This section provides detailed data definitions and general usage for the Program Information Exchange data model. Examples of data files and schema are available (for JSON, for XML).Â
Contents
Scholarship Program
Metadata
Metadata and additional information related to this program record.
Program Reference ID
The ID the organization supplying the program information uses to uniquely identify the program. If the reference ID matches one previously supplied by this organization, the existing data will be updated (replaced by) the new information. There are no restrictions on the format of this id; it can be a number, a GUID, etc. It is simply matched as-is.
Program Organization
Information about the organization sponsoring the program, minimally including the organization name.
Additional Associated Organizations
An optional list of additional organizations related to this program. Used to indicate associations such as the community foundation administering the program or the hosting service for the program's online application. These additional organizations are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be used to infer eligibility or an application URL.
Application Cycle
The scholarship application cycle during which this program was accepting applications. Should be formatted as a school academic year (e.g., 2019-2020). Usually precedes the academic year in which the award will be used (e.g., awards in the 2019-2020 application cycle will be used in the 2020-2021 academic year).
Last Verified On
The most recent date on which the scholarship program information was verified by a human. Null indicates that the information has never been formally verified.
Last Verified By
The entity or organization that most recently verified the scholarship program information. May include both an organization name and an identifier for an individual (e.g., 'NSPA Exchange / JR'). Organizations sharing data should be consistent about their own name.
Program Name
The full name of the program.
Program Common Name
A common name, nickname, abbreviated name, or another alternate name for the program (e.g., Dell Scholarship, Coke Scholars).
Program URL
The web page address for program information. By convention, should be specific to the scholarship program, not a general organization home page.
Application URL
The web page address for the online application, if any.
Program Contact
A public contact, if any, for the program. By convention, empty if no specific and public information is provided by the program organization.
Open Date
The open date of the application. By convention, the next open date in the application cycle (or the already passed open date in the current application cycle).
Close Date
The closing date of the application. By convention, the next closing date in the application cycle (or an already passed closing date in the current application cycle).
Announcement Date
The date scholarship awards are announced. Typically, the date the announcement notification is made to applicants. May be the date recipients are posted on a public website if the notification date is unknown. By convention, the next announcement date in the application cycle (or an already passed announcement date in the current application cycle).
Scholarship Maximum Award
If the scholarship provides a range, the maximum of the range. If the scholarship only awards one amount, this amount should be populated.
Scholarship Minimum Award
If the scholarship provides a range, the minimum of the range. By convention, not present if the scholarship awards a single amount.
Award Amount Description
A non-numeric statement regarding the award amount (e.g., Free Ride, Full Tuition). Values are often, but not always, mutually exclusive. Typically present only if the program sponsor describes the award in these terms.
Award Duration
The duration in which a scholarship award may be used. Indicates the number of years for a multiyear program, or the number of renewals for a renewable program.
Number of Scholarships Awarded
The number of scholarships awarded by this program in a given cycle (generally for applications received between the open date and close date). If no date range is specified, the NSPA Exchange assumes a 12-month cycle.
Is Need-Based
Indicator of whether or not the scholarship is need-based.
Is Merit-Based
Indicator of whether or not the scholarship is merit-based.
Is Contest
Indicator of whether or not the scholarship award is based on a contest or prize. These typically have few eligibility criteria. If true, contest or prize details should appear in the Blurb or Eligibility Criteria Detail elements.
Is Automatic Application
Indicator of whether or not prospective scholars are automatically considered for the program without having to apply (e.g., a school district where all valedictorians of the graduating class are automatically enrolled for consideration). These programs are typically omitted from scholarship listing services.
Is Automatic Award
Indicator of whether or not the scholarship is automatically awarded to every eligible applicant (e.g., as are some programs for U.S. armed servicemembers). These programs are typically omitted from scholarship listing services.
Blurb
A short description of the scholarship program. May include markdown. Should not include HTML or similarly tagged markup.
Program Self Description
A short description of the program as described by the program or hosting organization itself. Analogous to the Blurb, but self-reported or based on the original text. May include markdown. Should not include HTML or similarly tagged markup.
Eligibility Criteria Description
An optional, human-readable description of the Eligibility Criteria for the program. Compliments the structured Eligibility Criteria element, which may not capture all the nuances of the program requirements. May include markdown. Should not include HTML or similarly tagged markup.
Award Selection Criteria Description
An optional list of criteria, and weightings if available, used by the program to select awardees from the program's applicant pool. Typically present if publicly available or supplied by program staff.
Award Verification Criteria Description
An optional list of verifications (e.g., proof of citizenship, tax return, Student Aid Report) required for the scholarship program. Typically present if publicly available or supplied by program staff.
Allowed Funding Use Description
An optional list of purposes for which the scholarship award may be used (e.g., tuition, books, living expenses, travel). Typically present if publicly available or supplied by program staff.
Logo
A logo image for the program. By convention, the logo of the provider or sponsor organization if the program itself does not have a specific logo.
Eligibility Criteria
A set of eligibility criteria for this scholarship program.
Preference Criteria
A set of eligibility preferences for this scholarship program. Preference Criteria indicate stated preferences that are not mandatory for an applicant to be eligible for the program. By definition, mirrors the structure of Eligibility Criteria exactly. Contrast with the Eligibility Criteria which are mandatory.
