Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance Counselors

Q.	My high school has a policy of not releasing the official transcripts to the student. Can I mail them to you separately?
A.	Please ask your student to prepare and package all of his/her scholarship information for mailing, and return it to you along with the proper postage. You can then enclose the transcripts and mail the package for the student. You may also give the student a sealed envelope containing the transcript to include with the scholarship package. (If a high school transcript is received separate from the application, SAE does not guarantee that it will be matched up with the application.)
Q.	What should I write on the application if my high school does not rank students?
A.	Simply write a note in the box on the application stating that the school does not rank its students. It will not affect the student's eligibility.
Q.	What do you mean by 'scale' on the application?
A.	This refers to the grading scale (generally a 4.0 scale).
Q.	If my student hand-wrote the application, will he/she be disqualified?
A.	No, provided that the information is printed and is easily legible. The committee, however, prefers a typed application for legibility. All attachments to the application must be typed.
Q.	How can I ensure that my high school receives the scholarship postcard each year?
A.	Send an email to scholarships@sae.org and ask that your high school be placed on the in-house high school mailing list for the scholarship postcard. Be sure to include the name, complete mailing address, phone and fax numbers for the high school.

Educational Record

Q.	Can I send photocopies of my high school transcripts?
A.	No, only official transcripts will be accepted.
Q.	Do I need an official copy of my high school transcript for inclusion in each of the photocopies of additional University-sponsored scholarships to which I am applying?
A.	No, only one official transcript needs to be included with the original application. Photocopies will be accepted for the additional university-sponsored application copies.
Q.	Can I send photocopies of my SAT I or ACT notification of scores?
A.	Yes, we will accept photocopies of your official notification from SAT or ACT.
Q.	Are SAT II scores applicable to the scholarship?
A.	No, only SAT I scores are reviewed and accepted by the judges.
Q.	If I receive my transcripts in a sealed envelope from my high school, should I open it and attach the transcripts to the scholarship application?
A.	No, just attach the envelope to your packet of scholarship information. Once you open the envelope, the transcripts become unofficial.
Q.	What can I do if my high school insists on mailing my transcripts separately?
A.	Prepare and package all of your scholarship information for mailing, and ask your high school to enclose the transcripts and mail the package for you. Remember to include sufficient postage on the envelope. (If a high school transcript is received separate from the application, SAE does not guarantee that it will be matched up with the application.)
Q.	If I receive a higher SAT I or ACT score after I have already submitted my application, can I mail the updated scores to SAE for consideration?
A.	No. Updated SAT I or ACT scores will not be accepted or considered after the application has been received by SAE.
Q.	If I have not taken the SAT I or ACT tests yet, can I mail my completed application to SAE without the scores, and furnish the scores at a later date?
A.	No. All scores must be received with the completed application. Processing of applications begin immediately upon receipt by SAE. The SAT and ACT scores make up a large portion of the judging process, and the application will be disqualified without them.
Q.	If my AP/Honors courses are clearly listed on my transcripts, do I need to include them on a separate attachment?
A.	No.
Q.	Do you want the 90th percentile in State or National scores?
A.	National.
Q.	If my scores are in the 88th or 89th percentile, will you still accept them?
A.	Yes, provided you have a high GPA and class standing. Remember, academic scores play a large part in the judge's final decision.
Q.	How do I know if I'm in the 90th percentile for SAT and ACT scores?
A.	It should be shown on your official notification of scores from SAT and ACT.

General Questions

Q.	If I am applying for both the Undesignated and the University-sponsored scholarship, can I mail them in the same envelope?
A.	Yes.
Q.	Do I need a separate set of attachments for each University-sponsored scholarship I apply for?
A.	Yes. You will need to include a photocopy of the application and all attachments (including transcripts) for each university box you have checked on the front of the application.
Q.	Do I need a separate set of attachments for each Undesignated scholarship I apply for?
A.	No. You only need to send the original application and attachments, regardless of how many boxes are checked on the front of the application.
Q.	Can I include a resume in lieu of attaching separate information on Education, extracurricular activities, and employment?
A.	Yes, as long as it includes all of the requested information.
Q.	What is "ABET accredited"?
A.	ABET is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Most engineering programs offered at U.S. schools for a Bachelor of Science degree are ABET accredited. To find out if an engineering program is accredited at your selected school, refer to the ABET Web site at www.abet.org.
Q.	Can a home-schooled student apply for the scholarship?
A.	Yes. The teacher/parent can complete the "Principal or Counselor Certification" area of the application, and indicate within this area that the student is home-schooled.
Q.	Can I include references?
A.	References will not be considered or reviewed as part of your application.
Q.	If the attachments are submitted in the wrong order, will my application be disqualified?
A.	No, but the judges will not have a smooth review of your file.
Q.	When will I be notified if I am a recipient of one of the Undesignated scholarships?
A.	Undesignated scholarship recipients are generally notified by the end of May, but no later than June 30. Non-recipients will be notified at the end of July. A list of recipients will be posted on the SAE Web site in mid-July (http://students.sae.org/awdscholar/scholarships/).
Q.	When will I be notified if I am a recipient of the University-sponsored scholarships?
A.	Each university will judge and select its own recipients. Recipients of the University-sponsored scholarships are notified as the information is received from the university. This generally takes place between March and June. A list of recipients will be posted on the SAE Web site in mid-July (http://students.sae.org/awdscholar/scholarships/).
Q.	If I am a recipient of a University-sponsored scholarship, can I transfer that scholarship to another university?
A.	No. These funds are only applicable to the specific university that offered the scholarship, and are not transferable.
Q.	I am a Permanent Resident of the United States. Can I still apply for the scholarships?
A.	No, only students who are current citizens of the United States at the date of application are eligible.
Q.	Why is the university I want to attend not listed on the University-sponsored application?
A.	Because the money for the scholarship comes directly from the university, some universities have elected not to participate in this program due to funding issues or other in-house circumstances. Other universities may not be aware of the program's existence.
Q.	Do I need to be accepted into a particular university before I apply for the University-sponsored scholarships?
A.	No. You should, however, intend to make application to the university by January 15th in order for the university to consider your SAE scholarship application and to allow the scholarships to be offered to students who are serious about attending a particular university.
Q.	I requested information on a certain SAE Engineering Scholarship, but it was not listed within the information that was sent to me.
A.	The scholarships offered under this program change annually. Some universities and corporate sponsors may choose not to offer a particular scholarship each year. Only the scholarships listed in the book and on the SAE Web site are available.
Q.	I have an application for the SAE Engineering Scholarship program that I printed last year. Can I still use it?
A.	No. The applications and instructions are modified each year, depending on the participating scholarship sponsors.
Q.	Does my major have to be in engineering?
A.	Each scholarship has its own separate eligibility criteria. Refer to the individual scholarship descriptors for clarification.
Q.	What majors are considered 'related sciences'?
A.	Some examples of related sciences include math, chemistry, physics, biology, technologies, computer science, etc.