Star

Recipients FAQs: 1- When are the recipients announced? Recipients will be listed on www.spe.org/go/star by 20 May. 2- When will I receive my disbursement? Disbursements are made in late September/ early November in one disbursement. 3- What are the required documents? To receive your disbursements, login to your academic Progress Portal and compete the requirements by 13 September each year: Portal instructions will be emailed. Complete the Personal Information. Make sure your SPE membership is current. Complete, get signed and stamped, and upload your Academic Progress Form. Complete and upload your Payment Option Form 4- What do I have to submit? You MUST complete all of the requirements listed above by 13 September. 5- I mailed my documents because my transcript was in a sealed envelope. Is this ok? No. If you cannot get an administrator to sign your form, please fill them out yourself and attach them with the document you receive from the university. For example, complete the Form we provide and attach it with your official transcript from the university. The official document will make up for your lack of stamp and signature. Then scan and upload everything in your Academic Progress Portal. Documents via post will not be accepted; no exceptions. 6- The forms need to be signed by a University Administrator. Who is that? A University administrator can be any official faculty or administrator from your university such as the registrar, your advisor, your department head, etc. 7- I have submitted my Payment Options each term, why do I have to do it again? There is a USD 25 fee for each returned check or wire during disbursements, so we ask that you resubmit your Payment Form to avoid this, along with wire instructions from your bank. 8- I am a US student and I want my disbursement via a wire transfer. Unfortunately because of the amount of returned wire transfers we were getting, we now only allow US students to receive checks. Please select the check option on the Payment Options Form. 9- What is a wire instruction letter from my bank and why do I have to submit it? We require a letter from your bank with wire instructions on how a US bank would successfully complete a transfer to your bank. We have had numerous returned wires and this helps us have the exact correct information to ensure your wire is successfully delivered. 10- What if I have won, but will be waiting to start University? Student must be enrolled in university 12 months (31 May) from the date of announcement in order to remain eligible for the program. They will forgo any payments and reduce the number of available years of funding by 1 if they do not enroll in university before 32 January. If the student enrolls in university by 31 January they will receive their total annual payment in 31 January. If he is not enrolled as of 31 January, the student will forgo the year of funding and only be eligible for 3 additional years of payment. 11- Do I have to reapply each year? No, as long as you submit all of the required documents listed above and continue to show academic progress, you are awarded the scholarship/ fellowship for four years or until graduation, whichever comes first.

 12- How many classes do I need to take? You must be enrolled in at least 30% of a full time academic load. Funding is not intended for certifications or training programs. 13- I plan to continue my education after graduation. Do I need to reapply? Yes, you are awarded for whichever degree you are pursuing and once that is complete, funding ends. We welcome you to reapply if you choose to continue your education. 14- What is Academic Progress? Academic Progress is keeping your marks at the level of your cumulative marks received when you were awarded the Scholarship/ Fellowship, and if possible raising those marks each term. 15- Are my funds required to be used for tuition? Do I need to submit receipts? No, your funds are not limited to tuition expenses but should only be used for educational purposes such as tuition, books, room and board, and educational electronics. Although you are not required to submit receipts we hold the right to request receipts at anytime. 16- Where can I find proof of my current SPE membership? Go to the Student link on spe.org and print your temporary card under Manage your membership.