Frequently Asked Questions
2010 TANC Scholarship Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When was the scholarship program established?
The scholarship was established in 2007. It is an annual program that will run as long as support is available from The Betsy Gordon Foundation based in San Rafael, CA.
2. When is the scholarship announced and awarded?
For the 2010 Scholarship program, application forms and information are posted on the TANC’s website in May. Deadline for applications is July 30th. Interviews are scheduled in August. Scholarship recipients are contacted in late August, and are invited for a khata ceremony during the September 2, Tibetan Democracy Day. Scholarship checks are mailed in September.
3. Who can apply for scholarships?
- Scholarships are available to full-time Tibetan students residing in Northern California and attending:
- Graduate School
- Four-Year Undergraduate College
- Vocational School
- Community College
- Adult School for High School Diploma or the GED test preparation
4. What are the other eligibility requirements?
- Demonstrated leadership in school, community or in employment
- Member of the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) with membership dues paid in full
- Applicants, their spouses, and their parents must be Tibetan Green Book holders with contributions paid in full
5. What are the Northern California Residency Requirements?
- Applicants should be ready to provide proof of residency and intent to remain a resident. Examples may include:
- Car or voter registration
- Records of attending secondary school in the state
- State driver’s license
- Home ownership or rental lease agreement
- Utility bill
- Local bank account
6. My parents/family live in a different state, and I moved to Northern California for school. Can I apply?
No. This scholarship is for students who have permanent residency in Northern California.
7. My parents/family live in Northern California, but I’m attending school elsewhere. Can I still apply?
Yes, provided your permanent address is still in Northern California and that you haven’t permanently relocated.
8. What other documents and information do I need to submit with the application form?
- A photo (this can be digital and emailed)
- A typed personal essay on reasons for applying for the scholarship. Please refer to the application form for the question.
- Two current recommendation letters from professors or employers that indicate the desire and drive to complete the schooling/training program that the student seeks. Candidates pursuing academic courses must submit at least one recommendation letter from a current professor.
- Latest academic transcript.
- Information related to the cost of education including tuition, books, and other costs by semester or year, if applicable. Plus information on other scholarship(s) already secured. Please refer to the application form.
- Photocopy of applicant’s Tibetan Green Book dues paid up to date.
- Photocopies of parents’ Tibetan Green Book dues paid up to date. If married for spouse.
- Photocopy of TANC membership with all dues paid.
9. I am a prior scholarship recipient. Can I apply again, and do I have to submit all the documents again?
Yes, you can apply again. Yes, you have to submit all the documents again. You have to write a new essay, fill in the new application form, and obtain new recommendation letters. Please refer to the application form for more information. However, please note that in the interest of fairness, preference will be given to new and reapplicants who did not receive support in previous years.
10. Can more than one person apply from the same family?
There is no limit to how many members of a family can apply. However, in the interest of fairness, the Scholarship Committee members will look at other applications first before considering awarding scholarships to two candidates from the same family.
11. What information on educational costs do I need to submit?
Do not simply download the tuitions and boarding costs information from the school website. We are interested in knowing how much it will really costs you to attend your school after accounting for other scholarships received or expected and other funding you may have lined up. So, please include any scholarships you have already received or expect to receive from the school or from other sources. We have created a table on the application form to provide the required information. Please refer to the application form.
12. Is there any flexibility to the application deadline?
No. All applications postmarked and mailed after the due date are not accepted. If the scholarship program has to extend or change the application deadline then the program will notify the community accordingly.
13. If invited for an interview, can I do the interview over the phone?
The Scholarship Committee would prefer to have the interview in person. The Committee will make every effort to give a prospective interview candidate sufficient advance notice of the interview date. However, the Committee understands that an emergency and a valid reason may exist where an applicant is not able to appear for the interview in person. Request for phone interviews will be made on a case-by-case basis.
14. Is community service important? What constitutes community service?
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to devote some time towards community service. All current scholarship recipients are expected to spend at least 8 hours a month in community service. Examples of community service include: helping the students and teachers at the Tibetan School of Northern California, working on various tasks at the TANC office, and helping at specific community events. Simply showing up at community meetings and events do not constitute community service. Please review the TANC Volunteering and Community Service Opportunities Form that every applicant must complete and submit with their application.
15. If I am awarded the scholarship, when will I get the money?
You will receive the funds after providing evidence that you are indeed a fulltime student. When your school reopens, you can either obtain a letter from your school stating that you are a fulltime student or you can submit your academic schedule to the TANC’s Office Manager. For Community College, Vocational and students attending Adult School for the High School Diploma or the GED test preparation, the funds are released in one installment. For Undergraduate and Graduate students the funds are released in two installments, the first in the fall term and the second in the spring term.
16. Can I spend the scholarship money for non-educational purposes?
No. The scholarship is to enable you to go to school on a full-time basis. Educational costs include tuitions, books, transportation, and boarding.
17. I received scholarship money, but I have either completed my program or dropped out. Do I have to return the money?
Yes
18. Who will review my application and conduct the scholarship interview?
All applications and interviews are reviewed and conducted by the Scholarship Committee. The committee is comprised of community members as well as qualified individuals from outside the Tibetan community.
19. Will every applicant be interviewed?
The Scholarship Selection Committee will determine how large the applicant pool is for any given year, and whether it is feasible to interview every applicant. Thus, you are encouraged to write a good essay, obtain proper recommendation letters, meet all the requirements, and ensure that your application packet is complete. The Scholarship Committee will review your application packet and determine whether or not to invite you for an interview.
20. Will I be interviewed in English or Tibetan?
At least one question will be in Tibetan. We advise that you prepare in both languages,
English and Tibetan.
21. Can I reschedule my interview or do the interview over phone?
Interviews are an important part of the application process, and all candidates are expected to make themselves available for their interviews in person and on the announced date. However, the Scholarship Selection Committee might consider a phone interview if the applicant has an emergency or an unusual situation.
22. Is there a dress code for the interview?
No. However, traditional chubas for both male and female applicants would be much appreciated.
23. My application was declined. Will I get a letter from the scholarship program explaining why?
All applicants who do not receive a scholarship will be contacted via phone or email. The scholarship office will try its best to give you feedback on your application.
24. What else?
The program hopes all past and current scholarship recipients to stay in touch with the
TANC’s Office Manager. We would appreciate receiving updates and news on how you are doing at school, work and life in general.
25. Whom do I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact TANC at (510) 666-1355. scholarship@tanc.org
