Research Questionnaire

Scholarships: A Research Questionnaire

When you register with national scholarship databases and search engines, you will be asked to enter demographic information and criteria that "describe" you, so that they can recommend specific scholarships that might fit you and your goals.

This questionnaire will help you focus your scholarship search, enter your criteria into scholarship search engines, and uncover resources, contacts, and opportunities to explore.

When you answer the questions, provide descriptions and details, not just "yes" or "no" answers.

  • Where do you live?
  • Where did you attend high school and/or earn a GED?
  • What colleges are you interested in attending this year and next?
  • Is there a certain region of the country or specific state(s) that you want to attend college in?
  • If you are employed, what organization do you work for?
  • For what organizations do/did your parents work?
  • Are you a veteran and/or a child or close relative of a veteran? From which branch of the service and in what war(s)?
  • Are you a student with a disability?
  • Do you identify with any ethnic/racial/cultural groups?
  • What other criteria might apply to you:  First generation college student? Parent? Single parent? LGBTQ+? Re-entry student? Undocumented? International student? Other demographics?
  • What college major or program of study are you pursuing?
  • What degree(s) will you earn?
  • What are your career goals?
  • What are your hobbies or extracurricular activities?
  • Do you belong to a religious organization?
  • Do you belong to any school clubs/groups, like TRiO, Phi Theta Kappa, etc.?
  • Are you or your parents a member of a trade group, club, union, or association?
  • Are you or your parents a member of a fraternity or sorority?
  • Are your parents alumni of a college or university?
  • What are some of the big companies or organizations where you live?
  • Do you or your parents belong to any service organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Elks, etc.?
  • What are some of the big companies or organizations where you live?

(Excerpts from Winning Scholarships for College by Marianne Ragins, 1999)