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GMiS Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Are GMiS Scholarships renewable?

GMiS scholarships are one-year scholarships. Students must apply each year and compete against our annual candidate pool.

Approximately, how many scholarship are awarded each year?

The number of scholarships that are awarded each year depends on the amount of scholarship support that is provided to Great Minds in STEM™.  

Do graduate and undergraduate students compete for the same scholarships?

No. Graduate students and undergraduate students compete within their own grouping.

If I qualify for more than one sponsored scholarship, will I be considered for all the scholarships I am qualified?

Yes. Based on the requirements of the sponsors, Great Minds in STEM™ determines what scholarships you are eligible to compete. Your GPA, major, university, classification, citizenship status, essay, courses, leadership, activities, resume, and letters of recommendation will be among the determining factors.

Is the application process completely online?

Yes. Great Minds in STEM™ does not accept paper applications for its GMiS Scholarship Program. All supporting documents, including official transcripts, must be submitted electronically. Applicants must first create a username and password to gain access to the scholarship portal. Applicants will be able to log back in and continue to review, edit, delete and or resubmit a new application through 11:59 pm PST on April 30.

Eligibility

Do I need to be Hispanic to qualify for a GMiS scholarship?

Applicants must be of Hispanic descent and/or must significantly participate in and promote organizations and activities in the Hispanic community.

Do I have to be an United States citizen to apply for the GMiS scholarship?

The GMiS Scholars Program accepts applicants who are U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, F1 Visa, or DACA status.

Are individuals on a J1 Visa (exchange students) eligible to apply?

Individuals who are studying on an exchange visa – i.e. J1 Visa – are not eligible to apply.

Is there a minimum GPA?

Yes. The minimum overall GPA is 3.00. However, in rare extenuating circumstances, students with a GPA below a 3.0 may be considered.

Which fields of study qualify for the GMiS Scholars Program?

All science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study AND health/medical fields of study qualify for the GMiS Scholarship Program.

Does an MBA, executive MBA, law degree, education degree etc. even if they focus on some aspect STEM, qualify as a STEM degree?

No. An MBA, executive MBA, law degree, education/teaching certificate of any sorts is not considered a STEM degree for the purposes of this scholarship program.

I am planning to enter the health professions, am I eligible for a GMiS scholarship?

Yes, students pursuing a health profession field of study are encouraged to apply..

Are students at a community college eligible to apply?

Yes. Students pursuing an accredited program of study in science, technology, engineering or math at a 2-year community college, in the U.S., leading to an associate’s degree or a transfer program, are eligible to apply and will be considered for a scholarship.

Do I have to be enrolled in college in the fall to be eligible for a scholarship?

Yes, you must be enrolled as a full-time student (i.e. 12 hours undergraduate; 9 hours graduate), in an accredited academic program, at a community college or 4-year university, the following fall semester/quarter to receive a scholarship. Great Minds in STEM requires enrollment verification prior to receiving your scholarship.

May I be enrolled in a technical, trade or vocational school?

No. Students must be enrolled in a degree-granting 2-year or 4-year institution. Students enrolled in certification programs or receiving technical or vocation training are ineligible for a GMiS Scholarship.

May I be enrolled in a non-degree post-baccalaureate program at the time of application of at the time of award?

No. Students must be enrolled in an accredited degree-granting STEM or health program of study at a 2-year or 4-year institution..

Does the University of Phoenix, Western Governors University, of similar institutions qualify as an accredited institution?

No. The nature of the institution, primarily to provide an online, distance education, does not qualify as an accredited institution for a science, technology, engineering or math degree.

I am a college student, do I have to be enrolled full-time during the spring semester that the applications is due?

Yes. You must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited academic program, in the United States or its territories, during the application period.

I am a college student, but an currently studying abroad, do I have to be enrolled full-time during the spring semester that the application is due?

Yes. Your home institution, in the United States or its territories, must consider you to be enrolled full-time in an accredited academic program, during the application period.

I am a first year college student, in an undeclared major, but looking to move into a STEM program of study, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. Undeclared college students looking to switch into a STEM field of study are eligible to apply. However, if selected, scholarship recipients must be pursuing a STEM field of study and must submit proof of enrollment the following fall semester.

I am a senior in high school, do I qualify for the GMiS Scholarship?

Graduating high school seniors qualify for the scholarship if they will be enrolled as a full-time student, in a science, technology, engineering or math field, at an accredited college/university, in the U.S. or its territories, in the fall semester immediately following their graduation. Enrollment verification in a STEM field of study is required the proceeding fall semester.

I have been out of high school or college for some time. May I still apply for the scholarship?

