q & a's- 2015 grad v2.pdf

Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Graduate Fellowship

NOFO Number DTFH6115RA00006 2015 Questions & Answers

Updated: 4/5/15 CRanje Page 1

The Q&A period for RFA Number DTFH6115RA00006 ended on March 30, 2015. Following you will find a list of the questions that were asked during the 2015 NOFO question period. An official response was returned to the individual and posted here to provide additional information.

Note: All personal and identifying information has been edited to maintain anonymity.

APPLICATION AVAILIBILITY, DOWNLOAD, and REGISTRATION

Q 1. I have a couple of students that have been eagerly awaiting the Eisenhower applications for this year. Can you give us a hint as to when they are expected? I thought the deadline was usually about this time of year.

Q 2. I was just wondering approximately when the Eisenhower Graduate (GRAD) Fellowships 2015 application cycle is anticipated to open?

Q 3. Will there be a 2015-16 Eisenhower Fellowship application posted?

Q 4. I haven’t seen the announcement for the 2015 Eisenhower graduate transportation fellowship, but I would like to serve as a reviewer if possible and give back to the organization and people that helped me complete my doctoral degree.

Q 5. I have been following the fellowships webpage, and was wondering if the Eisenhower graduate fellowships would be available again this year, as it is quite close to the usual deadline, and the website information has not been updated for 2015.

Q 6. I was wondering if the Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship will be available this year. I have been checking the website for the past couple weeks, and have not seen any updates on its status.

Q 7. I was on your website and saw that the 2014 Fellowship cycle was closed, which makes sense. But I was unable to find any information for the 2015-2016 academic years. Has the cycle closed and the website not updated or has the cycle not yet begun?

Q 8. I would like to ask about what are the start and due dates of the application cycle of 2015 for Eisenhower Graduate (GRAD) fellowships.

Q 9. I am writing to inquire as to the status of the 2015 Eisenhower Fellowship Program. Is the program scheduled to be funded this year? If so, do you have details as to the application process and deadline?

Answer to Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9: The application package for Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6115RA00006 has been posted by the awarding agency for submission through Grants.gov. Please read the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the DDETFP Graduate Fellowship Announcement in their entirety. Both documents provide application instructions.

Q 10. I am interested in the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Graduate

Fellowship. I am not able to download the application online and I was hoping you might be able to help me with this.

Answer Q10: The application package for Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6115RA00006 has been posted by the awarding agency for submission through Grants.gov. Please read the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the DDETFP Graduate Fellowship Announcement in their entirety. Both documents provide application instructions.

Q 11. I’m interested in grant DTFH6115RA00006, and I unable to register or apply for it, is it possible you could help me.

Answer Q11: Applications for the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Graduate Fellowship must be submitted via the FHWA Transportation Fellowship Internship and Contractor System (TFICS). Please register at the link provided in the NOFO and the Announcement. We strongly recommend that you complete or verify your registration at least two weeks before the application deadline. This will ensure that you have time to address any registration challenges.

NOFO Number DTFH6115RA00006 2015 Questions & Answers

Updated: 4/5/15 CRanje Page 2

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

Q 12. I saw on the government grant site that you are offering a grant to further highway training. I desperately want to attend the training to earn my CDL. I would love it if you would send me an application for the grant opportunity.

Q 13. I am trying to find a grant for obtaining my CDL and am wondering if this is the correct one to apply for.

Any of your assistance would be helpful.

Answer Q12, Q13: The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Graduate Fellowship is intended for applicants pursuing Master or Doctoral degrees in an approved Transportation related field. Unfortunately, CDL programs do not apply.

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Q 14. I currently have a 4.0 GPA while participating in band and other activities; however, I unfortunately cannot afford graduate school. I found information about the Eisenhower Fellowship under the Department of Transportation online and wanted to know if you have any fellowship opportunities in which I could work while receiving funding for graduate school. I would truly appreciate any opportunity.

Please let me know if you can help.

Answer Q14: The application period for the 2015 Eisenhower Graduate Fellowship is available now. Please visit to https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/tficst/signin.aspx or grants.gov for to obtain the application requirements and submission.

ELIGABILITY – ENROLLMENT STATUS

Q 15. Are students enrolled in a part-time Master’s program also be eligible to apply for the Eisenhower Graduate Fellowship?

