Will you talk to my parents about my payment denial?
Q: What does "WTI" stand for?
A: The "WTI" in our name stands for "Wyoming Technical Institute," which was WyoTech's official name when its sole campus was located in Laramie, Wyoming. Our organization was founded in 1999, a few years before WyoTech expanded to seven campuses nationwide.
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Q: Do you fund scholarships for students at career colleges other than WyoTech?
A: No, currently our mission is focused on students attending WyoTech and who are pursuing diplomas or degrees in a transportation technology program (automotive, collision-refinishing, diesel, marine craft, or motorcycle) at a WyoTech campus.
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Q: Do you fund scholarships for HVAC or other non-transportation technology programs at WyoTech?
A: No, currently we only fund scholarships for transportation technology students.
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Q: Do you fund grants?
A: No, we do not fund grants. Our sole purpose is to fund scholarship programs for WyoTech students.
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Q: Who is eligible for WTI Foundation scholarships?
A: Any person who is enrolled in a transportation technology program at WyoTech who meets the eligibility requirements outlined on the application form. Students who have already begun their programs at WyoTech will be invited to apply for awards they are eligible for. These students are notified by letter in their classrooms at WyoTech.
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Q: What do I need to do in order to apply for a WTI Foundation scholarship?
A: All of the application instructions are explained on the application form.
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Q: Where can I get a scholarship application?
A: If you have not yet started your WyoTech program, you can find our application form for new students here. If you are already in class at WyoTech, we will send you an application form if you qualify for any of our scholarship programs for Current Students.
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Q: I cannot download the scholarship application; will you mail one to me?
A: If you are unable to download the application from our site here, please make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat installed. If you still have problems, please email us at information@wtifoundation.org. We will email you an application to print off. If you still cannot print the application, we can mail or fax one to you.
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Q: When are applications due?
A: There is no due date for application from New Students (those who are enrolled in a WyoTech program but who have not yet begun their program). These applications are considered on a revolving basis.
Current Students who are invited to apply will see the due date associated with their applications on the application itself.
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Q: Can I fax in my application materials?
A: No, the WTI Foundation will not accept faxed application materials.
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Q: Can I overnight my application materials via UPS or FedEx?
A: If you feel you need to, you may overnight your application materials to:
WTI Foundation
1472 North 5th Street, Suite 108
Laramie, WY 82072
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Q: What is an "official high school transcript?"
A: The WTI Foundation requires that the transcript include your name, the school's name, the school's address and phone number, and an official seal. Photocopies of official transcripts are acceptable, but we will call the school to verify the information on photocopied transcripts.
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Q: I received my GED; what do I need to submit with my application materials?
A: You do not need to submit a high school transcript, but please include a copy of your GED certification.
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Q: My high school wants to mail my transcript directly to you; is this acceptable?
A: We strongly prefer that you include your transcript in the same envelope with your other application materials. If your high school will not accommodate this, they may send your transcript directly to us. This will not affect your consideration for an award in any way.
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Q: I submitted my application; when will I know if I received a scholarship?
A: Our turn-around time for scholarships is generally between four and six weeks. Sometimes it take us only two weeks, sometimes is can take up to eight. Generally, however, an applicant will receive a notification within four weeks of our receiving their application.
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Q: I submitted my application over six weeks ago; why haven't I been notified of my award/denial status?
A: It may be that we received a large number of applications and it is taking our staff and volunteers a longer time to move them through the review process. This does happen at certain times of the year and it may take up to eight weeks to finish the review process on your application.
Another possibility is that your notification letter has not yet reached you due to mail delays, or a problem with your mailing address.
If you have not received anything from us regarding your application after nine weeks from the date you mailed it, please call us at 307-742-7592 or email us at information@wtifoundation.org.
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Q: What happened to the scholarship program for Current Students?
A: As of April 1, 2009 the WTI Foundation changed the way in which it allows Current Students (those who have already begun their programs at WyoTech) to apply for scholarship awards. We still have many scholarship opportunities for Current Students; now, however, eligible students will be invited to apply for these awards by receiving an application form in their classrooms if they meet certain minimum qualifications for these awards.
