Background

The NSPA Scholarship Program Exchange currently stores data aligned to a data model and accompanying technical specifications, collectively referred to as the NSPA Scholarship Program Data Standard.

During initial outreach to the scholarship community, prospective NSPA Exchange contributors and clients expressed interest in providing input to guide future versions of the NSPA Data Standard.

Initiative Description

The NSPA is exploring an initiative with the scholarship community to foster the development of a data standard for defining and sharing scholarship program information. Success here could simplify life for scholarship providers and their technology partners, support reporting and research, and improve the scholarship search and application process for students.

The initiative itself will leverage expertise from NSPA members to:

• Shape the scholarship data points available.

• Make it easier to exchange scholarship data.

• Simplify implementations of scholarship information systems, particularly searching, matching, and reporting systems.

Participation & Time Commitment

The NSPA is seeking feedback from member organizations. Participants in the initiative can help by providing input on the technical and nontechnical aspects of scholarship data exchange.

The NSPA is committed to minimizing the time required of participants. A time commitment measured in person-hours, not person-days, will be appropriate for many organizations. We are, of course, happy to accept additional time.

Current Status

As of Q3Q4-2020, there exists confirmed interest (or at least interest in learning more) among NSPA members. The NSPA team is actively defining the processes for input and feedback, scheduling initial meetings with partners, and hosting a virtual-group convening of charter members on October 5, 2020.