Yes.  If you are returning to college after an absence, you will be required to submit the official transcript of the educational institution you last attended. Enrollment verification in a STEM field of study is required the proceeding fall semester.

I graduated from high school outside the U.S., and am looking to enter college for the first time in the U.S., and am looking to enter college for the first time in the U.S., am I eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Yes. However, transcripts must be translated into English into a 4.0 scale. Both the international transcript and the translated transcript must be submitted.  GMiS does not accept transcripts that are not in English.  The GPA must appear on the transcript.  Enrollment verification in a STEM field of study is required the proceeding fall semester.

I completed my undergraduate studies outside the U.S., and am entering into a graduate program in the U.S., am I eligible to apply for a GMiS Scholarship?

Yes. So long as your parents are on active duty and you are completing your studies in an approved course of study, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship.  Transcripts must be translated into English on a 4.0 scale.

I am home schooled, am I eligible to apply for a GMIS Scholarship?

Yes, if you are considered a graduating high school senior and the high school curriculum you are completing is an accredited curriculum.  Transcripts must be submitted on a 4.0 scale.

I am a working professional pursuing a college degree part-time, am I eligible to apply for a GMiS Scholarship?

No. You must be enrolled full-time (12 hrs undergraduate; 9 hrs graduate) in an accredited academic program, in the United States or its territories, both at the time of application and during the term of the scholarship, if awarded.

I am a doctoral candidate working full-time, am I eligible to apply for a GMiS Scholarship?

Doctoral candidates, i.e. those students who have passed all their comprehensive examinations, must be making satisfactory progress toward their dissertation and be enrolled at least half-time in their academic program.

If I am a previous HENAAC scholarship recipient, am I eligible to re-apply?

Yes.

Requirements

What documents are necessary for a complete scholarship application package?

You must submit the following seven documents, online, for your application to be considered complete:

  • HENAAC Scholarship Application
  • Resume: one-page limit
  • Personal Statement. Refer to the application page for the current question.
  • Official Transcripts: Transcripts must include the seal of your university/college or high school or signature of the Registrar. The cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted must appear on the transcript. If you received a sealed envelope with your transcript, you may open it and scan the document to either upload as part of your application or email directly to [email protected].
  • One faculty letter of recommendation (From an advisor, dean, principal, faculty or instructor – i.e. someone who can speak on behalf of your academics)
  • One peer letter of recommendation (From a friend, classmate, lab partner, teammate, member of a student organization). The letter may not be from a mentor, coach, or supervisor. It must be from a peer.
  • Photo: The photo will not be used in the scholarship selection, but rather used for publications of scholarship recipients, in print and online
    • The photo must be professional in style and content.
    • The photo must be of high quality – i.e. 300 dpi. In other words, no cell phone photos. The photo must be taken with a digital camera or scanned at a high resolution. An indicator of a high-quality photo is a photo over 1 MB.
    • The photo should be a head-shot. There is no need for a full-body photo.
    • The photo should not be a party-shot (i.e. taken at a party), a scantily-clad photo, a “selfie,” a glamour shot, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media photo
    • The photo should not be Black and White or Sepia. Photos must be in full color.
What is the essay question?

Please refer to the application page for the current question.

Does the essay have to be exactly 700-850 words?

No. The 700-850 word count is an approximation. The essay should be succinctly written to address the essay questions. The essay is like an interview and should present the applicant to the scholarship reviewer as a highly qualified applicant

Does my resume have to be limited to one page?

Yes. Unless you are submitting a curriculum vitae, resumes must be limited to one page.

Is there a specific resume format?

No. There is no specific resume format. However, it is strongly suggested that the resume be formatted in a manner which will allow them to be scanned and entered into a database by sponsors.

What GPA must appear on the official transcript?

The Overall or Cumulative GPA, on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the official transcript.  Weighted scores or numerical scores must be converted to a 4.0 scale.  No exceptions. Transcripts will not be accepted if there is no GPA indicated.

I have a transcript that reports grades on a 10-point, 6-point or 12-point scale. Is that acceptable?

No. The GPA must be re-calculated to at least a traditional U.S. 4.0 grading scale. If your institution does not provide this service, you may seek an unofficial GPA converter or guide to provide the re-calculation. However, the re-calculated GPA must be verified and validated by your institution by a letter from your advisor/counselor that is submitted with the re-calculated transcript.

What if my GPA is not on my official transcript?

Your GPA must appear on your official transcript. If it is not automatically included, you must include a signed letter from either the guidance counseling office or registrar’s office indicating your Overall GPA on a 4.0 scale. The letter must also include the official seal/stamp of the institution.

What if my university does not provide course grades?

