NASP Home > About NASP > Awards & Grants > NASP Minority Scholarship Fund > NASP Minority Scholarship FAQs
Frequently Asked Minority Scholarship Questions
Revised 9/3/2009
1. Can you return my original copies to me?
Answer: Unfortunately, we are unable to return originals to you.
2. Is this a need‑based scholarship?
Answer: While the scholarship is intended to relieve some of the
financial burden on selected students, there are several criteria used
by the Selection Committee to determine the best candidate.
3. What criteria does the Selection Committee most use in deciding
on a worthy candidate?
Answer: All criteria are used for selecting the candidate. No
one piece of information has greater value than another for the selection
process.
4. Can I send any of my application materials after the deadline?
Answer: For obvious reasons of fairness to all applicants, your
application will not be considered after the deadline for any reason. You are responsible
for ensuring that your materials arrive on or before the deadline.
5. Will you accept alternative financial documents beyond the Student Aid Report (SAR)?
Answer: No. The SAR is required without exception.
6. When will the selection be made?
Answer: The selection will be made by December 1. Each candidate will be notified of their application status within 2 weeks of the selection.
7. Will I be notified either way, once the Selection Committee makes
their decision?
Answer: All non-selected applicants will be notified within 2 weeks after the selection. It
is preferred that we notify you via e-mail. However, if e-mail contact
is not feasible, traditional mail will be used.
8. How many awards are given each year, and for what amounts?
Answer: We award according to available funding, made possible through corporate and individual contributions. In the past we have gifted from 1-6 awards/year, at $5,000 each. It
is anticipated that the number of awards will eventually increase with
successful fundraising efforts.
9. If I am not from a minority listed on the application, can I
still apply? For example, I am from Saudi Arabia - is there a category
for me? I am from Russia, etc.
Answer: The scholarship is an ethnic minority scholarship program.
Ethnic minorities are determined by the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Therefore, only those categories indicated on the application are currently
considered.
10. Do the minority categories ever get revised as immigrant populations
change in the country?
Answer: There are no current plans to change the group eligibilities.
11. How do I determine whether I am a qualifying minority?
Answer: Generally, by the time you are of an age to apply
for this scholarship, you and/or your guardian/s have affirmed your ethnicity
on many legal forms (e.g., tax forms, school enrollment forms, insurance
forms, etc). Qualifying minorities for the NASP minority scholarship
are listed on the application. Specifically: Black/African American,
American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic
are the minority groups. Eligibility and ethnicity are specifically defined.
12. Why are doctoral students not eligible to apply for the scholarship?
Answer: The NASP Minority Scholarship Program was established in 1995 to support minority students who are at the initial entry point of the profession. In addition, institutional financial support for students seeking the specialist (or its equivalent) degree is not available at the level it is for doctoral studies. The NASP Minority Scholarship Program award is the only scholarship designed specifically for the specialist level students. Students in doctoral programs have multiple other sources/opportunities for financial support from universities, foundations, APA, federal and/or local grants, etc. The Program’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board certainly support and encourage students to seek the doctorate degree if they so desire. However, since this is the major scholarship source for specialist level students we remain committed to sponsoring scholarships at this level exclusively.
13. Is the scholarship available to students who do not attend NASP Approved School Psychology Programs?
Answer: Yes. However, the program must be approved by NASP, NCATE, and/or regional accrediting boards.
14. Can I still apply for the scholarship if I am an intern?
Answer: The scholarship is for the student undertaking coursework/internship beginning in the Fall term that follows the announcement of the award at the NASP Annual Convention. For example, if you apply for the scholarship which will be announced March 2010 at our Annual Convention, you will need to be on your internship in the Fall of 2010, ending in Spring 2011.
15. Do I need to be a US Citizen at the time I submit my application, or by the time of the selection?
Answer: Yes, you must be a US Citizen at the time you submit your application. Permanent Residency is insufficient.