FAQs
Below are some common questions and answers regarding the Mellinger Foundation Scholarship:
Am I eligible to apply?
Applicant’s permanent residence must be in one of the following Illinois counties: Fulton, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Mercer or Warren.
When can I apply?
Applications may be requested or downloaded February 1st through May 1st.
Is there a deadline for submitting applications?
Yes. Applications for scholarships must be returned to our office by May 1st or be postmarked no later than May 1st. Late applications will not be considered.
What information do I need to provide in order to apply?
You must provide a completed application, a page showing the Student Aid Index (SAI) number found within your FAFSA documentation (most notably on the FAFSA Submission Summary), and your most recent high school or college transcript.
I do not know which school I will be attending yet, what do I put on the application?
Fill in the application with the school you want to attend. If that changes, contact us with the new school as soon as possible.
My parents do not live together, so whose information is needed on the Parents Financial Statement?
The parent you are living with.
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
The SAI (Student Aid Index) is a calculation provided by FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after submitting an application.
Where do I find my Student Aid Index (SAI)?
Log into to FAFSA using your username & password, go to your account dashboard, select your processed FAFSA submission, then select View FAFSA Submission Summary. The SAI is within this summary.
What is tuition remission?
Applicants, who have a qualifying family member employed at an educational institution, may be eligible for financial assistance.
When will I find out if I'm awarded or denied a Mellinger Scholarship?
The Scholarship Committee meets in late June, and applicants are notified about awards in early July. All applicants are notified whether they are awarded or denied.
What are the criteria by which the Foundation chooses the recipients of scholarships?
The Foundation chooses scholarship recipients primarily based on academic achievement and financial need.
Do I need to attend college full-time to be eligible?
No. Part-time students may receive scholarship awards, which will be pro-rated according to the number of credit hours taken.
If my application is denied, can I apply again the following year?
Yes.
Are awards available to students who are not U.S. citizens?
Non-citizens who are permanent residents of the United States living within our geographic area are eligible for awards.
How do I renew my scholarship?
A scholarship renewal form will automatically be emailed to you the middle of May. Your scholarship will be renewed when the renewal form and transcript for the complete academic year are received. You must be in good standing with your school. Please refer to the Renewal Information page for more information.
Can I receive a Mellinger Scholarship for more than one year?
Yes. Scholarships are eligible for annual renewal. Please refer to the Renewal Information page for more information.
When will the scholarship money be sent to my school?
For semester schools, scholarship checks are mailed mid-August and mid-December. For quarter schools, scholarship checks are mailed mid-August, December and March.
Do I have to attend a college or university in Illinois or Iowa to receive aid from the Foundation?
No. Students who receive awards may attend any accredited institution within the United States.
What are the annual award amounts?
Currently, annual awards range from $1,000 to $2,300.
