructions on how to upload your letter.

I submitted my application already. Can I make edits to my essays or upload a different document?

Yes, you can edit your submitted application such as essay responses as long as the scholarship is still open. Once the deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to make edits. We highly recommend reviewing all documents and essays thoroughly at the time of submission. After the first submission of the Application, Documents that are attached to the Application are not editable.

When will I hear back about the scholarship I applied for in Scholarship Universe?

Since each department/campus is responsible for reviewing applications, the awarding timeline will vary. Generally, the review period begins once the deadline closes and most of them wrap up during late spring through early summer term or before the fall semester begins. If you are selected for a scholarship, you will receive an email from Scholarship Universe informing you of any potential next steps such as submitting a Thank You Letter. You may also receive a separate communication from the awarding department with additional information. 

How do I check the status of my application?

To check the status of a scholarship, navigate to the Scholarships tab from the menu and then select the Application Submitted tab. From there, you can see the status of the scholarship you applied to. If the scholarship does not appear on this page, this means the scholarship review process has been completed for this scholarship. 

I received an email stating I have to provide a Thank You Letter or Accept my Award in order to receive my scholarship, how do I do this?

Any outstanding tasks that you are required to complete such as Thank You Letters or Award Acceptance can be done directly from your Scholarship Universe profile under the Action Required section of your Dashboard. Follow the prompts to submit your Thank You Letter or Accept Your Award by the deadline posted.

How do I know if I am subscribed to emails and text messages?

You can check to see if you are subscribed by clicking on your name on the upper right-hand corner and clicking on Profile. You can view your Communication preferences to see if you are subscribed and adjust your preferences accordingly.

I keep getting emails about scholarship application(s) still requiring follow up. How do I check on that?

Log back into ScholarshipUniverse and look at your dashboard. There are different tabs that tell you which scholarships you match to, partially match to, do not match to and have already submitted an application for, etc.

I’m having technical difficulties with Scholarship Universe. Who do I reach out to?

For general inquiries about Kent State University scholarships in Scholarship Universe, feel free to email the Scholarships Office at scholarships@kent.edu. For any technical difficulties, we recommend you contact the Scholarship Universe Support Team by submitting Feedback. Please be specific in describing your situation and include as much detail as possible, including error codes if applicable, so that the team can work quickly to resolve the issue. Once your feedback has been submitted, you may be asked to provide screenshots and other helpful information to allow the Scholarship Universe Support Team to provide you with the best support they can.