NEW AMERICAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DEADLINE
Q: I just found out about the New American Scholars Program. I don't think I can submit all the materials on time. Is your March 1st deadline fixed?
A: Yes, our March 1st deadline is fixed. We strongly encourage all applicants to turn in their applications before that deadline, especially the Online Preliminary Application. All Paper Applications must be complete and postmarked (not received) by March 1st.
ONLINE PRELIMINARY APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Q: I already turned in my Paper Application. Is it too late to turn in my Online Preliminary Application?
A: We prefer applicants to submit their Online Preliminary Application first. However, if you have already turned in your Paper Application, you can still submit your Online Preliminary Application. Here’s the link to the Online Preliminary Application.
Q: What should I do if I made a mistake on the Online Preliminary Application? Should I resend?
A: First of all, you should download and print a preview of the Online Preliminary Application and gather all the information you need before filling it out. Don't start completing the application until you have all the information you need. If you make a mistake on the Online Preliminary Application (or if any of your information changes), please resubmit the Online Preliminary Application. In the "Additional Comments" text box, please write "This is an updated version of the Online Preliminary Application I submitted previously."
Q: Do the recommenders I list on my Online Preliminary Application have to be the same as the ones who ultimately write my recommendations?
A: Do not fill out your Online Preliminary Application until you have all the information you need, including the names and contact information of your recommenders. We recommend that you reach out to potential recommenders as early as possible.
PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Q: Do Paper Applications need to be received or postmarked by March 1st?
A: Paper Applications must be postmarked by March 1st.
Q: Can I turn in my Paper Application in person?
A: No, the mailing address is a P.O. Box. The mailing address is not our office address. Please send your application by mail.
Q: Can I submit my recommendations and transcripts separately?
A: Only if it is absolutely necessary. Your application is more likely to be considered incomplete if you do so. We strongly encourage you to gather all your materials first and then mail them to us as a complete packet.
Q: Why don't you want me to glue, tape, or staple any of my application materials?
A: We will need to make multiple copies of your entire application packet for our selection committee. This makes it easier to make copies.
ELIGIBILITY
Q: I just received my green card recently. Can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. The New American Scholars Program is for immigrant students who do not have permanent residency (green cards) or citizenship in the United States. Congratulations on getting your green card, though!
Q: I'm a legal visa holder. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, you can apply if you are foreign-born and do not have permanent residency or citizenship.
Q: I graduated from high school in California, but I only attended two years of high school. Can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. In order to be eligible for our New American Scholars Program, you must have attended at least three of years of high school in California.
Q: I understand that only students from the San Francisco Bay Area can apply. How do you define San Francisco Bay Area?
A: As of 2011, we define San Francisco Bay Area as the following 11 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. In order to be eligible for our program, you must have graduated from high school and/or be attending college in one of those 11 counties.
Q: I go to high school in Southern California. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, if you are planning to go to college in the San Francisco Bay Area. As of 2011, we define San Francisco Bay Area as the following 11 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. In order to be eligible for our program, you must have graduated from high school and/or be attending college in one of those 11 counties.
Q: I go to college on the East Coast. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, if you attended at least three years of high school in California and graduated from high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. As of 2011, we define San Francisco Bay Area as the following 11 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. In order to be eligible for our program, you must have graduated from high school and/or be attending college in one of those 11 counties.
Q: I don't meet your GPA requirements. Can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement, we encourage you to focus on improving your academic performance and apply next year. We consider students at any point in their college career. We have had students who previously did not qualify but worked hard to raise their GPA's, applied later in their college careers, and then were selected for our program. We strongly consider academic progress and improvement.
Q: I'm a graduate student. Can I apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. Our New American Scholars Program is only for undergraduate students.
Q: I applied to the program before but didn't receive an award? Is there any reason to apply again?
A: If you meet our eligibility requirements, then absolutely. In fact, last year we accepted three students who had applied in previous years but had not received awards.
TRANSCRIPTS
Q: Is it possible to submit a copy of my high school and college transcripts?
A: We strongly encourage you to submit official transcripts. If you must, you may submit photocopies, scans, or printouts of your transcripts as long as they are clear and legible.
Q: I am already in college. Do I still need to submit my high school transcript?
A: Yes, please send us your high school transcript so we can see your entire academic progress.
Q: I'm currently enrolled in a four-year college, but I was previously in community college. Do you want my community college transcript?
A: Yes, please mail us your community college transcript so we can see your entire academic progress. The one exception would be if your current college already includes all your courses and grades from community college on their transcript -- then we would not need to see both.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Q: I've already submitted an Online Application. Why haven't my recommenders been notified?
A: You must get in touch with each of your recommenders and ask them to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. They should give (or mail) these letters to you directly, so you can include them as part of your application packet.
Q: Is there a specific form for recommendations?
A: No, there is no specific recommendation form.
Q: Whom should I ask to write recommendations for me?
A: We suggest you find people who can contribute to the whole picture of who you are as a student and person. We ask that at least two recommendations be from people who can talk about your academic performance, as this is very important to us. We also like to learn about other aspects of your life, which can include how you work with others, your dedication and commitment to a college education, community involvement, leadership, how you overcome challenges, your financial need, and why you would make a good participant in our New American Scholars Program.
Q: I'm a college student. Is it okay if I get a recommendation from my former high school counselor or teacher?
A: Yes, that's perfectly fine. We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to get to know your college professors, especially when you're only in your first year of college. You can submit letters of recommendation from high school teachers, counselors, advisors, mentors, employers, or other people who may have worked closely with you. We would rather have a letter of recommendation from a former high school teacher who knows you well instead of a college professor who taught you recently but doesn't know you very well. We do encourage you to start getting to know your college professors, as their support and recommendations will be very helpful to you as you progress in your college career.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Q: It may be difficult for me to verify my family's income. What can I do about this?
A: If you are just submitting your application, you do not need to provide income verification at this time. We only require income paperwork if you are selected as a finalist. If you are selected as a finalist, we will work with you to determine how you might provide this information.
SELECTION PROCESS AND AWARD AMOUNTS
Q: How competitive is the selection process for the New American Scholars Program?
A: Our selection process is extremely competitive. Last year, we received 176 applications and awarded just 14 scholarships.
Q: How will I know if I have been selected as a finalist?
A: If you are selected as a finalist, we will contact you for additional information and an interview. This will happen sometime in April.
Q: How many finalists do you select?
A: At this point in our application process, we don't know exactly how many finalists we will select. Last year, we chose 20 finalists.
Q: How many students will you invite to join your program this year?
A: At this point in our application process, we don't know exactly how many students we will invite to join our program. Last year, we selected 14 students.
Q: Will all recipients receive $10,000?
A: At this point in our application process, we don't know much scholarship money we will be awarding to each student. $10,000 is the maximum amount we plan on providing to any one student. Most awards will probably be less than this amount.
OTHER RESOURCES
Q: Where else can I look for scholarships?
A: We have created a list of scholarships that do not require social security numbers. You can find it here.
Q: Where can I get help applying to scholarships?
A: We encourage you to read our Financial Aid Guide for students who do not yet have permanent residency or citizenship. This guide contains a lot of useful information advice about applying to scholarships. You can find the guide here.
Q: How else can I get involved in E4FC?
A: Please join our Facebook page to find out about events and announcements related to Bay Area immigrant students.
Q: I have more questions about this process. Is there someone who can help me?
A: First, please make sure you have read through the information on this page carefully. If you still have questions, please contact E4FC’s Application Coordinator.
Back to Scholars Program
|