STUDENT APPLICATION FAQ

What is the Lightfoot Foundation?

The Lightfoot Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was established to provide financial assistance through scholarship, to post high school students who are looking to further their education.  The Foundation also assists organizations, through grants, that preserve the environment and provide housing to the financially disadvantaged.

 

Where does the Lightfoot Foundation get its funding?

The Lightfoot Foundation is a family foundation that is privately funded.

 

How many scholarships does the Lightfoot Foundation award?

It varies from year to year depending upon how many qualifying applications that are received each year.

 

How much are the scholarship amounts?

The scholarship amounts vary from year to year and will be different every year.

 

How often can I apply?

If you meet our requirements, you may apply every year that you are planning on attending an accredited institution as a full time student for your undergraduate program.  Graduate programs are not eligible for this award. 

 

Do I have to be a full time student in order to receive this award?

No.  However, the amount awarded is based on a full academic year and a full time status.  If you enroll in 10 to 11 credits, you will receive ¾ of your award.  If you are enrolled in 9 or less credits, you will receive ½ of your award.  Award amounts are split equally between the terms/semesters by the school.

 

What are the Lightfoot Foundation’s scholarship requirements?

1. The Lightfoot Foundation requires you to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA when planning on enrolling at an accredited 4 – year school, and a 2.0 cumulative GPA when planning on enrolling at an accredited 2-year school or a vo-tech school.
2. You must reside in the Treasure Valley area (see list of specific cities here) for AT LEAST 1 year.
3. Your household gross income must not exceed over $75,000 a year.
4. You must submit a COMPLETE scholarship application package.
5. You must submit your COMPLETE application post marked by April 15.
   

 

Do I have to attend a school in the Treasure Valley area?

No.  You may attend any accredited institution you choose.

 

Is the scholarship renewable?

No.  You must apply each year that you will be attending an accredited institution.

 

Where may I obtain an application?

On this website under the tab “Student Applications”

 

If I haven’t applied in a few years, which application do I use?

If you were ever awarded, even if you did not use the award, you will use the Re-Application form.  If you applied as a first time student in the past and were denied, you would use the First Time application form appropriate to the type of school you will be attending.

 

Can I submit my official transcript and letters of reference separate from my application?

No.  We receive hundreds of applications.  By submitting items separately, there is no guarantee that these items can be matched to your application appropriately, therefore, making your application incomplete.

 

What tax information needs to be attached?

Attach tax information for you AND anyone that claims you on their tax return.  If you are not claimed on another’s tax return but are provided support (room and board, living expenses, etc.) from anyone (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, guardians, etc.) that person’s tax information must be attached.  These attachments include pages 1 and 2 of the CURRENT year’s federal form 1040 (or page 1 of the federal 1040EZ), AND ALL W-2’s.  Your W-2’s must match the amount of the gross income provided on your tax return. Other answers to frequently asked tax information, is as follows:

1. If your parents are divorced, attach both parents tax information.
2. If you or your parents need to file an extension, attach a copy of the extension, the prior year’s tax return and W-2’s, and the CURRENT year’s W-2’s. If you are self employed, attach a letter explaining if your current year’s income will be more, less or the same as the prior year and an approximate amount.
3. If you or your parents are self employed, you would not have W-2’s to attach to the tax return. Send pages 1 and 2 of the federal form 1040, only.
4. If your parents receive only Social Security or SSI and are not required to file a tax return, enclose a copy of the statement from Social Security showing the monthly amount that is received along with a letter stating that no other income is received and no tax return is required.
5. If you did not make enough income to file a tax return but you DID work, attach a copy of your current year’s W-2’s.

 

If I am not living with my parents and am past the age that I can be claimed on another’s tax return, AND did not work in the prior year, what do I attach? 

Because this award is income based, we must be able to verify your income.  If no one supports you, and you did not work in the prior year, then you need to attach a letter addressing how you were able to live on no income.  If you were living with a friend, then we will require their tax information.

 

I received my official transcript in the mail.  Do I open it and attach it to the application?

NO!  If you open the transcript, it becomes unofficial and you will need to order another one and send it with your application in a sealed envelope.

 

When will I be notified whether I received a scholarship or not?

Notification is sent in June, annually.

 

If I receive an award, when are the funds sent to the schools?

Your award notification letter will include two forms that are required to be returned to the Foundation by July 31, annually.  If these forms are received by the due date, your funds will be sent to your school the first week of August, annually.  If you are attending summer school, please make that VERY CLEAR on your application so that your funds are sent earlier.  Please be aware that funds cannot be sent ANY earlier then mid June, annually.

 

What happens if I do not return these forms by the due date?

You will forfeit your entire award.

What is the process if I change schools mid year?

You must contact the Foundation to obtain a new College of Choice Form and Authorization to Release Student Records form, complete them for the new school and return them to the Foundation.  You must also contact the prior school to have them return your funds to the Foundation.  Upon receipt of both forms and the funds from the prior school, funds will be sent to the new school. 

If, after reading through these FAQ’s, I still have a question, who do I contact? 

Send an e-mail to the Foundation at info@lightfootfoundation.com.