Search found 13 matches

by Xristos_317
Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:38 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Withdrew - how do I get the $ I paid in taxes back?
Replies: 6
Views: 6232

Re: Withdrew - how do I get the $ I paid in taxes back?

Any update from anyone on this?
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:37 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Time between Graduation and Start Date
Replies: 9
Views: 9040

Re: Time between Graduation and Start Date

I will continue the encouragement that SMART will pay you, albeit at the scholarship rate, until you start at your SF. The only hard deadline I've heard of is needing to begin working at your SF within 2 years of your normal school funding ending (or be considered delinquent). That's the scary part ...
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:34 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: 2019 recipient: has the security clearance process started?
Replies: 3
Views: 4863

Re: 2019 recipient: has the security clearance process start

I accepted the SMART award at the end of June and was contacted to complete my SF86 in mid-August. The interview portion didn't start until the following July for me. It then took 7 more months for them to finish. If you're approved an interim clearance, you should be fine for the first summer inter...
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:31 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Dilemma - Need Advice
Replies: 12
Views: 13601

Re: Dilemma - Need Advice

The process for me took 18 months (August '17 - February '19), but I was approved in the end. Why did the process take so long for you, if you don't mind saying? The only thing I was told was that I was denied an interim clearance, which I learned 7 months after completing my paperwork. The intervi...
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:23 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: New Scholar Coordinators
Replies: 3
Views: 4502

Re: New Scholar Coordinators

Yeah, that hasn't been my experience either. I'm also in the Navy and I've worked with Monica S. since 12/2017 and that just changed in the last two weeks to Katy T. Seems like you're being passed around a bit more than necessary.
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:21 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Request Award Length Increase
Replies: 3
Views: 4405

Re: Request Award Length Increase

I tend to avoid the Portal at all costs. The new one is better, but it's still pretty useless. You'll eventually need to complete a SAAR (SMART Agreement Amendment Request) with your military branch coordinator (e.g. Navy). I'm under the impression you can request extensions, but not reductions to y...
by Xristos_317
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:15 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Initiating the switch
Replies: 1
Views: 3292

Re: Initiating the switch

You'll need to complete a SAAR (SMART Agreement Amendment Request) to change your sponsoring facility. It will require a personal statement on why a change is requested and also a letter of support from your current SF. This is completed through your SMART military branch coordinator (e.g. Navy). It...
by Xristos_317
Wed Sep 04, 2019 12:42 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Dilemma - Need Advice
Replies: 12
Views: 13601

Re: Dilemma - Need Advice

I had it from my facility and SMART that if my clearance were denied for something I was upfront and honest about, I would not have to repay anything. I was concerned from the beginning of gaining a Secret level clearance. The process for me took 18 months (August '17 - February '19), but I was appr...
by Xristos_317
Fri May 10, 2019 4:52 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Business Cards
Replies: 3
Views: 3222

Re: Business Cards

I made business cards when I left my past job and started graduate school. I do a lot of networking, predominately with undergraduate students (where I'm the "adult") so it's useful to have them. Mine literally says my name, "Physicist," and then my contact information. They were pretty cheap and lo...
by Xristos_317
Fri May 10, 2019 4:49 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Life Advise
Replies: 11
Views: 6695

Re: Life Advise

That sounds like a really awful situation. A good relationship with your advisor is absolutely critical to successful graduate studies. If you've already completed your coursework, then this seems to be an issue with your department. I agree with the suggestions above that you should elevate this is...
by Xristos_317
Fri May 10, 2019 3:15 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: contacting employer for apartment
Replies: 5
Views: 4154

Re: contacting employer for apartment

I just listed my occupation as Student and my Employer as the SMART Scholarship. I wasn't ever asked for anything more than that.
by Xristos_317
Fri May 10, 2019 3:14 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: What happens next?
Replies: 2
Views: 3109

Re: What happens next?

I was offered the scholarship at the end of May and visited my SF in June. I accepted the award and started the clearance process in August. That included being fingerprinted. They didn't begin interviews for my background check for 11 months after that. I was never drug tested, just interviewed by ...
by Xristos_317
Fri May 10, 2019 3:10 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Mixed Signals on Clearance Prospects
Replies: 7
Views: 5409

Re: Mixed Signals on Clearance Prospects

A few responses: 1. If you are denied clearance because of something you are upfront about and don't try to hide it or lie, you do not pay back any money. You are removed from the program and that's it. I received this in writing from my SF before accepting my award, because I was legitimately conce...