We get this question a lot from donors: “Who are the students applying for these scholarships?”

The short answer? They’re real, ambitious, and incredibly driven. Many of them are first-generation college students, caregivers, athletes, volunteers, or working part-time while studying full-time. When you fund a scholarship, you’re supporting someone with grit, goals, and a powerful story—and we make sure of that.

Here’s a quick look behind the scenes at what students experience on Bold.org, what kind of information we collect, and how we ensure your scholarship reaches students who are motivated and deserving.

When a student creates a Bold.org account, they complete a detailed profile—kind of like a hybrid between a scholarship application, academic resume, and personal portfolio. Some information is visible on their public profile, but a lot is kept private. Even if you don’t see it, we do. That helps us match students accurately and verify eligibility. Here’s a quick breakdown of what they share:

Arielle Woolman is a Bold.org star-student whose dream is to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Her profile shows:

Her unique profile link: https://bold.org/students/arielle-woolman/

Arielle is one of millions of students on the platform with an inspiring story.

Student profiles are a big part of getting to know your applicants.

Just because something isn’t listed on a student’s public profile doesn’t mean we haven’t collected it. Students can choose to hide information like GPA or income status, but we still use those details internally for eligibility checks, matching, and review.

Students don’t scroll through a long list of scholarships. Instead, we surface scholarships that they’re eligible for based on the info above—so when someone applies, it’s the right mutual fit. We also verify awardees before any funds are released. That includes confirming school enrollment, age eligibility, and in some cases, financial aid documents.

On the student profile you'll notice “Bold Points”. Students earn Bold Points by: completing and updating their profile, applying early to scholarships, referring friends, taking part in surveys or engagement campaigns with their schools. These aren’t grades or rankings, but they do reflect initiative. Some scholarships prioritize students with higher Bold Points because it signals engagement and effort.

Students 18 or older can apply for the Bold Visa® Debit Card—a free, student-first debit card that encourages good financial habits. Perks include rewards for using it on tuition, loan payments, and other education-related expenses.

In some cases, scholarship awards can be sent directly to the card, giving students faster access and more flexibility. It’s especially helpful for those without reliable bank access or navigating shared financial situations. For many students, it also removes common headaches—like lost checks, delayed processing, or schools reducing their need-based aid. This disbursement option puts funds directly in students’ hands, giving them the control they need to succeed. Learn more →