Skyhook

Even though it is an annual program, the funding still has to be appropriated by Congress. States are not willing to commit until they know the federal money is going to be there. Also the federal fiscal year begins in October, so it is not too surprising that final word doesn't come until after the school year has already begun.

Which makes it awkward for students and families who would like to know for certain right around now, and not have to wait until fall.

swimguy112

Yes, the 2010 fiscal year starts in October 2009. Which means the 2009 funding was secured in October 2008. sooo... MN anyone?

iheartthemusic29

Tigerbound09 stated earlier "i applied. my state you need at least a 3.5 GPA and a 23 on the ACT."
I'm not sure what state he/she is from, but when I saw this, I thought that I would be a good candidate for this scholarship. Everything I read said that they looked at ACT and Class Rank. Well, I got a 32 on my ACT and am 1st in my class (4.0 GPA unweighted), so I called to see what the requirements for Illinois were. I was shocked to find out that the minimum ACT score needed was a 34.
I understand that each state sets its own requirements, but isn't that a little too much of a difference?!

tigerbound09

Iheartthemusic29- I am from Louisiana. In Louisiana, the minimum ACT score and GPA was at least a 23 and a 3.5 to be nominated for the award. Now, I'm not sure if someone with those stats would receive the award, but each state does set its own requirements.

I'm not sure why the requirements for Illinois and Louisiana would be that different, but maybe Illinois has certain restrictions that LA doesn't have. I don't know we'll just have to wait and see.

JrProv1

Has anyone heard anything in Alabama yet?

iheartthemusic29

Well, when I called around the beginning of May, I was told that the recipients for Illinois would have been notified by the end of April. Obviously, I didn't get it, because my ACT score didn't meet the requirement, but has anybody from IL actually gotten notification yet?

JrProv1

As of April 28, Alabama still did not have the actual total funding amount from the Feds, so they had not yet sent out the notifications, even though they had made the selections in early April.

Has anyone in AL received notification yet?

mpittman17

According to the info I saw on the net, NC applicants were supposed to be notified by May 18th, and I have received nothing. Any NC folks heard anything?

codeman57

My school nominated me for this award a month or so ago. I'm in CA; has anybody seen any info pertaining to that state?

CM57

zebes

Found this online regarding Florida:


• Award or denial notifications from other state scholarships and grants are sent in June for: José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant
Rosewood Family Scholarship oScholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans and Servicemembers
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

Info came from this link:
2009-10 Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application

zebes

^^^
School told D yesterday that she's their nominee for Byrd. We're in Florida, so I guess we wait 'til June to find out.

zebes

TheSparrow

I called the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today and the woman who answered said that winners have not been announced for North Carolina because they have not received confirmation on funding. She did not know when the winners will be announced.

mpittman17

Thanks Sparrow!

bizzyjudy

Anyone know about New Jersey?

amciw

It was awarded rather weakly in Oregon. The organizers claim it "is designed to recognize exceptionally able high school seniors", yet they awarded it to two kids who both had lower SAT scores (by a significant margin, over 150), took less AP classes and independent studies of AP tests than I did, one of who had worse grades than me (not a 4.0 at a grade inflated school) and were not National Merit Semifinalists, while I didn't win it. It seems that these measures would be especially useful in assessing whether or not someone is "exceptionally able". Its a complete joke, especially when considered with the mission statement of the program. I don't need the money, but it would have been nice to have, and I thought that that scholarship was one of the few merit scholarships I would have a chance of winning. Its kind of a disappointment to see, to be honest.