SCHOLARSHIP SCORING COMMITTEE
YOUR ROLE
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION
Welcome, and thank you for volunteering as a scholarship reviewer for The Ruth Cheatham Foundation (TRCF)!
TRCF’s mission is to empower young cancer survivors to achieve their educational goals by providing multi-year college scholarships and support. Many of the students we serve face significant challenges due to the impact of cancer on their lives and families.
Your role as a reviewer is vital in helping us identify the applicants who will benefit most from this support and who demonstrate resilience, motivation, and the potential to thrive in higher education.
We appreciate your time, attention, and thoughtful evaluation as we work together to support these students on their path to success.
TRAINING VIDEOS & SCORING RUBRIC
Please review the videos below as well as the Scoring Rubric prior to starting the scoring process.
COMMUNITY FORCE PLATFORM TRAINING
HOW TO EVALUATE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
SPELLING, GRAMMAR & AI USE
When reviewing essays, please focus on the applicant’s lived experience and the impact cancer has had on their life and educational journey. We are not evaluating grammar, spelling, writing style, or potential AI use. Our goal is to understand the scholar’s story, including their challenges, adaptation, and how their experience with cancer has shaped their perspective and goals.
The purpose of the essay is to understand the scholar’s experience, not to evaluate writing mechanics.
Please keep the following in mind when scoring:
Do not score based on grammar, spelling, or writing style.
Do not attempt to judge or detect AI use.
Focus on the substance of the story and what it reveals about the applicant.
Reviewers should consider:
The impact cancer has had on the applicant’s life
How the applicant has adapted to challenges
Evidence of resilience, perseverance, and personal growth
Insight into the applicant’s educational goals and motivation
Our scholars are navigating serious health experiences, and their ability to clearly share their story is more important than polished writing.
IMPACT OF CANCER
Each applicant's journey is unique. Differences in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term effects may shape an applicant’s academic path in different ways. Please consider the individual context of each applicant’s experience when evaluating their application.
Areas to note:
• Age at diagnosis and developmental impact
• Length and intensity of treatment
• Relapses or multiple treatment courses
• Educational disruption or time away from school
• Isolation during treatment
• Visible and invisible long-term health effects
• Ongoing medical monitoring and survivorship care
SCORING FAQS
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No. Essays should not be scored based on grammar, spelling, or polished writing style. Many applicants are navigating complex medical histories, treatment schedules, or ongoing health challenges that may impact their writing. Your focus should be on the substance of their story, including their resilience, motivation, and the impact of their experiences.
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No. Essays should not be judged based on whether AI may have been used. Our scholars are navigating serious health experiences, and their ability to clearly share their story and perspective is far more important than how the writing was produced. Focus on the authenticity of the applicant’s experiences and the message they are communicating.
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Cancer treatment and recovery often limit students’ ability to participate in traditional extracurricular activities. When reviewing applications, consider the broader context of each applicant’s life and medical journey. Strength, determination, and impact can be demonstrated in many different ways.
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If you find yourself between two scores, review the rubric and scoring examples again to determine which description the response most closely aligns with. If the application falls between two levels, you may use 0.5 increments as a midpoint (for example, 2.5) to more accurately reflect the applicant’s response.
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All scores must be submitted by May 10th. If you are struggling to complete your review in time, please contact us.