The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

No, I saved the money I earned during the summer, I can pay in one lump sum, so no payment plan for me.

Thanks for the responses, I will check with a tax guy just in case if he can get it even lower, but I doubt it. I will give you an update once I am done, thanks again!

I am about to file my return and it is showing that I have to pay the IRS approximately $4500. Here are some details about me, MS student, made $48000 (ISP + Stipends), no state income tax, single, no dependents, I did not make any quarterly payments. I just wanted to check if anybody else that has ...

Same here, I have a pending post correspoding to the 40% of my January Stipend.

I received mine 2 days ago.

I was involved with Engineers Without Borders while I was in school so I had to submit this form a few times. Every time I submitted one, it went smooth, they got back to me in no time and foreign travel was approved. Remember that this form needs to be submitted to both your CA and the Security Man...

Another gem of the SMART scholarship program, I really hope that we get paid the remaining 40% within two weeks. I had to move from the east coast to the Midwest to start at my new position and I have made a lot of expenses for the move. I know for sure that I will not start getting paid after a wee...

I am going to ask them how many SMART Scholars have they had before. Hopefully the answer is that they have had at least one scholar so they are familiar with the hiring procedures. My guess is that they have had none, at least under the Dam Safety Production Center. When I mention the SMART Scholar...

I am looking for advice or experiences for those SMART Scholars that have already been through this. I am on my last internship and I am not sure if I should initiate the conversation or wait for them, or even when to do it (1-2 weeks before the internship ends?)

Thanks!

I am on my first and last internship, I am working at USACE Tulsa District. It is going great, I am involved in two dam rehabilitation projects and having lots of fun. I can't wait to be done with school and come back for full time.

Good luck to you all with your internship experiences!

I received my monthly stipend but no ISP yet, it must be because I turned in my Internship Travel Request Form right on the deadline.

I am not necessarily shocked, I think a lot of people was upset and actually did something about it. I am sure that there was a significant number of people that started putting this story out there either through social media or contacting their representatives and/or lawyers and that created a lot...

You have my support, I joined the FB page. Have you heard anything back from legal counsel?

I agree with guest, if you like the scholarship is fine with me, but don't criticize me if I am upset about the changes the SPO has made. I will survive this change in policy only because I am doing only one summer internship in a place with low cost of living, but there are a lot of people that wil...

I am officially upset and considering other career options other than Public Service at the end of my commitment. Good luck with your internships this summer.

I don't know why anybody would be happy with reducing or eliminating the internship support payments. Do you realize that they will not give you any money to cover your relocation costs? Do you know how expensive is to get a short term lease in a furnished apartment in the summer? Then you will have...

Has anybody received a notice of adjudication for security clearance?

Dear SMART Participant, We have not yet finalized the changes to the guidelines and processes. Therefore, the 1 March deadline for all internship documents and summer work schedules will no longer apply. A new deadline will be announced when we send out the updated paperwork. Additionally, we know ...

I go to Georgia Tech and I can assure, they make you earn your GPA here. It is too easy to generalize and say that a 2.7 GPA from Embry-Riddle is equivalent to a 3.9 GPA from Tech, to make that statement you would need to choose one major to compare and review both schools curriculum and rankings fo...

You get your regular cash award, this amount varies depending if you are a bachelor's, master's, or phd candidate, PLUS $1200 per week during your internship. For example, as a master's participant my cash ward is $2750 per month, on top of that I will be receiving $1200 per week during the summer i...

I received mine on August 8.

That leaves me as the only one that did not receive any e-mails about security clearance. Oh well, I'll clear that with the CA tomorrow.

As long as you are following their dress code you should be fine, but I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed.

Everybody have a safe trip!

I am planning on wearing a suit the first night for the CA Interview & Opening Reception and tuesday night for the Dod Award Ceremony.

Thanks for the info Kaelinth, let us know if you do get in contact with the Security Officer. I don't think you should sweat this much, I am positive that any issues can be worked out during orientation. Last night I received an e-mail about the interviews with the assigned Cohort Administrator, so ...