FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
Would you believe the biggest mistakes applicants make is not completing the application? Every year we receive applications that are incomplete and therefore can't be considered.
The second biggest mistake is not responding to the optional essay question. This is your chance to tell us something about yourself that you think we should know but didn't already ask.
The second biggest mistake is not responding to the optional essay question. This is your chance to tell us something about yourself that you think we should know but didn't already ask.
I want to be an x-ray technician. Can I receive a scholarship for my training program?
YES!!!! We have funds available specifically for career, vocational, and technical training. All you have to do is apply! When we say the word "college," it means any form of accredited continuing education.
YES!!!! We have funds available specifically for career, vocational, and technical training. All you have to do is apply! When we say the word "college," it means any form of accredited continuing education.
What is an interest-free loan?
An interest-free loan is one that doesn't accrue interest. If you borrow $5,000, you pay back $5,000. Payments begin six months after you leave school. We have a couple different repayment plans based on your total loan balance. If you borrow $5,000 from the federal student loan program, you could pay back as much as $6,218!
An interest-free loan is one that doesn't accrue interest. If you borrow $5,000, you pay back $5,000. Payments begin six months after you leave school. We have a couple different repayment plans based on your total loan balance. If you borrow $5,000 from the federal student loan program, you could pay back as much as $6,218!
When can I apply to Bootstraps?
The application period will open in December.
The application period will open in December.
When will I find out if I'm receiving an award?
If you submit a complete application, you will be notified one way or the other by the first week of April.
If you submit a complete application, you will be notified one way or the other by the first week of April.
What are some of the mistakes applicants make?
In addition to the two mentioned above, here are some of the most common mistakes.
In addition to the two mentioned above, here are some of the most common mistakes.
- Answering yes to the question "Are you the first person in your family to go to college?" when you aren't. If either of your parents graduated from a four-year college or university, the answer to this question is NO.
- Using your school email address in your application. We communicate with you via email and we use the email address in your initial application. Once you graduate from high school, you don't have access to your school email account, meaning you are going to be missing out on important information from Bootstraps. Use the email address at which you receive regular communication.
- Not proofreading your essays. Type your essays in a word or google document and then do the spell check. Also, have someone else proofread your essays. When you're done, copy and paste your typed responses into the application. The essays are the MOST IMPORTANT part of your application!
- Not checking your email frequently. Did we mention we communicate with applicants via email? Once you submit your application, you should check your email at least once a week. Imagine not receiving an award because you were notified you were selected to be interviewed and you didn't respond.
- Listing your pie-in-the-sky school first. Always list the school you are most likely to attend first. Some or our awards are based on the school you plan to attend and we assume the school listed first is the one you will probably end up at. Also, your financial need is calculated based on the school in the #1 spot. If you list CSU first, but you really think you're going to Harvard, your financial need will be understated.
- Filling in the name of your high school counselor instead of the post grad assistant at your school in the transcript request section of the application. Counselors don't handle transcripts and if you put their name in that spot, your transcript might not ever be received by us. Read the instructions carefully!
What is financial need? How is it calculated?
Financial need is the gap between the amount of money you need to attend a particular school and the amount you and your family have. We calculate financial need using the following formula:
Cost of Attendance at your first listed school (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - Other Scholarships and Grants = Financial Need
If the resulting number is negative, you do not have financial need.
Financial need is the gap between the amount of money you need to attend a particular school and the amount you and your family have. We calculate financial need using the following formula:
Cost of Attendance at your first listed school (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - Other Scholarships and Grants = Financial Need
If the resulting number is negative, you do not have financial need.
Why do I need to complete the FAFSA?
If you are seeking financial aid to pay for college, no matter which you school you plan to attend, you have to complete the FAFSA. The US Department of Education uses a standardized formula to calculate your EFC and it's the only way to have an apples to apples comparison of each applicant. If you don't complete the FAFSA, not only are you excluded from applying for a Bootstraps award, you will not be considered for any federal financial aid, and in most cases, institutional aid. The FAFSA can be accessed here .
If you are seeking financial aid to pay for college, no matter which you school you plan to attend, you have to complete the FAFSA. The US Department of Education uses a standardized formula to calculate your EFC and it's the only way to have an apples to apples comparison of each applicant. If you don't complete the FAFSA, not only are you excluded from applying for a Bootstraps award, you will not be considered for any federal financial aid, and in most cases, institutional aid. The FAFSA can be accessed here .
How important are the essay questions?
Not to put any pressure on you, but along with financial need, they are THE most important part of your application. We've never met you and need some way to get to know who you are as a person and what your goals are for the future. Your answers to the essay questions help us get to know you and determine if you're a good fit for an award.
Not to put any pressure on you, but along with financial need, they are THE most important part of your application. We've never met you and need some way to get to know who you are as a person and what your goals are for the future. Your answers to the essay questions help us get to know you and determine if you're a good fit for an award.
How do my transcript and letter of recommendation get to Bootstraps?
Part 3 of the application asks you to fill in the name and email address of the post grad assistant at your high school. The application system generates an email to that person and they respond by attaching your transcript to the email. The application system automatically attaches your transcript to your application. Part 9 is the recommendation section and works in a similar way as the transcript. You type in the name and email address of two people from whom you are requesting a recommendation. The application system sends an email to them with instructions for completing the recommendation, and voila!, the recommendation magically is attached to your application.
Part 3 of the application asks you to fill in the name and email address of the post grad assistant at your high school. The application system generates an email to that person and they respond by attaching your transcript to the email. The application system automatically attaches your transcript to your application. Part 9 is the recommendation section and works in a similar way as the transcript. You type in the name and email address of two people from whom you are requesting a recommendation. The application system sends an email to them with instructions for completing the recommendation, and voila!, the recommendation magically is attached to your application.
How many scholarships are available?
In a typical year, we have about 60 scholarships and loans available totaling about $225,000. The scholarships range in amount from $500 for one year to $26,000 for four years and most are for the first year of your program. Loans range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year and are renewable for each of continuing education.
In a typical year, we have about 60 scholarships and loans available totaling about $225,000. The scholarships range in amount from $500 for one year to $26,000 for four years and most are for the first year of your program. Loans range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year and are renewable for each of continuing education.
Can I receive a scholarship and a loan? Can I receive more than one award?
Absolutely! Bootstraps scholarships are what are often referred to as "last dollar" awards. That means we take into account all the other non-loan financial aid available to you and then try to fill the gap. For applicants with the highest financial need, we may need to give more than one scholarship or a scholarship and a loan to fill the gap.
Absolutely! Bootstraps scholarships are what are often referred to as "last dollar" awards. That means we take into account all the other non-loan financial aid available to you and then try to fill the gap. For applicants with the highest financial need, we may need to give more than one scholarship or a scholarship and a loan to fill the gap.
Do you have a question that isn't listed here? Call Susan at 720-618-8924 or email her at susan@bootstrapsinc.org to get your answer.