GMiS is aware of the handful of institutions that do not provide a grading scale. You must include a signed letter from the registrar’s office indicating your Overall GPA on a 4.0 scale. The letter must also include the official seal/stamp of the institution.

What if only a weighted overall GPA is provided?

You must include a signed letter from either the guidance counseling office or registrar’s office indicating your Unweighted Overall GPA on a 4.0 scale. The letter must also include the official seal/stamp of the institution.

I am currently in a first semester as an undergraduate and do not have a GPA, what transcript do I submit?

You must submit your official high school transcript.

Who is considered a “faculty” for my letter of recommendation?

A faculty is a teacher, professor, dean, principal, guidance counselor, or academic advisor. A faculty is someone, who can write about your academic abilities.

Who is considered a “peer” for my letter of recommendation?

A peer is someone, who is within your same age group – a friend, neighbor, classmate, lab partner, teammate, or member of a student organization/youth group.  Your peer should be someone, who can write about your leadership and character.

Why do I need to submit a peer letter of recommendation?

The GMiS Scholarship requires a peer letter of recommendation because in the future, your peers will become those individuals you will turn to for a job recommendation, and will come to know your work ethic and personality.

Can my mentor, sports coach, priest/pastor, community member be considered a peer for the purposes of the peer letter of recommendation?

If your mentor, coach, pastor or community member is of your same approximate age group, the letter provided by that individual will be considered a peer letter of recommendation. Otherwise, you need to find a peer to write your peer letter of recommendation.

May I submit more than two letters of recommendation?

No. Only two letters – one from a faculty and one from a peer – may be submitted. Any additional letters will be discarded.

Is there a specific format for the letters of recommendation?

No. However, the letters should reflect the extent to which the writer knows the applicant and can address specific qualities – academic, interpersonal, professional – that presents the applicant as a future STEM professional. Applicants are encouraged to persuade their recommenders from submitting standard form letters. Applicant’s name and university should be listed in the upper left hand corner of each page.

Must I submit a self-photo at the time of application?

Yes.  However, the photo will not be used in the determination of the scholarship selection

Why is a self-photo required?

The self-photo is required to assist in the post-selection marketing of the GMiS Scholars via social, print and electronic media.

What are the requirements of the self-photo?
  • The photo must be professional in style and content.
  • The photo must be of high quality – i.e. 300 dpi. The photo must be taken with a digital camera or scanned at a high resolution. An indicator of a high-quality photo is a photo over 1 MB.
  • The photo should be a head-shot. There is no need for a full-body photo.
  • The photo should not be a party-shot (i.e. taken at a party), a scantily-clad photo, a “selfie,” a glamour shot, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media photo.
  • The photo should not be Black and White or Sepia. Photos must be in full color

Submission Process

What is the application deadline?

The online application closes at 11:59 PM PST, on April 30. All materials must be submitted by this deadline.

How do I submit my scholarship application?

You must apply online through the GMiS Scholars Portal. Additional documents: essay, letters of recommendation, resume and official transcripts must be uploaded online. Paper copies of application materials are not accepted.

Do all documents have to be submitted at the same time?

No. Applicants will be required to establish a login ID and password, which will enable them to return and complete their application and upload their documents at a later time. However, it is STRONGLY recommended that you have all your documents ready to upload before you begin the application process.

What if I started an application and closed the browser or exited without submitting, is my application saved?

Yes.  If you closed your browser before submitting your application, the content is saved. You will need to login to the portal and continue your application.

If I upload the transcript, is it still considered official?

Yes. If your school/university provides you a sealed envelope with your transcript, for our purposes, you may open the transcript, scan and upload with your application. Scanned transcripts must be legible and uploaded as a PDF not as a photo. 

So long as the uploaded transcript contains the university or high school seal or registrar office signature, the transcript is considered official. Transcripts that contain the words “Unofficial” or documents that are a menu of course listings, or in any way altered, are unacceptable.

What if I have more than one transcript to upload?

You must scan all the transcripts into one document and then upload that single document.  Scanned transcripts must be legible and uploaded as a PDF not as a photo. 

What if my high school/college/university will not issue the official transcripts to me?

If the institution will not release the transcripts directly to you, they may email directly or use a clearinghouse to email the transcript to [email protected]

My college/university uses an online clearing house to send transcripts, is this sufficient?

Yes. Please notify the institution to send the e-transcripts to Dr. Gary Cruz at [email protected].

My peer or faculty prefers to email the letter directly to Great Minds in STEM™. Is this permissible?

Yes. Please notify the recommender to send the letter to Dr. Gary Cruz at scholars@greatmindsinstem.org. Letters must be sent as a pdf and must be signed by the recommender.

Requirements