APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

*** Some criteria has changed! Please read all instructions carefully. ***

For Applicants:

Please email/submit the following to apply@iafais.org:

• IAFAIS Scholarship Application Form (see below).

• A 350-500 word Statement of Purpose which indicates your reasons for applying, interests and/or involvement(s) in STEM, and future goals. You do NOT need to disclose the nature and extent of your disability condition(s) to us unless you would like to. 

• In a separate document, please provide a headshot photo of you with a 2-5 paragraph biography. Previous biographies and headshots can be found at: https://iafais.org/award-announcements. (This photo and biography will be published on our website, social media pages, and newsletter if you are chosen as an award recipient. If you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate so at the top of your biography document. For those who wish to remain anonymous, no photo or name will be used; however, we would still like a biography provided. You can remove all identifiers from your biography submission.)

• Please submit your Scholarship Application Form, Statement of Purpose, and Biography/Headshot Document together at the same time. Do not forget to indicate your first/last name and email address on each document.

• Your Recommender does not need to submit their Letter of Recommendation at the same time that you submit the rest of your application materials.

***APPLICATIONS FOR SRING 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DUE APRIL 8th at 11:59pm EST.***

For Recommenders:

• Please submit a 1-2 page Letter of Recommendation to apply@iafais.org. Letters must be sent through a professional/non-personal email address (.edu, .org, and .gov are all acceptable). If you are a governmental employee who is not permitted to use your work/professional email for such purposes, please reach out to us in advance at apply@iafais.org.

• Do not forget to indicate your applicant's first/last name and email address on your letter.

***RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR SPRING 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DUE APRIL 8th at 11:59pm EST.***

Award recipients will be notified in late April-early May.

Question: Do I need to list my disability/disabilities on my application or in my Statement of Purpose?

Answer: No! You do NOT need to disclose the nature and extent of your disability condition(s) to us unless you would like to.

Question: I am not working in a laboratory setting and do not have that experience. Can I still apply?

Answer: Yes! We do not require that you are currently working in or have previously worked in any laboratory setting. We want to hear about your passion for STEM; involvement looks different for everyone!

Question: Do I need to be in graduate school to apply?

Answer: Anyone at any level of education may apply for our scholarships and financial aid opportunities. 

Question: Do I need to be at a particular university/college/institution to apply?

Answer: No! We accept applications from all individuals regardless of academic and/or research affiliation.

Question: Are students who have stipends eligible to apply? 

Answer: Yes! Anyone may apply for our scholarships and financial aid opportunities regardless of current or previous stipend status.

Question: Do the funds have to go towards tuition costs?

Answer: We do not require that funds go towards any specific cost, like tuition. Award recipients may use funds for any expense they deem important.

Question: Do I need to provide IAFAIS with receipts for purchases made with my scholarship and/or financial aid awards? 

Answer: No! We value the privacy of those who apply; therefore, we do not monitor how the recipient decides to use their funds. 

Question: Can I apply to multiple scholarships in the same semester? 

Answer: Yes, you may apply for how ever many you like. If you wish to apply to multiple IAFAIS scholarships within the same semester, you must complete a different application packet for each scholarship. This means that you will need to submit a different Scholarship Application Form and Statement of Purpose for each scholarship.

Question: If I apply to more than one scholarship within the same semester, can I use the same reference letter for both scholarships?

Answer: Yes, you may. Your Recommender also does not need to submit their Letter of Recommendation twice. Please be sure that your Recommender indicates your first and last as well as your email address on their letter.

Question: Is there a GPA cutoff for those applying?

Answer: No! We do not require that you provide your GPA. We are more interested in hearing about your passion for STEM.

Question: Does my Recommender need to be my academic and/or research advisor?

Answer: No. You may choose any academic and/or professional reference to be your Recommender.

Question: I am a part-time student. Am I still eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes! Please do apply.

Question: I am taking a gap year(s) away from school, am I still eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes! Please do apply.

Question: I am currently doing research and/or working in a STEM-related field. I am not taking any courses. Am I still eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes! Please do apply.

Question: Can I apply for scholarships and financial aid if I am a US citizen studying internationally? 

Answer: Yes!  Residency/residencies, citizenship(s), country/countries of origin, nationality/nationalities, and so on will not impact the application decision process. We only ask that these are indicated on the Scholarship Application Form for 501(c)(3) IRS compliance and tax purposes. 

Question: Can I apply for scholarships and financial aid if I am not a US citizen and am studying and/or working inside and/or outside of the US?

Answer: Yes!  Residency/residencies, citizenship(s), country/countries of origin, nationality/nationalities, and so on will not impact the application decision process. We only ask that these are indicated on the Scholarship Application Form for 501(c)(3) IRS compliance and tax purposes.