Q. How do I get started?
A. Before you can apply for a TCC scholarship, you need to apply to TCC and be assigned a TCC student ID. You will need your ID in order to complete the application. You will also need to fill out the FAFSA form and submit this to the financial aid office. For more information, visit the financial aid pages of this website.
Q. How do I apply?
A. There is only one application, which must be completed online through STARS (Scholarship Tracking and Review System). Your completed application will be considered for all Foundation scholarships for which you qualify and apply for. You must complete each required line on the application. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered. View the online booklet for details HERE.
Q. When is the application available?
A. STARS is now open. The Scholarship application process opened on Friday, January 18, 2013.
Q. When is the application due?
A. Friday, March 22, 2013 at 4PM PST.
Q. I am having difficulty uploading documents into my application. What do I do?
A. For help scanning and uploading documents, please visit the Library, Writing and Tutoring Center or Information Commons. Note: Do not use links for your documents.The documents must be uploaded.
Tip: Start early! Give yourself plenty of time (and save yourself undue stress!)
Q. I have completed the form and uploaded my letters and essays – am I done?
A. No! At the end of the form, a list of scholarships for which you qualify will appear. You must click on each scholarship on the list, agree with the terms, then hit apply at the bottom of the page. Please note some scholarships require an additional essay response – you will not see this question until you click on the scholarships on your list!
Q. If I am an international or undocumented student who doesn't have a social security number to fill out the FAFSA, can I apply for Foundation scholarships?
A. There are some scholarships available for those who do not or cannot fill out a FAFSA. Please complete an application in STARS to see what is available.
Q. If I applied using STARS, can I use the same log-in the next year?
A. Yes, you may use your user name and log-in from the previous application session.
Q. Will my MyTCC portal log-in work for STARS?
A. No, you must create a user name and password for STARS.
Q. Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
A. Yes, students can apply for and may receive funds from multiple scholarships but only need to apply with one application.
Q. Do I have to be a full-time student to apply for Foundation scholarships?
A. No, there are scholarships available for both full- and part-time students.
Q. Do I need to have chosen a specific field of study to qualify?
A. Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students in certain programs. All students who apply are encouraged to know their field of study.
Q. Is a TCC ID number required to apply?
A. Yes, all applicants must have a valid TCC ID number. TCC ID numbers typically start with 970-. But some vary.
Q. Do I need anything besides an application in STARS?
A. Yes, your most recent unofficial transcript (college or high school) and at least one letter of recommendation is required. Applications without the required documents will not be considered. Some scholarships require additional materials. These materials must be uploaded to your application.
Q. Who can/should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
A. Ask someone who knows you and your goals well. Avoid procrastinators and people who have difficulty writing. Applicants are responsible for making sure that the application is completed by the deadline. You can ask faculty or staff (instructors, advisors, coaches, etc.) at your current or past institution of learning. Ask someone in the community like an employer, volunteer coordinator or clergy member (priest, pastor, etc…) as long as they have a position in the community that adds credibility to your cause.
Q. Who should the letter of recommendation be made out to?
A. Letters should be addressed to the TCC Foundation Scholarship Committee and signed by the writer. Letters can be uploaded in the Attach Documents page of the STARS application.
Q. How are applications reviewed?
A. A task force of TCC Foundation Board members, staff, faculty and other community members reviews all completed applications.
Q. What essay questions do I need to answer?
A. The following are this year's three general essay questions. Applicants are required to answer each one:
In 250 words or less, please tell us 1) your career goals, 2) what has influenced you to choose them, and 3) why you believe you will successfully achieve your goals.
In 250 words or less, please 1) LIST your volunteer activities, personal achievements, honors, awards, leadership roles or any other accomplishments, 2) describe your role in the experience(s) and 3) share what you learned from the experience(s).
Please share with us any personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial aid. (Using 250 words or less)
Note: Some scholarships may have additional essay questions.
Q. How do I start writing an essay
A. Start by writing a list of your accomplishments – this will help you identify your strengths for your essays. What are considered accomplishments? Here’s a list to jump-start your brainstorming:
- Community service
- Volunteer work
- Projects for which you received special recognition
- Military service
- Awards
- Activities
- Athletics
- Clubs
- Peace Corp/Americorps
- Work recognition/balancing work and school
- Etc., etc.
Ask others to tell you what your strengths and accomplishments are – sometimes they are your best advocates!
Q. How long should an essay be?
A. We are asking you to keep your responses under 250 words. Generally, an essay is a beginning paragraph, middle paragraph, and closing paragraph. Each paragraph should be at least 3-5 sentences long. Pay attention to your content. It is not necessarily how much you write but the quality of what is written. Other tips: Do your writing in Word, edit it there and then copy it into STARS. Check your spelling and grammar. Even better, ask someone to proof-read your application.
Q. What happens if I am awarded?
A. An email will be sent to the email you provided in STARS letting you know if you were awarded. Amounts are not disclosed at that time. An award letter and agreement form are mailed to the mailing address you provide in STARS with amount(s) and the name of the scholarship(s). You must also attend the Scholarship Recognition event that is held every November.
Q. Once I get my award letter, can I register for school?
A. Once you return the agreement and thank you letter, you can register when your registration date is available.
Q. What happens if my email or mailing address changes after I apply?
A. Please contact us immediately so you can receive all required documents in a timely fashion. See below.
Q. If I am awarded, how do I get the funds?
A. First, you must write a thank you note and complete a scholarship agreement form by the deadline in your award letter. When the Foundation receives these items, funds will be forwarded to Tacoma Community College Financial Aid office. All scholarships are given through Financial Aid. No checks are ever given directly to the students from the Foundation.
Q. How can I use the scholarship funds?
A. This may depend on the scholarship you receive; however, typically, funds are available for tuition, books and fees.
Q. How long do I have to use the funds?
A. Funds will be available for one academic year, fall, winter, spring quarters only. Scholarship combined awards over $750 will be equally distributed over three quarters.
Q. What is the difference between the TCC Financial Aid Office and the TCC Foundation?
A. The Financial Aid office handles federal financial aid. The Foundation handles private donations that are awarded separately. Most students are eligible for funding from both departments.
Q. Can I apply if I am military or a dependent?
A. Yes. Please clarify your residency status with Enrollment Services.
Q. How much money is usually awarded?
A. Awards vary by student, scholarship and year. However, scholarship awards usually range from $100 to $4,000.
Q. If I decide not to go to Tacoma Community College this year, can I save the scholarship for the following year?
A. No, scholarships are awarded for one academic year. Any unused funds at the end of the academic year are returned to the Foundation.
Q. Can I use a TCC Foundation scholarship at another school?
A. No, TCC Foundation scholarships can only be used at TCC.
Q. How can I contact your office?
A. You can email us or you can call us at 253.566.6042.
