FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding eligibility

  1. Who is eligible for the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?
  2. How many scholarships does the John T. Petters Foundation award?
  3. Does the John T. Petters Foundation support students of diverse ethnic backgrounds?
  4. What if I attend an accredited college or university but the study abroad program I am interested in is hosted by another university or study abroad organization? Am I still eligible to receive a scholarship?
  5. What If I have a financial need but am currently not receiving any financial aid? Am I still eligible to apply?
  6. I am a graduate student. Can I apply?
  7. Are summer study abroad programs eligible for a John T. Petters Foundation scholarship?
  8. I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I still eligible to apply?
  9. Can I use the scholarship for a study abroad program outside of an international business focus?
  10. What is the minimum length of study required to be eligible for the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship? Are short-term programs eligible?
  11. Is preference given to longer-term programs during the selection process? If I apply to a shorter-term program, how can I make my application competitive?

Questions regarding the application process

  1. I have never traveled or studied abroad before. Should I apply?
  2. When should I apply?
  3. How do I apply?
  4. What is the difference between the Study Abroad Program Title and the Program Sponsor?
  5. What is the “necessary documentation” I should have completed for the deadline dates?
  6. Do I have to submit the name, email and telephone number for a Financial Aid Advisor?
  7. How do I know who the correct Financial Aid Advisor is?
  8. Are there any other components to the Application Process?

Questions regarding the Award Process and Recipient Information

  1. What is the current value of a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?
  2. Are there stipulations for the use of scholarship funds?
  3. How will the award check be issued and disbursed? Will it be sent directly to the student or to the university?
  4. What are my chances of winning a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?
  5. If I receive a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship, will that impact my university financial aid package?
  6. When and how will I be notified of the status of my application?

Who is eligible for the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?

We base our selection criterion on the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Applicant must be attending an accredited college or university in the United States as an undergraduate student
  2. Applicant must be applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution
  3. Applicant must be pursuing a study abroad program that incorporates international business
  4. Applicant must be able to show financial need for scholarship
  5. Applicant must be a United States citizen

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How many scholarships does the John T. Petters Foundation award?

For Fall 2008, we will be dividing approximately 30 scholarships averaging at $5,000 per scholarship. It is projected that we will have approximately 200-300 applicants wishing to receive the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship for studying abroad for the 08'-09' school year.

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Does the John T. Petters Foundation support students of diverse ethnic backgrounds?

Yes, the John T. Petters Foundation strongly encourages students of diverse ethnic backgrounds to apply for the scholarship.

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What if I attend an accredited college or university but the study abroad program I am interested in is hosted by another university or study abroad organization? Am I still eligible to receive a scholarship?

Yes. Our only requirement, should you choose to pursue a study abroad program outside of your home institution, is that the home institution accepts the credit(s). We will, however, critique the study abroad program the student wishes to travel with against our current selection initiatives.

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What If I have a financial need but am currently not receiving any financial aid? Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. We understand circumstances do vary from student to student. However, students indicating high need and/or who help finance their own education are given preference.

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I am a graduate student. Can I apply?

No. At this time, only undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Applications from outside our current grant-making parameters are not reviewed.

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Are summer study abroad programs eligible for a John T. Petters Foundation scholarship?

Yes! However, if you are applying to a summer study abroad program, please indicate why you have selected this form of travel abroad as opposed to a full semester or academic year long program in the Personal Statement portion of your application.

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I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I still eligible to apply?

No. At this time, only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship.

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Can I use the scholarship for a study abroad program outside of an international business focus?

The John T. Petters Foundation scholarship is primarily for students who are looking to study business internationally. Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply, but all awarded scholarships by the John T. Petters Foundation must be used toward international programs that have some business element which must be shown in the application.

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What is the minimum length of study required to be eligible for the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship? Are short-term programs eligible?

Yes, short-term programs are eligible but preference is given to students studying abroad for at least three weeks and in accordance with the Foundation’s deadlines and timelines. The program you are participating in must also be eligible for academic credit by your home institution. See the Timeline Section for the Foundation’s awarding cycle.

