How we find your best matches
ScholarSearch AI uses a two-step process to surface the scholarships most relevant to you.
Step 1 — Eligibility filter
Before any AI involvement, we apply a strict eligibility check. Scholarships are automatically removed from your results if:
- Their minimum GPA is higher than yours
- They require a specific major and yours doesn't match
- They are restricted to a state other than yours
- Their deadline has already passed
This keeps your results focused on scholarships you can actually win — and makes the AI's job much more accurate.
Step 2 — AI ranking
The filtered list is evaluated by our AI along with your complete profile. For each scholarship, the AI returns:
- Match score (0–100) — how well your profile fits the scholarship's stated criteria
- Plain-English explanation — a concise reason why you're a good (or borderline) candidate
- Matched criteria — the specific eligibility points you satisfy
What makes a high match score?
- Your GPA meets or exceeds the minimum requirement
- Your activities are directly relevant to the scholarship's focus area
- Your background or identity aligns with the scholarship's mission
- Your state is listed as a preferred or required location
Why might a scholarship I expect not appear?
- Its deadline may have passed (expired scholarships are hidden by default)
- Your profile may not meet its hard eligibility requirements
- The AI gave it a score below 40 (the minimum to appear in results)
Run a new match after updating your profile — your results refresh immediately.