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Q: How can I apply for the Vic Edelbrock scholarship and/or other special scholarship programs?
A: Students who meet minimum qualifications for the scholarship funded by Vic Edelbrock (and other special scholarship programs for Current Students at WyoTech) will receive an application for this scholarship in their classrooms and a special invitation to apply. The Vic Edelbrock award is a highly competitive scholarship that is open only to students who have maintained certain GPA and attendance scores and who are in WyoTech's High Performance Engine program.
Dozens of other sponsored awards will be managed in the same way. You are encouraged to maintain a strong GPA and excellent attendance record in order to be invited to apply for these awards.
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Q: Can my parent(s) complete and submit my application for me?
A: Absolutely not. The WTI Foundation discourages parents from having anything to do with the application process. Our mission is to assist students who aim to better their lives through hard work, discipline, and academic excellence. We find that those most deserving of these awards are those who are willing to take the responsibility and initiative to make that happen themselves.
We therefore ask that if you are unwilling to do the work to apply for this award, please do not apply.
If you are a parent, we respectfully ask that you encourage your son or daughter to apply, but do not fill out the application, write the essay, or request the letter of recommendation on their behalf.
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Q: What is the average award size?
A: The average scholarship award changes each year based on the number of dollars available and the competition for awards. Generally, the average award has been between $1,250 and $2,000.
The minimum scholarship award is $500 and the maximum single scholarship award that has been awarded is $23,500. Several students have received multiple scholarship awards, totaling between $14,000 and $19,000.
Most scholarships in 2009 will be between $500 and $5,000.
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Q: Can my scholarship be used for housing or living expenses?
A: No, WTI Foundation scholarships are to be used only for tuition expenses at WyoTech.
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Q: Can my scholarship be used for tools?
A: No, WTI Foundation scholarships are to be used only for tuition expenses at WyoTech.
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Q: How are awards determined?
A: Awards are based on three primary elements: academic performance, the quality of the personal essay, and the quality of the letter of recommendation. Volunteers will review your application materials and score each of these portions. Applicants with the highest scores are awarded scholarships and scholarship amounts are based on these scores. In some cases, additional information is used to determine awards.
The WTI Foundation considers all applicants without regard to sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, religion, political belief, or handicap.
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Q: When will my scholarship be paid?
A: On the first day of your seventh month of class at WyoTech, so long as you are still in class at WyoTech on that date and you have maintained the GPA noted in your award letter.
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Q: How will my scholarship be paid?
A: Your scholarship will be paid directly to WyoTech in your name, to be applied to your tuition balance at WyoTech.
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Q: Why must I maintain a certain GPA at WyoTech in order to receive my scholarship?
A: We see education as an important investment in the future and we consider our scholarships to be investments in the futures of each scholarship recipient, rather than "gifts" or "prizes" won for what you've done in the past. Therefore, we want to help ensure that our scholarship recipients are serious about getting the most out of their educations at WyoTech.
Our scholarships say more about what we think you are capable of, rather than what you have already been able to accomplish.
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Q: Why must I remain in class at WyoTech at least seven months in order to receive my scholarship?
A: We see education as an important investment in the future and we consider our scholarships to be investments in the futures of each scholarship recipient, rather than "gifts" or "prizes" won for what you've done in the past. Therefore, we want to help ensure that our scholarship recipients are serious about completing their educations at WyoTech.
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Q: What happens if I do not maintain the minimum GPA requirement or if I leave WyoTech before my seventh month of class?
A: Your scholarship payment will be denied and you will not receive the award. You may need to make arrangements with WyoTech to cover this portion of your tuition.
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Q: I received a scholarship; can I apply again?
A: Once you start your program at WyoTech, you may receive invitations to apply for one or more of our scholarship programs for Current Students. You may choose to apply each time you receive an invitation.
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Q: I have to change my start date at WyoTech; what happens to my scholarship?
