Scholarship Program

AFTE awards annual monetary scholarship(s) of up to $2,000.00 to students who are seeking or advancing a career in Forensic Science. Applications will be reviewed and recipients will be chosen by the Scholarship Committee prior to the annual AFTE Training Conference.

Scholarships granted will be for the school year beginning on or about the following September. Scholarship funds approved will be sent directly to the applicant, payable to the applicant. Scholarship renewals are not automatic; therefore, it will be necessary to apply every year for the scholarship

NOTE: The AFTE Scholarship is a financial award only.  AFTE does not administer an instructional program or teach courses in Forensic Science.

Administration of the Scholarship Program

The AFTE Scholarship Program will be administered by the AFTE Scholarship Committee.

The Committee Chair will:

• Acknowledge receipt of all applications by email.
• Electronically share all applications securely with the Scholarship Committee members for review, when possible, at least 30 days prior to the annual conference.
• Announce the recipient(s) of the scholarships at the annual AFTE Training Conference.
• Request that the recipient(s) provide a brief biography and photograph.
• Forward the names, biographies and photographs of the recipient(s) to the AFTE Webmaster for posting on the AFTE Website.

The Scholarship Committee will:

• Review the applications within the designated timeframe as determined by the Scholarship Committee Chair.
• Select the recipient(s) of the scholarships based upon the following factors:

The AFTE President will:

• Notify, in writing, the applicants that were approved for scholarships.

Scholarship Application Process

Applications are accepted between January 1st and April 1st of each calendar year.  Any application received outside of the time frame will not be considered.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for scholarships must satisfy the following requirements:

• Applicants must be entering their third year or higher of a Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in any year of an advanced degree (MS, PhD, MD or comparable) program for the academic school year beginning on or about the following September. Proof of enrollment status may be required.
• The applicant must be enrolled as a half-time student or greater with the intent of seeking a career in Forensic Science and majoring in a natural, physical, or biological science.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Instructions

• Please download and read the Application Instructions prior to submitting any application materials.
  
  Application Instructions
   
• All applications must be completed in English, and received no later than April 1st. Download the application and recommendation forms by clicking the links below.
   
• The Scholarship Application Form is to be completed and electronically signed by the applicant, the signature verification box checked, and emailed to the
  Scholarship Committee Chair.
  
  Application Form
   
• The applicant must utilize the Letter of Recommendation forms in obtaining three (3) academic and/or employment references, as applicable. The applicant should complete Part I and email the entire form to the appropriate individuals and have those individuals complete Part II. The applicant should ask those individuals providing recommendations to email the completed Letter of Recommendation Form to the Scholarship Committee Chair prior to the April 1st deadline. If the applicant or persons providing recommendations need additional pages, please ensure that these pages are emailed along with the completed Letter of Recommendation Forms, prior to the April 1st deadline.

• Letter of Recommendation Form

• There are two acceptable ways to submit transcripts, by mail and by email. Official Transcripts must be sent directly to the Chair from the institution. If completing by email, electronic transcripts will only be accepted from a secure credential delivery service and sent directly to the Scholarship Committee Chair. Transcript copies sent from an individual via email will NOT be accepted.  Please note that the transcript must be received by 11:59:59 PM US Eastern Time [UTC-7] on April 1st. Mailed transcripts must be postmarked between January 1st and April 1st.

**If you or your recommenders are unable to follow the application submission instructions , you must contact the Chair of the Scholarship Committee to arrange for alternate submission methods PRIOR to submitting your application materials. Materials received via alternate methods without prior approval will not be considered.  Failure to follow the application instructions could result in the dismissal of the applicant’s packet for further consideration for the scholarship.**

FAQ

• How do I know you have received all of my application materials?
  
  The Committee Chair will confirm receipt of each of your application components, as they arrive. These notifications will be sent to either the email address you list on your application form or as a reply to a received email. In mid-March, the chair usually sends reminders to individuals who have submitted some, but not all, of the application components.

• How long does it take to make the selection?
  
  The Committee usually has a final selection by early May of each calendar year.  All applicants will be notified of their status via email, once the final selections have been made.
   
• Why can’t I send you a scan of my unofficial transcript?
  
  Verification of your enrollment status and your academic performance is necessary. This cannot be achieved through a scan or courtesy copy of your transcript.
   
• What should I do if I have a problem downloading or filling out the application forms.
  
  1) Attempt to download the files using a different computer or drive.  2) Attempt to open the files with a different version of Adobe Reader/Acrobat (or use a different computer). Note – Digital Signatures on the documents are NOT required, but welcomed if you have that capability.  3) If the previous steps do not resolve your problem: Contact the Chair of the Scholarship Committee to discuss how to proceed.

International Applicant FAQ

• What if some of my documents are not in English
  
  Please submit an English translation of documents generated in another language. This also applies to official transcripts.  Application documents and letters of recommendation should be generated in English.
   
• Can non-US citizens apply?
  
  Yes! We are an international organization based in the US. We encourage applicants of any nationality to apply.
   
• How is the award distributed?
  
  The award is sent as a check drawn on a US bank and issued in US dollars. Some financial institutions may charge fees, as a result. These fees are the responsibility of the recipient and AFTE will not provide additional monies to cover the fees.

If you have any further questions regarding the AFTE Scholarship Program, please contact the Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

Samantha Harter
100 Elizabeth Blackwell Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Contact Samantha Harter