scholarships
FAQs: Scholarships
Are TFEC Scholarships eligible for the AES/PHEAA PATH program?
Yes.
TFEC is one of 46 partners with the AES/PHEAA Partnership for Access to Higher Education (PATH) program. Each academic year, more than 100 TFEC scholarship recipients receive over $200,000 in matched funds through the PATH program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Please read through the specific criteria in each of the scholarship listings to see if you are eligible.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?
The scholarships are for any student, regardless of citizenship or documentation status, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. We do not collect any citizenship or documentation paperwork and applicant information will only be reviewed by The Foundation for Enhancing Community’s’ team members and Scholarship Committees.
How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship?
There is no charge to apply.
Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education?
No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your college financial aid office and may include a portion of each of the above types of financial aid.
If I am awarded a scholarship, how much will I get?
Scholarships offer varying award amounts, which range from $500 to $10,000 annually, depending on the size of the fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the wishes of the donors. About half are one-time awards and the other half are either possibly renewable through reapplication or are automatically renewable, if the recipient continues to meet the scholarship criteria.
May I be awarded more than one scholarship?
Yes, you can apply to all the scholarships for which you are eligible and can be selected as a recipient for any or all.
How do I apply?
You may browse the scholarship listing on our website for information on the eligibility, criteria, and preferences of each scholarship fund. Applications become available online on January 1 each year. Before filling out an application, you’ll need to create an account in our online scholarships system (click here to create an account). By completing a universal scholarship application, students will answer a series of questions and the system will automatically transfer those questions and responses into all the scholarship applications for which the student is eligible. Additionally, there are also scholarship opportunities that students must apply for individually, and they too are listed within the application portal.
Before filling out an application, be sure to have the following information on hand
- Supplemental documents. This may include: a resume, scholarship-specific essay, letter(s) of recommendation, transcript, FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR), or other scholarship -specific documents. Requirements and completion instructions are available within the scholarship application.
- To be considered for need-based scholarships, students must upload a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). The SAR will be sent to you after you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), which is available at FAFSA.ed.gov. Please allow enough time to complete the FAFSA as the SAR may take up to a week to generate. It is encouraged that you complete the FAFSA well before the February 15th deadline to ensure that you can upload it to your application. Click here for an example of what the Student Aid Report looks like.
Can I send in my documentation separately?
No. All documentation must be included when you submit your online scholarship application.
How do I attach letters of recommendation to my online scholarship application?
Each question in the application requesting a recommendation letter contains and upload button. You can gather your letters and attach them by using this upload button. There is another option as well to utilize a third-party function to have your references submit their own letter of recommendation. These instructions and details are in the application.
Do you accept applications after the deadline?
No.
Do I need to pay scholarship money back?
No. These are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back. However, each scholarship award will specify the timeframe within which it must be used. If it isn’t used within that timeframe, it could be revoked in part or in full. Extenuating circumstances must be communicated to the scholarship team for evaluation on a case by case basis.
How are the scholarship decisions made?
A panel of community volunteers will meet after the deadline to review all applications and select recipients based on the criteria established by the donors.
How will my application be evaluated?
Depending on the scholarship criteria, the committee may consider the applicants’ academic records, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, financial need, and recommendations about leadership and character.
If I am awarded a scholarship, do I get the check?
No. To ensure your check is credited to your student account, scholarship award checks are sent directly to the institution.
What can my scholarship be used for?
The scholarships are for any educational expenses to pursue educational studies: tuition and fees or books and supplies unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria. Scholarship funds may only be paid to an organization incorporated in the United States. Scholarship recipients planning to study abroad are eligible to receive scholarship payments if the scholarship is being paid to a U.S-based institution. Scholarship recipients are not eligible to receive scholarship payments if they enroll directly in a non-U.S.-based institution because scholarship funds cannot be paid to a foreign entity.
If I am awarded a scholarship, what are my responsibilities?
First, once scholarship recipients have made their decision on where to attend school, they must complete the follow up form assigned to them in the online application system. Scholarship recipients must continue to abide by all the scholarship criteria during the period covered by their scholarship, barring illness or emergency. It is requested that recipients keep The Foundation for Enhancing Communities updated on their status and achievements to pass on to the donors who established the fund.
When will I be notified?
All applicants will be notified as soon as the committee meetings ae held and determinations are made.
How can I thank the scholarship donors?
You may upload a thank you note through your portal, and we will send them out on your behalf. Helpful hints for writing these thank you notes are included in your portal as well.
How do I contact The Foundation for Enhancing Communities if I have additional questions?
Call 717-236-5040 or email scholarships@tfec.org.
Additional Resources
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