A: Please let us know as soon as possible if you change your start date at WyoTech, as this may affect your scholarship significantly. If we know about the change, we can adjust your scholarship payment date without any problems. You can email us at information@wtifoundation.org or at 307-742-7592.
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Q: I have to withdraw from my program before my seventh month, but I plan on coming back. Do I lose my scholarship?
A: No, but please let us know as soon as possible that you have left WyoTech and let us know when you plan to return. You must complete seven months at WyoTech while maintaining the GPA noted on your award letter before you scholarship will be paid, but we can be flexible and adjust your payment date. You can email us at information@wtifoundation.org or at 307-742-7592.
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Q: My tuition has already been paid in full; can my scholarship be paid to me in cash?
A: Possibly. The WTI Foundation pays your scholarship to WyoTech on your behalf with instructions that it should be applied to your tuition balance. If you have a zero balance with WyoTech, we instruct them to apply the scholarship to your highest interest student loan. If you have a zero balance and no student loans, the scholarship may be paid to you in cash, per WyoTech's policy.
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Q: My tuition is covered by student loans and grants; what happens to my scholarship?
A: If you entire tuition has been paid with grants and loans (or some combination of loans, grants, and cash), you scholarship will be used to pay down your highest interest student loan. WyoTech's Business Office will facilitate this payment.
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Q: Will my name and other general information about me be made public if I receive a scholarship?
A: Yes, the WTI Foundation may include your name, home town location, and other general information in press releases, on our website, in our publications, and through other media.
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Q: How do you recognize scholarship recipients?
A: We include a comprehensive list of scholarship recipients in our annual report, along with other mentions on our website, mailings, email campaigns, press releases, radio and television media, and other venues.
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Q: Do you notify applicants if they were not awarded a scholarship?
A: Yes. All applicants should receive a letter notifying them of their award/denial status within six to eight weeks of applying.
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Q: I did not receive a scholarship; can I apply again?
A: Once you begin your program at WyoTech, you may be invited to apply for our scholarship programs. Even if you were denied a scholarship before you began your program, you are encouraged to apply again if you received an invitation and application.
If you receive a denial letter as a Current Student, you may qualify for future consideration, but there is no need to submit another application. We will use the first application you submitted and we will simply notify you if you receive any future awards.
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Q: Can you tell me why I did not receive a scholarship?
A: Many applications are denied immediately because they are not filled out completely, they are not signed, the essay and/or letter of recommendation was not included, or some other required element is missing. These applications are not even considered for an award.
The award process is incredibly competitive. Applicants who score the highest and who are most likely to receive an award will generally have a solid academic performance history, excellent attendance (for Current Students), an essay that clearly answers the required questions, and a strong letter of recommendation.
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Q: Do you notify students if their scholarship payment is denied?
A: Yes. If your payment is denied, you will receive a letter from the WTI Foundation. We will use the address you put on your application form.
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Q: Do you notify parents if a scholarship payment is denied?
A: No. The WTI Foundation's policy is to deal only with applicants, not their family members. We will not send mail to a parent's attention, nor will we discuss your payment status (or any other aspect of your application or award) with anyone other than you.
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Q: I was awarded a scholarship but my payment was denied because I failed to maintain my GPA; what happens now?
A: We will notify WyoTech's Business Office and Financial Services department of the payment denial and the reason for the denial. It is then up to you to work out payment or financing arrangements with them.
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Q: I was awarded a scholarship but I must leave school before my seventh month and I don't know if I will be able to return; what happens to my scholarship?
A: Please let us know of your plans as soon as possible. In some cases, we can put your scholarship on hiatus and if you are able to return, we can reinstate it so that it will be paid on the first day of your seventh month. If you are not able to commit to a date when you will return to WyoTech, we may void the scholarship.
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Q: Will you talk to my parents about my payment denial?
A: No. The WTI Foundation's policy is to deal only with applicants, not their family members. We will not send mail to a parent's attention, nor will we discuss your payment status (or any other aspect of your application or award) with anyone other than you.
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