Scholarship Q&A

How are scholarship winners selected? Does every applicant receive a scholarship? No. The Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program awards up to 350 scholarships per year in the US and Canada, including 5 Ken Peterson awards. The number of applicants each year generally outnumbers the number of scholarships that are awarded. Does Foresters have any influence over how the scholarships awarded? No. To assure complete impartiality in the selection of winners and to maintain a high level of professionalism, the program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., a firm that specializes in managing scholarship programs. ISTS also oversees the process to select all scholarship winners. How does the Selection Committee decide who wins a scholarship? The Selection Committee is composed of international university and college representatives chosen by ISTS. They base their decisions on these main criteria: • Community involvement: Volunteer Activities, Reference Letter and Essay: 65% • Academic performance: 35% Please note that geographic representation may also be a consideration. Based on the number of people who apply each year, the competition for these scholarships can be high. So, meeting all of the basic requirements to apply does not guarantee being selected as a winner. Please refer to the "Application Requirements and Selection Criteria" section for more details. I submitted my application with more than 40 hours of community service in the last 2 years, along with grades higher than a GPA of 2.8 or 70%. Does this mean I should have a good chance of being selected as a Foresters Competitive Scholarship winner? Not necessarily. The minimum requirements for community service hours, grades, references and the essay are items all students need in order to just be considered for a scholarship. Meeting or exceeding these requirements does not guarantee that you will be chosen as a winner.   The competition for scholarships varies each year because the achievements of each annual pool of applicants also vary each year. Many of the applications that are submitted already exceed the minimum requirements. For instance, many applicants have contributed more than 40 hours of community service, but some of them have also held leadership positions in those activities. Always keep in mind that only the top 350 applicants from the US and Canada, as chosen by the Selection Committee, can be selected as winners. Unfortunately, given the fact that the number of applicants is generally greater than the number of available scholarships, not everyone who exceeds the minimum requirements can be selected as winners. If I am not eligible for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship, are there other ways that Foresters can help me pay for my education? Yes. Everyday Money is a toll-free and confidential phone-based financial helpline that gives you access to an accredited counselor that can help answer your questions. Or, depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible for an Orphan Scholarship. Visit www.foresters.com/membership for more details. How do I know if I'm eligible to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? Can I apply for a new Foresters Competitive Scholarship if I am already part-way through my first degree/diploma? Yes. You can apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship to help with any year of your first undergraduate degree or diploma. You should apply during the academic year (December 1st to February 29th) to be eligible for a scholarship for the following year. Can I apply for a scholarship under my legal guardian's membership? Yes. As a child under the care of a legal guardian who is an eligible Foresters member, you can apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship. Do I need to have a minimum contribution level on my Foresters certificate if I want to apply for a scholarship? Yes. Your Foresters certificate must be in force AND meet ONE of these criteria in order for you to be eligible for a scholarship: • Be fully paid-up, OR • Have a minimum face value of $10,000, OR • Be an annuity with a minimum contribution of $1,000 paid in the previous 12 months Foresters Social Fraternal Members are also eligible. Does my Foresters membership need to be in force in order to be eligible for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? All applicants must maintain an in force Foresters membership that meets the minimum contribution levels throughout the entire application process and for as long as they continue to receive the Foresters Competitive Scholarship. If you decide to apply, the certificate number that you will be asked to enter in your online account must meet these requirements at all times. Membership status is verified at different stages during the application process and from time to time throughout the year.   If you think your Foresters certificate may expire soon, contact the Service Centre at 1-800-828-1540 right away. If you have made any changes to your certificate (e.g., address change, new term, switch to another Foresters certificate, etc.) check with the Service Centre to ensure that the status of your certificate is "in force". I am 24 now, but I will be turning 25 by the time winners are selected and notified. Am I still eligible to apply? No. You must be 24 years of age or younger at the time of application through to the time of payment. I completed over 40 hours of community service when I was in grades 9 and 10. Can I use this service to be eligible for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? No, your community service hours must be obtained in the 24 months leading up to the application deadline (e.g., March 1, 2010 to February 29, 2012). You can contact your school guidance department, Connect America, Volunteer Canada or www.foresters.com to find out where you can volunteer to earn 40 hours of community service before the next application deadline. I did more than 40 hours of community service in the last 2 years and achieved grades higher than a GPA of 2.8 or 70%. Does this mean I should have a good chance of being selected as a Foresters Competitive Scholarship winner? Not necessarily. The minimum requirements for community service hours, grades, references and the essay are items all students need in order to just be considered for a scholarship. Meeting or exceeding these requirements does not guarantee that you will be chosen as a winner.   