Complete Application Guide
Step-by-step instructions to help you complete your Urega Scholarship application
In This Guide
This guide walks you through every section of the Urega Scholarship application with detailed instructions, tips, and examples. Read each section carefully before you start.
Start early. We recommend beginning at least two weeks before the deadline — gathering documents, requesting recommendations, and writing essays takes time.
Getting Started
Checking Your Eligibility
Before creating an account, confirm you meet all of the following:
- Cameroonian citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled in Form 4, Form 5, or Lower Sixth at time of application
- Under 21 years of age
- Minimum B average (or equivalent) in your most recent year
- Have not previously received a Urega Scholarship
Creating Your Account
- 1
Go to /register: Click "Apply Now" on any page to reach the registration screen.
- 2
Enter your details: Provide your full name, a valid email address, and a strong password (8+ characters, mix of letters, numbers, and symbols).
- 3
Verify your email: Check your inbox for a verification email from noreply@urega.org. Click the link to activate your account. Check spam if it doesn't arrive within 5 minutes.
- 4
Log in and start: Once verified, log in to your dashboard to begin. Progress is saved automatically every few minutes.
Application Overview
The application has seven sections, all of which must be complete before you can submit:
- 1Personal Information
- 2Academic Background
- 3Essays & Personal Statement
- 4Recommendations
- 5Activities & Achievements
- 6Document Uploads
- 7Review & Submit
Personal Information
Contact & Basic Details
| Field | What to Enter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Legal name as on birth certificate | Must match ID documents |
| Date of Birth | DD/MM/YYYY | Must be under 21 |
| Gender | Select from dropdown | |
| Nationality | Cameroonian (required) | Dual citizens list both |
| Phone Number | Active number with country code | e.g. +237 6XX XXX XXX |
| Pre-filled from registration | ||
| Region of Origin | One of 10 Cameroon regions | Where you are from |
| Mailing Address | Full address including city | For physical correspondence |
Guardian Information
You must provide at least one parent or legal guardian's details regardless of your age.
- Guardian's full name and relationship (e.g. Mother, Uncle)
- Guardian's phone number and email
- Guardian's occupation and employer (optional but recommended)
- Second guardian contact (optional — strongly encouraged)
Identification & Photo
Passport Photo Requirements
- • Clear, front-facing, recent (<6 months)
- • Plain white or light background
- • No hats (except religious)
- • JPEG or PNG, max 2 MB
- • Min 300×300 px
Accepted ID Documents
- • National Identity Card (CNI)
- • Birth Certificate
- • Passport
- • All four corners clearly visible
- • PDF or JPEG, max 5 MB
Academic Background
Current School Information
- Full official name of your school
- School type: Government / Private / Mission
- Medium of instruction: Anglophone / Francophone / Bilingual
- School town/city and region
- Principal's name and contact (for verification)
- Your current class/form and academic year
Academic Results
Enter grades for your most recent two academic years. Include term averages and class/school rank if available.
What reviewers look for:
- • Consistency — steady or improving performance over time
- • Strength in core subjects (Maths, Sciences, English/French)
- • Context matters — briefly explain any dips in your personal statement
Uploading Transcripts
Upload scanned copies of official report cards (bulletins) for the past two years.
✓ Accepted
- • PDF (preferred) or clear JPEG/PNG scan
- • Max 5 MB per file
- • Official school stamp visible
- • All pages included
✗ Not Accepted
- • Photos with glare or shadows
- • Cropped or partial pages
- • Handwritten copies
- • Documents older than 2 years
- • Altered or tampered records
Essays & Personal Statement
Personal Statement (500–800 words)
Tell us your story. Answer: Who are you, where have you come from, and where do you want to go?
Suggested structure:
- 1.Opening hook — a vivid moment or memory (1–2 sentences)
- 2.Background — your upbringing, family context, or community circumstance
- 3.Academic journey — your passion for learning and subjects that excite you
- 4.Goals — what you want to achieve with this scholarship (be specific)
- 5.Commitment to impact — how you plan to contribute to your community or Cameroon
Short Answer Questions (max 250 words each)
Q1: “Describe a significant challenge you have faced. How did you overcome it?”
