Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
What is RaiseMe?
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Asking yourself, “What is Raise Me?” We have answers! RaiseMe is a micro-scholarship program that awards students with scholarships for the good stuff, including good grades, extracurricular activities, community service, and other college preparatory activities. Read on to learn more about RaiseMe and how you could be eligible to receive scholarships for things you are already doing!
A deeper dive into what RaiseMe is about
RaiseMe is an organization that provides micro-scholarships (aka “small scholarships”) tied to specific achievements to high school and community college students looking to transfer. The organization has partnerships with over 300 colleges and universities in the United States that these micro-scholarships can be applied to.
RaiseMe micro-scholarships can be rewarded for the following reasons:
Steps to receiving RaiseMe scholarships
1. Sign up for an account at RaiseMe
To begin, you will need to create a RaiseMe account and portfolio. After you create an account, you may be eligible to begin receiving micro-scholarships beginning as early as the 9th grade.
2. Follow the colleges and universities you are interested in
Once you are logged into your RaiseMe account, you will then be able to express your interest in certain schools by following them on RaiseMe. Then, if you meet the eligibility requirements for that college, you will be able to earn micro-scholarships towards that particular school.
Related: How to make a college comparison spreadsheet
3. Receive the RaiseMe micro-scholarships for the college you will be attending!
Once you determine which college you will be attending during your senior year of high school or sophomore year of community college, you will be able to apply for the micro-scholarships you have racked up towards that school!
In order to lock in the micro-scholarships, you must be following the college you want to attend, enter all of your grades by the RaiseMe deadline, and then submit your formal application to the college you want to attend. Then, any micro-scholarships you have earned through RaiseMe will be included in your award package of that college.
Also see: How to choose a college
Key elements of the micro-scholarship program
Maximum award
There is a maximum award that can be reached per college. The number is shown in total awards and is for across four years of attendance
Eligibility requirements
Students need to meet the eligibility requirements that a college sets such as minimum unweighted GPA, number of credits if already in college, and specific timelines
Be mindful of deadlines!
It is important to take note of the deadlines for the RaiseMe program! If deadlines are not abided by, then you will not receive compensation for your micro-scholarships
What schools are partnered with RaiseMe?
Some college programs on RaiseMe are limited to specific students who reach certain eligibility requirements. Therefore to view what colleges you can use RaiseMe with, you should search in your RaiseMe account to scroll through eligible colleges. RaiseMe is partnered with over 300 colleges and universities in the United States, and growing!
Also see: How many colleges are there in the US?
Will the micro-scholarships be deducted from my financial aid package of a college?
Micro-scholarships earned from RaiseMe will not impact how an individual is evaluated for institutional awards or financial aid. In fact, you may be awarded a larger grant or scholarship. If you do receive a larger scholarship upon admission, then your scholarship package will include the amount you have earned on RaiseMe.
Frequently asked questions about RaiseMe
Is RaiseMe free to use?
Yes! RaiseMe is completely free for students, parents, educators, and high schools to use.
How many micro-scholarships are earned with each achievement?
Each college chooses how much money an achievement is awarded for.
What is the largest amount of money I could earn through RaiseMe?
It is up to the college to set the maximum limit. Therefore, do some research on the colleges you are interested in to see how much you could earn through RaiseMe for them.
Can I still earn financial aid from colleges in addition to RaiseMe micro-scholarships?
Yes! RaiseMe automatically submits your portfolio to the colleges you are following on their deadlines.
The amount you earn on RaiseMe is the minimum amount that a college will award you if you enroll in their school. However, the college can always decide to award you more scholarships baked on merit or need once they see your application for admission.
Also see: How to write a financial aid appeal letter
How do I receive the RaiseMe money?
The money on RaiseMe represents scholarship dollars from colleges and is applied as a discount on your tuition when you enroll. There is no physical or online cash given to students from RaiseMe.
Can I earn dollars from multiple colleges at the same time?
Yes! You can earn from multiple colleges at once by following all of the colleges you are interested in. However, you will only receive the scholarship funds for the college that you are accepted into and plan to attend.
Can I use the scholarships I earn from one school for a different school of my choice?
No! Micro-scholarships are not transferable from different schools because they are awarded by the school itself.
Is RaiseMe for real?
Yes–RaiseMe is not too good to be true! The scholarship money comes from colleges themselves and not RaiseMe. Rather, RaiseMe provides opportunities for students to earn scholarships before they apply to colleges and universities.
