By now, you know that everything you post is accessible online. Those selfies, memes, and posts you share say a lot about you, and people are watching — including scholarship committees researching applicants online. Your online presence can influence their decisions in any direction. Your job is to make sure your online identity is secure and representative enough to boost your scholarship chances.
How Your Online Presence Impacts Scholarship Opportunities
Social media is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is a great tool for showing off achievements, sharing your voice, and building your academic presence. But if you’re not using social media smartly, it can also negatively shape a scholarship committee’s perception. According to the surveys, about 73% of hiring managers use social media to evaluate applicants. What’s more important, is that 85 % admitted they’ve rejected candidates because of something they found online. Considering that scholarship committees also “hire” future students, there is no reason to think they approach the process differently.
Social Mistakes That Overshadow Spotless Resumes
Some of the most common mistakes applicants make on social media include inappropriate posts and a lack of a professional online presence. Needless to say, think twice before you post. Shady memes, offensive jokes, and rude comments can turn your scholarship application into a quick no. You also need to be careful about how much you’re posting. Oversharing personal information can be a red flag in the eyes of the scholarship committee.
It’s not just what you post but who you associate yourself with online. Something as simple as being tagged in a questionable post or photo can affect your scholarship. You also must consider potential contradictions in your application. Do you declare certain values on your application, but your online presence reveals the opposite? Contradictions can cast doubt on your character.
Another common mistake you could be making is leaving your professional profile incomplete. Having a complete LinkedIn profile can help you stand out and showcase your achievements beyond your resume.
The Risks of Online Exposure
Not protecting your personal information makes it easy for hackers to steal your identity and cause financial stress. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S. Data from the Identity Theft Resource Center shows there were 1,732 data compromises in the first half of 2025, and the number of victims was just under 166 million. These numbers are concerning enough to reconsider your online security measures.
Online exposure can reveal sensitive information about yourself and harm your reputation. In some cases, it’s not even your real information that can cause you trouble. If hijackers use your data for some shady purposes, your social presence can lead to these activities. It will not only make the committee frown, but may also attract the negative attention of authorities. That’s why protecting your personal information online is crucial.
The Importance of Identity Theft Recovery
No single security tool can 100% protect you from data exposure. However, an identity theft recovery will have your back if a hacker exposes your data. Premium identity theft recovery services offer expert support to help you minimize the damage along the way. A victim also receives reimbursement for eligible expenses like legal fees, document replacement, and credit score correction.
The cost of identity fraud will continue to rise. Experts forecast a 153% surge in fraud by 2030, rising from $23 billion to $58.3 billion. Last year, American adults lost a staggering $47 billion to identity fraud and scams. This amount highlights how important identity theft recovery is.
Managing Your Online Identity for Scholarship and Professional Success
Learn how to manage your online identity and protect personal information to boost your scholarship chances.
Review privacy settings
Reduce potential exposure of your data by regularly reviewing the privacy settings on your phone and apps. Check the app permissions on your phone to see what personal information you are sharing, like location. You can use in-app privacy settings to see who can see your posts and who can tag you.
Because apps often update their privacy policies and settings, it’s a good idea to stay up to date on those changes. While you’re at it, don’t forget to update passwords and use a password manager to keep track of them.
Google yourself
Assess your current online presence by Googling yourself to see what information is publicly available. Think of it like a social media audit on yourself. You can use Google Alerts to receive automatic notifications when new content featuring your name appears.
Avoid oversharing online
Before you post online, ask yourself, “Is this something I would say to a stranger?” Be careful about sharing posts when you’re angry, upset, or excited, as strong emotions can lead to regrettable posts.
Final Thoughts
Your online presence plays a huge role in the success of your scholarship, so it’s important to manage it right. Don’t forget the best privacy practices and protect your digital identity with recovery services. A professional and secure online identity will add to your academic achievements and make you stand out among the other applicants.
