Frequently asked questions
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
My teacher prefers to keep my recommendation letter confidential - how can they submit it to BAFTX?
Please ask your teacher to email their letter of recommendation to info@baftx.org and we will attach it to your application.
I’m applying for college funding and am not a US citizen and don’t have a FAFSA
Please upload your TAFSA instead.
What does BAFTX consider “low income”?
We don’t specify low income as households on a certain income with 2 family members is very different to 8 family members on the same income. We would state that if you need to rely on scholarships in order to access a college education, you should consider applying.
What does BAFTX consider a STEM major?
BAFTX can provide this list of STEM majors. If you consider your major to be STEM and it does not appear on this list, please contact us for clarification.
Why are there different GPA requirements between Freshmen and other college grades?
We ask scholars to maintain a GPA of 3 or above (current college students) or 3.5 (current high school students applying for Freshman year funding. This is because GPAs typically drop by an average of just over 0.5 points between high school and college.
What about Scholarship displacement?
Scholarship (or award) displacement occurs when one form of financial aid (such as a scholarship) results in a reduction in other forms of financial aid, which may include student loans, work-study and scholarships / aid awarded by a college. Here is a factsheet from the National Scholarship Providers Association about scholarship displacement. If you experience this with your BAFTX scholarship, while we cannot pay scholars directly, please contact us so that we can work together to find a solution.
International stem program
I want to apply for the international stem program but i don’t have a passport - should I apply for one now?
You should wait until you hear whether or not your application has been successful. Remember that BAFTX can assist you with passport fees if required.
I’m a high school senior -can I apply for the international stem program?
Sorry, but this program is exclusively for High School Juniors.
I’m not a US citizen or permanent resident - can I apply for the international stem program?
While we may be able to get you to the UK on a non US passport, you may find difficulties re-entering the USA so if you are undocumented in any way, this program would not be for you.
Do international stem program participants have to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
We and our UK partners no longer require scholars to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Timelines and SUBMISSIONS
when will I hear about my application?
You should hear by email 3 weeks after the deadline.
I can’t make the deadline, can I have an extension?
Our applications are open for at least 4 and in some cases 6 months. We do not grant extensions to our deadlines for any reason.
Can I submit my application by mail?
Sorry but all applications must be submitted online via our application form.