Scope of preferences
A donor may state criteria for the scholar they wish to support
Donors may indicate criteria they would like to be considered in scholar selection. These preferences can help match suitable applicants to the relevant programme, but they do not remove application conditions, document verification or the institution’s assessment authority.
- The preference is viewed in connection with the relevant scholarship or donation channel.
- Preferences are assessed together with programme conditions and applicant eligibility.
- Document verification and necessary checks should be completed before matching.
- A donor preference does not replace the institution’s final decision.
Viewing in the panel
Use the “Selection Criteria” area in donation search
Open Donations in the Institution Management Panel. After searching for the relevant donor, project or donation record, use the “Selection Criteria” area to review the preferences stated by the donor.
- Open Donations in the Institution Management Panel.
- Search for the relevant donor, project or donation record.
- Select the relevant record or display the result list.
- Review donor preferences in the “Selection Criteria” area.
Assessing criteria
Consider preferences together with programme criteria
A donor preference is not a rule that selects applicants by itself. The institution considers programme conditions, applicant forms and documents, automatic and objective preliminary assessment, and any other necessary reviews together.
- Check whether the applicant meets the programme’s core application conditions.
- Review consistency between form information and uploaded documents.
- Consider preferences only where they do not conflict with your institution’s published criteria.
- Request additional documents or arrange an interview where necessary.
- Make the final decision through the institution’s authorised assessment process.
Assessment does not depend only on the highest score or only on a donor preference. The scholarship-providing institution makes a holistic decision considering programme objectives, current criteria and the applicant’s overall assessment.
Applicant data
Only necessary and limited information may be shared with a donor
A donor’s preference does not mean they can access all applicant forms and documents. Applicant data must be used under personal-data protection principles and only to the extent necessary for selection or matching.
- Do not share information about all applicants with a donor.
- Use only limited information about applicants who have met core eligibility and necessary preliminary review.
- Do not unnecessarily transfer identity, contact, income or document information.
- Remember that donor preferences do not remove the confidentiality of applicant data.
Ethical limits
Manage preferences fairly and in line with programme purpose
Donor preferences must be compatible with the scholarship programme’s purpose and applicable rules. The institution should protect applicant rights and the fair character of assessment.
- Do not use discriminatory or programme-irrelevant preferences as assessment criteria.
- Do not match scholarships to first-degree relatives of donors.
- If a donor does not wish to select a scholar, the institution’s authorised committee or process may complete the assessment.
- A preference does not create a definitive commitment for the applicant or the donor.