The deadline to apply for DECA scholarships is January 11, 2027. That may feel far away, but the weeks between now and then fill up quickly with requirements and activities around school, DECA, work and other activities you may be involved with, finals, and the holidays.
The DECA members who submit strong applications are rarely the ones who start the process right before the deadline.
Use this monthly plan to keep your application on track.
Now through November: Get Set Up
Ask your advisor for your DECA membership number. You’ll need it before you can start your application, so this is the best first step.
Create your account in the DECA Scholarship Portal. Select “Create an Account” and enter your basic information. If you’ve applied before, you can log in with your existing username and password.
See which scholarships you’re eligible for. Once you finish the basic information, the portal shows the scholarships you can apply for. Scholarships are grouped by career interest and employment, credentials, school-based enterprise involvement, and leadership and community involvement, so there may be more options for you than you’d expect.
Check the requirements for each one. Visit deca.org/scholarships to see what each scholarship asks for. Every applicant needs an unofficial transcript and three letters of recommendation. Some scholarships also require an essay, a video, or proof of a credential.
Line Up Your Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are among the most common reasons applications end up incomplete because they depend on other people’s schedules. Every item, including your letters, must be submitted by January 11 for your application to be eligible. Don’t wait until December to ask.
Choose three people who know you well. Think about teachers, your DECA advisor, a coach, an employer, or a community leader who has seen your work firsthand. One of your letters of recommendations must be from your DECA advisor. A thoughtful letter from someone who knows you will mean more than a generic one from someone with an impressive title.
Ask in person or by email and give them plenty of time. Tell them what you’re applying for and when the deadline is. Giving your recommenders several weeks is a courtesy, and it leads to better letters.
Make it easy for them. Share a short summary of your achievements, activities, leadership roles, and goals so they have specific things to write about. The recommender will upload their letter of recommendation directly to the scholarship portal based on the email address you provided.
November and December: Gather Your Materials and Start Your Extras
Plan your short responses in the application. Take some time to reflect on your DECA experience and all the activities you are involved with. Think about leadership positions you may have held, competitions or special awards you may have won, and even initiatives you may have led. Consider your personal DECA story. Most importantly, do not ignore the small awards – everything counts! Here’s how to leverage your DECA involvement to stand out.
Upload a copy of your unofficial transcript. Do this early so you’re not scrambling for it later.
Complete the statement of interest. This is a short description for the scholarship review committee of why you are deserving of a scholarship.
Start on any additional requirements. If your scholarship has any additional requirements, like an essay or a video, those should be planned now. If the scholarship requires a credential, make sure you have that and upload the documentation.
Revise and Polish
Proofread everything. A well-written, error-free application makes a strong impression.
Confirm your letters are on their way. If a recommender hasn’t submitted yet, send a polite reminder now, while there’s still time to handle any technical problems.
December to January 11: Finish and Submit
The holidays are a great time to wrap things up, but they’re also a busy time and some offices may be closed. Plan to be finished early.
Do a final review. Go through each scholarship’s requirements one more time and confirm that every item is uploaded: your transcript, all three letters, and any extras.
Submit before deadline day. Once you complete an application and submit all requirements, the system will accept it for review. Submitting early gives you time to fix anything unexpected, like a technical issue. You can submit your application before all of your letters of reference are upload, the application will show pending until all three are received.
Need Help Along the Way?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email us at scholarships@deca.org. Your DECA advisor is also a great resource for membership numbers, letters of recommendation, and general support.
