Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q: Who is eligible for an ELA Scholarship?

A: The Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation, Inc. scholarship is for any woman with a physical disability who is enrolled in graduate program- a Masters degree or above- at an accredited college or university in the United States.

Q: How do I know if I have a physical disability?

A: The ELA Foundation uses the definition of disability as it is outlined in the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). We ask you to include the disability verification form filled out by your physician or vocational counselor in order for us to determine your eligibility for the ELA Scholarship.

Q: What is the definition of a "physical disability" under the requirements for the ELA Scholarship as outlined in the ADA?

A: Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who:

1. has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;

2. has a record of such impairment;

3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

A Physical Impairment is defined as:

"Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs (including sight and hearing), respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin and endocrine."

Q: What is the deadline for scholarship applications?

A: The deadline is June 1st. All applications must be received in the ELA office by 5:00 PM Pacific Time in order to be considered.

Q: If June 1st is on a Sunday or holiday, can I get my application to you on Monday or the day after the holiday?

A. No. We will not accept late applications. If June 1 falls on a weekend or a holiday, please plan accordingly and get your packet to us before that date. To assure that your packet arrives in time, send it by May 20th or via Federal Express, UPS or guaranteed mail.

Q: Do I have to type my application form?

A: Yes. All applications have to be typed in order to be considered. Once you have typed your online application form and sent it to us via the website, you can print it and include it in your packet.

Q: I am working towards a teaching certificate. Is that considered a graduate degree?

A: No. A graduate degree consists of a Masters, Ph.D., Juris Doctor, Ed.D. - any degree that is located in a graduate school and is a Masters degree or higher. We do not review applications from applicants that are working on their Associate degree, Bachelors degree or any other type of degree that is not a graduate program.

Q: I am working on a Masters in Social Work. Is this an area of study that is eligible for this scholarship?

A: Any area of study is fine. Scholarship applicants have varied from Oceanography to Economics with everything in between.

Q: If I send my application packet with everything except my letters of recommendation and my professors send their recommendation letters separately, will this be considered as a complete application packet?

A: No. A complete application packet has all of the required documents contained in one packet arriving together. We will not consider any applicant that does not send a complete application packet.

Q: My professor is running behind in his schedule and can't get me his letter of recommendation before the deadline. What should I do?

A: Make arrangements to have more than two letters of recommendation written ahead of time so that you will have two letters completed to send in your packet before the deadline.

Q: Can I include extra information about myself such as my resume in the application packet?

A: Photographs, articles and resumes are not welcome additions to the application packet since it is not required of every scholar.

Q: Does the disability verification form need to be typed?

A: No. Your physician can fill out the disability verification form without typing it. However, it would be a good idea to make sure it is legible.

Q: Who should write a letter of recommendation for me?

A: A letter of recommendation should be reflect your academic and professional excellence and can be written by a professor or employer.

Q: I have not been in school for several years and don't have a current professor to write a letter of recommendation for me. Could I have a teacher from my past or a close associate write it instead?

A: We want all applicants to be in equal competition with each other. So we ask for letters of recommendation from current professors and employers. However, we depend on you to choose the right person in your life to write letters of recommendation that will reflect your current abilities and talents.

Q: What size of font type do the letters of recommendation need to be?

A: Letters of recommendation should be 14 type point or above but we also know that you don’t have control over the typeface of these letters since other people are writing them for you. (Extra credit is given for large type on letters.)

Q: If my professor typed a letter on letterhead in small print, should I re-type it on plain paper and send it to you?

A: It is important that we see the original letter on letterhead even if it is in small print. If you choose to re-type it for us, be sure to include the original signed letter on letterhead with it. We do not require you to re-type it, however.

Q. May I include more than two letters of recommendation?

A. We only read two letters so we encourage you to only send two letters.

Q: I am a member of AAPD. Is that considered being active in a disability organization?

A: Yes. We would also encourage you to become active locally and on listservs.

Q: I am volunteering at my local independent living center and with my college's disability student services office. Is this type of volunteer service considered an activity that would make me eligible for this scholarship?

A: Yes, we are looking for women who are active in the disability movement whether it is nationally or locally.

Q: I am attending a college in England. Would I qualify for this scholarship?

A: Not if it is a British college. If it were a college or university based in the United States that is holding classes in England, you would be eligible to apply.

Q: Can I use this scholarship for books and other supplies?

A: No. The ELA Scholarship is to offset tuition costs only. The college or university you are attending will apply it to your tuition there for the year you are attending that institution.

Q: I need $15,000 for school and living expenses. Will the ELA Scholarship completely pay for my education?

A: No. The ELA scholarship ranges from $500 to $2,000 and will not pay for your entire educational costs.

Q: I received the ELA Scholarship last year. Can I apply again this year?

A: If you are selected as an ELA Scholar, you can apply every other year.

Q: If I am not accepted as an ELA Scholar this year can I apply again next year?

A: Yes, you are welcome to re-apply next year if you do not receive the scholarship this year. Just be sure that you look at the website for updated application information each time you apply.

Q: I just sent my application packet but my college will send the transcript separately. Will you still accept my application?

A: No. With the numbers of applications we receive, we cannot be responsible for putting together individual pieces of your application arriving separately. That is why your application packet must arrive together in order for us to review it. If your application arrives in pieces it will not be reviewed

Q: I just applied for the ELA Scholarship. When will I know if I have been chosen?

A: Only the ELA Scholarship recipients will be notified in August. The awards will be announced on the ELA website following this notification.

Q: I am getting my Bachelors degree in December and going to graduate school next spring. Can I apply for this scholarship on June 1st this year?

A: No. You need to be accepted to a graduate school and be enrolled in order to be considered. You may want to apply next June when you are in graduate school.

Q: I am working part time while I’m going to school so I can't take full time classes. Can I still apply?

A: Yes. As long as you are enrolled in a graduate program and working towards your degree, we aren’t concerned with the time it takes to achieve your goal.

Q: I’m from Mexico and my native language is Spanish. Would it be OK if someone else reads my essay to correct my grammar before I send it?

A. Yes. We would strongly recommend that you have a native English speaking person read your essay for structure, language, readability, grammar and spelling before you send it if English is your second language.

Q: I have an official transcript. Can I send that to you?

A: Yes, we will accept an official transcript. We ask for an unofficial transcript because it is easier for students to acquire.

Q: What is the best way to complete the application process?

A:
1. Read everything about the scholarship application process on the website including the FAQ’s. We also encourage that you read the rest of the website for more information about the ELA Foundation as well.

2. Fill out the application form and send it online before you mail your application packet.

3. Complete all required pieces.

4. Mail them in one packet.

5. Insure that we receive it in the ELA office by the deadline.

NOTE: 

If you have any other questions about ELA Scholarships, please send an email to us at executivedirector@ela.org.