Stephen Phillips Scholarship Fund
History
The Award
Criteria
Financial Eligibility
New Applicants
Renewal Applicants
Forms
FAQ & Information
Alumni/ae
Resources
Directions
Contact
Home

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. What information needs to be included in the Student Aid Report, and how do I get it?
  2. How do I determine my Cost of Attendance?
  3. Can college or graduate students apply for the scholarship?
  4. When are students notified whether they have received an award?
  5. When are award checks mailed to the colleges?
  6. Is it possible for the award check to be issued directly to the student as opposed to the school?
  7. If I decide to study abroad for a semester or year, will I still qualify for the Phillips Scholarship?
  8. What states are considered to be New England and Mid-Atlantic states?
  9. What does the Student Aid Report (SAR) look like?
  10. How can I get help with the New Application?
  11. What is considered a low EFC?
  12. How important is work experience to my application?
  13. What if I can't get financial information from my noncustodial parent?

  • What information needs to be included in the Student Aid Report, and how do I get it?

    For FAFSA and Student Aid Report Information, click here.

  • How can I determine my Cost of Attendance?

    For information regarding Cost of Attendance, click here.


  • Can college or graduate students apply for the scholarship?

    College students are invited to apply for the scholarship. Graduate students, however, are not eligible to apply, nor are students who have already received a bachelor's degree and are returning to school for a second bachelor's degree.

  • When are students notified whether they have received an award?

    Trustees normally vote on new and renewal candidate awards in mid June. Letters will be mailed to all who applied at that time, and the list of award recipients will be posted on the website by June 24th. All students who send an application will also receive a postcard confirming our receipt of their information. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about award status.


  • When are award checks mailed to the colleges?

    Checks are mailed in early July for the first semester and mid-December for the second semester. It often takes time for schools to record checks, and your award may not immediately show up on your award letter or bill.


  • Is it possible for the award check to be issued directly to the student as opposed to the school?

    The Phillips Trust instrument and the Internal Revenue Service both prohibit us from issuing checks directly to students.


  • If I decide to study away for a semester or year, will I still qualify for the Phillips Scholarship?

    Students studying away from their home college or university qualify for a scholarship as long as we are able to send our check to your home institution, which then passes the funds on to the program. If your home institution will not pass the funds along, you will receive your scholarship only for the semester that you are at your home institution. If you are away all year, and the funds will not be passed along, you will not receive your award that year, but are encouraged to reapply for the following year. Please confer with your financial aid office to determine their policies and procedures.


  • What states are considered to be New England and Mid-Atlantic states?

    Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylavania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.


  • How can I get help with the New Application?

    Click here for Detailed Instructions for the New Application. This page-by-page information walks you through every question.


  • What do you consider a low EFC?

    Last year’s new recipient EFC averaged $5500. 85% of last year’s recipients had EFCs below $10,000.

  • How important is work experience to my application?

    We expect that applicants will earn money for college expenses through part-time work. If you haven’t held a job, you will need to explain why.

  • My non-custodial parent isn’t part of my life, and so I can’t get financial information from that parent. Can I still apply?

    Yes. Please provide a statement explaining your situation. It would also be helpful to have a copy of the waiver from your college for the noncustodial-parent information.