Q: How can I increase my chances of being awarded a scholarship? 
A: Be sure the 2 people writing your letters of support discuss the specific project on which your application centers in their letters. Also, make sure the people writing your letters of support and providing your transcript can meet the May deadline. (Remind them of the due date when you ask them to write the letter of support for you.)

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Q: If my grades aren't great should I forget about applying?
A: No. This scholarship is not tied to academic achievement. It is given for what you have accomplished in areas that may or may not correlate with getting good grades.

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Q: I applied for this once before and was not selected/only got an honorable mention. May I apply again?
A: Yes. As long as you still meet the eligibility requirements AND your application is for a different project.

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Q: If I am not a United States citizen, may I apply?
A: If you graduate from a high school in the United States, then you can apply 

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Q: If I've already graduated from an undergraduate program and earned a BA/BS degree, am I eligible to apply?
A: No, the scholarship is intended for first-time college students.

Q: Who should write my letters of recommendation?
A: People who know you and who are familiar with the project that is central to your application.

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Q: Do recommendations have to come from teachers?
A: No, but at least one should come from someone from your school who is familiar with you and your project.

Q: Why do you ask for my parent(s)/guardians' IRS 1040?

A: We initially request financial information simply to confirm that the name on your scholarship application matches with the name on an official government form. Later on in the scholarship process, if you are chosen as a winner, then your financial information is used to determine the dollar amount of your award. If you have any questions about this stage of the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at:   mfscholarship@cfgnh.org  

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Q: What is the proper way to include the IRS 1040 with my application?

A: We only need the first two pages of your parent(s)/guardians' IRS 1040—the form should have YOUR NAME included on it. Typically, your name appears as a Dependent in Item 6, unless you live independently and file your own taxes. If you file separately, include your own IRS 1040 with your application. PLEASE cross out ALL Social Security Numbers (including your own).

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Q: What if my parents/guardians do not file taxes in the United States, or at all?
A: If you cannot provide an IRS 1040, then we accept full copies of your FAFSA (Student Aid Report) instead. Again, PLEASE cross out your Social Security Number. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Q: What if I don't know what college I want to go to yet?
A: That's OK. We make the awards based on what you have done, and wait to find out where you decide to go to school before sending the check to your college registrar.

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Q: What if I don't go to college right after high school, but take some time off? What if I take time off during college?
A: That's fine. Just let us know where and when you will be entering college and the scholarship will follow you. If you decide to take a leave of absence during college, you will not get any funds during that time, but the scholarship can resume when you return to school.

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Q: What happens if I transfer from one college to another?
A: The scholarship follows you. Just let us know and provide evidence that you are a full-time student in good standing at your new college.

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Q: If I take more than four years to get my degree, may I get the scholarship extended?
A: No.

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Q: May I use the scholarship for books and school supplies?

A: The scholarship may be used to support only tuition, room and board (unless your college's financial aid office has a process for allowing financial aid to cover books purchased at the college bookstore, in which case you may use it for that, as well).

Q. How is the amount of the award determined?
A. The judges evaluate the amounts to be awarded to each winner on a case-by-case basis.

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Q: May I spread the amount of the scholarship over the four years in a manner that is not four equal payments?
A: You may not get more than $5,000 your first year. If you prefer to defer the scholarship for your first year until your second year (due to your financial aid package), you may receive two years' worth of payments in your second year. You may always defer a payment, but may not get a payment in advance.
Q: Can the scholarship be used for a vocational or technical school?
A: Yes.

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Q: Can the scholarship be used for a two-year school and then transferred to a 4-year school?
A: Yes.

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Q: Can the scholarship be used for an online program?
A: No.

Q: How do I prove that I am still a student in good standing each year?
A: You will receive an email from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven regarding your Milton Fisher renewal. The email will provide details about the materials that you will need to submit by June of that year in order to be considered for a scholarship renewal.

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Q: What does winning the Milton Fisher Scholarship require me to do?
A: Your job is to continue being an innovative and creative person in whatever path you choose. We would also like you to provide us with a one-minute or two-minute video in which you describe your award-winning project that we can post on our website.  In addition, we welcome (but do not require) your assistance in recruiting future applicants for the scholarship.

Q: What happens after the May deadline? When can students expect feedback, or notification?
A: The applications are prepared for committee review and read carefully. In July, that committee convenes to discuss and determine winners. Applicants will be notified of decisions in August.

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Q: What if I get stuck on my application...and have questions about how best to write up my project? What if I have a hard time writing the essays? My parents are not fluent in English so they cannot help me go over my application.
A: We have volunteer mentors whom you can contact for encouragement or specific assistance. Please email or call us and we will find someone who can give you some help. We have help available.