Applications undergo a three-stage review process with a panel comprised of Space Camp alumni, staff and volunteers. Applications are graded on a 100-point system with the following components:

• Category documentation (up to 10 points)
• Two letters of recommendation (up to 10 points each)
• A science project following either the scientific method (an experiment) OR the engineering design process (worth up to 15 points). The description of the project must include photos that support the project description. The project can be one that was done for school or scouts but it must include photos (photos worth up to 10 points).
• Two essays (up to 15 points each). One is typically about why the student should be chosen for a scholarship. The second varies year-to-year and program-to-program.
• The student is asked to create a mission patch (up to 8 points) that highlights his or her achievements, goals and inspirations. This component includes a written description (up to 7 points) explaining the patch. The patch may be hand-drawn or created electronically.