When to say "apply to," "apply for," and "apply with"

Submitting an application — whether for a job, a scholarship, or a university — is something most of us have done or plan to do at some point. But how do you talk about it in English? Let's get you up to speed on how to use the phrases "apply to," "apply for," and "apply with" correctly.

Apply to

"Apply to" is about where your application is going. It shows where or to whom you're submitting your request, like an organization, company, or institution.

Examples:

"She plans to apply to Oxford University next year."

"He's excited to apply to several tech companies after graduation."

"I'm applying to the finance department for a summer internship."

"They encouraged her to apply to local organizations for volunteer opportunities."

Apply for

"Apply for" focuses on the reason for your application. It answers the question, “What are you trying to achieve?” Use it when talking about a job, a position, a scholarship, or any other opportunity you're hoping to secure.

Examples:

"She's applying for a grant to fund her research."

"He decided to apply for the software engineering position at Google."

"They applied for housing assistance through a government program."

"I'm applying for a short-term visa to visit family abroad."

Apply with

"Apply with" refers to the materials or documents you include in your application. It's about the "how" of your application — the additional information or credentials that accompany it.

Examples:

"You can apply with a completed form and two references."

"He applied with a portfolio of his best work."

"Applicants must apply with a scanned copy of their ID and proof of enrollment."

"She applied with a carefully written cover letter and glowing recommendation letters."

From submitting a resume to applying for funding or sending documents, knowing these terms makes it easier to talk about the related processes in the right way.

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