The competition for scholarships varies each year because the achievements of each annual pool of applicants also vary each year. Many of the applications that are submitted already exceed the minimum requirements. For instance, many applicants have contributed more than 40 hours of community service, but some of them have also held leadership positions in those activities. Always keep in mind that only the top 350 applicants from the US and Canada, as chosen by the Selection Committee, can be selected as winners. Unfortunately, given the fact that the number of applicants is generally greater than the number of available scholarships, not everyone who exceeds the minimum requirements can be selected as winners I'm not insured under a rider on my husband's certificate. Am I eligible to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? Yes. As a legal or common-law spouse of an eligible member, you are eligible to apply My parents aren't Foresters members, but my grandparents are. Can I apply for a scholarship? Yes. Biological and/or legally-adopted grandchildren of eligible Foresters members can apply for a scholarship. What types of programs are eligible for the Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program? Eligible post-secondary programs must meet all of the following criteria: • First degrees or diplomas • Full-time program of study, as defined by the educational institution • Minimum 2-year program, not including co-op time • Educational institutions with recognized degree or diploma-granting powers, excluding university preparatory programs (e.g., CEGEP, pre-university diplomas) Generally speaking, undergraduate degrees are granted by universities, while diplomas are granted by community colleges. However, this can vary depending on the school and the program of study. So, be sure check with the educational institution to find out it recognizes all students who successfully complete the program you are interested in. Will I still be able to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship if I can't obtain proof of my community service? You can apply, but your application will not be considered unless all of the application components have been submitted. Community service is an important achievement requirement. Lack of proof of community service will eliminate an applicant from competition for a scholarship. Once I've started applying for a scholarship, where can I get information about my application? How can I find out the status of my application? Log in to your online account to check for updates on your application. Information regarding your application is updated in real time, so be sure to log in to your account regularly. Who do I contact if I have specific questions about my application? The program is fully administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS). You can contact them through any of the methods listed below. When you do so, always refer to the Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program. International Scholarship & Tuition Services Inc. (ISTS) PHONE: 800 444 3043 FAX: 615 320 3151 E-mail: info@applyists.com   Will I be notified if I win a scholarship? Yes. All applicants will be notified by e-mail. To make sure you don't miss out on finding out if you've won, make sure you follow these steps: • Add info@applyists.com to your e-mail address book or "safe senders list" so these important e-mails are not sent to your junk mail folder • Do not "opt out" of any e-mail sent from info@applyists.com because you may not receive vital information regarding your scholarship applications. • Always "opt in" for any Foresters e-mails so that you won't miss any updates that may come directly from Foresters. Note: ISTS will only use your email address to communicate with you about your scholarship applications or other opportunities administered by ISTS for which you may be eligible to apply. ISTS will not provide your e-mail address to any third parties. Decisions of the selection committees are final and are not subject to appeal. No application feedback will be given. What do I need to know about submitting an application for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? Do I have to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship online? We encourage everyone to create an online account to apply because it makes the application process more secure, accessible at any time, and it allows applicants to track the status of their applications as often as they wish. It also allows applicants to receive e-mail reminders during the application window, while reducing the chances of supporting documents being lost. Furthermore, it reduces the administration costs, which ensures that enough funds are available for the 350 scholarship awards in the US and Canada. How can I apply for a scholarship? You can create your online account and by clicking the "Click Here to Apply" button on this page from December 1st to February 29th. I am currently in high school. When is the best time to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship? You should apply in your final year of high school (December 1st to February 29th) to be eligible for a scholarship for the following year. I have several potential school choices. Which one should I list on the application? You should list your first choice on the application. If you are chosen to receive an award, it will be your responsibility to make certain ISTS is aware of your final school choice so that your check can be issued to the correct institution. If my Foresters membership is under my parents/grandparents, do they have to apply on my behalf? No. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship on their own behalf. This can be done quickly and easily by opening an online account through the "Click Here to Apply" button on this page. Who do I contact if I have specific questions about applying? The Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program is fully administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS). You can contact them through any of the methods listed below. When you do so, always refer to the Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program. International Scholarship & Tuition Services Inc. (ISTS) PHONE: 800 444 3043 FAX: 615 320 3151 E-mail: info@applyists.com   What do I need to know if I have been a Foresters Competitive Scholarship winner, but have not yet completed my degree/diploma? Can I renew my scholarship? Yes. If you have won a Foresters Competitive Scholarship and would like to renew it for the subsequent year, you must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply for a renewal: • Maintain a full-time course of study • Remain in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution • Maintain an in force Foresters membership, as described in the "Eligible Applicants" section at www.foresters.com/membership/scholarships • Be a holder of an inforce Foresters Social Fraternal Membership   All current Foresters Competitive Scholarship recipients will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to renew their scholarships. If you have any questions about renewing your scholarship, please contact ISTS at 800 444 3043 or info@applyists.com. Does the minimum contribution level apply to renewals? Yes. Every new scholarship applicant for the 2011 – 2012 academic year and all subsequent years must be covered under an in force Foresters certificate that meets ONE of the following criteria: • Be a fully paid-up certificate, OR • Have a minimum face value of $10,000, OR • Be an annuity with a minimum contribution of $1,000 paid in the previous 12 months Foresters Social Fraternal Members are also eligible.   Please note that scholarship recipients who won their initial Foresters Competitive Scholarships in the academic years from 2008 – 2009 through to 2010 – 2011 will not need to meet the requirements for minimum contribution levels on their Foresters certificates in order to renew their scholarships. I noticed the Selection Criteria for new applicants has changed. As a current scholarship recipient, will these changes affect my eligibility for a renewal? No. The new selection criteria only apply to all new applicants starting with the 2012 - 2013 academic year. It will not affect recipients who originally won their initial Foresters Competitive Scholarships for the years prior to and including the 2011 - 2012 school year. I was a scholarship recipient at the age of 23 and I am currently turning 25 and returning to school. I have not yet received all four years of award payments. Do I need to reapply as a mature student or can I apply for a renewal? If you are an eligible member, you can apply for a renewal. If you were not a member prior to turning 25 (i.e. a spouse or dependent child), you must become an eligible member in order to apply for a renewal. I was awarded a Foresters Competitive Scholarship when I was 22 years old, but I didn't accept it. Do I have to re apply? If you were formally granted a deferral of your scholarship AND you still meet the eligibility criteria, you can request a renewal of your scholarship. If not, you will need to reapply for a new scholarship. What can the scholarship money be used for? Foresters Competitive Scholarship covers only tuition and fees and does not cover expenses such as room and board, books, computers, commuting expenses, and school-related supplies.   For additional information regarding the scholarship program, contact ISTS at 800 444 3043 or info@applyists.com. Please state that you are inquiring about the Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program. What do I need to know if I've been notified that I've won a scholarship? Are scholarships taxable? Tax laws vary by country. We recommend consulting your tax advisor or visiting www.irs.gov or www.cra-arc.gc.ca for more information. Can I defer my scholarship? Yes. If you are eligible to receive a scholarship or renewal and if you do not want to enter or re-enter school in the upcoming academic year, you can contact ISTS to request that your award be deferred. Please note that the Foresters Competitive Scholarship can be deferred for a maximum of 1 academic year (unless otherwise noted) and only for the following reasons: • Co-op studies • Illness • Death in the family • Vocational obligation (can be for 4 semesters) • Humanitarian mission   Once you have been informed that your application for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship was successful, you will need to make a formal written application outlining the circumstances that make a deferral necessary. At the discretion of ISTS, you may be asked to provide proof of circumstances. How and when are payments issued? Payments will be issued in August and mailed to each recipient's mailing address as entered in the application. The checks will be made payable to the institution only in the currency of the country in which it is located. It is the recipient's responsibility to notify ISTS should the check not arrive within 30 days of the issue date. It is also the recipient’s responsibility to get the check to the institution. What are my responsibilities if I am chosen as a recipient? You must enroll as a full time undergraduate in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded, continue the entire academic year without interruption unless approved by ISTS and Foresters, deliver your scholarship check(s) to the proper office at your institution, and notify ISTS should your check not arrive within 30 days of the issue date. What happens if my Foresters membership ends or changes after I have already received my scholarship? All applicants must maintain an in force Foresters membership that meets the minimum requirements for as long as they continue to receive the Foresters Competitive Scholarship. Membership status is verified at different stages during the application process and from time to time throughout the year. Please refer to the "Eligible Applicants" section at www.foresters.com/CA-EN/Membership/grants-scholarships/scholarship-program/Pages/Must-have-information.aspx.   If your Foresters certificate has lapsed and is no longer in force, contact the Service Centre at 800 828 1540 right away. If you have made any changes to your certificate (e.g., address change, new term, switch to another Foresters certificate, etc.) check with the Service Centre to ensure that the status of your certificate is "in force".   As soon as you know that there has been a change to the Foresters certificate under which you originally applied for a scholarship, you should also log in to your online account and update your information. This will help to ensure that your eligibility status is up-to-date. Will the Foresters Competitive Scholarship end when I finish my undergraduate program or can I still continue as a graduate student until the four years of award payments have been made? The award will end when you complete your first undergraduate degree or diploma, or after four years (whichever comes first). Graduate studies are not eligible for a Foresters Competitive Scholarship.

 

Scholarship Applications are accepted from December 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012.