1. Visit https://fftcscholarships.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx to search for The ANSWER Endowment under “Search for Scholarship by Keyword.”
2. Create a new account.
3. Complete the online application.
4. Review the Request Section of the application:
   • Current-Year Free Application for Federal Student Aid application (FAFSA): Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and submit a pdf version of your SAR.
   • Letters of Recommendation: Before submitting your application, please provide email addresses for three (3) references.
   • Transcript: You will need to provide a school official’s email address so they can attach your official transcript to your application.

ANSWER Scholarship provides scholarships to mothers of school-age children in the Charlotte area. You can apply for the scholarship directly from our website or from the website of the Foundation For The Carolinas (www.fftc.org) – then type “ANSWER” as keyword. The application will be open from December 1, 2019 – March 2, 2020.

We recommend that before you begin the application process that you gather all of the information you will need to complete the application (listed below). The application itself typically takes 2 hours to complete once you have all the information you need; however, it may take you a week or two to gather the required information and write your essay before you apply online. We also recommend you have a trusted colleague/professor review your application, especially the essay, for omissions or typos.

The good news is that over 60% of applicants are awarded this scholarship each year! You will need to have ready:

1. Applicant Information and Household Information including your address, email, phone, and information about your children (their names, ages, schools).

2. A professional Student Resume. Upload your PDF-formatted resume into the application.

3. College Choice: Provide the name and location of the college you are currently attending (or have been accepted to) along with your major and anticipated graduation date.

4. College Transcript Request: You will need to upload your current and past transcripts. This may be downloaded from the university website but be sure that it has your name, school's name, courses taken, grades, grade points, credit hours, GPA and cumulative GPA. If you are submitting more than one transcript, PDF them together so that they are one document.

5. Financial Information: You will need a) a current copy of your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) b) a copy of your Award letter from the Financial Aid office and c) your SAR Report. You will need all of the information about your college’s costs including tuition, books and supplies, and transportation costs. You will calculate your current need based on the difference between your recorded financial aid awarded and your school expenses.

6. Your personal Essay: Although this is only 500 words (12 point font, double spaced, up to 2 pages), it is very important and is reviewed carefully by the Selection Committee. We want to hear all about you and your personal goals and dreams and what you hope to achieve by completing your degree for yourself and your family.

7. Professional References: You will need to provide the names and email contact information for two professional references. If you are selected to be interviewed based on your application, your references will need to submit a letter to the Selection Committee.

A good application is neat, well thought out, and tells your story to the Selection Committee. Please contact us at info@answerscholarship.org if you need any assistance; and include in the subject line of the email “ANSWER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION”.

Best wishes on behalf of the Answer Scholarship Selection Committee!

The Scholarship Committee will consider the following when selecting scholarship recipients:

1. Financial need as determined by the costs of college attendance compared with an applicant’s household income and other financial factors.
2. Demonstrated potential for academic success.
3. Preference will be given to single parents.
4. Availability and commitment to participate in ANSWER’s Mentors for Mom program.

If you are selected as an ANSWER recipient, you will be matched with one of our talented mentors before you begin your academic year.  Our mentors know what it means to overcome challenges and earn a degree.  Your mentor will be available as a sounding board throughout the year and will help support your efforts in obtaining an education.  You will be required to have contact (phone, email, or an in-person visit) once a month with your assigned mentor.

In addition, each month from September – April you will participate in a 3-hour “Mentors for Mom” educational program.  These programs are typically held on a Saturday afternoon, where you will learn from a variety of professionals about any number of topics, such as health, careers, and parenting.  This program, and your commitment to participate in it, is what makes ANSWER scholarship recipients so successful.  Participation in the Mentors for Mom monthly educational programs is required of all ANSWER scholarship recipients.

5. Good moral character.

An applicant (including new and renewal) for this scholarship must also show that she has been, and continues to be, a person of good moral character. In general, the applicant must demonstrate this during the five-year period immediately preceding her application for the scholarship and up to the time of receipt of the scholarship. In addition, to remain active in ANSWER’s programming, the scholarship recipient must continue to conduct herself in such a way as to represent ANSWER and herself in only the most positive manner. Conduct deemed detrimental to the image of ANSWER will be grounds for dismissal from the program. The recipient shall not commit any act that could materially injure ASNWER’s reputation including (but not limited to) an act of dishonesty, theft or misappropriation of funds or property, moral turpitude, insubordination, or any act injuring, abusing, or endangering others.

Please also note:

1. All finalists for the scholarship will be required to attend a personal interview with the Scholarship Committee.
2. If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, you must attend an annual ANSWER luncheon for recipients and donors in the spring, or meet with the director before December 31 of the current award year.

Scholarship award amounts will vary annually at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. Funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school and are designated for tuition, fees, books and supplies. Scholarships are awarded for one year only. Renewal scholarships are awarded if the recipient maintains satisfactory performance and meets the requirements outlined in our Selection Criteria.