FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Table of Contents Questions About the NIAF Scholarship Program
Q I don't have an email address and/or Internet access, can you mail me a hard-copy application? A NO; NIAF scholarship applications are only available online. Additionally, an email address is required when completing a scholarship application. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I've seen other individual NIAF scholarships on a scholarship web site that aren't listed on your Scholarship Information web page. Are they still available? A The scholarships are available, however this year's program offers them in a different format. The donors and names of the scholarships are the same, but instead of having individual eligibility requirements and applications, all scholarships are awarded based on the eligibility requirements and application found on the general page. Our web site is the authoritative source of information on the NIAF Scholarships Program and scholarships that may be available. Do not refer to other information on scholarship search engines, other web pages, or old scholarship reference books as their information might not be up-to-date. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What are the Other Scholarships for Italian Americans? If I apply to one of those, can I also apply for the General NIAF Scholarship Program? A These are scholarships administered by the NIAF that are separate from our general program, with different eligibility requirements and applications. While they are more narrowly focused, they are less competitive because fewer students apply. If you apply for one of these other scholarships, you may also apply to the General NIAF Scholarship program. However, you must fill out both applications. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I am Italian American and I am majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies, or a related field. Which category should I apply to? A If you are eligible for both scholarship categories, you may select both on your application. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What type of students can apply for a NIAF Scholarships? A Any high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students or doctoral students may apply for NIAF Scholarships. This includes students attending medical school and law school. For any questions on the application which might not apply to you, please leave them blank unless stated as a required field. If you secure a NIAF Scholarship, you will be asked to show proof of enrollment for Fall 2006 in an accredited school of higher education before the scholarship monies can be paid. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q My overall GPA is a "3.1", but my Major GPA is a "3.5". Am I eligible to apply? A Only one of your GPAs must be over a "3.5" to be considered eligible to apply. Make sure that you include your Major GPA on your application. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q Must I be in a certain age range to be eligible for a scholarship? A To be eligible for a scholarship, you must at least be a high school senior. Students that attend a university later than the traditional age are eligible to apply. Birth date is not a consideration on evaluating. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I am a non-traditional student who has been out of school for many years. I have no ties to any of my previous teachers/professors. Can I have a professional fill out my on-line Teacher Evaluation Form? A We would like you to use a teacher as your evaluator if possible. However, if you feel that your recommendation would be better served by another person because you have been out of school for some time or for another reason, you may have a professional fill out your form. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q Will I be notified if I do not receive a NIAF scholarship? How will they be notified? A All applicants are urged to check their award status on their student status page after May 15, 2006. Results will be posted on our website May 15, 2006. You will need to log in with your userid and password to see if you were awarded a scholarship. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What does claiming financial need on my application entail? Will claiming financial need exclude me from being considered for scholarships based on academic merit? A A small percentage of the total number of scholarships the NIAF grants each year take the financial need of an applicant into account along with academic merit as criteria for selection.
_____________________________________________________________________________ Q I wish to claim financial need, but don't have a FAFSA Financial Aid Form. What is the FAFSA Financial Aid Form and how do I go about getting one? A The FAFSA Financial Aid Form is the free federal application for student aid sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The NIAF uses this information to make its determinations about the applicants financial need relative to other students who are applying. If you do not have a FAFSA Financial Aid Form registered with the Dept. of Education, visit their website: www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information on how to submit a FAFSA. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What do I do if I have an electronic FAFSA and no paper copy? A Please go to the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and print a Student Aid Report (SAR). You may submit that to the directions listed after you open a scholarship file and submit Section A of the application. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q Where do I send my FAFSA and my Official Transcripts? A Instructions concerning mailing your FAFSA Financial Aid Form and your Official Transcripts can be found on your Student Status Page. While on your Status Page, click on the corresponding button to view mailing instructions. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What qualifies an applicant as "Italian American"? A To be considered "Italian American" for the NIAF scholarship program, the student must have at least one ancestor who has emigrated from Italy (any region). _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I am not an American citizen, can I still apply for a scholarship? A To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be a citizen of the United States of America or a permanent resident alien. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I am a high school student, can I apply for a scholarship? A Only high school seniors are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in or have been accepted to an accredited college or university for Fall 2006. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I won a NIAF scholarship last year (or a previous year), can I apply again this year? A Yes; previous scholarship winners can and are encouraged to reapply. Previously awarded scholarship winners are not guaranteed an automatic scholarship renewal. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I would like to attend a summer program, can scholarship monies be used toward this program? A NO; scholarship monies can only be applied for Fall 2006. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q Do I have to be a member of the NIAF to apply for a scholarship? A NO; membership is not required, however, with a student membership ($20/year) you will receive more information about NIAF programs and events, including scholarship information. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I know that you have over 100 scholarships-- can I apply to just one of them? A NO; each applicant must apply through our general online application process. It is not possible to apply for a specific scholarship. By completing an online scholarship application, you are eligible to compete for ALL of our available scholarships. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What are my odds of getting a scholarship? How many people apply each year? A The scholarship program is extremely competitive and all applications undergo a rigorous evaluation process. The odds of being awarded a scholarship depend heavily upon the number of applications received. In 2005, the NIAF received nearly 5,000 scholarship applications. _____________________________________________________________________________ TECHNICAL FAQS: If you are having technical difficulties in submitting an on-line NIAF Scholarship Application, please read the following before contacting the NIAF.
Q I have already created an Scholarship Application File and have received a Application File ID. I am having problems accessing my application. What am I doing wrong? A First, please check that you are using the correct Application File ID in order to log in. Your Application File ID should consist of your last name and a sequence of numbers. Check the Application File ID that was sent to you via e-mail and attempt to log into your application again. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact us using the feedback form listed below. Make sure to include your Application File ID in the message. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q I am not seeing the transcript, evaluation form, or FAFSA information when I click on the buttons on the status page? A First, please verify that you have no other web browser windows open. Close all of the other windows and then try clicking the button again. Also, verify that you do not have a POP-UP ad/banner killer running. Close any pop-up blocking applications on your computer, then try clicking the button again. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q What is my file application ID? What if I cannot find my file application ID? A Click here for more information on locating your file application ID. _____________________________________________________________________________ Q How do I "submit" my application? A You, in essence "submit" Sections A and B of your application every time you press the [Save Changes] button on each section. Pressing this button updates your changes in our database. You may go back to update and make changes on both Sections A and B up until the March 1, 2006 deadline. Whatever has last been saved in your application by that deadline will be considered for evaluation. THERE IS NO NEED TO PRINT OUT A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION AND MAIL IT TO THE NIAF. We receive both your Sections A and B electronically.
_____________________________________________________________________________ Q Can my high school guidance counselor fill out my teacher evaluation? A Yes. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you are still have questions about the on-line application, please visit: http://www.niaf.org/scholarships/feedback.asp and submit your question on-line. |