Tip: Focus on resilience. Show how you took action and what you learned — not just the problem.
Q2: “What does education mean to you and your community?”
Tip: Connect personally to your local context. How has access (or lack of it) shaped your perspective?
Q3: “Describe a time you showed leadership or made a positive impact on others.”
Tip: Use a specific example. Leadership can be informal — helping classmates, organising something in your community.
Essay Writing Tips
Be authentic
Write in your own voice. Reviewers can tell when an essay has been written by someone else.
Be specific
Vague claims like "I am hardworking" mean nothing without a real example to back them up.
Respect word limits
Going significantly over or under the limit reflects poorly on your attention to detail.
Proofread carefully
Read your essay aloud. Ask a teacher or trusted adult to review it before you submit.
Avoid clichés
"I want to give back to my community" needs a specific, personal context to carry weight.
Answer the question
Re-read the prompt after finishing your draft to make sure you actually answered what was asked.
Recommendations
You must submit two (2) letters of recommendation — at least one from a teacher or school administrator.
Choosing Recommenders
✓ Good Choices
- • Subject teacher who knows you well
- • School principal or vice-principal
- • Community or religious leader
- • Employer / supervisor (if applicable)
- • Non-family mentor or coach
✗ Not Accepted
- • Family members (parents, siblings, cousins)
- • Friends or classmates
- • Anyone unable to speak to your academic ability or character
Sending Requests
- 1Ask your recommenders in person BEFORE sending the portal request — never surprise them with a system email.
- 2Give them context: the scholarship name, your full name, the deadline, and why you chose them.
- 3Share talking points: your achievements, leadership, and what you hope they will highlight.
- 4Submit the request at least 10 days before the application deadline.
Following Up
Your dashboard shows whether each recommendation has been submitted. If a recommender has not responded within 5 days, send a polite reminder.
Activities & Achievements
List up to 10 activities. Quality matters more than quantity — focus on what is most meaningful.
Extracurricular Activities
| Field | What to Provide |
|---|---|
| Activity Name | e.g. School Science Club, Football Team, Youth Choir |
| Role / Position | e.g. President, Member, Captain |
| Organisation | School name or external body |
| Duration | Start and end dates (or 'Ongoing') |
| Hours per week | Approximate weekly time commitment |
| Description | Up to 150 words — what you did and your impact |
Honors & Awards
- Academic prizes (e.g. 1st in class, best student award)
- Competition results (regional, national)
- Certificates from workshops or programs
- Recognition from community organisations
Community Service
Include volunteer work, neighbourhood projects, church activities, or any social initiatives.
How to describe community service effectively:
• State the problem or need you were addressing
• Describe your specific actions (not just the organisation's work)
• Quantify your impact where possible (e.g. “tutored 12 primary pupils weekly”)
• Reflect on what you learned or how it shaped your perspective
Review & Submission
Reviewing Your Application
Pre-Submission Checklist
- All required fields are completed (no sections marked incomplete)
- Essays and personal statement are within the word count limits
- All documents (transcript, ID, photo) have been successfully uploaded
- Both recommendations have been submitted by your recommenders
- Your email address and phone number are correct
- You have proofread your essays for typos and clarity
Final Submission
Once satisfied, click “Submit Application” on your dashboard. A confirmation screen will summarise your application.
Confirmation & Next Steps
- 1
Confirmation email: You receive an email with your Application ID within minutes. Keep this for reference.
- 2
Review period: Applications are reviewed after the deadline. All complete applications receive full consideration.
- 3
Interview notification: Shortlisted candidates are contacted by email in the weeks following the deadline.
- 4
Final decision: All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) are notified. Successful scholars receive onboarding instructions.
Need Additional Help?
Ready to Apply?
Now that you've read the guide, start your application.