Beginning this year, the Mensa Foundation is making it easier for college-bound students to apply to the national scholarship program. No changes will be made in the judging standards or procedures, but students will be able to apply online, and electronic processes will lighten the load for volunteers as well.

Starting Sept. 15, applicants will be able to visit the Foundation's Web site, locate their Local Groups by ZIP Code, and fill out digital versions of the application, including cutting and pasting their essays into the system. From there, as all of the information will be stored electronically, Scholarship Chairs will be able to pull pre-coded .pdfs of individual applications and essays that they can email or print and mail to their local judges. Scoring will be entered online, and Regional Scholarship Chairs will then be able to pull winning applications submitted by Local Groups' judges for the regional scholarships.

Scholarship applications will be accepted through Jan. 15, 2015.