Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply?
Students who live in New Hampshire or select communities in bordering states (see list below) and are enrolling in or attending a post-secondary or college program at an accredited institution.

Vermont: Essex County, Rivendell Academy, and Hartford
Maine: Kittery, York, Elliot, Berwick, North Berwick
Other States: Graduate medical students (MD or DO only) in MA or CT

Do students need to be a graduating high school senior to be eligible?
No, students do not need to be a graduating high school senior to be eligible. Students can apply at any time during their college or post-secondary educational program.

Who is considered a resident of New Hampshire?
The Foundation generally considers a student a resident of New Hampshire if one or more of the following statements applies to them:

• Permanent address is in New Hampshire
• FAFSA is filed with a New Hampshire address
• Eligible for New Hampshire in-state tuition
• Valid driver’s license issued by New Hampshire
• Car is registered in New Hampshire

If you have specific residency questions, please contact Student Aid at fghqragqbpf@aups.bet.

Are New Hampshire students attending out-of-state or international schools eligible to apply?
Yes, as long they are considered residents of New Hampshire.

Is citizenship considered when making decisions on scholarship awards?
Only a small number of our scholarship funds take citizenship status into account. All students, regardless of citizenship status, are encouraged to apply and be considered for funding.

Is consideration given to students who have other members of their household enrolled in a college program? 
Yes. While the FAFSA no longer considers the number of college students in a household as part of the financial need evaluation, the Foundation will continue to factor this into our decision-making process. All applicants will be asked how many college students are in their household.

How competitive is the scholarship program and what is the average award size?
The scholarship program is competitive, so not all applicants receive funding. Approximately one in five bachelor’s candidates receive an award. Independent bachelor’s candidates, associate degree candidates, and non-degree candidates have an award rate of one in two.

The size of awards varies and depends on the cost of the program that the student is pursuing. Awards range in size from $250 to $5,000 and the average award is $3,500.

When does the online application become available?
The online application will become available in mid-January of each year.

Is it possible to edit an application after submission?
No, ScholarshipSource does not allow applicants to make changes after they have submitted their application. Applicants should carefully review their application before submitting.

Are applications accepted after the deadline?
No applications or letters of reference are accepted after the posted deadline under any circumstances. Applicants should allow references sufficient time and notice to submit materials prior to the deadline.

How are applicants notified if they are awarded a scholarship?
All responses are sent via email.

Are applicants notified if they are not awarded a scholarship?
Yes. All students who submit a complete application by the deadline will receive notification via email.

When will applicants receive a response to their application?
Dependent bachelor’s candidates and all graduate students who meet the mid-April deadline will receive an email response by mid-June. All other students can apply throughout the year and will receive an email response within four to six weeks of submitting a complete application. Completed applications must have at least one submitted recommendation.

What does it mean to be a “scholarship finalist?”
Some students will go through a finalist process. Those students will be contacted via the email associated with their ScholarshipSource account to fill out an additional form. This process helps to ensure that a Foundation scholarship will not negatively impact the student’s financial aid package.

What is needed to create an account in ScholarshipSource?
Students need a username, password, and email address to create an account in ScholarshipSource. Students should not use email addresses associated with their high school, college, or university, as these email accounts may not be accessible after the student graduates. Students should use an email address they regularly check. Students should not create multiple accounts; when reapplying, students should use their existing account.

My ScholarshipSource account is locked. How can I get into my account?
ScholarshipSource accounts will automatically lock after three unsuccessful login attempts. Accounts can be unlocked either by resetting the account password or by contacting fghqragqbpf@aups.bet.

How many letters of recommendation are required?
One recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline for an application to be considered complete. Students can list up to three references to provide letters of recommendation; this is recommended in case a reference is not able to fulfill the request.

How does a reference submit their letter of recommendation?
Applicants list their reference’s name and email address in the application. Immediately after, ScholarshipSource generates an automated e-mail message directly to students’ references inviting them to submit a letter of recommendation for the applicant.

What if a reference has not received the recommendation request email?
The applicant should check the reference email address in their application to ensure that it was entered correctly. If the email address is correct, the reference should check their spam filters for emails from “NHCF.org.” Applicants may send multiple reminders to their references. If the reference is still having difficulty receiving the request, please contact fghqragqbpf@aups.bet.

Some school firewalls may block these messages or prevent access to the application portal. To prevent this, the reference’s IT department can open the school firewall to incoming emails with @nhcf.org extensions or from https://nhcf.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com in order to accommodate student requests. The following IP address should be authorized: 12.228.6.215.

Can an application be submitted before all letters of recommendation are in?
Yes, students may submit their application before the recommendations are complete. We suggest that students submit their application as soon as they finish it. Students will have the ability to manage letters of recommendation after they have submitted their application, including withdrawing requests, adding new references, and sending reminders. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that recommendations are completed by the deadline.

Is it possible to submit a letter of reference after a deadline?
No, late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they are giving their references enough time and notice to complete the online application before the deadline. Up to three references may be listed in case one is unable to complete the form before the deadline.

Is it possible to edit a letter of reference after it has been submitted?
No, ScholarshipSource does not allow the reference to make changes after the form has been submitted. References should carefully review their form before submitting.

Why does the Foundation use FAFSA information to assess financial need? What are the parameters for defining financial need?
Students who demonstrate financial need are prioritized within the Foundation’s scholarship decision-making process. FAFSA information is used because it provides a standardized measure to evaluate financial need. Additionally, most colleges and universities use FAFSA information to package financial aid.

What should students do if they did not file a FAFSA?
If students did not file a FAFSA they should contact Student Aid for specific instructions.

When are scholarship checks mailed?
Scholarship recipients receive an award letter that tells them exactly when their scholarship check(s) will be mailed.

Where are scholarship checks sent?
Scholarship checks are mailed to the scholarship recipient at the address that they provided on their application. Checks are not mailed directly to the school. Students must take the checks to their school to ensure that scholarship funds are properly credited to their accounts.

Who are scholarship checks made payable to?
All scholarship checks are made co-payable to the student and their school. Students should not deposit scholarship checks into any personal banking accounts. Students who have accidentally deposited their scholarship check in a personal account should contact  Student Aid immediately.

What if a scholarship check is made out incorrectly?
Students should contact fghqragqbpf@aups.bet to have the check reissued correctly.

Will scholarship recipients have to pay taxes on their scholarship award?
According to IRS regulations, scholarship awards not used to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment are considered taxable income. If scholarship recipients have questions about the tax implications of a scholarship award, they should consult a tax advisor or consult the IRS website for additional information

What is a renewable scholarship?
Some Foundation scholarship awards are renewable for the duration of a student’s academic program as long as they meet the required terms.

How will students know if they have a renewable scholarship?
Award letters tell scholarship recipients if their award is a single-year award or if it is renewable. Terms and directions for renewing an award are enclosed within the award letter.

Are prior recipients eligible to reapply? How do scholarship recipients who do not have a renewable award reapply?
Yes, students who have previously received a scholarship are eligible to reapply. Students must complete a new online application through ScholarshipSource. Students will need to provide updated references, essays, FAFSA information, and transcripts each year.

Do students need to write a new essay when renewing or reapplying?
Students are strongly encouraged to write a new essay each year in order to provide an update on academic progress, personal circumstances, and career goals.