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6 minute read
Is it just us, or is everyone and their mother doing a lot more of their tasks on their mobile devices these days? If you’re anything like us, all you see is people on their smartphones. That’s why scholarship managers need a mobile-first scholarship management system - to meet the demand of their potential candidates.
If applicants are doing everything from hanging out on social media to looking for scholarship opportunities on their phone - well, then your program needs to offer mobile-friendly scholarship applications.
We’ve seen the writing on the wall, and this shift isn’t just a trend. It’s a fundamental change in how the next generation of scholarship applicants engage with opportunities that could shape their futures.
Read along with us as we explore how mobile-first scholarship management systems improve accessibility, engagement, and operational efficiency for high-performing institutions.
The Mobile-First Reality
When was the last time you saw a student (or even a non-student!) without a smartphone? These devices have become more than just communication tools. They’re a gateway to opportunities, information, and applications.
For many applicants considering applying for scholarships, especially those from underserved communities, smartphones might be their only reliable access to the internet.
This reality presents both a challenge, and an opportunity for scholarship programs. While traditional application systems were designed with desktop computers in mind, to have a successful program today, you need to embrace mobile-first design. It helps your program remain accessible and relevant.
Why Mobile-First Matters for Your Scholarship Program
The impact of mobile-first design is about fundamentally transforming how we connect with and serve our applicants.
Increased Accessibility
Mobile-first scholarship management is much more convenient for your potential candidates. It also ensures equality of access. When your scholarship application process works seamlessly on mobile devices, you’re removing significant barriers to entry. Students can work on applications during their commute, between classes, or whenever they have a free moment, without needing access to a computer lab or desktop computer.
Higher Completion Rates
When applications are easy to access and complete on mobile devices, we’ve observed significantly higher completion rates. This makes sense when you consider applicants can return to their applications more frequently. It makes the whole process less daunting, and more manageable to complete in smaller chunks of time.
Real-Time Engagement
Mobile-first platforms enable immediate communication through features like text notifications and mobile-responsive emails.
This means applicants can:
- Receive instant confirmation when their application is received
- Get timely reminders about approaching deadlines
- Respond quickly to requests for additional information
- Check their application status on the go
Common Challenges and How to Address Them
While transitioning to a mobile-first approach brings tremendous benefits, we understand that program managers often face specific concerns about implementation—here's how we've helped organizations overcome the most common hurdles.
Document Uploads
One common concern about mobile applications is handling document uploads.
Modern mobile-first systems like SmarterSelect have solved this through:
- Flexible file format acceptance
- Streamlined upload processes optimized for mobile devices
Complex Forms
Traditional scholarship applications can be lengthy and complex.
We’ve addressed this through:
- Progressive form completion that saves automatically
- Smart form logic that only shows relevant questions
- Mobile-optimized input methods
- Clear progress indicators
Review Process
Mobile accessibility isn’t just for applicants.
Reviewers and administrators benefit from mobile-first design through:
- Easy-to-use mobile evaluation interfaces
- On-the-go access to applications and supporting documents
- Mobile-optimized scoring rubrics
- Collaborative features that work seamlessly across devices
Best Practices for Mobile-First Scholarship Management
Drawing from our experience helping countless organizations optimize their scholarship programs, we've developed a few key strategies that ensure successful mobile-first implementation while maintaining program integrity.
1. Simplify Without Compromising
While mobile interfaces demand simplicity, this doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of information collected.
We recommend you focus on:
- Breaking complex questions into manageable chunks
- Using mobile-friendly question types
- Implementing smart validation to ensure quality responses
- Maintaining clear instructions that are easy to read on small screens
2. Optimize Communication
Mobile-first scholarship management means thinking beyond the application itself.
A few things you can do include, but aren’t limited to:
- Implementing text message notifications for critical updates
- Ensuring all emails are mobile-responsive
- Providing clear, concise instructions that are easy to read on small screens
3. Think About the Complete User Journey
Consider every touchpoint in your scholarship process.
Here are a few examples:
- Initial discovery and program information
- Application process
- Document submission
- Status checks and updates
- Award acceptance and management
The Impact of Mobile-First Implementation
Organizations that have embraced mobile-first scholarship management typically see:
- An increase in application completion rates
- Broader demographic reach, particularly among underserved communities
- Reduced administrative burden through streamlined processes
- Higher satisfaction rates among both applicants and reviewers
- More diverse applicant pools
Making the Transition to Mobile-First
Transitioning to a mobile-first approach doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At SmarterSelect, we’ve helped numerous organizations make this shift successfully.
