Search found 14 matches

by ttdub
Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:15 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: change my Award length?
Replies: 8
Views: 3181

Re: change my Award length?

you'll have the ability to submit a SAAR form to reduce the award year. they can take 6 months to process the paperwork but it's a pretty easy process to change the award length. it's faster to decrease the award compared to increasing it.
by ttdub
Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:18 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale
Replies: 12
Views: 6640

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

It differs between sponsoring facilities. You could ask your contact at your sponsoring facility for the exact numbers.

The scales are FOUO so you won't find them online but your SF contact should tell you
by ttdub
Wed Nov 11, 2020 5:08 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Going Not-Full Time for Last Semester
Replies: 4
Views: 2440

Re: Going Not-Full Time for Last Semester

Yeah, this is unfortunate. I only have 8 credits I need for my last semester as well and they denied my <12 credit request. I'm going to end up taking a random class outside of my major to reach 12 credits. I already have a term where I took 2 PE classes to reach 12 credits. It feels like a waste of...
by ttdub
Sat Aug 15, 2020 3:34 am
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Predicted Amount Owed vs Actual
Replies: 1
Views: 1684

Re: Predicted Amount Owed vs Actual

Hello, you might find some advice in the debtors discord. pm me and i'll link it to you.
by ttdub
Sat Aug 15, 2020 12:53 am
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Where to send Sponsorship Letter
Replies: 2
Views: 2012

Re: Where to send Sponsorship Letter

Hey, it depends on your school. Typically you can contact your financial aid department they can tell you where to submit it. My school has a whole 'third-party billing' office that I send mine to.
by ttdub
Tue Jul 21, 2020 8:01 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Is it possible to get a raise faster than the SMART scheduled raises?
Replies: 1
Views: 1595

Is it possible to get a raise faster than the SMART scheduled raises?

My SF has a schedule for raises (like starting out at GS-7, 6 months later raise up to GS-9, 1 additional year GS-11, etc.)
Is it possible to speed up the raises/promotions or does the SF stick to the schedule strictly?
by ttdub
Thu May 21, 2020 8:39 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Coronavirus and Internships
Replies: 8
Views: 5017

Re: Coronavirus and Internships

Received April 2nd, "Hello SMART Scholar, By now, you should have received an email, containing COVID-19 information and guidance from the SMART Program Manager. A key piece of this guidance was regarding COVID-19’s impact on upcoming planned internships. This email contains important information, e...
by ttdub
Thu May 07, 2020 7:28 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Graduating early
Replies: 2
Views: 1657

Re: Graduating early

Yes, you will need to submit a service agreement amendment request (SAAR) form, an updated work plan, you need to email your sponsoring facility about the change, and get a signed letter form your academic advisor. Especially if your service commitment will change!!
by ttdub
Fri May 01, 2020 4:09 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Pass/Fail Policy during Phase 0
Replies: 5
Views: 3293

Re: Pass/Fail Policy during Phase 0

Sent April 16th, "Dear SMART Scholars, In response to COVID-19, many universities are offering coursework on a pass/fail basis for the Spring 2020 academic term. According to the 2020 SMART Scholarship Program Scholar Handbook: 9.6. Failure to Earn Course Credit All coursework that is offered for a ...
by ttdub
Mon Apr 27, 2020 2:56 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Best/worst SFs
Replies: 3
Views: 2441

Re: Best/worst SFs

It mainly depends on you. Some SF's have a habit of not being 100% honest about the work that goes on. They give the grand tour of all the projects but don't say what you would actually be working on. They tend to talk up all the cool projects that go on at the base but keep in mind that you probabl...
by ttdub
Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:20 am
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Coronavirus and Internships
Replies: 8
Views: 5017

Re: Coronavirus and Internships

Hopefully everyone received the email that internships were waived for this summer.
by ttdub
Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:07 pm
Forum: General Questions and the Application
Topic: Internship Housing
Replies: 2
Views: 4358

Re: Internship Housing

If your SF is <50 miles from your living address they will pay you 1000 a week for the duration of your internship (usually around 8-12 weeks). You are responsible for finding transport and housing. If you live <50 miles from your living address they will not give you any internship support payments...
by ttdub
Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:47 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Taxes
Replies: 2
Views: 4529

Re: Taxes

If you pay taxes quarterly (ahead of time) you can save money rather than paying the lump sum during tax season. It's definitely best to put some of your stipend away each month for taxes.
by ttdub
Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:43 pm
Forum: Recipients
Topic: Request Award Length Increase
Replies: 3
Views: 4405

Re: Request Award Length Increase

Heads up, they approved a 1 year extension for me but it took 10 months. Plan for a long wait!