Fadel Educational Foundation Frequently Asked Questions (last updated February 5, 2008)

1. Who Qualifies for the Foundation's Awards?
1. I am a graduating college senior, and my post graduate plans are to either attend medical school or a master's degree program in forensic medicine. What can I send as merit that I have financial need if I do not fill out the FAFSA?
2. I am a senior in [a 4-yr college]. In the scholarship application, you asked that we submit a 'financial need report'. I haven't renewed my application to FAFSA for this year. What would you like me to submit instead?
3. Is the Fadel Foundation Scholarship available to law school students? If so, how many law school students get a scholarship and how many applicants are there?
4. How do I send my FAFSA? Do I just print it out and send you the filled-in application or something else?
5. Can older applicants receive an award? 
2. Main Application Question by Question Guide
1. Applicant Information Sheet
1. Legal Name and Preferred Alias
2. Ethnicity
3. Citizenship/Permanent Resident
4. Islam Date
2. FEF Application
1. Standardized Test Scores
2. Check the level and category which best describe the nature of your academic program.
3. Describe your educational and/or vocational goals ...
4. Essay Question
5. Cash Flow
6. Grants and loans
3. Teacher/Professional Recommendation Form
4. Masjid Official/Muslim Mentor Recommendation Form
3. Renewal Application Question by Question Guide
1. Describe your educational and/or vocational goals ...
2. Cash Flow
3. Grants and loans
4. Application Processing Questions
5. Disbursement Questions

I.D. How do I send my FAFSA? Do I just print it out and send you the filled-in application or something else?

Yes. In sha Allah, FEF is planning to put a document on the FEF website about FEF statistics, including age of recipients. Give me some time though.

We ask for both since we need your legal name for disbursement, and many Muslims use aliases or nicknames, and we want to be able to address you by the name you like.

In the 2008-9 application, FEF added the category "Decline to Answer." When that category was not there, some applicants did not answer, and FEF did not know if they skipped the question or declined to answer. FEF also added "check all that apply" to allow applicants who believe multiple answers better describe his/her ethnic identity. Please don't go into an existential crisis about this question. The only reason it's there is so that FEF can monitor how its grants are spread out among the U.S. Muslim community. When FEF feels a particular group is underrepresented, FEF increases its advertisement in that area. When applications are being reviewed, there is no consideration of this question.

II.A.3. Citizenship/Permanent Resident

Please don't write to FEF asking to make an exception to this requirement. All recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

II.A.4. Islam Date

The reason for this question is similar to the reasoning behind the ethnicity question. It's for statistical information gathering to make sure FEF is not practicing a bias in one way or another. When applications are being reviewed, there is no consideration of this question. And of course, there is no requirement in Islam for a person to have a certificate saying that he/she is a Muslim.

II.B.5. Cash Flow

The point of this question is that FEF is trying to figure out how much money you need to get from August 1 to July 31 of the academic year. So if a family member will pay some of your tuition, that would go under the category of gifts. If "Living Expenses" or "Rent" are high due to family obligations, please note that at the bottom of the page. If you plan on working and taking home $1,200/month during year, write $12,000 in the work slot. Etc. Please review the following links for more information.

• http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/033104.asp
• http://finance.yahoo.com/calculator/retirement/bud-09
• http://www.easypersonalfinance.com/Cash_Flow.html

II.B.6. Grants and loans

1. I took my standardized tests so many years ago, I don't remember what my scores were and I don't know how to get those scores to you.
Standardized test scores are more important for applicants without academic degrees and work experience, i.e. young high school graduates. If you already have a B.A. or B.S, or you have been working several years, FEF weighs your transcripts and teacher/professional recommendations more than standardized test scores.

II.B.2. Check the level and category which best describe the nature of your academic program for 2008-9.

So if you want FEF to fund your completion of your B.A. program in Spring 2009, and your goal is to begin a M.A. in Fall 2009, choose Undergraduate, not Masters.

II.B.3. Describe your educational and/or vocational goals and how you intend to achieve them.