Answer Q15: No, applicant must be enrolled full time for the entire academic year in which they will receive funding. For a detailed list of the application requirements please go to www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpp/ugp.htm or grants.gov. Thank you for your inquiry.

MULTIPLE – ELIGIBILITY, RECOMMENDATION LETTER, and FUNDONG PERIOD Q 16. I am currently MS-PhD student in Columbia University in the city of New York, and I intend to apply for the Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program. But there are some questions during the application procedure, which I hope you can help me out.

1. In the requirement of the fellowship, it says the applicant must be a confirmed graduating senior and be enrolled full time in a credited institution no later than the fall 2015. The degree I am study is a master leading to PhD program, and I have just finished my first year in Columbia. I need to ask if that is applicable to apply for the fellowship, as to some extent I am a graduating student and were enrolled before 2015 fall.

2. As an international student I do not have work experience in the States, and I am wondering if I can ask a non-US citizen(my former professor and boss) to write me the recommendation letter?

3. In the description the duration of the funding is not described in detail and could you tell me typically how long does the funding sustain?

Answer Q16: This message is in response to your inquiry about the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Graduate Fellowship (DTFH6115RA00006).

1. To meet eligibility requirements, applicants of the Eisenhower Graduate Fellowship Recipients must:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. Institution;

• Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. Institution of higher education https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/tficst/signin.aspx http://grants.gov/ http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpp/ugp.htm%20or%20grants.gov http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpp/ugp.htm%20or%20grants.gov

NOFO Number DTFH6115RA00006 2015 Questions & Answers

Updated: 4/5/15 CRanje Page 3

• Be pursuing a degree in a full-time program in a transportation-related discipline

• Have at least one full academic year remaining in program of study;

• Conduct ongoing research in one or more transportation-related disciplines; and

• Plan to enter the transportation profession after completing their higher level education.

2. Please have all transportation experience documented on your resume or C/V. Recommendations can come from individuals that are located outside of the U.S. As noted in the NOFO and the Announcement, please make sure that you meet the submittal deadlines. Documents received after close date will not be accepted.

3. The award will be for the 2015 – 2016 Academic Year.

ELIGIBILITY – ACADEMIC STATUS

Q 17. I am very interested in applying for the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Graduate Fellowship. Although, currently an undergraduate student in the study of Civil Engineering at NAU, I wish to continue my education in the Graduate Program. My anticipated graduation is the 2015 Fall semester. In my current educational stand point, am I able to apply for this scholarship?

Answer Q17: In response to your question about eligibility it seems you will not be eligible to apply for the Eisenhower Graduate Fellowship if you will possess your baccalaureate degree at the end of Fall 2015 Semester. The Graduate Announcement states that one must possess a baccalaureate degree by June 30, 2015. We encourage you to consider applying next year when you will be eligible. Thank you for your inquiry.

ELIGIBILITY – ACADEMIC STATUS

Q 18. I checked out the submission website and it appeared that all applicants should be either MS or PhD at the time of application. In that case a graduating senior student who will be master student in fall 2015 would not be qualified to apply now. Is that true?

Answer Q18: Yes you are correct; all applicants for GRAD fellowship are either MS or PhD at the time of application. However, a graduating senior who will be a Master student in fall 2015 could apply if he/she possesses Baccalaureate degrees by June 30, 2015 and meets the following requirements.

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited institution or be a confirmed graduating senior at an U.S. accredited institution;

• Be enrolled full time in an accredited U.S. institution of higher education no later than the Fall 2015 academic year;

• Be pursuing a degree in a full-time program in a transportation-related discipline;

• Have at least one full academic year remaining in program of study;

• Conduct ongoing research in one or more transportation-related disciplines; and

• Plan to enter the transportation profession after completing their higher level education.

• Non-U.S. citizens must attach a valid copy of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

(SEVIS) Form I-20 issued by the educational institution you attend, or Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status", or Form I-551 “Permanent Resident Card” issued by the U.S.

Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS).

TFICS ACCOUNT

Q 19. I recently created a TFICST Online account, but when I try to log in with the correct user ID and password, it says one of them is invalid, and when I request to have them emailed to me, it says the email I provided is not registered. Please let me know how to proceed.

Answer Q19: I will ask that you try to recreate your profile and see if that makes a difference.