You have a three-page CV built for job applications, and the scholarship form says "maximum one page" or "two pages". Your first instinct is to shrink the font to 9 point. Don't. Reviewers read dozens of files, and a cramped page gets skimmed or skipped. The better fix is to cut and reorder so the page answers one question: why is this person a good investment?
This guide shows how to build a one-page scholarship CV from scratch, what to remove, what to keep, and how to adjust it for different programmes. Always check the specific scholarship's instructions first. Some ask for a particular format (Europass is common for European programmes), a page limit, or a PDF only. Those rules override anything here.
How a scholarship CV differs from a job CV
A job CV sells your ability to do a task for an employer. A scholarship CV sells your potential: academic strength, leadership, service and a clear direction. Panels often include academics who care about results, research and consistency more than your job title.
- Education moves up. For most applicants still early in their career, education comes first, right after your contact details.
- Achievements beat duties. "Graduated with First Class (4.6/5.0), ranked 2nd in department" says more than "attended lectures".
- Service and leadership count. Volunteering, mentoring, class representation and community projects often matter as much as paid work.
- Relevance wins. Anything that doesn't support your chosen course or the scholarship's goals is a candidate for deletion.
The one-page structure that works
- Header (3 lines). Full name as on your passport, a professional email, phone number with country code, city and country. Add a LinkedIn or portfolio link only if it is up to date. Skip photo, date of birth, marital status and state of origin unless the form asks.
- Profile (2-3 lines, optional). One sentence on who you are and what you want to study. Cut it if space is tight.
- Education. Degree, institution, years, class of degree or CGPA with its scale, and your final-year project title. Add one or two honours or relevant courses.
- Experience. Roles in reverse order: job title, organisation, dates, and 2-3 bullets each.
- Research, projects or publications. Include a short section if relevant, especially for master's and PhD applications.
- Leadership and volunteering. Short bullets with numbers where you can.
- Awards, languages and skills. One compact block. Include test scores only if you have them.
Step-by-step: cutting a long CV down
1. Start with the call for applications
Copy the scholarship's selection criteria into a document. Typical ones are academic excellence, leadership, community impact and career plans. Beside each, note two pieces of evidence from your life. These become the core of your page.
2. Cut by relevance, not by age
Drop secondary school details unless the scholarship asks for them or you have a standout result. Remove old, short jobs with no link to your goals. Remove "References available on request"; it wastes a line.
3. Rewrite bullets to one line each
Use this pattern: action verb, what you did, result. Compare these:
- Weak: "Responsible for teaching students during NYSC."
- Stronger: "Taught Mathematics to 120 SS2 students during NYSC; class pass rate in the mock exam rose from 48% to 70%."
Only use numbers that are true and that you can explain in an interview. If you don't have a figure, describe the outcome plainly instead of inventing one.
4. Fix the layout
Use 10.5-11 point font in a plain typeface such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman. Keep margins at about 2 cm. Use bold only for headings and job titles. Avoid tables, columns and graphics, because upload systems can scramble them.
5. Save and test
Export as PDF unless told otherwise. Name it clearly, for example Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf. Open it on your phone, since many of us edit on a laptop but upload from a phone, and confirm nothing has shifted to a second page.
Worked example (hypothetical)
Imagine Ada, a 2023 Civil Engineering graduate in Enugu, applying for a fully funded master's in water resources. Her draft CV is 3 pages: secondary school, five short jobs, a long list of workshops, and generic duties.
| Item in draft | Decision | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary school and WAEC results | Cut | Degree results matter more |
| Final-year project on stormwater drainage | Keep, moved up | Directly relevant to the course |
| Site engineer role (18 months) | Keep, 3 bullets | Shows practical experience |
| Three-week cybercafé job | Cut | Not relevant |
| 11 workshops | Keep the 2 on hydrology and GIS | Others dilute the page |
| Led an NGO borehole awareness campaign | Keep | Shows leadership and community impact |
The result: education, one strong job, one project, one volunteering role, and a short skills line, all on one page with room to breathe.
Adjusting for different applicants
- Fresh graduates. Lead with education, final project, leadership roles, and NYSC if you have served. Internships and student societies carry weight.
- Working professionals. Show progression and measurable results. Keep older roles to one line each.
- PhD applicants. Research, publications, conference presentations and supervisors' names go higher. Many PhD programmes allow two pages, so check.
- Career gaps. Don't hide them with vague dates. Add a brief line, such as "Family caregiving" or "Self-study in data analysis", and list what you did with the time.
- Programmes that require Europass. Use the official template, but keep the same thinking: short, relevant, evidence-led.
Common mistakes
- Shrinking the font instead of cutting content.
- Listing duties rather than results.
- Inconsistent dates and names. Make sure your degree title, institution and dates match your transcript and certificate exactly. Mismatches raise questions at the verification stage. If you still need documents, see how to get transcripts and certificates from a Nigerian university.
- Exaggeration. Inflated titles or invented achievements can disqualify you later, even after an award. Describe your real role accurately.
- An unprofessional email such as a nickname address.
- Ignoring the CGPA scale. Write "4.52/5.00" or "First Class", not just "4.52", because reviewers may not know the scale.
Make the CV match the rest of your file
Your CV, personal statement and referees should tell one consistent story. If your CV mentions a community project, your statement can explain why it mattered. If you're stuck on referees, read choosing referees when you have no lecturer. For the story behind your achievements, see what to put in a scholarship personal story when life was hard.
Final checklist
- Does it fit the page limit without a tiny font?
- Is education or your strongest evidence at the top?
- Does every bullet show an action and a result?
- Do dates, names and grades match your documents?
- Is it a PDF that opens correctly on a phone and laptop?
- Has someone else read it for typos?
Frequently asked questions
Can I use two pages if the scholarship doesn't state a limit?
Yes, but only if page two earns its place. Fresh graduates should aim for one page; researchers and experienced professionals can reasonably use two.
Should I include a photo?
Generally no. Many programmes, especially in Europe, the UK and the US, don't expect one. Include it only if the application asks.
Do I list NYSC?
Yes, if you've served. Mention your placement and any work or community projects you completed. Mention your discharge certificate only if asked.
How do I handle a low CGPA?
Report it honestly, then put your strengths nearby: a strong final project, relevant work, research or leadership. Explain context in your statement if the form allows.
Should I pay someone to write my CV?
You don't need to. Be careful with anyone who promises scholarship success for a fee. Free feedback from a lecturer, mentor or alumnus is often better.
Next step: open your current CV today, list the scholarship's selection criteria, and delete every line that doesn't support one of them. Then rewrite your top three bullets with results.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.