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Is preference given to longer-term programs during the selection process? If I apply to a shorter-term program, how can I make my application competitive?

Students who are applying for short-term programs should clearly explain why they have chosen their specific study abroad program, including their length of study, in the Personal Statement portion of the application. Often students applying for short-term programs have specific reasons for doing so. Here, the Personal Statement section of the application is the perfect platform for students to share with the selection committee the reasons behind their study abroad program choice.

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I have never traveled or studied abroad before. Should I apply?

Absolutely. A primary focus of the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship is to afford travel abroad opportunities to students who have not previously been able to travel or study abroad.

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When should I apply?

You should apply in the academic term prior to the start date of your study abroad program. See the Timeline Section for the Foundation’s awarding cycle.

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How do I apply?

When the John T. Petters Foundation application becomes available, you will have to complete and return all the necessary documentation. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed and extensions cannot be granted. See the Timeline Section for the Foundation’s awarding cycle.

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What is the difference between the Study Abroad Program Title and the Program Sponsor?

The Program Title is the official name of your study abroad program. This is usually found on the program brochure or flyer. If you have additional questions regarding the Program Title, please contact your university study abroad advisor.

The Program Sponsor is the institution that is administering your study abroad program. This is most often your home university or a different university administering the study program in the U.S. If you have additional questions regarding the Program Sponsor, please contact your university study abroad advisor.

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What is the “necessary documentation” I should have completed for the deadline dates?

See the Eligibility and Criteria page.

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Do I have to submit the name, email and telephone number for a Financial Aid Advisor?

Yes. To be considered an eligible applicant for the John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship, a Financial Aid advisor must sign off on the financial aid you are currently receiving. Financial Aid Advisors will be asked to verify whether you are currently receiving a Federal Pell Grant and the estimated amount of financial aid you are receiving.

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How do I know who the correct Financial Aid Advisor is?

Contact your university financial aid office to find out who the correct advisor would be to complete the financial aid portion for a study abroad scholarship. This need not be an advisor assigned specifically to you. However, it must be an advisor working in the financial aid office. You must list a specific advisor and their individual email and telephone information. You should not list a general office email or telephone number. Your application is not considered complete until all sections are completed by the stated deadlines. It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that advisors are aware of and complete their portion of your application by the stated deadlines.

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Are there any other components to the Application Process?

Yes, if you are selected as a finalist for the scholarship you will be notified approximately one month after the applications were due and an interview will be set up.  The interview will either be face-to-face or over the phone depending on your location and will take approximately 15 minutes.

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What is the current value of a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?

The Foundation awards scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. This amount may be slightly lower or higher depending on the individual amount needed. Year long, semester and summer programs can all qualify for the same dollar amount.

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Are there stipulations for the use of scholarship funds?

Yes, all funds must be used to defray the recipient's tuition, travel fees, and room and board fees.

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How will the award check be issued and disbursed? Will it be sent directly to the student or to the university?

The Foundation intends to pay scholarship funds directly to the educational institution the recipient is attending so long as the college or university qualifies under Section 170(b)(1)(a)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code. If at any time the Foundation does not pay the scholarship funds directly to the college or university as set forth above, the Foundation will take all necessary measures to ensure the scholarship funds are being used properly.

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What are my chances of winning a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship?

The John T. Petters Foundation is a highly competitive scholarship program that receives a number of quality applicants. All applications are reviewed in their entirety and are welcomed.

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If I receive a John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship, will that impact my university financial aid package?

It may. University Financial Aid offices have federal, state and institutional guidelines they must follow when awarding financial aid packages. The John T. Petters Foundation has no control over this process though we do encourage institutions to reduce loan amounts first, if in fact the grant does affect a student’s financial aid package.

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When and how will I be notified of the status of my application?

All applicants will be notified of their status by Foundation staff via email or telephone through the information supplied by the applicant in the application process. Those applicants selected as John T. Petters Scholars will also receive an award packet at their permanent address. See the Timeline Section for the Foundation’s awarding cycle.

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