Aims Foundation Scholarships FAQ

The Aims Foundation Scholarship application opens late in the fall semester for the upcoming academic year that starts in August.

The majority of the scholarships close at 10 p.m. on March 1. A few close at a later date. Please refer to the deadline date on the main opportunities page.

No. You will have to wait until the next award cycle.

No, you just have to fill out one general application!

You can find the online application here. You will need to sign in with your myAims username and password.

Yes, you will need to use your myAims username and password to login to the online application.

1. Be ready with the names and email addresses of a few references who are willing to answer and submit a recommendation questionnaire on your behalf. 
    
2. Have a copy of your most recent academic transcript on hand to help you answer the educational section of the application. 
   
   Click on the Applicant Record tab on the left-hand side to view certain demographic and educational information the Student Enrollment Records & Testing office has on file for you. 
    
3. Write a thought-provoking, meaningful essay. Don’t forget to proofread it! Here are this year’s essay questions:
   
   a.  What inspired you to select your field of study, and how is your education going to influence future vocational opportunities? How will your current degree program and choice of career help you ten years from now? (Please write at least 100 words and no more than 250 words.)
   b.  What does it mean to be a good student in the classroom and in the community? What traits do you possess that will enhance your education or future career? (Please write at least 100 words and no more than 250 words.)
    
4. Activities, Honors/Awards, Leadership Roles:** This is your chance to briefly describe your responsibilities outside of your normal schoolwork. Please include the following for each category:
        a. Unpaid Volunteer Work, Community Service - name of organization, total time involved in this work/service, overall total number of hours spent performing work/service. Briefly describe what you learned from this experience.
        b. Honors/Awards - name of honor or award. Briefly describe this honor or award.
        c. Leadership Roles - name of organization, leadership position held, total time spent in this role. Briefly describe this role and what you learned from this experience.

**Not required unless they are applicable to you

At least one recommendation questionnaire is strongly advised but not required. Once you Save and Finish your application, the system will automatically notify your reference via email about your request. No further action is needed from you.

You will see the following the next time you login: 
Reference Name (for example - Requested on Jan. 1, 20XX)

If your reference has submitted a recommendation questionnaire on your behalf, you will then see the following: 

Reference Name (for example - Submitted on Jan. 3, 20XX)

Hint: Click on the References button located on the top blue menu bar to view the status and resend your reference request(s).
 

Most scholarships require a 2.0 GPA, but there may be some scholarships that require above a 2.0 GPA. You can review the GPA requirements for each scholarship on the main Opportunities Page.

If you are a returning Aims student (this does NOT include concurrently enrolled students), NO transcript is needed.

If you are a new transfer student, you MUST upload a copy of your most recent college transcript.

If you are a high school senior (includes concurrently enrolled students), you MUST upload a copy of your high school transcript showing your first - semester, senior year grades. 

Note: If awarded, payment to your account will NOT be made unless your final high school transcript has been submitted to the Financial Aid office by the first day of the awarding semester(s). The transcript must show graduation/diploma date.

Scholarships will be awarded between May and September. You will be notified via your Aims email in addition to a formal offer and acceptance form sent by mail to the address on file for you.

You will have to return the signed and dated formal acceptance form mailed to you and a legibly handwritten or typed thank you letter to the Financial Aid office by the stated deadline.            

If you have your essays prewritten and all relevant educational and financial information readily available, it should take you approximately 30-45 minutes to complete the general application

If you have been awarded financial aid up to your full financial need and cost of attendance or both, then receipt of a scholarship might impact other aid you have already received. Adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis with student loan reductions as a priority.