FAQ
Below are answers to common questions about the Glen Leibowitz Scholarship. If you have a question not addressed here, feel free to reach out via our contact email. We aim to make the application process as clear and straightforward as possible.
Who is eligible to apply for the Glen Leibowitz Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to all undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States. This includes community college students, students at four-year universities, and graduate/professional students (Master’s, PhD, JD, etc.). There are no restrictions based on field of study; all majors and disciplines are welcome. There is also no minimum GPA requirement – students of all academic standings can apply. The key eligibility criteria are enrollment in a U.S. institution and the ability to submit an original essay. (International students are eligible if they are attending a U.S.-based college or university on at least a half-time basis.)
How do I apply and where do I submit my essay?
You must apply online through the official scholarship application form on our website. To apply, prepare your 600–700 word essay offline, then go to the How to Apply page and click the “Apply Now” link which opens the application form. In the form, you will fill in your name, contact information, and school details, then upload your essay file (accepted formats: .doc, .docx, or .pdf). Once everything is filled out, submit the form electronically. You will receive a confirmation on the site (and an email confirmation if you provided an email address). We do not accept applications via mail or email; all submissions must be through the online form by the deadline.
What should I write about in the essay?
The essay should respond to the specific prompt: “Describe a moment in your life or background story that has shaped you into who you are today.” We are looking for a personal narrative that gives insight into your life and how you have become the person you are. You might write about a challenge you overcame, a significant achievement, a family or cultural background story, a travel experience, a mentor or teacher who influenced you, or any meaningful event – big or small – that impacted your outlook on life. There is no single correct type of story; it should be unique to you. The essay must be between 600 and 700 words. We encourage you to be honest and reflective. Remember, the winning essay will be the one that the selection committee finds most compelling and sincere in addressing the prompt. (Also, ensure the essay is your own original work – plagiarism or using someone else’s story will result in disqualification.)
Is there any GPA requirement or other selection criteria besides the essay?
No, there is no GPA requirement for this scholarship. Academic grades or transcripts are not considered in the selection – the essay is the sole basis for choosing the winner (assuming eligibility criteria are met). The selection committee will evaluate essays on factors such as relevance to the prompt, clarity of expression, authenticity, creativity, and overall impact of the story. We are not judging writing ability in terms of fancy vocabulary or perfect grammar; we are more interested in the content of your experience and the meaning you draw from it. However, it’s always a good idea to proofread for clarity. In summary, the scholarship winner is selected based on the merit of the essay. All eligible submissions are read and considered carefully. We do not give preference to any particular school, background, or demographic. It’s truly a content-based competition designed to be fair and inclusive.
When is the application deadline and when will the winner be announced?
The application deadline is January 15, 2026. All applications must be submitted by the end of that day (11:59 PM Pacific Time). We recommend not waiting until the last minute in case of any technical difficulties. The winner will be selected and announced on February 15, 2026. On that date, we will send an email to the winner (and likely call or text if a phone number was provided) to deliver the good news and to verify a few details (such as enrollment). We will also post an announcement on the scholarship website’s homepage or a dedicated Winners/News section to publicly congratulate the winner. If you do not hear from us by the announcement date, it means unfortunately you were not selected this year. Due to the volume of applications, we typically do not send individual rejection notices. Keep an eye on the website for the announcement, and please feel free to apply again next year if you remain eligible.
How will the scholarship award be paid out, and what can the funds be used for?
The scholarship award is a one-time payment of $1,250. After the winner is announced and we have confirmed enrollment status, arrangements will be made to disburse the funds. The winner can choose to have the scholarship paid directly to their educational institution (to be applied toward tuition or fees) or paid directly to themselves (typically via check or direct deposit). If paid to the student, we recommend using the funds for qualified education expenses such as tuition, textbooks, school supplies, or other fees, but ultimately it is an award to support your education and related needs. The specific method of payment will be determined in coordination with the winner to ensure it’s convenient and secure. The scholarship is not renewable (it’s a one-time award), and it is not a loan – you do not have to pay it back. Note: Depending on your personal circumstances and federal/state law, scholarship money might be considered taxable income if used for certain expenses (like room and board); the winner will be provided with the necessary documentation and should consult a tax professional if needed. We will coordinate with the winner to handle any paperwork (for example, a W-9 form for U.S. residents, if required).
Can I apply again next year if I don’t win, or apply for multiple scholarships?
Yes, absolutely! The Glen Leibowitz Scholarship is an annual award, and if you meet the eligibility criteria in a future year, you are welcome to submit a new application and essay then. Many students apply multiple times during their college career. Each year’s prompt may remain the same or change, so be sure to check the latest requirements. If you do choose to reapply in a subsequent year, you should write a new essay (do not reuse an old essay, especially if the prompt changes, and avoid reusing the exact same content even if the prompt is similar – the committee will be looking for fresh perspectives). Also, you can certainly apply to other scholarships in addition to this one; we encourage students to seek out all opportunities to fund their education. Winning another scholarship does not disqualify you from the Glen Leibowitz Scholarship, and vice versa (unless one of the scholarships has a rule against holding multiple awards, which ours does not). However, note that each year, an individual can only win the Glen Leibowitz Scholarship once. Past winners are not eligible to receive this scholarship again, in order to give others a chance.
What are the rules regarding the essay’s originality and publishing?
We require that your submitted essay be completely original and written by you. Do not use any part of someone else’s work (whether from the internet, a book, or another student) without proper attribution – and since this is a personal essay contest, ideally you should not be quoting or borrowing material at all. Plagiarism or detected cheating will result in immediate disqualification from the competition. We may run essays through plagiarism detection tools to ensure fairness. As for publishing, by submitting your essay to this scholarship, you retain full copyright of your work. We do not take ownership of your essay. However, by entering the contest, you grant the scholarship committee permission to potentially publish your essay (or excerpts from it) on our website or in promotional materials if you are selected as the winner. We will never publish any applicant’s work without consent; typically, we only feature the winning essay (or a portion of it) to announce the results and celebrate the winner. If you are the winner, we might ask to share your story on the site or in a press release — we would coordinate with you on that. If you are not the winner, your essay will not be published or shared publicly, and it remains your private work.
How can I contact someone if I have questions or issues during the application process?
If you have any questions that are not answered in these FAQs or on the How to Apply page, you can contact us via email at [email protected]. For technical issues with the application form (for example, if you experience difficulty uploading your essay or submitting), please reach out as soon as possible so we can assist you before the deadline. We strive to respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days. Additionally, if you need to make a correction to your submitted information or have an update (for instance, you realize you entered something incorrectly in your application), email us with the details; minor corrections can typically be accommodated if requested before the deadline. We are here to help and want to ensure that every eligible student has a fair chance to apply.