How to Submit the Most Recent Transcript for Scholarships?

I'm applying for scholarships and they require my most recent transcript. What's the best way to make sure I'm submitting the right version? Should I upload it myself or request it directly from my high school?

The process to obtain your most recent high school transcript can differ based on your school's policies, however, in general you either need to request it from your high school or from a centralized district office.

Since the transcript needs to be the most recent version, which would include your grades from the past semester, you should call your high school registrar or counselor to confirm that your transcript is up-to-date. The personnel there can guide you on the process to request your transcript, as it varies from school to school. Some schools might have a request form that you need to fill out, while others will let you order one via email or through an online system.

Normally, there's a small fee associated with requesting transcripts, so be prepared for that. If your family qualifies for fee waivers for college applications or the SAT, you may also qualify for a fee waiver for transcript requests, so it's worth asking.

You would typically have your school send the transcript directly to the scholarship organization to preserve its validity, as some organizations require an official transcript, and an official transcript usually has to be sent directly from the school. However, if the scholarship allows for a scanned copy or a PDF, you can upload it yourself.

An important note - always make sure to request your transcripts well ahead of any deadlines. Often, it can take a week or more for your school to process your request, and you don't want to be caught off guard.