Here’s what we’ve learned over the years:
Start with Assessment
The first step in your mobile-first transformation should be a thorough assessment of your current operations. Begin by experiencing your application process as a mobile user would.
For example, try completing forms, uploading documents, and navigating through each step on a smartphone or tablet. Take time to identify specific pain points in your existing system, paying special attention to areas where mobile users might struggle.
It's also valuable to gather direct feedback from past applicants about their experience, particularly focusing on any challenges they faced while using mobile devices. Additionally, review your data on completion rates and analyze where applicants tend to drop out of the process, as this can reveal critical areas needing improvement in your mobile interface.
This comprehensive evaluation will provide the foundation for a successful transition to a mobile-first approach.
Choose the Right Platform
Look for a scholarship management system that offers:
- Truly mobile-responsive design (not just mobile-compatible)
- Automated communication features
- Flexible document handling
- Robust security measures
- Integrated evaluation tools
Plan for Success
Once you've chosen your platform, proper planning and preparation are essential for a successful implementation. Start by ensuring your team is thoroughly trained on mobile-first best practices, as their understanding will be crucial for supporting applicants and managing the program effectively. Next, take time to update your communication strategies to embrace mobile-friendly formats, including shorter, more digestible messages and clear calls to action.
Before fully launching, conduct thorough testing across various devices and scenarios to ensure a consistent experience for all users—try different smartphones, tablets, and operating systems to identify and address any potential issues. Finally, establish a system for collecting and acting on user feedback, as real-world usage often reveals opportunities for improvement that weren't apparent during initial testing.
This ongoing commitment to refinement will help ensure your mobile-first scholarship program continues to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Mobile-First Scholarship Management Checklist
Before diving into a mobile-first transformation, it's crucial to assess your current scholarship program's mobile readiness. Use this quick checklist to identify areas where your program may need enhancement to truly serve today's mobile-first applicants.
- Is your application readable on a 5-inch screen?
- Can documents be easily uploaded from a mobile device?
- Are your email communications mobile-responsive?
- Do you offer text message notifications?
- Can evaluators complete reviews on tablets/phones?
- Is your scholarship matching system mobile-friendly?
- Do you have a mobile-optimized FAQ section?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your scholarship program might be unintentionally creating barriers for potential applicants.
Not having a fully mobile-responsive application process could mean missing out on exceptional candidates who primarily rely on their mobile devices to access opportunities. Don't let outdated technology stand between your program and its next perfect candidate.
The Cost of Inaction
Delaying the transition to mobile-first scholarship management can have real consequences for your program's success.
Every application cycle that passes with a desktop-only or poorly optimized mobile experience means:
- Qualified candidates abandoning applications due to accessibility barriers
- Increased staff time spent helping applicants navigate complicated systems
- Higher risk of incomplete applications due to system timeout issues
- Missed opportunities to engage with applicants through immediate notifications
- Limited ability to quickly respond to applicant questions or submission issues
- Potential reputational impact as applicants share their frustrating experiences
- Growing technical debt as mobile-first becomes the standard expectation
Isn’t time you transition your scholarship program to make it mobile-friendly? We think so, and you don’t have to go about this alone!
Mobile-first Scholarship Management Made Easy
Remember, mobile-first accessibility isn't just a feature your scholarship program should consider. As more and more potential applicants opt for a smartphone over a computer, it's becoming a necessity.
Forward-thinking scholarship programs are already seeing the benefits of mobile-first scholarship management: higher completion rates, more diverse applicant pools, and streamlined administrative processes that save valuable time and resources.
Embrace this digital transformation, and you’ll be doing much more than simply updating your technology. Transitioning to a mobile-friendly scholarship application management system means:
- Expanding your program's reach
- Breaking down barriers to access, and
- Ensuring that every qualified candidate has a fair chance at your opportunities.
Your next exceptional scholar might be completing their application during their bus commute or between shifts at work. The question isn't whether to go mobile-first, but how quickly you can make the transition.
Ready to see how mobile-first scholarship management can revolutionize your program? Schedule a demo with SmarterSelect today, and let us show you how we can help create a more accessible, efficient, and successful scholarship program that meets the needs of today's applicants.
