Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Questions

Question: How do I know that I am eligible for certain scholarships? 

Answer: Applicants are required to complete the eligibility quiz to determine which scholarships they are eligible for.

Question: Can people be given the scholarship more than once? 

Answer: Yes, applicants can reapply year after year. It does not matter  if they win a scholarship or not. Winners can reapply. Non-selected students can reapply. 

Question: Can male students apply for scholarships?

Answer: Yes, there are certain scholarships that males do qualify for.  You will need to complete the eligibility quiz to determine which scholarships you qualify for. 

Questions: How are scholarship recipients selected? 

Answer: Scholarship recipients are selected through rounds of reading  and scoring by multiple reviewers of ZNEF. Applications are scored via rubric in different rounds. This rubric assesses GPA,  personal statement, recommendations, community/volunteer  service and financial need. 

General Application Questions

Question: What can cause my application to get disqualified?

Answer: An incomplete application that lacks information,  documentation (personal statement, recommendations, or  transcripts) can cause your application to be disqualified. 

Question: Will someone alert me if my application is incomplete? 

Answer: No. No one will personally notify you if your application is  incomplete. The scholarship portal does have a meter that displays if everything has been completed. If the meter reads 100%, then your application is complete. 

Question: My application status shows that my transcript has not been received yet, but my counselor sent it two weeks ago. Will my application be accepted? 

Answer: As long as your transcript was received prior to the deadline, we will be able to attach it to your application.

Question: Once I create an account, how long will it be active? 

Answer: Accounts will remain accessible. You will need to complete the eligibility quiz each year to determine which scholarship(s) you qualify for during the current application period. To reapply, you will need to complete a new application.

Question: Can I submit one application for all scholarships I qualify for, or will I  need to submit multiple applications? 

Answer: One application may be submitted for the 3 ZNEF scholarships that  you are applying for. The other special scholarships will require additional tasks. Make sure to indicate on the application which scholarship you are applying for. 

Question: I no longer have access to the scholarship, due to the fact that the due date has approached. I cannot fix anything on the application, it only shows me a read only option. What can I do? 

Answer: All sections must be completed, including transcript/letter of recommendation RECEIPT, prior to the deadline.

Question: This was my first time ever applying. I was so anxious about my transcript, I confused myself with your instructions, and missed the deadline, so it's my own fault for waiting until today to complete my application. Can you please tell me what will happen to my application, since I didn't submit it before the deadline? 

Answer: If your application was not completed, it will not go through the review process.

Question: I had to submit my transcript through a third party to this email, and I was told that someone would upload my transcript to my application, however, upon the deadline, I was not able to submit the application because my transcript wasn’t uploaded. Will my application and transcript be evaluated for the scholarship selection process?

Answer: We have updated the process. Your application will no longer be held up due to a transcript/letter of recommendation issue. As long as your transcript/letter of recommendation is received prior to the deadline and your application is complete, we will be able to attach it.

Question: When does application submission open? 

Answer: Application submission typically opens December 1st EST and closes  March 2nd at 11:59pm EST each year. 

Question: When is the deadline for applications? 

Answer: March 2, 2023 at 11:59pm EST

Question: What are some of the third-party platforms that are accepted for transcripts?

Answer: Some of the past platforms were Parchment, Student Clearinghouse, Credentials Solutions, Emprocessing, Rotran, etc.

Question: When will I have access to the recommendation link? 

Answer: Recommenders- Inform them prior to sending the email so they will be on the lookout for the recommendation link. You may send the request from your application when you begin the process. 

Question: How long will recommenders have access to the recommendation link? 

Answer: Recommenders- Only have 10 days to upload  recommendation before the recommendation link expires 

Transcript/Letter of Recommendation Questions

Question: My transcripts and letter of recommendation were never uploaded. Will I be able to submit my application? 

Answer: The transcripts/letters of recommendation will no longer pause the application process. As long as these items were received prior to the deadline, we will attach them.

Question: I had to submit my transcript through a third party to this email, and I was told that someone would upload my transcript to my application, however, upon the deadline, I was not able to submit the application because my transcript wasn’t uploaded. Will my application and transcript be evaluated for the scholarship selection process?

Answer: We have updated the process. Your application will no longer be held up due to a transcript/letter of recommendation issue. As long as your transcript/letter of recommendation is received prior to the deadline and your application is complete, we will be able to attach it.

Question: I have submitted; however, the recommendation letter respondents are receiving a no reply email, so I have attached them via email. Is there a way to attach them to the portal? 

Answer: The system has been updated, so your respondents will be able to attach your information to the portal. They must accept your request for the recommendation, then create a secure account. Any student request will populate their dashboard. They will follow the steps to upload directly from their dashboard. We do not accept emailed letters of recommendation. 

Question: Why is the Transcript and Recommendation section showing partially completed? I don't see where it could be uploaded. My transcripts were already sent to the email electronically via the University.

Answer: Partially completed means that your documents have not been received or attached to your application.  The application process will not interfere with you completing the application. Simply supply the request date for your documents. As long as the transcript/letter of recommendation was received prior to the deadline, it will be attached. 

Question: I have received a notice that my transcript has been sent. How long will it take before it’s added to my application?

Answer: It is strongly recommended that your counselor/registrar uploads your documents directly to your application or use a 3rd party vendor. If mailed from your counselor/registrar, it will take weeks. The mail goes to national headquarters, then it is collected and sent to the chair for upload. Please allow up to 5 days to attach transcripts sent by 3rd Party vendors.

Question: How should I send my transcripts? 

Answer: Transcripts should be sent via third party vendor or uploaded via PDF format to the scholarship portal by school counselor/registrar

Question: Are there other methods that I may use to send my documents and information? 

Answer: We do not accept documents by email. All documents must be submitted via the scholarship portal, except for the transcript that may be submitted via link from the third party vendor or mailed. (Mailed transcripts will require several weeks to receive and attach to the application.)

Please contact the ZNEF Scholarship Tech Committee with any further questions at ZNEFTechdirector@gmail.com.