Noteworthy Application Characteristics
Additional noteworthy details regarding the program application such as whether the application requires a fee, raises legitimacy concerns, and so forth. Not all characteristics indicate ill intent, but most are areas of interest or concern for providers and listing services.
Eligibility Criteria Detailed Definitions
Academic Eligibility
Academic and test information used to determine scholarship eligibility or qualification.
Activity Eligibility
An activity, including a sport, hobby, avocation, or similar active pursuit. Contrast with Interest, which represents an enjoyment or spectator role.
Affiliation Eligibility
An affiliation or other relationship to an organization or entity.
Age Eligibility
Minimum and maximum age requirements for the program. Only used when age is notable and specifically indicated by the program. For the majority of programs, Current Grade Level is used as a proxy for age requirements.
Application Restriction Eligibility
A restriction for applying to this scholarship program (e.g., indicating the application is by invitation only). Details should be provided in the Blurb or Eligibility Criteria Detail elements.
Armed Services Eligibility
A bundle of Armed Services criteria.
Award Use Location
The location or locations in which an award may be used. Contrast with the Location Criteria, which defines where a scholar must currently live, and the Study Abroad Criteria which indicates award use in another country.
Citizenship Status
The student's citizenship status at the time of application.
College Plan Criteria
This criteria is for selecting a school or schools that the applicant hopes to attend or has an interest in attending. Does not indicate that future or current enrollment exists.
College Readiness Program Participation
A list of common college readiness programs in which the applicant must have participated to qualify for an award.
Condition Criteria
A list of conditions, usually medical in nature, that an applicant may have or have had to qualify for an award.
Current School Criteria
A school or schools in which a scholar must be currently enrolled to qualify for an award.
Usage Notes:
Contrast with the College Plan Criteira (which describe future and potential enrollments such as college applications), and Graduation Criteria (which describe past graduations and alumni relationships).
Eligibility Financial Information
Financial information used to determine scholarship eligibility or qualification.
Eligibility Location
The location where a scholar must currently reside to be eligible for an award. Typically inclusive of current residence and also the location that the scholar considers to be their home.
Field Of Study
A field of study the scholar intends to pursue using the award. Includes both a common definition and structures for the NCES/IPEDS Classification of Instructional programs (CIP) code for the field of study.
Graduation Criteria
A set of criteria to indicate past graduation requirements, including degree attainment, a field of study, and a college or institution. The various criteria may be used individually or in combination.
Usage Notes:
Contrast with the College Plan Criteira (which describe future and potential enrollments such as college applications), and Current School Criteria (which describe current enrollment requirements).
Interest Criteria
Requirements related to general study, appreciation, or future intent.
Usage Notes:
Contrast with Activity Criteria, which imply active participation or current involvement.
Location Criteria
The location where a scholar must currently reside to be eligible for an award. Typically inclusive of current residence and also the location that the scholar considers to be their home.
Usage Notes:
Contrast with Award Use Criteria, which indicate restrictions on where an award may be used.
Miscellaneous Criteria
An extended list of criteria not fitting in other categories.
Profession Criteria
Requirements that are related to a scholar's profession. Includes an indicator for whether the profession must be a current profession.
Situation Criteria
The list of situations served by a program. An applicant's situation qualifying the applicant for a scholarship.
Study Abroad Criteria
Criteria indicating that an award is intended for use in a country other than the applicant’s current country.
Unforeseen Event Criteria
An event such as a hurricane or, say, a pandemic that has affected the lives of prospective scholars.
Enumeration Definitions
Application Restriction List
The list of special restrictions on the application.
Armed Services List
The list of Armed Services.
Armed Services Relation List
The list of relations to a member of the armed services. If no relation is present, then assume self. Dependent includes Child. Family includes Dependent and Child.
Armed Services Status List
The list of Armed Services Statuses.
Award Amount Description List
A non-numeric, general description of a program award amount. Typically present only if program sponsor lists award as such.
Award Duration Type List
The list of Award Duration options.
Degree Criteria List
A list of degrees used for eligibility and qualification criteria.
Enrollment Status Criteria List
The list of enrollment status criteria.
Financial Eligibility Criteria List
The list of financial eligibility and qualification criteria. Most are assumed to be FAFSA amounts, but senders may use the closest equivalent if it's unclear. By convention, 'other' values will be ignored unless agreed upon between sender and receiver.
Grade Level List
The list of grade-level eligibility and qualification criteria. Represents current grade at the time of application.
Usage Notes:
Contrast with Graduation Criteria, which records past promotions and graduations.
Organization Role List
The list of organization roles in relation to the program.
Organization Type List
A list of organization types.
Relation List
The list of relations. In some uses, may be chained (e.g., Child Of-Employee Of-ExampleCo Inc., which would indicate that children of ExampleCo employees were eligible for the scholarship in question). Dependent includes Child. Family includes Dependent, Child, Parent, and Spouse. Descendant includes Child.
Simple Type Definitions
The specification describes a few simple element types to indicate the maximum length of a given alphanumeric string.
Long String
An alphanumeric string with a maximum length of 4000 characters. Typically used for elements containing multi-line, free-text content. Used also for URLs throughout.
Medium String
An alphanumeric string with a maximum length of 512 characters. Typically used for elements containing long, single-line values.
Short String
An alphanumeric string with a maximum length of 100 characters. Typically used for short, single-line data points such as Name, City, and similar.