The key thing FEF is looking for here is whether you've really planned out what you want FEF to fund. Is your proposed course of study going to help you achieve the goal you identify? If your work and family obligations prevent you from taking a full load, can you really complete the degree program in the time you describe? Keeping in mind that FEF's grant is a maximum $2,000 in an academic year, do you really need to enroll at the private university with the $25,000/yr tuition when the less expensive state university or community college could meet your need?

II.B.4. Essay Question. What is the most interesting book about Islam or Muslims written within the last ten years (not printed, but authored) that has influenced your understanding and practice of Islam, and why? Do not exceed 500 words.

The most common problems FEF sees with the essay are:

1. People choose books which were authored many years ago and simply reprinted within the last ten years. When you open up the book, find the latest copyright date. Remember that a 2006 translation of a book from the 5th century A.H. does not meet this requirement.
2. People exceed the word length.
3. People tell us their life story (see #2).

We're not looking for eloquence or deep analysis. We just want to know that you read books and that you think about how you practice your religion.

II.C. Teacher/Professional Recommendation Form

1. I graduated from college two years ago, and I will be attending med school next year. However, the applications states that the letters of recommendation should come from teachers. May I instead supply letters from individuals who have supervised me at my most recent internships? I feel that these people are more familiar with my recent accomplishments.
Whomever you believe can write an accurate recommendation regarding your ability to complete the proposed course of study is the right selection.
2. I have letters that basically answer all the questions listed on the form. I wanted to know if I could send these letters and have the teachers sign the form instead of filling out the form.
Yes. Make sure the recommender signs and dates the FEF form, noting on it that the recommendation letter is attached.

II.D. Masjid Official/Muslim Mentor Recommendation Form

1. Is it necessary for a Muslim brother or sister to be a part of a Masjid in order to be a Muslim? I pray at home along with my family, because we do not have a Masjid close by. Is there a way for me to apply for this scholarship without a reccomendation letter from a Masjid official. I attend a private Catholic school here and the religion teachers here invited me to speak to their classes on Islam and everyone enjoyed it greatly. Could I ask the senior religion teacher who invited me to speak to her class for a recommendation letter instead of a Masjid official?

Of course it is not necessary for a Muslim to be "part of a Masjid" to be a Muslim. In addition, FEF recognizes that many Muslims are alienated from their local masajid. Beginning with the 2008-9 application, FEF has added "Muslim Mentor" to this particular recommendation letter header. We're looking for a Muslim knowledgeable in Islam who can serve as a character witness and tell FEF about the work the applicant has done to benefit other Muslims. So whomever you think can best provide what FEF is looking for, then ask that person to write your letter. Finally, FEF considers your academic merit and financial need. So you still may win an award even if you don't have a great recommendation letter in this category. The primary goal of FEF is to assist individual Muslims improve their social status, not find the most pious Muslims and give them money.

IV. Application Processing Questions

1. Why don't you want me to send material requiring a signature? FEF mail goes into a post office box, so I'm not going to be there to sign for your item. So I go to get the mail from the PO Box, and I find a yellow slip of paper telling me I need to sign before I retrieve an item. I frequently go to the post office outside of business hours, so I then have to bring the yellow slip of paper back and wait in line before receiving your mail. Note that when you send a letter by 1st class mail, the envelope has a postmark that tells the recipient the date the post office received it. FEF relies on the postmark, so there's no need to "send it fast." If you're worried about things getting lost, make a copy of everything before you mail it.
2. Will you tell me if my application is complete? I try to send an e-mail to you telling you what I've received. However, close to deadlines, I receive so much mail that I'm not able to do this. So if you really would like confirmation of receipt of specific items, send them in early. Also note that I go to the post office usually once a week (more frequently near deadlines), and I travel for business. So there may be a delay in my response to your inquiry. Please remain calm.
3. When are awards announced? Awards are announced in mid-July. I send e-mails to the awards and letters to their current addresses.

V. Disbursement Questions