Who is eligible for scholarships?
Applicants must be residents of Newtown, Connecticut, at the time of their graduation from high school (public or private) and planning to attend or currently attending an accredited, post-secondary institution. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors as well as students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college.
What is the process to apply for a scholarship?
For the application, visit newtownscholarship.smapply.io/ The Awards Committee, a group within the NSA Board of Governors, will review your application and accompanying documentation. A personal interview with high school graduating seniors is also part of the process so that we can get to know you, your achievements, and your goals as we match each student with potential scholarship funds.
There are a number of scholarships listed on your website. Do I apply to each specific scholarship or just submit one application?
There is only one NSA scholarship that has additional application requirements and an earlier deadline, which is the Hertberg Family Foundation Scholarship. Otherwise, you submit only a single application to NSA and do not apply for a specific scholarship. Students who apply and are not selected for the Hertberg Family Foundation Scholarship are automatically considered for general scholarships available from NSA. After a careful review of applications, the Awards Committee will determine the award amount and specific scholarship for qualified applicants.
Will my application be kept confidential?
Yes. Only the NSA Awards Committee and those directly related to application processing and award disbursement have access to your application. The NSA Awards Committee keeps all financial, personal, and academic information in the strictest confidence.
What kind of financial documentation is required?
All applicants must provide pages 1 to 3 of the FAFSA Submission Summary from their current year FAFSA, which includes the federally-calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). Students who have completed a CSS Profile should submit a copy of that as well. There is also a place within the application to share any extenuating circumstances regarding the family’s financial situation with the Awards Committee. If clarification or additional information is needed, a member of the Awards Committee will contact the student directly.
How do you measure financial need and determine the amount of each award?
Financial need is given preference in the awarding of all scholarships. To determine a student’s level of need, we look at the cost of attending the selected college (minus any college grants or scholarships), then use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Index (SAI) and any other family financial information provided within the application as a measure of what the student can afford. Academics, activities, community service, work history, intended area of study, and attending college are also considerations when matching students with specific named, honorary, and memorial scholarships that may have additional criteria.
What is the dollar range of scholarships?
General scholarship award amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000. The Hertberg Family Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to one student for $10,000 ($40,000 over four years). Awards vary based on the level of individual student need, number of students applying that year, and overall budget that is available. Some scholarships have specific amounts established according to the criteria outlined by the fund’s original donor.
Are all applicants guaranteed a scholarship?
NSA has a long history of generosity, and we strive to support Newtown students by closing the gap between what they can afford and the cost of post-high school education. However, it is possible that not all applicants will receive a scholarship award. If a student does not receive an award, they may reapply in future years if their financial circumstances change (for example, a family member’s loss of job, a reduction in financial aid from their college, or other extenuating circumstances that directly affect the student’s ability to pay for and attend college).
Are NSA scholarships limited to colleges and universities only?
Students must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution that is accredited. By accredited, we mean any educational institution that is recognized by the applicable accreditation organization or government. This includes most colleges, universities, and trade or technical schools.
Can I apply for a scholarship if I'm attending a college or university in another country?
Yes, a recipient can be enrolled in an international equivalent of an accredited college or university. By accredited, we mean any educational institution that is recognized by the applicable accreditation organization or government.
Do you award scholarships to more than one family member?
Yes. Quite often, we have multiple family members receiving an award at the same time.
How will I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?
Graduating high school seniors will be notified by email prior to graduation. Returning college students will be notified by mid-August via email.
How are awards paid?
Scholarship funds are sent directly to the institution a student attends. NSA will pay the award in equal installments twice per year (typically in August and December). Awards of $750 or less are paid in one installment for the fall semester only. All scholarship recipients are required to confirm by November 15 that they are returning to the same college or technical school by emailing awards@newtownscholarship.org. Each scholarship recipient is responsible for any taxes that may be imposed on their award.
Do scholarships have to be repaid?
No, NSA scholarship awards are grants and not loans. They do not need to be repaid.
Are scholarship funds taxable?
In general, scholarship funds are not treated as taxable income if you are (a) pursuing a degree and (b) using the funds for tuition, fees, or course materials the IRS considers a “qualified education expense” for your program of study. However, if you receive scholarship funds that exceed your qualified educational expenses, like room and board, travel, tutoring services, or supplies that aren't required, these funds are generally subject to taxation. Go directly to the IRS for more information on scholarship taxability.
Do scholarships last more than one year?
Scholarship awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until an undergraduate degree is awarded, whichever comes first. To renew scholarship awards, students must complete an NSA Returning College Student Application. For application links and more information on how to apply, go to [ADD LINK].
What happens if I am awarded a scholarship then transfer to another college?
Scholarships are awarded based on the cost of the institution that you have chosen to attend and are not transferable to any other institution without reapplication. If you decide to transfer to another institution, you must notify the Awards Committee and provide documentation to verify the transfer. NSA will then reevaluate your level of need and determine eligibility for continued funding.
Can I use the scholarship for graduate level studies?
No, awards are for undergraduate study only.
What happens if my family moves out of Newtown while I'm attending college?
That’s ok. If a student lived in Newtown and was awarded an NSA scholarship at the time of graduation from high school and their family were to move out of Newtown while they were in college, they would still be eligible for an NSA scholarship.
Are there academic requirements while attending college to maintain a NSA scholarship?
A student is expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress defined by the institution you are attending. The application for returning college students requires verification of your academic status and/or a copy of your transcript.
Does the scholarship impose any obligations for scholarship recipients to NSA?
Scholarship recipients have no obligation of any kind to NSA. However, we do encourage students to write a letter of thank you to the donor(s) who have provided them with financial support. The greatest reward for NSA and our individual donors is when a scholarship recipient keeps in touch regarding how they are doing. Your story can truly help another’s dream become a reality. While not an expectation, we are proud and honored that many NSA scholarship recipients later choose to donate both time and money to the association that helped them on their path to success.
What if I have questions or my information changes? What is the best way to communicate with NSA?
Please feel free to email us at awards@newtownscholarship.org. An Awards Committee member will be happy to respond to any questions or concerns you may have during the application process and beyond!